Shepherd of Hermas — Vision 3, Chapter 8
Seven Sisters, and the Last of Them Is Love
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Vision 3.8.1When I had stopped asking her about all these things, she said to me, “Do you wish to see something else?” Being eager to behold it, I was overjoyed at the prospect of seeing.
Vision 3.8.2She looked at me, smiled, and said to me, “Do you see seven women around the tower?” “I see them, lady,” I said. “This tower is supported by them at the Lord’s command.
Vision 3.8.3“Now hear their activities. The first of them, who holds the hands, is called Faith. Through her God’s chosen ones are saved.
Vision 3.8.4“The other, who has girded herself and acts courageously, is called Self-Control. She is Faith’s daughter. Whoever follows her becomes blessed in his life, because he will abstain from all evil deeds, believing that if he abstains from every evil desire, he will inherit eternal life.”
Vision 3.8.5“And who, lady, are the others?” “They are daughters of one another. One is called Simplicity, another Knowledge, another Innocence, another Reverence, and another Love. When you do all the works of their mother, you can live.”
Vision 3.8.6“Lady,” I said, “I wish to know what power each of them has.” “Hear,” she said, “the powers they possess.
Vision 3.8.7“Their powers are sustained by one another, and they follow one another in the order of their birth. From Faith is born Self-Control, from Self-Control Simplicity, from Simplicity Innocence, from Innocence Reverence, from Reverence Knowledge, and from Knowledge Love. Their works, therefore, are pure, reverent, and divine.
Vision 3.8.8“Whoever serves them and succeeds in holding fast to their works will have his dwelling in the tower with God’s saints.”
Vision 3.8.9I asked her about the times, whether the consummation had already come. She cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Uncomprehending person! Do you not see the tower still being built? When the tower under construction has been completed, there is an end. But it will soon be built. Ask me nothing more. This reminder and the renewal of your spirits are enough for you and for the saints.
Vision 3.8.10“But these things were not revealed to you alone, but so that you might make them clear to everyone,
Vision 3.8.11“after three days, for you must understand them first. But first I command you, Hermas, to speak all these words which I am about to tell you into the ears of the saints, so that, hearing and doing them, they may be cleansed from their wicked deeds, and you with them.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.