Shepherd of Hermas: Mandates 10.1.1–12.6.5
Greek text: Lake, LCL 25 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the Perseus Digital Library and published by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 2 (1885).
Mandate 10, chapter 1
10.1.1Lake, LCL 25:110
Ἆρον ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ, φησί, τὴν λύπην· καὶ γὰρ αὕτη ἀδελφή ἐστι τῆς διψυχίας καὶ τῆς ὀξυχολίας.
Aron apo seautou, phēsi, tēn lypēn; kai gar hautē adelphē esti tēs dipsychias kai tēs oxycholias.
“Remove sorrow from yourself,” he said, “for it too is the sister of double-mindedness and of bad temper.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Put away sorrow, sister of doubt and anger.
- Mandate 10 is on λύπη, “sorrow” or “grief”: a gloomy, discouraged spirit, not healthy repentance.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.1.1 (Lake, LCL 25:110; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-1-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.1.2Lake, LCL 25:110–112
Πῶς, φημί, κύριε, ἀδελφή ἐστι τούτων; ἄλλο γάρ μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ὀξυχολία καὶ ἄλλο διψυχία καὶ ἄλλο λύπη. Ἀσύνετος εἶ ἄνθρωπε, φησί, καὶ οὐ νοεῖς, ὅτι ἡ λύπη πάντων τῶν πνευμάτων πονηροτέρα ἐστὶ καὶ δεινοτάτη τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ παρὰ πάντα τὰ πνεύματα καταφθείρει τὸν ἄνθρωπον καὶ ἐκτρίβει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ πάλιν σώζει;
Pōs, phēmi, kyrie, adelphē esti toutōn? allo gar moi dokei einai oxycholia kai allo dipsychia kai allo lypē. Asynetos ei anthrōpe, phēsi, kai ou noeis, hoti hē lypē pantōn tōn pneumatōn ponērotera esti kai deinotatē tois doulois tou theou kai para panta ta pneumata kataphtheirei ton anthrōpon kai ektribei to pneuma to hagion kai palin sōzei?
“How, sir,” I said, “is it their sister? For bad temper seems to me to be one thing, double-mindedness another, and sorrow another.” “You are a foolish man,” he said, “and do not understand that sorrow is more evil than all the spirits and most terrible to God's servants, and more than all the spirits it ruins a person and crushes out the Holy Spirit, and again saves.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Sorrow is the worst spirit: it crushes the Holy Spirit, yet can also save.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.1.2 (Lake, LCL 25:110–112; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-1-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.1.3Lake, LCL 25:112
Ἐγώ, φημί, κύριε, ἀσύνετός εἰμι καὶ οὐ συνίω τὰς παραβολὰς ταύτας. πῶς γὰρ δύναται ἐκτρίβειν καὶ πάλιν σώζειν, οὐ νοῶ.
Egō, phēmi, kyrie, asynetos eimi kai ou syniō tas parabolas tautas. pōs gar dynatai ektribein kai palin sōzein, ou noō.
“I am foolish, sir,” I said, “and do not understand these parables. For how it can crush out and again save, I do not understand.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Hermas does not understand.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.1.3 (Lake, LCL 25:112; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-1-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.1.4Lake, LCL 25:112
Ἄκουε, φησίν· οἱ μηδέποτε ἐρευνήσαντες περὶ τῆς ἀληθείας μηδὲ ἐπιζητήσαντες περὶ τῆς θεότητος, πιστεύσαντες δὲ μόνον, ἐμπεφυρμένοι δὲ πραγματείαις καὶ πλούτῳ καὶ φιλίαις ἐθνικαῖς καὶ ἄλλαις πολλαῖς πραγματείαις τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου· ὅσοι οὖν τούτοις πρόσκεινται, οὐ νοοῦσι τὰς παραβολὰς τῆς θεότητος· ἐπισκοτοῦνται γὰρ ὑπὸ τούτων τῶν πράξεων καὶ καταφθείρονται καὶ γίνονται κεχερσωμένοι.
Akoue, phēsin; hoi mēdepote ereunēsantes peri tēs alētheias mēde epizētēsantes peri tēs theotētos, pisteusantes de monon, empephyrmenoi de pragmateiais kai ploutǭ kai philiais ethnikais kai allais pollais pragmateiais tou aiōnos toutou; hosoi oun toutois proskeintai, ou noousi tas parabolas tēs theotētos; episkotountai gar hypo toutōn tōn praxeōn kai kataphtheirontai kai ginontai kechersōmenoi.
“Hear,” he said. “Those who have never searched about the truth nor inquired about the divine nature, but have merely believed, and are mixed up in business and wealth and pagan friendships and many other affairs of this world: all who are devoted to these things do not understand the parables about the divine nature; for they are darkened by these activities and ruined and become barren.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those absorbed in worldly business cannot understand divine things.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.1.4 (Lake, LCL 25:112; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-1-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.1.5Lake, LCL 25:112
καθὼς οἱ ἀμπελῶνες οἱ καλοί, ὅταν ἀμελείας τύχωσι, χερσοῦνται ἀπὸ τῶν ἀκανθῶν καὶ βοτανῶν ποικίλων, οὕτως οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ πιστεύσαντες καὶ εἰς ταύτας τὰς πράξεις τὰς πολλὰς ἐμπίπτοντες τὰς προειρημένας, ἀποπλανῶνται ἀπὸ τῆς διανοίας αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐδὲν ὅλως νοοῦσι περὶ δικαιοσύνης, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσι περὶ θεότητος καὶ ἀληθείας, ὁ νοῦς αὐτῶν περὶ τὴν πρᾶξιν αὐτῶν καταγίνεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ὅλως νοοῦσιν.
kathōs hoi ampelōnes hoi kaloi, hotan ameleias tychōsi, chersountai apo tōn akanthōn kai botanōn poikilōn, houtōs hoi anthrōpoi hoi pisteusantes kai eis tautas tas praxeis tas pollas empiptontes tas proeirēmenas, apoplanōntai apo tēs dianoias autōn, kai ouden holōs noousi peri dikaiosynēs, alla kai hotan akousōsi peri theotētos kai alētheias, ho nous autōn peri tēn praxin autōn kataginetai, kai ouden holōs noousin.
Just as good vineyards, when they are neglected, become barren from thorns and various weeds, so people who have believed and fall into these many activities mentioned before are led astray from their understanding and understand nothing at all about righteousness; but even when they hear about the divine nature and truth, their mind is occupied with their business, and they understand nothing at all.
Matt 13:22 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Like neglected vineyards, the worldly become overgrown.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.1.5 (Lake, LCL 25:112; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-1-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.1.6Lake, LCL 25:112–114
οἱ δὲ φόβον ἔχοντες θεοῦ καὶ ἐρευνῶντες περὶ θεότητος καὶ ἀληθείας καὶ τὴν καρδίαν ἔχοντες πρὸς τὸν κύριον, πάντα τὰ λεγόμενα αὐτοῖς τάχιον νοοῦσι καὶ συνίουσιν, ὅτι ἔχουσι τὸν φόβον τοῦ κυρίου ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· ὅπου γὰρ ὁ κύριος κατοικεῖ, ἐκεῖ καὶ σύνεσις πολλή. κολλήθητι οὖν τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ πάντα συνήσεις καὶ νοήσεις.
hoi de phobon echontes theou kai ereunōntes peri theotētos kai alētheias kai tēn kardian echontes pros ton kyrion, panta ta legomena autois tachion noousi kai syniousin, hoti echousi ton phobon tou kyriou en heautois; hopou gar ho kyrios katoikei, ekei kai synesis pollē. kollēthēti oun tǭ kyriǭ, kai panta synēseis kai noēseis.
But those who have the fear of God and search about the divine nature and truth, and have their heart toward the Lord, understand and grasp quickly everything that is said to them, because they have the fear of the Lord in themselves; for where the Lord dwells, there also is much understanding. Cling, then, to the Lord, and you will understand and grasp everything.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who fear God understand quickly.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.1.6 (Lake, LCL 25:112–114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-1-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 10, chapter 2
10.2.1Lake, LCL 25:114
Ἄκουε οὖν, φησίν, ἀνόητε, πῶς ἡ λύπη ἐκτρίβει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ πάλιν σώζει·
Akoue oun, phēsin, anoēte, pōs hē lypē ektribei to pneuma to hagion kai palin sōzei;
Hear, then, foolish one,” he said, “how sorrow crushes out the Holy Spirit and again saves.
Notes and citation
Summary: How sorrow harms and saves.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.2.1 (Lake, LCL 25:114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-2-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.2.2Lake, LCL 25:114
ὅταν ὁ δίψυχος ἐπιβάληται πρᾶξίν τινα καὶ ταύτης ἀποτύχῃ διὰ τὴν διψυχίαν αὐτοῦ, ἡ λύπη αὕτη εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὸν ἄνθρωπον καὶ λυπεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ ἐκτρίβει αὐτό.
hotan ho dipsychos epibalētai praxin tina kai tautēs apotychę̄ dia tēn dipsychian autou, hē lypē hautē eisporeuetai eis ton anthrōpon kai lypei to pneuma to hagion kai ektribei auto.
When the double-minded person undertakes some deed and fails in it because of his double-mindedness, this sorrow enters into the person and grieves the Holy Spirit and crushes it out.
Eph 4:30 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Sorrow after failure grieves the Holy Spirit.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.2.2 (Lake, LCL 25:114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-2-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.2.3Lake, LCL 25:114
εἶτα πάλιν ἡ ὀξυχολία ὅταν κολληθῇ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ περὶ πράγματός τινος, καὶ λίαν πικρανθῇ, πάλιν ἡ λύπη εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὴν καρδίαν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ ὀξυχολήσαντος, καὶ λυπεῖται ἐπὶ τῇ πράξει αὐτοῦ ᾗ ἔπραξε καὶ μετανοεῖ, ὅτι πονηρὸν εἰργάσατο.
eita palin hē oxycholia hotan kollēthę̄ tǭ anthrōpǭ peri pragmatos tinos, kai lian pikranthę̄, palin hē lypē eisporeuetai eis tēn kardian tou anthrōpou tou oxycholēsantos, kai lypeitai epi tę̄ praxei autou hę̄ epraxe kai metanoei, hoti ponēron eirgasato.
