Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 9 · Chapter 16

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.16.1 I said, “Disclose one thing more to me, sir.” He said, “What do you seek?” I said, “Why, sir, did the stones rise from the deep and enter the building of the tower, although they had borne these spirits?”

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.16.2 He said, “They had to rise through water so that they might be made alive. For they could not otherwise enter the kingdom of God unless they laid aside the deadness of their former life.

Greek including Lake’s editorial reconstruction from versions

Similitude 9.16.3 So these who had fallen asleep also received the seal of the Son of God and entered the kingdom of God. For before a human being bears the name of the Son of God,” he said, “he is dead. But when he receives the seal, he lays aside deadness and takes up life.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.16.4 The seal, therefore, is the water. They go down into the water dead and rise alive. This seal was therefore proclaimed to those people too, and they made use of it, so that they might enter the kingdom of God.”

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.16.5 I said, “Why, sir, did the forty stones also rise with them from the deep, although they already had the seal?” He said, “Because these apostles and teachers who proclaimed the name of the Son of God, after falling asleep in the power and faith of the Son of God, also proclaimed to those who had fallen asleep before them, and themselves gave them the seal of the proclamation.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.16.6 They therefore went down with them into the water and rose again. But these went down alive and rose alive; those who had fallen asleep before them went down dead and rose alive.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.16.7 Through these, therefore, they were made alive and came to know the name of the Son of God. For this reason they also rose together with them and were fitted together into the building of the tower, and were built in together without being cut. For they had fallen asleep in righteousness and great purity; only this seal they did not have. So you have the explanation of these things too.” I said, “I have it, sir.”