Stromata Editions · The Shepherd of Hermas
Similitude VIII
Sim. 8.1.1–8.11.5
Complete audiobook →Chapter 1
Greek source
Ἔδειξέ μοι ἰτέαν σκεπάζουσαν πεδία καὶ ὄρη, καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην τῆς ἰτέας πάντες ἐληλύθασιν οἱ κεκλημένοι ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου.
Translation
He showed me a willow sheltering plains and mountains. Everyone called in the Lord's name had come under the willow's shelter.
Greek source
εἱστήκει δὲ ἄγγελος τοῦ κυρίου ἔνδοξος λίαν ὑψηλὸς παρὰ τὴν ἰτέαν, δρέπανον ἔχων μέγα, καὶ ἔκοπτε κλάδους ἀπὸ τῆς ἰτέας, καὶ ἐπεδίδου τῷ λαῷ τῷ σκεπαζομένῳ ὑπὸ τῆς ἰτέας· μικρὰ δὲ ῥαβδία ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς, ὡσεὶ πηχυαῖα.
Translation
A glorious angel of the Lord, very tall, stood beside the willow with a large sickle. He cut branches from the willow and gave them to the people sheltered beneath it. What he gave them were small rods, about a cubit long.
Greek source
μετὰ τὸ πάντας λαβεῖν τὰ ῥαβδία ἔθηκε τὸ δρέπανον ὁ ἄγγελος, καὶ τὸ δένδρον ἐκεῖνο ὑγιὲς ἦν, οἷον καὶ ἑωράκειν αὐτό.
Translation
After everyone had received the rods, the angel put down the sickle. The tree was sound, just as I had seen it before.
Greek source
ἐθαύμαζον δὲ ἐγὼ ἐν ἐμαυτῷ λέγων· Πῶς τοσούτων κλάδων κεκομμένων τὸ δένδρον ὑγιές ἐστιν; λέγει μοι ὁ ποιμήν· Μὴ θαύμαζε, εἰ τὸ δένδρον τοῦτο ὑγιὲς διέμεινεν τοσούτων κλάδων κοπέντων. ἄφες δέ, φησί, πάντα ἴδῃς, καὶ δηλωθήσεταί σοι τὸ τί ἐστιν.
Translation
I wondered to myself, “How can the tree be sound when so many branches have been cut off?” The shepherd said to me, “Do not wonder that this tree has remained sound after so many branches have been cut. Wait until you have seen everything,” he said, “and its meaning will be explained to you.”
Greek source
ὁ ἄγγελος ὁ ἐπιδεδωκὼς τῷ λαῷ τὰς ῥάβδους πάλιν ἀπῄτει ἀπ’ αὐτῶν· καὶ καθὼς ἔλαβον, οὕτως καὶ ἐκαλοῦντο πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ εἷς ἕκαστος αὐτῶν ἀπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους. ἐλάμβανεν δὲ ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ κυρίου καὶ κατενόει αὐτάς.
Translation
The angel who had given the people the rods now asked for them back. They were called to him in the same order in which they had received them, and each returned their rod. The angel of the Lord took them and examined them.
Greek source
παρά τινων ἐλάμβανε τὰς ῥάβδους ξηρὰς καὶ βεβρωμένας ὡς ὑπὸ σητός· ἐκέλευσεν ὁ ἄγγελος τοὺς τὰς τοιαύτας ῥάβδους ἐπιδεδωκότας χωρὶς ἱστάνεσθαι.
Translation
From some he received rods that were dry and eaten as if by a moth. The angel ordered those who had returned rods like these to stand apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν ξηράς, ἀλλ’ οὐκ ἦσαν βεβρωμέναι ὑπὸ σητός· καὶ τούτους ἐκέλευσεν χωρὶς ἱστάνεσθαι.
Translation
Others returned dry rods, but they had not been eaten by a moth. He ordered these people too to stand apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν ἡμιξήρους· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Others returned partly dry rods. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν ἡμιξήρους καὶ σχισμὰς ἐχούσας· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Others returned rods that were partly dry and had splits. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους χλωρὰς μὲν σχισμὰς δὲ ἐχούσας· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Others returned rods that were green but had splits. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους τὸ ἥμισυ ξηρὸν καὶ τὸ ἥμισυ χλωρόν· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Others returned rods that were half dry and half green. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ προσέφερον τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν τὰ δύο μέρη τῆς ῥάβδου χλωρά, τὸ δὲ τρίτον ξηρόν· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Others brought rods with two parts green and the third dry. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν τὰ δύο μέρη ξηρά, τὸ δὲ τρίτον χλωρόν·
Translation
Others returned rods with two parts dry and the third green.