Then again, when bad temper attaches itself to a person about some matter, and he becomes very bitter, again sorrow enters into the heart of the person who lost his temper, and he is sorry for the deed he did and repents, because he did evil.
Notes and citation
Summary: Sorrow after anger can lead to repentance.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.2.3 (Lake, LCL 25:114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-2-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.2.4Lake, LCL 25:114
αὕτη οὖν ἡ λύπη δοκεῖ σωτηρίαν ἔχειν, ὅτι τὸ πονηρὸν πράξας μετενόησεν. ἀμφότεραι οὖν αἱ πράξεις λυποῦσι τὸ πνεῦμα· ἡ μὲν διψυχία, ὅτι οὐκ ἐπέτυχε τῆς πράξεως αὐτῆς, ἡ δὲ ὀξυχολία λυπεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα, ὅτι ἔπραξε τὸ πονηρόν. ἀμφότερα οὖν λυπηρά ἐστι τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ, ἡ διψυχία καὶ ἡ ὀξυχολία.
hautē oun hē lypē dokei sōtērian echein, hoti to ponēron praxas metenoēsen. amphoterai oun hai praxeis lypousi to pneuma; hē men dipsychia, hoti ouk epetyche tēs praxeōs autēs, hē de oxycholia lypei to pneuma, hoti epraxe to ponēron. amphotera oun lypēra esti tǭ pneumati tǭ hagiǭ, hē dipsychia kai hē oxycholia.
This sorrow, then, seems to bring salvation, because having done evil he repented. Both actions, then, grieve the Spirit: double-mindedness, because it did not succeed in its undertaking, and bad temper grieves the Spirit because it did evil. Both, then, are grievous to the Holy Spirit, double-mindedness and bad temper.
2 Cor 7:10 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Both doubt and anger grieve the Spirit.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.2.4 (Lake, LCL 25:114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-2-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.2.5Lake, LCL 25:114
ἆρον οὖν ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ τὴν λύπην καὶ μὴ θλῖβε τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον τὸ ἐν σοὶ κατοικοῦν, μήποτε ἐντεύξηται τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἀποστῇ ἀπὸ σοῦ.
aron oun apo seautou tēn lypēn kai mē thlibe to pneuma to hagion to en soi katoikoun, mēpote enteuxētai tǭ theǭ kai apostę̄ apo sou.
Remove, then, sorrow from yourself, and do not afflict the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, lest he intercede with God against you and depart from you.
Notes and citation
Summary: Do not afflict the Holy Spirit within you.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.2.5 (Lake, LCL 25:114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-2-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.2.6Lake, LCL 25:114
τὸ γὰρ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ τὸ δοθὲν εἰς τὴν σάρκα ταύτην λύπην οὐχ ὑποφέρει οὐδὲ στενοχωρίαν.
to gar pneuma tou theou to dothen eis tēn sarka tautēn lypēn ouch hypopherei oude stenochōrian.
For the Spirit of God given to this flesh endures neither sorrow nor distress.
Notes and citation
Summary: God's Spirit cannot bear sorrow.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.2.6 (Lake, LCL 25:114; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-2-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 10, chapter 3
10.3.1Lake, LCL 25:114–116
Ἔνδυσαι οὖν τὴν ἱλαρότητα, τὴν πάντοτε ἔχουσαν χάριν παρὰ τῷ θεῷ καὶ εὐπρόσδεκτον οὖσαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐντρύφα ἐν αὐτῇ. πᾶς γὰρ ἱλαρὸς ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὰ ἐργάζεται καὶ ἀγαθὰ φρονεῖ καὶ καταφρονεῖ τῆς λύπης.
Endysai oun tēn hilarotēta, tēn pantote echousan charin para tǭ theǭ kai euprosdekton ousan autǭ, kai entrypha en autę̄. pas gar hilaros anēr agatha ergazetai kai agatha phronei kai kataphronei tēs lypēs.
Put on, then, cheerfulness, which always has favor with God and is acceptable to him, and delight in it. For every cheerful man does good and thinks good and despises sorrow.
Notes and citation
Summary: Put on cheerfulness, which pleases God.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.3.1 (Lake, LCL 25:114–116; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-3-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.3.2Lake, LCL 25:116
ὁ δὲ λυπηρὸς ἀνὴρ πάντοτε πονηρεύεται· πρῶτον μὲν πονηρεύεται, ὅτι λυπεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον τὸ δοθὲν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἱλαρόν· δεύτερον δὲ λυπῶν τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἀνομίαν ἐργάζεται, μὴ ἐντυγχάνων μηδὲ ἐξομολογούμενος τῷ κυρίῳ. Πάντοτε γὰρ λυπηροῦ ἀνδρὸς ἡ ἔντευξις οὐκ ἔχει δύναμιν τοῦ ἀναβῆναι ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ θεοῦ.
ho de lypēros anēr pantote ponēreuetai; prōton men ponēreuetai, hoti lypei to pneuma to hagion to dothen tǭ anthrōpǭ hilaron; deuteron de lypōn to pneuma to hagion anomian ergazetai, mē entynchanōn mēde exomologoumenos tǭ kyriǭ. Pantote gar lypērou andros hē enteuxis ouk echei dynamin tou anabēnai epi to thysiastērion tou theou.
But the sorrowful man always does evil: first he does evil because he grieves the Holy Spirit, which was given to the person cheerful; second, by grieving the Holy Spirit he commits lawlessness, not praying nor confessing to the Lord. For the prayer of a sorrowful man never has power to go up to the altar of God.”
Notes and citation
Summary: A sorrowful man's prayer cannot rise to God's altar.
Topics: Prayer
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.3.2 (Lake, LCL 25:116; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-3-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.3.3Lake, LCL 25:116
Διατί, φημί, οὐκ ἀναβαίνει ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον ἡ ἔντευξις τοῦ λυπουμένου; Ὅτι, φησίν, ἡ λύπη ἐγκάθηται εἰς τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ. μεμιγμένη οὖν ἡ λύπη μετὰ τῆς ἐντεύξεως οὐκ ἀφίησι τὴν ἔντευξιν ἀναβῆναι καθαρὰν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον. ὥσπερ γὰρ ὄξος καὶ οἶνος μεμιγμένα ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ τὴν αὐτὴν ἡδονὴν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, οὕτω καὶ ἡ λύπη μεμιγμένη μετὰ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος τὴν αὐτὴν ἔντευξιν οὐκ ἔχει.
Diati, phēmi, ouk anabainei epi to thysiastērion hē enteuxis tou lypoumenou? Hoti, phēsin, hē lypē enkathētai eis tēn kardian autou. memigmenē oun hē lypē meta tēs enteuxeōs ouk aphiēsi tēn enteuxin anabēnai katharan epi to thysiastērion. hōsper gar oxos kai oinos memigmena epi to auto tēn autēn hēdonēn ouk echousin, houtō kai hē lypē memigmenē meta tou hagiou pneumatos tēn autēn enteuxin ouk echei.
“Why,” I said, “does the prayer of one who is sorrowful not go up to the altar?” “Because,” he said, “sorrow sits in his heart. Sorrow mixed with prayer, then, does not let the prayer go up pure to the altar. For just as vinegar and wine mixed together do not have the same pleasantness, so sorrow mixed with the Holy Spirit does not have the same prayer.
Notes and citation
Summary: Sorrow mixed with prayer is like vinegar in wine.
Topics: Prayer
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.3.3 (Lake, LCL 25:116; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-3-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
10.3.4Lake, LCL 25:116
καθάρισον οὖν σεαυτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης τῆς πονηρᾶς ταύτης, καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ πάντες ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ, ὅσοι ἂν ἀποβάλωσιν ἀφʼ ἑαυτῶν τὴν λύπην καὶ ἐνδύσωνται πᾶσαν ἱλαρότητα.
katharison oun seauton apo tēs lypēs tēs ponēras tautēs, kai zēsę̄ tǭ theǭ; kai pantes zēsontai tǭ theǭ, hosoi an apobalōsin aphʼ heautōn tēn lypēn kai endysōntai pasan hilarotēta.
Cleanse yourself, then, from this evil sorrow, and you will live to God; and all will live to God who cast off sorrow from themselves and put on all cheerfulness.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Cast off sorrow and live.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 10.3.4 (Lake, LCL 25:116; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-10-3-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 11
11.1Lake, LCL 25:116–118
Ἔδειξέ μοι ἐπὶ συμψελλίου καθημένους ἀνθρώπους καὶ ἕτερον ἄνθρωπον καθήμενον ἐπὶ καθέδραν, καὶ λέγει μοι· Βλέπεις τοὺς ἐπὶ τοῦ συμψελλίου καθημένους; Βλέπω, φημί, κύριε. Οὗτοι, φησί, πιστοί εἰσι, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τὴν καθέδραν ψευδοπροφήτης ἐστίν, ὃς ἀπόλλυσι τὴν διάνοιαν τῶν δούλων τοῦ θεοῦ· τῶν διψύχων δὲ ἀπόλλυσιν, οὐ τῶν πιστῶν.
Edeixe moi epi sympselliou kathēmenous anthrōpous kai heteron anthrōpon kathēmenon epi kathedran, kai legei moi; Blepeis tous epi tou sympselliou kathēmenous? Blepō, phēmi, kyrie. Houtoi, phēsi, pistoi eisi, kai ho kathēmenos epi tēn kathedran pseudoprophētēs estin, hos apollysi tēn dianoian tōn doulōn tou theou; tōn dipsychōn de apollysin, ou tōn pistōn.
