Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 10 · Chapter 3
Similitude 10.3.1
Latin L1, directly read in Lake’s print scan
Similitude 10.3.1 I sent these virgins to you to dwell with you, for I saw that they were kindly disposed toward you. You therefore have them as helpers, so that you may be better able to keep his commandments. For it cannot happen that these commandments are kept without these virgins. I see that they are gladly with you; but I shall command them not to depart from your house at all.
Textual & reception notes
Similitude 10.3.1 — Textual: The Latin makes the virgins necessary helpers in keeping the commands. A small obscured area on printed page 300 remains dependent on the encoded Latin transcription. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.
Similitude 10.3.2
Latin L1, directly read in Lake’s print scan
Similitude 10.3.2 Only cleanse your house, for they will gladly dwell in a clean house. They are clean, chaste, and diligent, and all have favor before the Lord. Therefore, if they find your house pure, they will remain with you. But if even a little defilement occurs, they will immediately withdraw from your house, for these virgins love no defilement at all.”
Textual & reception notes
Similitude 10.3.2 — Textual: The virgins' continued residence depends on a clean household, while even slight defilement prompts withdrawal; the Latin condition is explicit. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.
Similitude 10.3.3
Latin L1 and surviving Greek, as printed by Lake
Similitude 10.3.3 I said to him, “I hope, sir, to please them, so that they may always gladly dwell in my house. Just as this shepherd, to whom you entrusted me, does not blame me, neither will these virgins blame me.”
Textual & reception notes
Similitude 10.3.3 — Textual: Latin gives Hermas's hope of pleasing the virgins; surviving Oxyrhynchus Greek supplies the comparison with the shepherd's lack of blame. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.
Similitude 10.3.4
Surviving Greek quotation or papyrus, as printed by Lake
Similitude 10.3.4 He said to the shepherd, “I know that God's servant wishes to live and will keep these commandments and establish the virgins in purity.”
Textual & reception notes
Similitude 10.3.4 — Textual: The surviving Greek from Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 404 attributes to Hermas the intention to live, keep the commands, and maintain the virgins in purity. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.
Similitude 10.3.5
Latin L1 and surviving Greek, as printed by Lake
Similitude 10.3.5 Having said these things, he entrusted me again to the shepherd, and calling the virgins … he said to them, “Since I see that you gladly dwell in this man's house, I entrust him and his household to you, so that you may not depart from his house at all.” They gladly heard these words.
Textual & reception notes
Similitude 10.3.5 — Textual: Oxyrhynchus Greek contains the printed gap marked by an ellipsis; Latin L1 continues the speech entrusting Hermas and his household to the virgins. Reception: No section-specific reception verified in the sources checked.