Greek source
καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο. ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν παρὰ μικρὸν ὅλας χλωράς, ἐλάχιστον δὲ τῶν ῥάβδων αὐτῶν ξηρὸν ἦν, αὐτὸ τὸ ἄκρον· σχισμὰς δὲ εἶχον ἐν αὐταῖς· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
These people too stood apart. Others returned rods that were almost entirely green. Only a tiny part of their rods, the very tip, was dry, but they had splits in them. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἑτέρων δὲ ἦν ἐλάχιστον χλωρόν, τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ μέρη τῶν ῥάβδων ξηρά· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Other people's rods had only a tiny green part, while the rest was dry. These people too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἤρχοντο τὰς ῥάβδους χλωρὰς φέροντες ὡς ἔλαβον παρὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου· τὸ δὲ πλεῖον μέρος τοῦ ὄχλου τοιαύτας ῥάβδους ἐπεδίδουν. ὁ δὲ ἄγγελος ἐπὶ τούτοις ἐχάρη λίαν· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο.
Translation
Others came carrying rods as green as when they received them from the angel. Most of the crowd returned rods like these. The angel was delighted with these people. They too stood apart.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν χλωρὰς καὶ παραφυάδας ἐχούσας· καὶ οὗτοι χωρὶς ἱστάνοντο· καὶ ἐπὶ τούτοις ὁ ἄγγελος λίαν ἱλαρὸς ἐγένετο.
Translation
Others returned green rods with shoots. These people too stood apart, and the angel became very cheerful about them.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν χλωρὰς καὶ παραφυάδας ἐχούσας· αἱ δὲ παραφυάδες αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ καρπόν τινα εἶχον· καὶ λίαν ἱλαροὶ ἦσαν οἱ ἄνδρες ἐκεῖνοι ὧν αἱ ῥάβδοι τοιαῦται εὑρέθησαν. καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος ἐπὶ τούτοις ἠγαλλιᾶτο, καὶ ὁ ποιμὴν σὺν αὐτῷ λίαν ἱλαρὸς ἦν ἐπὶ τούτοις.
Translation
Others returned green rods with shoots, and their shoots had what looked like fruit. The men whose rods were found like this were very cheerful. The angel rejoiced over them, and the shepherd too was very cheerful with him about them.
Chapter 2
Greek source
Ἐκέλευσε δὲ ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ κυρίου στεφάνους ἐνεχθῆναι. καὶ ἐνέχθησαν στέφανοι ὡσεὶ ἐκ φοινίκων γεγονότες, καὶ ἐστεφάνωσε τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς ἐπιδεδωκότας τὰς ῥάβδους τὰς παραφυάδας ἐχούσας καὶ καρπόν τινα καὶ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν πύργον.
Translation
The angel of the Lord ordered crowns to be brought. Crowns were brought that seemed to be made of palm branches. He crowned the men who had returned rods with shoots and what looked like fruit, and sent them off to the tower.
Greek source
καὶ ἄλλους δὲ ἀπέλυσεν εἰς τὸν πύργον, τοὺς τὰς ῥάβδους ἐπιδεδωκότας τὰς παραφυάδας ἐχούσας, καρπὸν δὲ μὴ ἐχούσας, δοὺς αὐτοῖς σφραγῖδα.
Translation
He also sent others to the tower, those who had returned rods with shoots but no fruit, giving them a seal.
Greek source
ἱματισμὸν δὲ τὸν αὐτὸν εἶχον πάντες λευκὸν ὡσεὶ χιόνα, οἱ πορευόμενοι εἰς τὸν πύργον.
Translation
Everyone going to the tower wore the same clothing, white as snow.
Greek source
καὶ τοὺς τὰς ῥάβδους ἐπιδεδωκότας χλωρὰς ὡς ἔλαβον ἀπέλυσεν, δοὺς αὐτοῖς ἱματισμὸν λευκὸν καὶ σφραγῖδα.
Translation
He also sent off those who had returned rods as green as when they received them, giving them white clothing and a seal.