He showed me people sitting on a bench and another man sitting on a chair, and he said to me, “Do you see those sitting on the bench?” “I see them, sir,” I said. “These,” he said, “are faithful, and the one sitting on the chair is a false prophet, who destroys the understanding of God's servants; he destroys that of the double-minded, not of the faithful.
Notes and citation
Summary: A false prophet sits before the believers.
- Mandate 11 gives tests for telling true prophets from false, comparable to Did. 11.7–12.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.1 (Lake, LCL 25:116–118; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.2Lake, LCL 25:118
οὗτοι οὖν οἱ δίψυχοι ὡς ἐπὶ μάντιν ἔρχονται καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτόν, τί ἄρα ἔσται αὐτοῖς· κἀκεῖνος ὁ ψευδοπροφήτης, μηδεμίαν ἔχων ἐν ἑαυτῷ δύναμιν πνεύματος θείου, λαλεῖ μετʼ αὐτῶν κατὰ τὰ ἐπερωτήματα αὐτῶν καὶ κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς πονηρίας αὐτῶν καὶ πληροῖ τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν, καθὼς αὐτοὶ βούλονται.
houtoi oun hoi dipsychoi hōs epi mantin erchontai kai eperōtōsin auton, ti ara estai autois; kakeinos ho pseudoprophētēs, mēdemian echōn en heautǭ dynamin pneumatos theiou, lalei metʼ autōn kata ta eperōtēmata autōn kai kata tas epithymias tēs ponērias autōn kai plēroi tas psychas autōn, kathōs autoi boulontai.
These double-minded ones, then, come to him as to a soothsayer and ask him what will happen to them; and that false prophet, having in himself no power of a divine spirit, speaks with them according to their questions and according to the desires of their wickedness, and fills their souls as they themselves wish.
Notes and citation
Summary: The false prophet tells the doubters what they want to hear.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.2 (Lake, LCL 25:118; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.3Lake, LCL 25:118
αὐτὸς γὰρ κενὸς ὢν κενὰ καὶ ἀποκρίνεται κενοῖς· ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇ, πρὸς τὸ κένωμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀποκρίνεται. τινὰ δὲ καὶ ῥήματα ἀληθῆ λαλεῖ· ὁ γὰρ διάβολος πληροῖ αὐτὸν τῷ αὐτοῦ πνεύματι, εἴ τινα δυνήσεται ῥῆξαι τῶν δικαίων.
autos gar kenos ōn kena kai apokrinetai kenois; ho gar ean eperōtēthę̄, pros to kenōma tou anthrōpou apokrinetai. tina de kai rhēmata alēthē lalei; ho gar diabolos plēroi auton tǭ autou pneumati, ei tina dynēsetai rhēxai tōn dikaiōn.
For being empty himself, he gives empty answers to empty people; for whatever he is asked, he answers according to the person's emptiness. But he also speaks some true words; for the devil fills him with his own spirit, to see whether he can break one of the righteous.
Notes and citation
Summary: Empty himself, he gives empty answers, mixed with some truth.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.3 (Lake, LCL 25:118; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.4Lake, LCL 25:118
ὅσοι οὖν ἰσχυροί εἰσιν ἐν τῇ πίστει τοῦ κυρίου, ἐνδεδυμένοι τὴν ἀλήθειαν, τοῖς τοιούτοις πνεύμασιν οὐ κολλῶνται, ἀλλʼ ἀπέχονται ἀπʼ αὐτῶν· ὅσοι δὲ δίψυχοί εἰσι καὶ πυκνῶς μετανοοῦσι, μαντεύονται ὡς καὶ τὰ ἔθνη καὶ ἑαυτοῖς μείζονα ἁμαρτίαν ἐπιφέρουσιν εἰδωλολατροῦντες· ὁ γὰρ ἐπερωτῶν ψευδοπροφήτην περὶ πράξεώς τινος εἰδωλολάτρης ἐστὶ καὶ κενὸς ἀπὸ τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ ἄφρων.
hosoi oun ischyroi eisin en tę̄ pistei tou kyriou, endedymenoi tēn alētheian, tois toioutois pneumasin ou kollōntai, allʼ apechontai apʼ autōn; hosoi de dipsychoi eisi kai pyknōs metanoousi, manteuontai hōs kai ta ethnē kai heautois meizona hamartian epipherousin eidōlolatrountes; ho gar eperōtōn pseudoprophētēn peri praxeōs tinos eidōlolatrēs esti kai kenos apo tēs alētheias kai aphrōn.
Those, then, who are strong in the faith of the Lord, clothed with the truth, do not cling to such spirits, but keep away from them; but those who are double-minded and repent often practice divination like the Gentiles and bring greater sin on themselves by committing idolatry. For whoever consults a false prophet about any matter is an idolater and empty of the truth and foolish.
Notes and citation
Summary: Consulting a false prophet is idolatry.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.4 (Lake, LCL 25:118; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.5Lake, LCL 25:118
πᾶν γὰρ πνεῦμα ἀπὸ θεοῦ δοθὲν οὐκ ἐπερωτᾶται, ἀλλὰ ἔχον τὴν δύναμιν τῆς θεότητος ἀφʼ ἑαυτοῦ λαλεῖ πάντα, ὅτι ἄνωθέν ἐστιν ἀπὸ τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ θείου πνεύματος.
pan gar pneuma apo theou dothen ouk eperōtatai, alla echon tēn dynamin tēs theotētos aphʼ heautou lalei panta, hoti anōthen estin apo tēs dynameōs tou theiou pneumatos.
For no spirit given by God is consulted; but having the power of the divine nature, it speaks everything of itself, because it is from above, from the power of the divine Spirit.
Notes and citation
Summary: A true spirit is not consulted like an oracle; it speaks of itself.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.5 (Lake, LCL 25:118; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.6Lake, LCL 25:118
τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐπερωτώμενον καὶ λαλοῦν κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπίγειόν ἐστι καὶ ἐλαφρόν, δύναμιν μὴ ἔχον· καὶ ὅλως οὐ λαλεῖ, ἐὰν μὴ ἐπερωτηθῇ.
to de pneuma to eperōtōmenon kai laloun kata tas epithymias tōn anthrōpōn epigeion esti kai elaphron, dynamin mē echon; kai holōs ou lalei, ean mē eperōtēthę̄.
But the spirit that is consulted and speaks according to people's desires is earthly and light, having no power; and it does not speak at all unless it is consulted.
Notes and citation
Summary: A false spirit speaks only when asked.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.6 (Lake, LCL 25:118; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.7Lake, LCL 25:118–120
Πῶς οὖν, φημί, κύριε, ἄνθρωπος γνώσεται, τίς αὐτῶν προφήτης καὶ τίς ψευδοπροφήτης ἐστίν; Ἄκουε, φησί, περὶ ἀμφοτέρων τῶν προφητῶν· καὶ ὥς σοι μέλλω λέγειν, οὕτω δοκιμάσεις τὸν προφήτην καὶ τὸν ψευδοπροφήτην. ἀπὸ τῆς ζωῆς δοκίμαζε τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν ἔχοντα τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον.
Pōs oun, phēmi, kyrie, anthrōpos gnōsetai, tis autōn prophētēs kai tis pseudoprophētēs estin? Akoue, phēsi, peri amphoterōn tōn prophētōn; kai hōs soi mellō legein, houtō dokimaseis ton prophētēn kai ton pseudoprophētēn. apo tēs zōēs dokimaze ton anthrōpon ton echonta to pneuma to theion.
“How, then, sir,” I said, “will a person know which of them is a prophet and which a false prophet?” “Hear,” he said, “about both prophets; and as I am about to tell you, so you shall test the prophet and the false prophet. Test the man who has the divine Spirit by his life.
Matt 7:15 (echo, medium confidence) · Matt 7:16 (echo, medium confidence) · 1 John 4:1 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Test prophets by their life.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.7 (Lake, LCL 25:118–120; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.8Lake, LCL 25:120
πρῶτον μὲν ὁ ἔχων τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄνωθεν πραΰς ἐστι καὶ ἡσύχιος καὶ ταπεινόφρων καὶ ἀπεχόμενος ἀπὸ πάσης πονηρίας καὶ ἐπιθυμίας ματαίας τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου καὶ ἑαυτὸν ἐνδεέστερον ποιεῖ πάντων τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν ἀποκρίνεται ἐπερωτώμενος, οὐδὲ καταμόνας λαλεῖ, οὐδὲ ὅταν θέλῃ ἄνθρωπος λαλεῖν, λαλεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, ἀλλὰ τότε λαλεῖ, ὅταν θελήσῃ αὐτὸν ὁ θεὸς λαλῆσαι.
prōton men ho echōn to pneuma to anōthen praÿs esti kai hēsychios kai tapeinophrōn kai apechomenos apo pasēs ponērias kai epithymias mataias tou aiōnos toutou kai heauton endeesteron poiei pantōn tōn anthrōpōn kai oudeni ouden apokrinetai eperōtōmenos, oude katamonas lalei, oude hotan thelę̄ anthrōpos lalein, lalei to pneuma to hagion, alla tote lalei, hotan thelēsę̄ auton ho theos lalēsai.
First, the one who has the Spirit from above is gentle and quiet and humble-minded, and abstains from all wickedness and vain desire of this world, and makes himself poorer than all people, and gives no answer to anyone when consulted, nor does he speak in private, nor does the Holy Spirit speak when a man wishes to speak, but it speaks when God wishes him to speak.
