Shepherd of Hermas — Vision 3, Chapter 3
The Tower Built Upon the Waters
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Vision 3.3.1After showing me these things, she wished to hurry away. I said to her, “Lady, what benefit is it to me to see these things without knowing what they mean?” She answered me, “You are an inquisitive person, wanting to know about the tower.” “Yes, lady,” I said, “so that I may announce it to the brothers and sisters, and they may become more cheerful and, hearing these things, know the Lord in great glory.”
Vision 3.3.2She said, “Many will hear. Some who hear will rejoice, and others will weep. Yet if these also listen and repent, they too will rejoice. Therefore hear the parables of the tower, for I will reveal everything to you. And no longer trouble me about revelation, for these revelations have an end: they have been completed. But you will not stop asking for revelations, for you are shameless.
Vision 3.3.3“The tower which you see being built is I, the Church, who appeared to you both now and previously. Ask whatever you wish about the tower, and I will reveal it to you, so that you may rejoice with the saints.”
Vision 3.3.4I said to her, “Lady, since you have once considered me worthy to have everything revealed to me, reveal it.” She said to me, “Whatever can be revealed to you will be revealed. Only let your heart be toward God, and do not become double-minded about whatever you see.”
Vision 3.3.5I asked her, “Lady, why has the tower been built upon waters?” “I told you before,” she said, “and you are searching diligently. By searching, then, you find the truth. Now hear why the tower has been built upon waters: because your life was saved through water and will be saved. The tower has been founded by the word of the almighty and glorious Name, and it is upheld by the Master’s invisible power.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.