Greek source
μετὰ τὸ ταῦτα τελέσαι τὸν ἄγγελον λέγει τῷ ποιμένι· Ἐγὼ ὑπάγω· σὺ δὲ τούτους ἀπόλυσον εἰς τὰ τείχη, καθώς τις ἄξιός ἐστιν κατοικεῖν. κατανόησον δὲ τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν ἐπιμελῶς καὶ οὕτως ἀπόλυσον. βλέπε, μή τίς σε παρέλθῃ· ἐὰν δέ τίς σε παρέλθῃ, φησίν, ἐγὼ αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον δοκιμάσω. ταῦτα εἰπὼν τῷ ποιμένι ἀπῆλθεν.
Translation
When the angel had finished, he said to the shepherd, “I am leaving. Send these people off to the walls, each as they deserve to dwell there. Examine their rods carefully before sending them off. Take care that no one slips past you. If someone does slip past you,” he said, “I will test them at the altar.” After saying this to the shepherd, he departed.
Greek source
μετὰ τὸ ἀπελθεῖν τὸν ἄγγελον λέγει μοι ὁ ποιμήν· Λάβωμεν παρὰ πάντων τὰς ῥάβδους καὶ φυτεύσωμεν αὐτάς, εἴ τινες ἐξ αὐτῶν δυνήσονται ζῆσαι.
Translation
After the angel departed, the shepherd said to me, “Let us take the rods from everyone and plant them, to see whether any of them can live.”
Greek source
λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, τὰ ξηρὰ ταῦτα πῶς δύναται ζῆσαι; ἀποκριθείς μοι λέγει· Τὸ δένδρον τοῦτο ἰτέα ἐστὶν καὶ φιλόζωον τὸ γένος· ἐὰν φυτευθῶσι καὶ μικρὰν ἰκμάδα λάβωσι αἱ ῥάβδοι αὗται, ζήσονται πολλαὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν· εἶτα δὲ πειράσω καὶ ὕδωρ αὐταῖς παραχέω. ἐάν τις αὐτῶν δυνηθῇ ζῆσαι, συνχαρήσομαι αὐταῖς· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ζήσεται, οὐχ εὑρεθήσομαι ἐγὼ ἀμελής.
Translation
I said to him, “Sir, how can these dry things live?” He answered, “This tree is a willow, a kind that loves life. If these rods are planted and receive a little moisture, many of them will live. I will also try pouring water over them. If any can live, I will rejoice with them. But if they do not live, I will not be found negligent.”
Greek source
ἐκέλευσέν με ὁ ποιμὴν καλέσαι, καθώς τις αὐτῶν ἐστάθη. ἦλθον τάγματα τάγματα καὶ ἐπεδίδουν τὰς ῥάβδους τῷ ποιμένι· ἐλάμβανεν δὲ ὁ ποιμὴν τὰς ῥάβδους καὶ κατὰ τάγματα ἐφύτευεν αὐτάς· μετὰ τὸ φυτεῦσαι αὐτὰς ὕδωρ αὐταῖς πολὺ παρέχεεν, ὥστε ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος μὴ φαίνεσθαι τὰς ῥάβδους.
Translation
The shepherd ordered me to call them in the groups in which they had been placed. They came group by group and gave their rods to the shepherd. He took the rods and planted them by groups. After planting them, he poured so much water over them that the rods could not be seen because of the water.
Greek source
μετὰ τὸ ποτίσαι αὐτὸν τὰς ῥάβδους λέγει μοι· Ἄγωμεν καὶ μετὰ ὀλίγας ἡμέρας ἐπανέλθωμεν καὶ ἐπισκεψώμεθα τὰς ῥάβδους ταύτας πάσας· ὁ γὰρ κτίσας τὸ δένδρον τοῦτο θέλει πάντας ζῆν τοὺς λαβόντας ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ κλάδους. ἐλπίζω δὲ κἀγὼ ὅτι λαβόντα τὰ ῥαβδία ταῦτα ἰκμάδα καὶ ποτισθέντα ὕδατι ζήσεται τὸ πλεῖστον μέρος.
Translation
After watering the rods, he said to me, “Let us go, and in a few days return and inspect all these rods. The one who created this tree wants everyone who received branches from it to live. I too hope that once these rods have received moisture and been watered, most of them will live.”