Notes and citation
Summary: The true prophet is humble, answers no private questions, and speaks when God wills.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (missing accent)): ἡσύχιος και ταπεινόφρων → ἡσύχιος καὶ ταπεινόφρων.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.8 (Lake, LCL 25:120; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.9Lake, LCL 25:120
ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἔχων τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον εἰς συναγωγὴν ἀνδρῶν δικαίων τῶν ἐχόντων πίστιν θείου πνεύματος καὶ ἔντευξις γένηται πρὸς τὸν θεὸν τῆς συναγωγῆς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων, τότε ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ προφητικοῦ πνεύματος ὁ κείμενος πρὸς αὐτὸν πληροῖ τὸν ἄνθρωπον, καὶ πληρωθεὶς ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ λαλεῖ εἰς τὸ πλῆθος, καθὼς ὁ κύριος βούλεται.
hotan oun elthę̄ ho anthrōpos ho echōn to pneuma to theion eis synagōgēn andrōn dikaiōn tōn echontōn pistin theiou pneumatos kai enteuxis genētai pros ton theon tēs synagōgēs tōn andrōn ekeinōn, tote ho angelos tou prophētikou pneumatos ho keimenos pros auton plēroi ton anthrōpon, kai plērōtheis ho anthrōpos tǭ pneumati tǭ hagiǭ lalei eis to plēthos, kathōs ho kyrios bouletai.
When, then, the man who has the divine Spirit comes into an assembly of righteous men who have faith in a divine Spirit, and prayer is made to God by the assembly of those men, then the angel of the prophetic spirit who is assigned to him fills the man, and the man, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks to the congregation as the Lord wishes.
Notes and citation
Summary: The true prophet speaks in the assembly when filled with the Spirit.
- “Assembly” (συναγωγή): the gathered church.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.9 (Lake, LCL 25:120; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.10Lake, LCL 25:120
οὕτως οὖν φανερὸν ἔσται τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς θεότητος. ὅση οὖν περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος τῆς θεότητος τοῦ κυρίου ἡ δύναμις αὕτη.
houtōs oun phaneron estai to pneuma tēs theotētos. hosē oun peri tou pneumatos tēs theotētos tou kyriou hē dynamis hautē.
In this way, then, the Spirit of the divine nature will be manifest. Such, then, is the power of the Lord concerning the Spirit of the divine nature.
Notes and citation
Summary: So the divine Spirit is made known.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.10 (Lake, LCL 25:120; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.11Lake, LCL 25:120
ἄκουε νῦν, φησί, περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἐπιγείου καὶ κενοῦ καὶ δύναμιν μὴ ἔχοντος, ἀλλὰ ὄντος μωροῦ.
akoue nyn, phēsi, peri tou pneumatos tou epigeiou kai kenou kai dynamin mē echontos, alla ontos mōrou.
Hear now,” he said, “about the spirit that is earthly and empty and has no power, but is foolish.
Notes and citation
Summary: Now the false spirit.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.11 (Lake, LCL 25:120; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.12Lake, LCL 25:120–122
πρῶτον μὲν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος ὁ δοκῶν πνεῦμα ἔχειν ὑψοῖ ἑαυτὸν καὶ θέλει πρωτοκαθεδρίαν ἔχειν, καὶ εὐθὺς ἰταμός ἐστι καὶ ἀναιδὴς καὶ πολύλαλος καὶ ἐν τρυφαῖς πολλαῖς ἀναστρεφόμενος καὶ ἐν ἑτέραις πολλαῖς ἀπάταις καὶ μισθοὺς λαμβάνων τῆς προφητείας αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ λάβῃ, οὐ προφητεύει. δύναται οὖν πνεῦμα θεῖον μισθοὺς λαμβάνειν καὶ προφητεύειν; οὐκ ἐνδέχεται τοῦτο ποιεῖν θεοῦ προφήτην, ἀλλὰ τῶν τοιούτων προφητῶν ἐπίγειόν ἐστι τὸ πνεῦμα.
prōton men ho anthrōpos ekeinos ho dokōn pneuma echein hypsoi heauton kai thelei prōtokathedrian echein, kai euthys itamos esti kai anaidēs kai polylalos kai en tryphais pollais anastrephomenos kai en heterais pollais apatais kai misthous lambanōn tēs prophēteias autou; ean de mē labę̄, ou prophēteuei. dynatai oun pneuma theion misthous lambanein kai prophēteuein? ouk endechetai touto poiein theou prophētēn, alla tōn toioutōn prophētōn epigeion esti to pneuma.
First, the man who seems to have a spirit exalts himself and wants to have the first seat, and at once he is bold and shameless and talkative, and lives in much luxury and in many other deceptions, and takes pay for his prophecy; and if he does not receive it, he does not prophesy. Can, then, a divine Spirit take pay and prophesy? It is not possible for a prophet of God to do this; but the spirit of such prophets is earthly.
Mic 3:11 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The false prophet seeks honor, lives in luxury, and prophesies for pay.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.12 (Lake, LCL 25:120–122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-12).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.13Lake, LCL 25:122
εἶτα ὅλως εἰς συναγωγὴν ἀνδρῶν δικαίων οὐκ ἐγγίζει, ἀλλʼ ἀποφεύγει αὐτούς· κολλᾶται δὲ τοῖς διψύχοις καὶ κενοῖς καὶ κατὰ γωνίαν αὐτοῖς προφητεύει καὶ ἀπατᾷ αὐτοὺς λαλῶν κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας αὐτῶν πάντα κενῶς· κενοῖς γὰρ καὶ ἀποκρίνεται· τὸ γὰρ κενὸν σκεῦος μετὰ τῶν κενῶν συντιθέμενον οὐ θραύεται, ἀλλὰ συμφωνοῦσιν ἀλλήλοις.
eita holōs eis synagōgēn andrōn dikaiōn ouk engizei, allʼ apopheugei autous; kollatai de tois dipsychois kai kenois kai kata gōnian autois prophēteuei kai apatą autous lalōn kata tas epithymias autōn panta kenōs; kenois gar kai apokrinetai; to gar kenon skeuos meta tōn kenōn syntithemenon ou thrauetai, alla symphōnousin allēlois.
Then he does not approach an assembly of righteous men at all, but avoids them; and he attaches himself to the double-minded and empty, and prophesies to them in a corner, and deceives them, speaking everything emptily according to their desires; for he gives answers to empty people. For an empty vessel put with empty ones does not break, but they agree with one another.
Notes and citation
Summary: The false prophet avoids the assembly and prophesies privately to doubters.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.13 (Lake, LCL 25:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-13).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.14Lake, LCL 25:122
ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ εἰς συναγωγὴν πλήρη ἀνδρῶν δικαίων ἐχόντων πνεῦμα θεότητος καὶ ἔντευξις ἀπʼ αὐτῶν γένηται, κενοῦται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐπίγειον ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου φεύγει ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ κωφοῦται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος καὶ ὅλως συνθραύεται, μηδὲν δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι.
hotan de elthę̄ eis synagōgēn plērē andrōn dikaiōn echontōn pneuma theotētos kai enteuxis apʼ autōn genētai, kenoutai ho anthrōpos ekeinos, kai to pneuma to epigeion apo tou phobou pheugei apʼ autou, kai kōphoutai ho anthrōpos ekeinos kai holōs synthrauetai, mēden dynamenos lalēsai.
But when he comes into an assembly full of righteous men who have the Spirit of the divine nature, and prayer is made by them, that man is emptied, and the earthly spirit flees from him in fear, and that man is struck dumb and altogether broken, unable to say anything.
Notes and citation
Summary: In the praying assembly the false prophet is struck dumb.
Topics: Prayer
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.14 (Lake, LCL 25:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-14).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.15Lake, LCL 25:122
ἐὰν γὰρ εἰς ἀποθήκην στιβάσῃς οἶνον ἢ ἔλαιον καὶ ἐν αὐτοῖς θῇς κεράμιον κενόν, καὶ πάλιν ἀποστιβάσαι θελήσῃς τὴν ἀποθήκην, τὸ κεράμιον ἐκεῖνο, ὃ ἔθηκας κενόν, κενὸν καὶ εὑρήσεις· οὕτω καὶ οἱ προφῆται οἱ κενοὶ ὅταν ἔλθωσιν εἰς πνεύματα δικαίων, ὁποῖοι ἦλθον, τοιοῦτοι καὶ εὑρίσκονται.
ean gar eis apothēkēn stibasę̄s oinon ē elaion kai en autois thę̄s keramion kenon, kai palin apostibasai thelēsę̄s tēn apothēkēn, to keramion ekeino, ho ethēkas kenon, kenon kai heurēseis; houtō kai hoi prophētai hoi kenoi hotan elthōsin eis pneumata dikaiōn, hopoioi ēlthon, toioutoi kai heuriskontai.
For if you store wine or oil in a storeroom and put an empty jar among them, and then wish to empty the storeroom, you will find that jar you put there empty still empty. So also the empty prophets, when they come among the spirits of the righteous, are found as they came.
Notes and citation
Summary: An empty jar stays empty among full ones.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.15 (Lake, LCL 25:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-15).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.16Lake, LCL 25:122
ἔχεις ἀμφοτέρων τῶν προφητῶν τὴν ζωήν. δοκίμαζε οὖν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων καὶ τῆς ζωῆς τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν λέγοντα ἑαυτὸν πνευματοφόρον εἶναι.
echeis amphoterōn tōn prophētōn tēn zōēn. dokimaze oun apo tōn ergōn kai tēs zōēs ton anthrōpon ton legonta heauton pneumatophoron einai.
You have the life of both prophets. Test, then, by his works and his life the man who says he is inspired by the Spirit.
Notes and citation
Summary: Test by works and life.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.16 (Lake, LCL 25:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-16).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.17Lake, LCL 25:122
σὺ δὲ πίστευε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἔχοντι δύναμιν· τῷ δὲ πνεύματι τῷ ἐπιγείῳ καὶ κενῷ μηδὲν πίστευε, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ δύναμις οὐκ ἔστιν· ἀπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου γὰρ ἔρχεται.
sy de pisteue tǭ pneumati tǭ erchomenǭ apo tou theou kai echonti dynamin; tǭ de pneumati tǭ epigeiǭ kai kenǭ mēden pisteue, hoti en autǭ dynamis ouk estin; apo tou diabolou gar erchetai.
