Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 9 · Chapter 20

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.20.1 Those who believed from the third mountain, which has thorns and thistles, are like this: some are rich, and some are entangled in many business dealings. The thistles are the rich, and the thorns are those entangled in various business dealings.

Greek including Lake’s editorial reconstruction from versions

Similitude 9.20.2 These people entangled in many and varied business dealings do not attach themselves to God's servants, but wander away, choked by their occupations. The rich attach themselves to God's servants with difficulty, fearing that something might be asked of them. Such people, therefore, will enter the kingdom of God with difficulty.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.20.3 For just as walking barefoot among thistles is difficult, so it is difficult for such people to enter the kingdom of God.

Greek including Lake’s editorial reconstruction from versions

Similitude 9.20.4 But repentance is available to all these, though it must be swift, so that they may now make up in these days what they did not do in former times and do some good. If they repent and do some good, they will live to God. But if they persist in their occupations, they will be handed over to those women, who will put them to death.