Chapter 3
Greek source
Λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, τὸ δένδρον τοῦτο τί ἐστιν γνώρισόν μοι· ἀποροῦμαι γὰρ περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι τοσούτων κλάδων κοπέντων ὑγιές ἐστιν τὸ δένδρον καὶ ὅλως οὐδὲν φαίνεται κεκομμένον ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ· ἐν τούτῳ οὖν ἀποροῦμαι.
Translation
I said to him, “Sir, tell me what this tree is. I am puzzled that, after so many branches have been cut off, the tree is sound and does not look as though anything has been cut from it at all. This puzzles me.”
Greek source
Ἄκουε, φησίν· τὸ δένδρον τοῦτο τὸ μέγα τὸ σκεπάζον πεδία καὶ ὄρη καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν νόμος θεοῦ ἐστιν δοθεὶς εἰς ὅλον τὸν κόσμον· ὁ δὲ νόμος οὗτος ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν ὁ κηρυχθεὶς εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς γῆς· οἱ δὲ ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην λαοὶ ὄντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ κηρύγματος καὶ πιστεύσαντες αὐτῷ·
Translation
“Listen,” he said. “This great tree that shelters plains, mountains, and the whole earth is God's law, given to the entire world. This law is the Son of God, proclaimed to the ends of the earth. The people beneath its shelter are those who heard the proclamation and believed it.
Greek source
ὁ δὲ ἄγγελος ὁ μέγας καὶ ἔνδοξος Μιχαὴλ ὁ ἔχων τὴν ἐξουσίαν τούτου τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ διακυβερνῶν αὐτούς· αὐτὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ διδῶν αὐτοῖς τὸν νόμον εἰς τὰς καρδίας τῶν πιστευόντων. ἐπισκέπτεται οὖν αὐτούς, οἷς ἔδωκε τὸν νόμον, εἰ ἄρα τετηρήκασιν αὐτόν.
Translation
“The great and glorious angel is Michael, who has authority over this people and governs them. He is the one who gives them the law in the hearts of those who believe. He inspects those to whom he gave the law to see whether they have kept it.
Greek source
βλέπεις δὲ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου τὰς ῥάβδους· αἱ γὰρ ῥάβδοι ὁ νόμος ἐστίν. βλέπεις οὖν πολλὰς ἐκ τῶν ῥάβδων ἠχρειωμένας, γνώσῃ δὲ αὐτοὺς πάντας τοὺς μὴ τηρήσαντας τὸν νόμον, καὶ ὄψῃ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου τὴν κατοικίαν.
Translation
“You see each person's rod, for the rods are the law. You see that many of the rods have become useless. You will come to know all those who have not kept the law, and you will see each person's dwelling.”
Greek source
λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, διατί οὓς μὲν ἀπέλυσεν εἰς τὸν πύργον, οὓς δὲ σοὶ κατέλιπεν; Ὅσοι, φησί, παρέβησαν τὸν νόμον ὃν ἔλαβον παρ’ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἐξουσίαν αὐτοὺς κατέλιπεν εἰς μετάνοιαν· ὅσοι δὲ ἤδη εὐηρέστηκαν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ τετήρηκαν αὐτόν, ὑπὸ τὴν ἰδίαν ἐξουσίαν αὐτοὺς ἔχει.
Translation
I said to him, “Sir, why did he send some to the tower and leave others with you?” “All those who transgressed the law they received from him,” he said, “he left under my authority for repentance. But those who have already satisfied the law and kept it, he holds under his own authority.”
Greek source
Τίνες οὖν, φημί, κύριε, εἰσὶν οἱ ἐστεφανωμένοι καὶ εἰς τὸν πύργον ὑπάγοντες; ἀποκριθείς μοι λέγει· Οἱ ἐστεφανωμένοι οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ μετὰ τοῦ διαβόλου παλαίσαντες καὶ νικήσαντες αὐτόν·
Translation
“Who, then, sir,” I asked, “are those who were crowned and are going to the tower?” He answered, “Those who were crowned are the ones who wrestled with the devil and defeated him.
Greek source
οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ὑπὲρ τοῦ νόμου παθόντες· οἱ δὲ ἕτεροι καὶ αὐτοὶ τὰς ῥάβδους χλωρὰς ἐπιδεδωκότες καὶ παραφυάδας ἐχούσας, καρπὸν δὲ μὴ ἐχούσας, ὑπὲρ τοῦ νόμου θλιβέντες, μὴ παθόντες δὲ μηδὲ ἀρνησάμενοι τὸν νόμον αὐτῶν.