But you, trust the Spirit that comes from God and has power; but trust nothing to the earthly and empty spirit, because there is no power in it; for it comes from the devil.
Notes and citation
Summary: Trust the Spirit from God, not the earthly spirit.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.17 (Lake, LCL 25:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-17).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.18Lake, LCL 25:122–124
ἄκουσον οὖν τὴν παραβολήν, ἣν μέλλω σοι λέγειν· λάβε λίθον καὶ βάλε εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, ἴδε, εἰ δύνασαι ἅψασθαι αὐτοῦ· ἢ πάλιν λάβε σίφωνα ὕδατος καὶ σιφώνισον εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, ἴδε, εἰ δύνασαι τρυπῆσαι τὸν οὐρανόν.
akouson oun tēn parabolēn, hēn mellō soi legein; labe lithon kai bale eis ton ouranon, ide, ei dynasai hapsasthai autou; ē palin labe siphōna hydatos kai siphōnison eis ton ouranon, ide, ei dynasai trypēsai ton ouranon.
Hear, then, the parable that I am about to tell you. Take a stone and throw it at the sky; see whether you can touch it. Or again, take a water squirt and squirt it at the sky; see whether you can pierce the sky.”
Notes and citation
Summary: A parable: you cannot hit heaven with a stone.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.18 (Lake, LCL 25:122–124; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-18).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.19Lake, LCL 25:124
Πῶς, φημί, κύριε, δύναται ταῦτα γενέσθαι; ἀδύνατα γὰρ ἀμφότερα ταῦτα εἴρηκας. Ὡς ταῦτα οὖν, φησίν, ἀδύνατά ἐστιν, οὕτω καὶ τὰ πνεύματα τὰ ἐπίγεια ἀδύνατά ἐστι καὶ ἀδρανῆ.
Pōs, phēmi, kyrie, dynatai tauta genesthai? adynata gar amphotera tauta eirēkas. Hōs tauta oun, phēsin, adynata estin, houtō kai ta pneumata ta epigeia adynata esti kai adranē.
“How, sir,” I said, “can these things happen? For both things you have said are impossible.” “As these things, then, are impossible,” he said, “so also the earthly spirits are powerless and weak.
Notes and citation
Summary: Earthly spirits are powerless.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.19 (Lake, LCL 25:124; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-19).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.20Lake, LCL 25:124
λάβε οὖν τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἄνωθεν ἐρχομένην· ἡ χάλαζα ἐλάχιστόν ἐστι κοκκάριον, καὶ ὅταν ἐπιπέσῃ ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν ἀνθρώπου, πῶς πόνον παρέχει; ἢ πάλιν λάβε σταγόνα, ἣ ἀπὸ τοῦ κεράμου πίπτει χαμαὶ καὶ τρυπᾷ τὸν λίθον.
labe oun tēn dynamin tēn anōthen erchomenēn; hē chalaza elachiston esti kokkarion, kai hotan epipesę̄ epi kephalēn anthrōpou, pōs ponon parechei? ē palin labe stagona, hē apo tou keramou piptei chamai kai trypą ton lithon.
Take, then, the power that comes from above: hail is a very small grain, and when it falls on a man's head, what pain it causes! Or again, take a drop that falls from the roof to the ground and wears a hole in the stone.
Notes and citation
Summary: Small things from above have great power.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.20 (Lake, LCL 25:124; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-20).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
11.21Lake, LCL 25:124
βλέπεις οὖν, ὅτι τὰ ἄνωθεν ἐλάχιστα πίπτοντα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν μεγάλην δύναμιν ἔχει· οὕτω καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον ἄνωθεν ἐρχόμενον δυνατόν ἐστι· τούτῳ οὖν τῷ πνεύματι πίστευε, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ ἑτέρου ἀπέχου.
blepeis oun, hoti ta anōthen elachista piptonta epi tēn gēn megalēn dynamin echei; houtō kai to pneuma to theion anōthen erchomenon dynaton esti; toutǭ oun tǭ pneumati pisteue, apo de tou heterou apechou.
You see, then, that the smallest things from above falling on the earth have great power; so also the divine Spirit coming from above is powerful. Trust, then, this Spirit, and keep away from the other.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The Spirit from above is powerful; trust it.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 11.21 (Lake, LCL 25:124; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-11-21).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 12, chapter 1
12.1.1Lake, LCL 25:124
Λέγει μοι· Ἆρον ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ πᾶσαν ἐπιθυμίαν πονηράν, ἔνδυσαι δὲ τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τὴν ἀγαθὴν καὶ σεμνήν· ἐνδεδυμένος γὰρ τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν ταύτην μισήσεις τὴν πονηρὰν ἐπιθυμίαν καὶ χαλιναγωγήσεις αὐτήν, καθὼς βούλει.
Legei moi; Aron apo seautou pasan epithymian ponēran, endysai de tēn epithymian tēn agathēn kai semnēn; endedymenos gar tēn epithymian tautēn misēseis tēn ponēran epithymian kai chalinagōgēseis autēn, kathōs boulei.
He said to me, “Remove from yourself all evil desire, and put on the good and reverent desire; for if you are clothed with this desire you will hate evil desire and rein it in as you wish.
Notes and citation
Summary: Put on good desire to master evil desire.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.1.1 (Lake, LCL 25:124; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-1-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.1.2Lake, LCL 25:124–126
ἀγρία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ καὶ δυσκόλως ἡμεροῦται. φοβερὰ γάρ ἐστι καὶ λίαν τῇ ἀγριότητι αὐτῆς δαπανᾷ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους· μάλιστα δὲ ἐὰν ἐμπέσῃ εἰς αὐτὴν δοῦλος θεοῦ καὶ μὴ ᾖ συνετός, δαπανᾶται ὑπʼ αὐτῆς δεινῶς· δαπανᾷ δὲ τοὺς τοιούτους τοὺς μὴ ἔχοντας ἔνδυμα τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ἀγαθῆς, ἀλλὰ ἐμπεφυρμένους τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ· τούτους οὖν παραδίδωσιν εἰς θάνατον.
agria gar estin hē epithymia hē ponēra kai dyskolōs hēmeroutai. phobera gar esti kai lian tę̄ agriotēti autēs dapaną tous anthrōpous; malista de ean empesę̄ eis autēn doulos theou kai mē ę̄ synetos, dapanatai hypʼ autēs deinōs; dapaną de tous toioutous tous mē echontas endyma tēs epithymias tēs agathēs, alla empephyrmenous tǭ aiōni toutǭ; toutous oun paradidōsin eis thanaton.
For evil desire is wild and is tamed with difficulty. For it is terrible and consumes people greatly by its wildness; especially if a servant of God falls into it and is not wise, he is terribly consumed by it. It consumes such as do not have the garment of good desire, but are mixed up with this world; these it hands over to death.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Evil desire is wild and consumes the worldly.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.1.2 (Lake, LCL 25:124–126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-1-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.1.3Lake, LCL 25:126
Ποῖα, φημί, κύριε, ἔργα ἐστὶν τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς πονηρᾶς τὰ παραδιδόντα τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς θάνατον; γνώρισόν μοι, ἵνα ἀφέξωμαι ἀπʼ αὐτῶν. Ἄκουσον, φησίν, ἐν ποίοις ἔργοις θανατοῖ ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ.
Poia, phēmi, kyrie, erga estin tēs epithymias tēs ponēras ta paradidonta tous anthrōpous eis thanaton? gnōrison moi, hina aphexōmai apʼ autōn. Akouson, phēsin, en poiois ergois thanatoi hē epithymia hē ponēra tous doulous tou theou.
“What, sir,” I said, “are the works of evil desire that hand people over to death? Make them known to me, so that I may abstain from them.” “Hear,” he said, “in what works evil desire kills God's servants.
Notes and citation
Summary: Hermas asks about the works of evil desire.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.1.3 (Lake, LCL 25:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-1-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 12, chapter 2
12.2.1Lake, LCL 25:126
Πάντων προέχουσα ἐπιθυμία γυναικὸς ἀλλοτρίας ἢ ἀνδρὸς καὶ πολυτελείας πλούτου καὶ ἐδεσμάτων πολλῶν ματαίων καὶ μεθυσμάτων καὶ ἑτέρων τρυφῶν πολλῶν καὶ μωρῶν· πᾶσα γὰρ τρυφὴ μωρά ἐστι καὶ κενὴ τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ.
Pantōn proechousa epithymia gynaikos allotrias ē andros kai polyteleias ploutou kai edesmatōn pollōn mataiōn kai methysmatōn kai heterōn tryphōn pollōn kai mōrōn; pasa gar tryphē mōra esti kai kenē tois doulois tou theou.
Above all, desire for another's wife or husband, and for extravagant wealth and many vain foods and drinking bouts and many other foolish luxuries; for every luxury is foolish and empty for the servants of God.
Notes and citation
Summary: Chief evil desires: another's spouse, wealth, food, drink, luxury.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.2.1 (Lake, LCL 25:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-2-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.2.2Lake, LCL 25:126
αὗται οὖν αἱ ἐπιθυμίαι πονηραί εἰσι, θανατοῦσαι τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ· αὕτη γὰρ ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ τοῦ διαβόλου θυγάτηρ ἐστίν. ἀπέχεσθαι οὖν δεῖ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν τῶν πονηρῶν, ἵνα ἀποσχόμενοι ζήσητε τῷ θεῷ.
hautai oun hai epithymiai ponērai eisi, thanatousai tous doulous tou theou; hautē gar hē epithymia hē ponēra tou diabolou thygatēr estin. apechesthai oun dei apo tōn epithymiōn tōn ponērōn, hina aposchomenoi zēsēte tǭ theǭ.
These desires, then, are evil, killing the servants of God; for this evil desire is the devil's daughter. One must, then, abstain from evil desires, so that by abstaining you may live to God.