Translation
“They are the ones who suffered for the law. The others, who also returned green rods with shoots but no fruit, were afflicted for the law, but did not suffer or deny their law.
Greek source
οἱ δὲ χλωρὰς ἐπιδεδωκότες, οἵας ἔλαβον, σεμνοὶ καὶ δίκαιοι καὶ λίαν πορευθέντες ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ κυρίου πεφυλακότες. τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ γνώσῃ, ὅταν κατανοήσω τὰς ῥάβδους ταύτας τὰς πεφυτευμένας καὶ πεποτισμένας.
Translation
“Those who returned rods as green as when they received them are reverent and righteous. They have lived with a thoroughly pure heart and kept the Lord's commandments. You will learn about the rest when I examine these rods that have been planted and watered.”
Chapter 4
Greek source
Μετὰ ἡμέρας ὀλίγας ἤλθομεν εἰς τὸν τόπον, καὶ ἐκάθισεν ὁ ποιμὴν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦ ἀγγέλου τοῦ μεγάλου, κἀγὼ παρεστάθην αὐτῷ. λέγει μοι· Περίζωσαι ὠμόλινον καὶ διακόνει μοι. περιεζωσάμην ἐγὼ ὠμόλινον ἐκ σάκκου γεγονὸς καθαρόν.
Translation
A few days later we came to the place. The shepherd sat down in the great angel's place, and I stood beside him. He said to me, “Tie an unbleached linen apron around yourself and assist me.” I tied on a clean apron made of sackcloth.
Greek source
ἰδών με περιεζωσμένον καὶ ἕτοιμον ὄντα τοῦ διακονεῖν αὐτῷ, Κάλει, φησίν, τοὺς ἄνδρας, ὧν εἰσιν αἱ ῥάβδοι πεφυτευμέναι, κατὰ τὰ τάγματα, ὥς τις ἐπέδωκεν τὰς ῥάβδους. ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὸ πεδίον καὶ ἐκάλεσα πάντας· καὶ ἔστησαν πάντες τάγματα τάγματα.
Translation
Seeing me with the apron on and ready to assist him, he said, “Call the men whose rods have been planted, in the groups in which they returned their rods.” I went out onto the plain and called them all. They all stood group by group.
Greek source
λέγει δὲ αὐτοῖς· Ἕκαστος ἐκτιλάτω τὰς ῥάβδους τὰς ἰδίας καὶ φερέτω πρός με.
Translation
He said to them, “Let each person pull out their own rod and bring it to me.”
Greek source
πρῶτοι ἐπέδωκαν οἱ τὰς ξηρὰς καὶ κεκομμένας ἐσχηκότες· ὡσαύτως εὑρέθησαν ξηραὶ καὶ κεκομμέναι· ἐκέλευσεν αὐτοὺς χωρὶς στῆναι.
Translation
The first to return theirs were those who had had dry and cut rods. They were found dry and cut as before. He ordered them to stand apart.
Greek source
εἶτα ἐπέδωκαν τὰς ῥάβδους οἱ τὰς ξηρὰς καὶ μὴ κεκομμένας ἔχοντες· τινὲς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπέδωκαν τὰς ῥάβδους χλωράς, τινὲς δὲ ξηρὰς καὶ κεκομμένας ὡς ὑπὸ σητός. τοὺς ἐπιδεδωκότας χλωρὰς ἐκέλευσεν χωρὶς στῆναι, τοὺς δὲ ξηρὰς καὶ κεκομμένας μετὰ τῶν πρώτων ἐκέλευσεν στῆναι.
Translation
Next, those with dry rods that had not been cut returned theirs. Some returned green rods; others returned dry rods, cut as if by a moth. He ordered those who returned green rods to stand apart, and those with dry and cut rods to stand with the first group.