Notes and citation
Summary: Evil desire is the devil's daughter.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.2.2 (Lake, LCL 25:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-2-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.2.3Lake, LCL 25:126
ὅσοι δὲ ἂν κατακυριευθῶσιν ὑπʼ αὐτῶν καὶ μὴ ἀντισταθῶσιν αὐταῖς, ἀποθανοῦνται εἰς τέλος· θανατώδεις γάρ εἰσιν αἱ ἐπιθυμίαι αὗται.
hosoi de an katakyrieuthōsin hypʼ autōn kai mē antistathōsin autais, apothanountai eis telos; thanatōdeis gar eisin hai epithymiai hautai.
But all who are mastered by them and do not resist them will die finally; for these desires are deadly.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those mastered by them die.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.2.3 (Lake, LCL 25:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-2-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.2.4Lake, LCL 25:126–128
σὺ δὲ ἔνδυσαι τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ καθοπλισάμενος τὸν φόβον τοῦ κυρίου ἀντίστηθι αὐταῖς· ὁ γὰρ φόβος τοῦ θεοῦ κατοικεῖ ἐν τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ. ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ ἐὰν ἴδῃ σε καθωπλισμένον τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθεστηκότα αὐτῇ, φεύξεται ἀπὸ σοῦ μακρὰν καὶ οὐκέτι σοι ὀφθήσεται φοβουμένη τὰ ὅπλα σου.
sy de endysai tēn epithymian tēs dikaiosynēs, kai kathoplisamenos ton phobon tou kyriou antistēthi autais; ho gar phobos tou theou katoikei en tę̄ epithymią tę̄ agathę̄. hē epithymia hē ponēra ean idę̄ se kathōplismenon tǭ phobǭ tou theou kai anthestēkota autę̄, pheuxetai apo sou makran kai ouketi soi ophthēsetai phoboumenē ta hopla sou.
But you, put on the desire of righteousness, and armed with the fear of the Lord resist them; for the fear of God dwells in good desire. If evil desire sees you armed with the fear of God and resisting it, it will flee far from you and will no longer be seen by you, fearing your weapons.
Jas 4:7 (echo, medium confidence) · Eph 6:11 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Armed with the fear of God, resist, and evil desire will flee.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.2.4 (Lake, LCL 25:126–128; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-2-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.2.5Lake, LCL 25:128
σὺ οὖν νικήσας καὶ στεφανωθεὶς κατʼ αὐτῆς ἐλθὲ πρὸς τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτῇ τὸ νῖκος, ὃ ἔλαβες, δούλευσον αὐτῇ, καθὼς αὐτὴ βούλεται. ἐὰν δουλεύσῃς τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ καὶ ὑποταγῇς αὐτῇ, δυνήσῃ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς πονηρᾶς κατακυριεῦσαι καὶ ὑποτάξαι αὐτήν, καθὼς βούλει.
sy oun nikēsas kai stephanōtheis katʼ autēs elthe pros tēn epithymian tēs dikaiosynēs, kai paradous autę̄ to nikos, ho elabes, douleuson autę̄, kathōs autē bouletai. ean douleusę̄s tę̄ epithymią tę̄ agathę̄ kai hypotagę̄s autę̄, dynēsę̄ tēs epithymias tēs ponēras katakyrieusai kai hypotaxai autēn, kathōs boulei.
So you, having conquered and been crowned against it, come to the desire of righteousness, and handing over to it the victory you have won, serve it as it wishes. If you serve good desire and submit to it, you will be able to master evil desire and subdue it as you wish.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Serve good desire, and you will master evil desire.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.2.5 (Lake, LCL 25:128; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-2-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 12, chapter 3
12.3.1Lake, LCL 25:128
Ἤθελον, φημί, κύριε, γνῶναι, ποίοις τρόποις με δεῖ δουλεῦσαι τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ. Ἄκουε, φησίν· ἔργασαι δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἀρετήν, ἀλήθειαν καὶ φόβον κυρίου, πίστιν καὶ πραότητα καὶ ὅσα τούτοις ὅμοιά ἐστιν ἀγαθά. ταῦτα ἐργαζόμενος εὐάρεστος ἔσῃ δοῦλος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ζήσῃ αὐτῷ· καὶ πᾶς, ὃς ἂν δουλεύσῃ τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ, ζήσεται τῷ θεῷ.
Ēthelon, phēmi, kyrie, gnōnai, poiois tropois me dei douleusai tę̄ epithymią tę̄ agathę̄. Akoue, phēsin; ergasai dikaiosynēn kai aretēn, alētheian kai phobon kyriou, pistin kai praotēta kai hosa toutois homoia estin agatha. tauta ergazomenos euarestos esę̄ doulos tou theou kai zēsę̄ autǭ; kai pas, hos an douleusę̄ tę̄ epithymią tę̄ agathę̄, zēsetai tǭ theǭ.
“I would like to know, sir,” I said, “in what ways I must serve good desire.” “Hear,” he said: “practice righteousness and virtue, truth and the fear of the Lord, faith and gentleness, and whatever good things are like these. Doing these things you will be a well-pleasing servant of God and will live to him; and everyone who serves good desire will live to God.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Serve good desire by righteousness, truth, faith, and gentleness.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.3.1 (Lake, LCL 25:128; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-3-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.3.2Lake, LCL 25:128
συνετέλεσεν οὖν τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς δώδεκα καὶ λέγει μοι· Ἔχεις τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας· πορεύου ἐν αὐταῖς καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντας παρακάλει, ἵνα ἡ μετάνοια αὐτῶν καθαρὰ γένηται τὰς λοιπὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτῶν.
synetelesen oun tas entolas tas dōdeka kai legei moi; Echeis tas entolas tautas; poreuou en autais kai tous akouontas parakalei, hina hē metanoia autōn kathara genētai tas loipas hēmeras tēs zōēs autōn.
So he completed the twelve commandments and said to me, “You have these commandments; walk in them, and exhort those who hear, so that their repentance may be pure for the rest of the days of their life.
Notes and citation
Summary: The twelve commandments are complete.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.3.2 (Lake, LCL 25:128; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-3-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.3.3Lake, LCL 25:128–130
τὴν διακονίαν ταύτην, ἥν σοι δίδωμι, ἐκτέλει ἐπιμελῶς, καὶ πολὺ ἐργάσῃ· εὑρήσεις γὰρ χάριν ἐν τοῖς μέλλουσι μετανοεῖν, καὶ πεισθήσονταί σου τοῖς ῥήμασιν· ἐγὼ γὰρ μετὰ σοῦ ἔσομαι καὶ ἀναγκάσω αὐτοὺς πεισθῆναί σοι.
tēn diakonian tautēn, hēn soi didōmi, ektelei epimelōs, kai poly ergasę̄; heurēseis gar charin en tois mellousi metanoein, kai peisthēsontai sou tois rhēmasin; egō gar meta sou esomai kai anankasō autous peisthēnai soi.
Carry out carefully this ministry that I give you, and you will accomplish much; for you will find favor among those who are going to repent, and they will be persuaded by your words; for I will be with you and will compel them to be persuaded by you.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Hermas is given the ministry of calling to repentance.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.3.3 (Lake, LCL 25:128–130; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-3-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.3.4Lake, LCL 25:130
Λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὗται μεγάλαι καὶ καλαὶ καὶ ἔνδοξοί εἰσι καὶ δυνάμεναι εὐφρᾶναι καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου τοῦ δυναμένου τηρῆσαι αὐτάς. οὐκ οἶδα δέ, εἰ δύνανται αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὗται ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου φυλαχθῆναι, διότι σκληραί εἰσι λίαν.
Legō autǭ; Kyrie, hai entolai hautai megalai kai kalai kai endoxoi eisi kai dynamenai euphranai kardian anthrōpou tou dynamenou tērēsai autas. ouk oida de, ei dynantai hai entolai hautai hypo anthrōpou phylachthēnai, dioti sklērai eisi lian.
I said to him, “Sir, these commandments are great and beautiful and glorious, and able to gladden the heart of a person who is able to keep them. But I do not know whether these commandments can be kept by a human being, because they are very hard.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Hermas fears the commandments are too hard to keep.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.3.4 (Lake, LCL 25:130; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-3-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.3.5Lake, LCL 25:130
ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει μοι· Ἐὰν σὺ σεαυτῷ προθῇς, ὅτι δύνανται φυλαχθῆναι, εὐκόλως αὐτὰς φυλάξεις καὶ οὐκ ἔσονται σκληραί· ἐὰν δὲ ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἤδη ἀναβῇ μὴ δύνασθαι αὐτὰς ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου φυλαχθῆναι, οὐ φυλάξεις αὐτάς.
apokritheis legei moi; Ean sy seautǭ prothę̄s, hoti dynantai phylachthēnai, eukolōs autas phylaxeis kai ouk esontai sklērai; ean de epi tēn kardian sou ēdē anabę̄ mē dynasthai autas hypo anthrōpou phylachthēnai, ou phylaxeis autas.
He answered me, “If you set before yourself that they can be kept, you will keep them easily, and they will not be hard; but if it already enters your heart that they cannot be kept by a human being, you will not keep them.
Notes and citation
Summary: Believe they can be kept, and they will be easy.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.3.5 (Lake, LCL 25:130; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-3-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.3.6Lake, LCL 25:130
νῦν δέ σοι λέγω· ἐὰν ταύτας μὴ φυλάξῃς, ἀλλὰ παρενθυμηθῇς, οὐχ ἕξεις σωτηρίαν οὔτε τὰ τέκνα σου οὔτε ὁ οἶκός σου. ἐπεὶ ἤδη σεαυτῷ κέκρικας τοῦ μὴ δύνασθαι τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου φυλαχθῆναι.
nyn de soi legō; ean tautas mē phylaxę̄s, alla parenthymēthę̄s, ouch hexeis sōtērian oute ta tekna sou oute ho oikos sou. epei ēdē seautǭ kekrikas tou mē dynasthai tas entolas tautas hypo anthrōpou phylachthēnai.
But now I tell you: if you do not keep them, but neglect them, you will not have salvation, nor will your children, nor your household, since you have already judged for yourself that these commandments cannot be kept by a human being.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Whoever decides they cannot be kept will not be saved.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.3.6 (Lake, LCL 25:130; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-3-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 12, chapter 4
12.4.1Lake, LCL 25:130
Καὶ ταῦτά μοι λίαν ὀργίλως ἐλάλησεν, ὥστε με συγχυθῆναι καὶ λίαν αὐτὸν φοβηθῆναι· ἡ μορφὴ γὰρ αὐτοῦ ἠλλοιώθη, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἄνθρωπον ὑπενεγκεῖν τὴν ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ.
Kai tauta moi lian orgilōs elalēsen, hōste me synchythēnai kai lian auton phobēthēnai; hē morphē gar autou ēlloiōthē, hōste mē dynasthai anthrōpon hypenenkein tēn orgēn autou.
And he said these things to me very angrily, so that I was confounded and greatly afraid of him; for his form was changed, so that a man could not bear his anger.
Notes and citation
Summary: The Shepherd speaks angrily and Hermas is afraid.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.1 (Lake, LCL 25:130; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4.2Lake, LCL 25:130–132
ἰδὼν δέ με τεταραγμένον ὅλον καὶ συγκεχυμένον ἤρξατό μοι ἐπιεικέστερον καὶ ἱλαρώτερον λαλεῖν καὶ λέγει· Ἄφρον, ἀσύνετε καὶ δίψυχε, οὐ νοεῖς τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ, πῶς μεγάλη ἐστὶ καὶ ἰσχυρὰ καὶ θαυμαστή, ὅτι ἔκτισε τὸν κόσμον ἕνεκα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν κτίσιν αὐτοῦ ὑπέταξε τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ καὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν πᾶσαν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ τοῦ κατακυριεύειν τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανὸν πάντων;
idōn de me tetaragmenon holon kai synkechymenon ērxato moi epieikesteron kai hilarōteron lalein kai legei; Aphron, asynete kai dipsyche, ou noeis tēn doxan tou theou, pōs megalē esti kai ischyra kai thaumastē, hoti ektise ton kosmon heneka tou anthrōpou kai pasan tēn ktisin autou hypetaxe tǭ anthrōpǭ kai tēn exousian pasan edōken autǭ tou katakyrieuein tōn hypo ton ouranon pantōn?
But when he saw me all troubled and confounded, he began to speak to me more gently and cheerfully, and said, “Foolish, senseless, and double-minded man, do you not understand the glory of God, how great and strong and marvelous it is, that he created the world for the sake of man and subjected all his creation to man and gave him all authority to rule over everything under heaven?
Gen 1:28 (allusion, medium confidence) · Ps 8:6 (8:7 LXX) (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God made the world for humankind and gave him rule over it.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.2 (Lake, LCL 25:130–132; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4.3Lake, LCL 25:132
εἰ οὖν, φησίν, πάντων ὁ ἄνθρωπος κύριός ἐστι τῶν κτισμάτων τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πάντων κατακυριεύει, οὐ δύναται καὶ τούτων τῶν ἐντολῶν κατακυριεῦσαι; δύναται, φησί, πάντων καὶ πασῶν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων κατακυριεῦσαι ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἔχων τὸν κύριον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.
ei oun, phēsin, pantōn ho anthrōpos kyrios esti tōn ktismatōn tou theou kai pantōn katakyrieuei, ou dynatai kai toutōn tōn entolōn katakyrieusai? dynatai, phēsi, pantōn kai pasōn tōn entolōn toutōn katakyrieusai ho anthrōpos ho echōn ton kyrion en tę̄ kardią autou.
If, then,” he said, “man is lord of all God's creatures and rules over all, can he not also master these commandments? He can,” he said, “master everything and all these commandments, the man who has the Lord in his heart.
Notes and citation
Summary: One who has the Lord in his heart can keep all the commandments.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.3 (Lake, LCL 25:132; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4.4Lake, LCL 25:132
οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς χείλεσιν ἔχοντες τὸν κύριον, τὴν δὲ καρδίαν αὐτῶν πεπωρωμένην καὶ μακρὰν ὄντες ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου, ἐκείνοις αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὗται σκληραί εἰσι καὶ δύσβατοι.
hoi de epi tois cheilesin echontes ton kyrion, tēn de kardian autōn pepōrōmenēn kai makran ontes apo tou kyriou, ekeinois hai entolai hautai sklērai eisi kai dysbatoi.
But for those who have the Lord on their lips, but their heart hardened, and are far from the Lord, these commandments are hard and difficult to walk in.
Isa 29:13 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 15:8 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: For those who honor God only with their lips, the commandments are hard.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.4 (Lake, LCL 25:132; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4.5Lake, LCL 25:132
θέσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς, οἱ κενοὶ καὶ ἐλαφροὶ ὄντες ἐν τῇ πίστει, τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν, καὶ γνώσεσθε, ὅτι οὐδέν ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων οὔτε γλυκύτερον οὔτε ἡμερώτερον.
thesthe oun hymeis, hoi kenoi kai elaphroi ontes en tę̄ pistei, ton kyrion hymōn eis tēn kardian, kai gnōsesthe, hoti ouden estin eukopōteron tōn entolōn toutōn oute glykyteron oute hēmerōteron.
Put, then, you who are empty and light in the faith, your Lord into your heart, and you will know that nothing is easier than these commandments, nor sweeter, nor gentler.
Matt 11:30 (echo, medium confidence) · 1 John 5:3 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: With the Lord in the heart, nothing is easier than these commands.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.5 (Lake, LCL 25:132; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4.6Lake, LCL 25:132
ἐπιστράφητε ὑμεῖς οἱ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς πορευόμενοι τοῦ διαβόλου, ταῖς δυσκόλοις καὶ πικραῖς καὶ ἀγρίαις καὶ ἀσελγέσι, καὶ μὴ φοβήθητε τὸν διάβολον, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ δύναμις οὐκ ἔστιν καθʼ ὑμῶν·
epistraphēte hymeis hoi tais entolais poreuomenoi tou diabolou, tais dyskolois kai pikrais kai agriais kai aselgesi, kai mē phobēthēte ton diabolon, hoti en autǭ dynamis ouk estin kathʼ hymōn;
Turn, you who walk in the commandments of the devil, which are difficult and bitter and wild and licentious, and do not fear the devil, because there is no power in him against you.
Notes and citation
Summary: Turn from the devil's hard commands; he has no power over you.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.6 (Lake, LCL 25:132; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4.7Lake, LCL 25:132
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔσομαι μεθʼ ὑμῶν, ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς μετανοίας ὁ κατακυριεύων αὐτοῦ. ὁ διάβολος μόνον φόβον ἔχει, ὁ δὲ φόβος αὐτοῦ τόνον οὐκ ἔχει· μὴ φοβήθητε οὖν αὐτόν, καὶ φεύξεται ἀφʼ ὑμῶν.
egō gar esomai methʼ hymōn, ho angelos tēs metanoias ho katakyrieuōn autou. ho diabolos monon phobon echei, ho de phobos autou tonon ouk echei; mē phobēthēte oun auton, kai pheuxetai aphʼ hymōn.
For I will be with you, the angel of repentance who masters him. The devil has only fear, but his fear has no strength; do not fear him, then, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:7 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The angel of repentance will be with you; the devil will flee.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.4.7 (Lake, LCL 25:132; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-4-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 12, chapter 5
12.5.1Lake, LCL 25:132–134
Λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, ἄκουσόν μου ὀλίγων ῥημάτων. Λέγε, φησίν, ὃ βούλει. Ὁ μὲν ἄνθρωπος, φημί, κύριε, πρόθυμός ἐστι τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ θεοῦ φυλάσσειν, καὶ οὐδείς ἐστιν ὁ μὴ αἰτούμενος παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ἵνα ἐνδυναμωθῇ ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποταγῇ αὐταῖς· ἀλλʼ ὁ διάβολος σκληρός ἐστι καὶ καταδυναστεύει αὐτῶν.
Legō autǭ; Kyrie, akouson mou oligōn rhēmatōn. Lege, phēsin, ho boulei. Ho men anthrōpos, phēmi, kyrie, prothymos esti tas entolas tou theou phylassein, kai oudeis estin ho mē aitoumenos para tou kyriou, hina endynamōthę̄ en tais entolais autou kai hypotagę̄ autais; allʼ ho diabolos sklēros esti kai katadynasteuei autōn.
I said to him, “Sir, hear a few words from me.” “Say what you wish,” he said. “Man, sir,” I said, “is eager to keep God's commandments, and there is no one who does not ask the Lord to be strengthened in his commandments and to submit to them; but the devil is hard and overpowers them.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Hermas says the devil overpowers those who want to obey.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.5.1 (Lake, LCL 25:132–134; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-5-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.5.2Lake, LCL 25:134
Οὐ δύναται, φησί, καταδυναστεύειν τῶν δούλων τοῦ θεοῦ τῶν ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας ἐλπιζόντων ἐπʼ αὐτόν. δύναται ὁ διάβολος ἀντιπαλαῖσαι, καταπαλαῖσαι δὲ οὐ δύναται. ἐὰν οὖν ἀντισταθῆτε αὐτῷ, νικηθεὶς φεύξεται ἀφʼ ὑμῶν κατῃσχυμμένος. ὅσοι δέ, φησίν, ἀπόκενοί εἰσι, φοβοῦνται τὸν διάβολον ὡς δύναμιν ἔχοντα.
Ou dynatai, phēsi, katadynasteuein tōn doulōn tou theou tōn ex holēs kardias elpizontōn epʼ auton. dynatai ho diabolos antipalaisai, katapalaisai de ou dynatai. ean oun antistathēte autǭ, nikētheis pheuxetai aphʼ hymōn katę̄schymmenos. hosoi de, phēsin, apokenoi eisi, phobountai ton diabolon hōs dynamin echonta.
“He cannot,” he said, “overpower God's servants who hope in him with their whole heart. The devil can wrestle against them, but he cannot throw them. If, then, you resist him, he will flee from you defeated and put to shame. But those who are empty,” he said, “fear the devil as though he had power.
Jas 4:7 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The devil can wrestle but cannot win against those who hope in God.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.5.2 (Lake, LCL 25:134; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-5-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.5.3Lake, LCL 25:134
ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος κεράμια ἱκανώτατα γεμίσῃ οἴνου καλοῦ καὶ ἐν τοῖς κεραμίοις ἐκείνοις ὀλίγα ἀπόκενα ᾖ, ἔρχεται ἐπὶ τὰ κεράμια καὶ οὐ κατανοεῖ τὰ πλήρη· οἶδε γάρ, ὅτι πλήρη εἰσί· κατανοεῖ δὲ τὰ ἀπόκενα, φοβούμενος, μήποτε ὤξισαν· ταχὺ γὰρ τὰ ἀπόκενα κεράμια ὀξίζουσι, καὶ ἀπόλλυται ἡ ἡδονὴ τοῦ οἴνου.
hotan ho anthrōpos keramia hikanōtata gemisę̄ oinou kalou kai en tois keramiois ekeinois oliga apokena ę̄, erchetai epi ta keramia kai ou katanoei ta plērē; oide gar, hoti plērē eisi; katanoei de ta apokena, phoboumenos, mēpote ōxisan; tachy gar ta apokena keramia oxizousi, kai apollytai hē hēdonē tou oinou.
When a man fills a great many jars with good wine, and among those jars a few are partly empty, he comes to the jars and does not examine the full ones, for he knows they are full; but he examines the partly empty ones, fearing that they have turned sour; for partly empty jars quickly turn sour, and the taste of the wine is lost.
Notes and citation
Summary: The owner checks the half-empty jars, which turn sour.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.5.3 (Lake, LCL 25:134; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-5-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.5.4Lake, LCL 25:134
οὕτω καὶ ὁ διάβολος ἔρχεται ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκπειράζων αὐτούς. ὅσοι οὖν πλήρεις εἰσὶν ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνθεστήκασιν αὐτῷ ἰσχυρῶς, κἀκεῖνος ἀποχωρεῖ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν μὴ ἔχων τόπον, ποῦ εἰσέλθῃ. ἔρχεται οὖν τότε πρὸς τοὺς ἀποκένους καὶ ἔχων τόπον εἰσπορεύεται εἰς αὐτούς, καὶ ὃ δὲ βούλεται ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐργάζεται, καὶ γίνονται αὐτῷ ὑπόδουλοι.
houtō kai ho diabolos erchetai epi pantas tous doulous tou theou ekpeirazōn autous. hosoi oun plēreis eisin en tę̄ pistei, anthestēkasin autǭ ischyrōs, kakeinos apochōrei apʼ autōn mē echōn topon, pou eiselthę̄. erchetai oun tote pros tous apokenous kai echōn topon eisporeuetai eis autous, kai ho de bouletai en autois ergazetai, kai ginontai autǭ hypodouloi.
So also the devil comes to all God's servants to tempt them. Those, then, who are full in faith resist him strongly, and he departs from them, having no place to enter. So he comes then to the partly empty, and having a place he enters into them, and does in them whatever he wishes, and they become his slaves.
Notes and citation
Summary: The devil enters those who are half-empty in faith.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.5.4 (Lake, LCL 25:134; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-5-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
Mandate 12, chapter 6
12.6.1Lake, LCL 25:134–136
Ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμῖν λέγω, ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς μετανοίας· μὴ φοβήθητε τὸν διάβολον. ἀπεστάλην γάρ, φησί, μεθʼ ὑμῶν εἶναι τῶν μετανοούντων ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας αὐτῶν καὶ ἰσχυροποιῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ πίστει.
Egō de hymin legō, ho angelos tēs metanoias; mē phobēthēte ton diabolon. apestalēn gar, phēsi, methʼ hymōn einai tōn metanoountōn ex holēs kardias autōn kai ischyropoiēsai autous en tę̄ pistei.
But I, the angel of repentance, say to you: do not fear the devil. For I was sent,” he said, “to be with you who repent with your whole heart and to strengthen you in faith.
Notes and citation
Summary: Do not fear the devil; the angel of repentance strengthens the repentant.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.6.1 (Lake, LCL 25:134–136; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-6-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.6.2Lake, LCL 25:136
πιστεύσατε οὖν τῷ θεῷ ὑμεῖς οἱ διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν ἀπεγνωκότες τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῶν καὶ προστιθέντες ἁμαρτίαις καὶ καταβαρύνοντες τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῶν, ὅτι, ἐὰν ἐπιστραφῆτε πρὸς τὸν κύριον ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ ἐργάσησθε τὴν δικαιοσύνην, τὰς λοιπὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς ὑμῶν καὶ δουλεύσητε αὐτῷ ὀρθῶς κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ποιήσει ἴασιν τοῖς προτέροις ὑμῶν ἁμαρτήμασι καὶ ἕξετε δύναμιν τοῦ κατακυριεῦσαι τῶν ἔργων τοῦ διαβόλου. τὴν δὲ ἀπειλὴν τοῦ διαβόλου ὅλως μὴ φοβήθητε· ἄτονος γάρ ἐστιν ὥσπερ νεκροῦ νεῦρα.
pisteusate oun tǭ theǭ hymeis hoi dia tas hamartias hymōn apegnōkotes tēn zōēn hymōn kai prostithentes hamartiais kai katabarynontes tēn zōēn hymōn, hoti, ean epistraphēte pros ton kyrion ex holēs tēs kardias hymōn kai ergasēsthe tēn dikaiosynēn, tas loipas hēmeras tēs zōēs hymōn kai douleusēte autǭ orthōs kata to thelēma autou, poiēsei iasin tois proterois hymōn hamartēmasi kai hexete dynamin tou katakyrieusai tōn ergōn tou diabolou. tēn de apeilēn tou diabolou holōs mē phobēthēte; atonos gar estin hōsper nekrou neura.
Believe God, then, you who because of your sins have despaired of your life and are adding to your sins and weighing down your life, that if you turn to the Lord with your whole heart and do righteousness for the rest of the days of your life and serve him rightly according to his will, he will bring healing to your former sins, and you will have power to master the works of the devil. And do not fear the threat of the devil at all; for he is powerless, like the sinews of a dead man.
Notes and citation
Summary: God will heal past sins if you turn to him; the devil is powerless.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.6.2 (Lake, LCL 25:136; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-6-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.6.3Lake, LCL 25:136
ἀκούσατε οὖν μου καὶ φοβήθητε τὸν πάντα δυνάμενον, σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι, καὶ τηρεῖτε τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας, καὶ ζήσεσθε τῷ θεῷ.
akousate oun mou kai phobēthēte ton panta dynamenon, sōsai kai apolesai, kai tēreite tas entolas tautas, kai zēsesthe tǭ theǭ.
Hear me, then, and fear him who is able to do all things, to save and to destroy, and keep these commandments, and you will live to God.”
Jas 4:12 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 10:28 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Fear God who can save and destroy.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.6.3 (Lake, LCL 25:136; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-6-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.6.4Lake, LCL 25:136
λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, νῦν ἐνεδυναμώθην ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς δικαιώμασι τοῦ κυρίου, ὅτι σὺ μετʼ ἐμοῦ εἶ· καὶ οἶδα, ὅτι συγκόψεις τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ διαβόλου πᾶσαν καὶ ἡμεῖς αὐτοῦ κατακυριεύσομεν καὶ κατισχύσομεν πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐλπίζω, κύριε, δύνασθαί με τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας, ἃς ἐντέταλσαι, τοῦ κυρίου ἐνδυναμοῦντος φυλάξαι.
legō autǭ; Kyrie, nyn enedynamōthēn en pasi tois dikaiōmasi tou kyriou, hoti sy metʼ emou ei; kai oida, hoti synkopseis tēn dynamin tou diabolou pasan kai hēmeis autou katakyrieusomen kai katischysomen pantōn tōn ergōn autou. kai elpizō, kyrie, dynasthai me tas entolas tautas, has entetalsai, tou kyriou endynamountos phylaxai.
I said to him, “Sir, now I have been strengthened in all the ordinances of the Lord, because you are with me; and I know that you will crush all the power of the devil, and we shall master him and prevail over all his works. And I hope, sir, that I can keep these commandments that you have given, with the Lord strengthening me.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Strengthened, Hermas hopes to keep the commandments.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.6.4 (Lake, LCL 25:136; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-6-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.
12.6.5Lake, LCL 25:136
Φυλάξεις, φησίν, ἐὰν ἡ καρδία σου καθαρὰ γένηται πρὸς κύριον· καὶ πάντες δὲ φυλάξουσιν, ὅσοι ἂν καθαρίσωσιν ἑαυτῶν τὰς καρδίας ἀπὸ τῶν ματαίων ἐπιθυμιῶν τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, καὶ ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ.
Phylaxeis, phēsin, ean hē kardia sou kathara genētai pros kyrion; kai pantes de phylaxousin, hosoi an katharisōsin heautōn tas kardias apo tōn mataiōn epithymiōn tou aiōnos toutou, kai zēsontai tǭ theǭ.
“You will keep them,” he said, “if your heart is pure toward the Lord; and all will keep them who cleanse their hearts from the vain desires of this world, and they will live to God.”
Notes and citation
Summary: A pure heart keeps the commandments.
Cite (SBL): Herm. Mand. 12.6.5 (Lake, LCL 25:136; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10-1-1/#p-12-6-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 25, 1913); made independently of existing English translations.