Greek source
εἶτα ἐπέδωκαν οἱ τὰς ἡμίσους ξηροὺς καὶ σχισμὰς ἐχούσας· πολλοὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν χλωρὰς ἐπέδωκαν καὶ μὴ ἐχούσας σχισμάς· τινὲς δὲ χλωρὰς καὶ παραφυάδας ἐχούσας καὶ εἰς τὰς παραφυάδας καρπούς, οἵας ἔσχον οἱ εἰς τὸν πύργον πορευθέντες ἐστεφανωμένοι· τινὲς δὲ ἐπέδωκαν ξηρὰς καὶ βεβρωμένας, τινὲς δὲ ξηρὰς καὶ ἀβρώτους, τινὲς δὲ οἷαι ἦσαν ἡμίξηροι καὶ σχισμὰς ἔχουσαι. ἐκέλευσεν αὐτοὺς ἕκαστον αὐτῶν χωρὶς στῆναι, τοὺς μὲν πρὸς τὰ ἴδια τάγματα, τοὺς δὲ χωρίς.
Translation
Next came those whose rods had been partly dry and split. Many returned green rods without splits. Some returned green rods with shoots and fruit on the shoots, like those belonging to the crowned people who had gone to the tower. Some returned dry and eaten rods; others dry rods that had not been eaten; and others rods still partly dry and split, as before. He ordered each of them to stand apart, some with their respective groups and others separately.
Chapter 5
Greek source
Εἶτα ἐπεδίδουν οἱ τὰς ῥάβδους χλωρὰς μὲν ἔχοντες, σχισμὰς δὲ ἐχούσας· οὗτοι πάντες χλωρὰς ἐπέδωκαν καὶ ἔστησαν εἰς τὸ ἴδιον τάγμα. ἐχάρη ὁ ποιμὴν ἐπὶ τούτοις, ὅτι πάντες ἠλλοιώθησαν καὶ ἀπέθοντο τὰ σχίσματα αὐτῶν.
Translation
Next, those who had green rods with splits returned theirs. They all returned green rods and stood in their own group. The shepherd rejoiced over them because they had all changed and laid aside their divisions.
Greek source
ἐπέδωκαν δὲ καὶ οἱ τὸ ἥμισυ χλωρόν, τὸ δὲ ἥμισυ ξηρόν· τινῶν εὑρέθησαν αἱ ῥάβδοι ὁλοτελεῖς χλωραί, τινῶν ἡμίξηροι, τινῶν ξηραὶ καὶ βεβρωμέναι, τινῶν δὲ χλωραὶ καὶ παραφυάδας ἔχουσαι. οὗτοι πάντες ἀπελύθησαν ἕκαστος πρὸς τὸ τάγμα αὐτοῦ.
Translation
Those whose rods had been half green and half dry also returned theirs. Some rods were found entirely green; some partly dry; some dry and eaten; and some green with shoots. Each of these people was sent off to their own group.
Greek source
εἶτα ἐπέδωκαν οἱ τὰ δύο μέρη χλωρὰ ἐσχηκότες, τὸ δὲ τρίτον ξηρόν· πολλοὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν χλωρὰς ἐπέδωκαν, πολλοὶ δὲ ἡμιξήρους, ἕτεροι δὲ ξηρὰς καὶ βεβρωμένας· οὗτοι πάντες ἀπεστάλησαν ἕκαστος εἰς τὸ ἴδιον τάγμα.
Translation
Next came those whose rods had been two parts green and the third dry. Many returned green rods, many partly dry rods, and others dry and eaten rods. Each was sent to their own group.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐπεδίδοσαν τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν, τὰ δύο μέρη ξηρά, τὸ δὲ τρίτον χλωρόν· πολλοὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπέδωκαν ἡμιξήρους, τινὲς δὲ ξηρὰς καὶ βεβρωμένας, τινὲς δὲ ἡμιξήρους καὶ σχισμὰς ἐχούσας· ἐλάχιστοι δὲ χλωρὰς ἐπέδωκαν· οὗτοι πάντες ἔστησαν εἰς τὸ ἴδιον τάγμα.
Translation
Others returned their rods, which had been two parts dry and the third green. Many returned partly dry rods; some dry and eaten rods; and some partly dry rods with splits. Very few returned green rods. They all stood in their own group.
Greek source
ἐπέδωκαν δὲ οἱ τὰς ῥάβδους χλωρὰς ἐσχηκότες, ἐλάχιστον δὲ ξηρὸν καὶ σχισμὰς ἐχούσας. ἐκ τούτων τινὲς χλωρὰς ἐπέδωκαν, τινὲς δὲ χλωρὰς καὶ παραφυάδας ἐχούσας. ἀπῆλθον καὶ οὗτοι εἰς τὸ τάγμα αὐτῶν.
Translation
Those whose rods had been green with only a tiny dry part and splits also returned theirs. Some returned green rods, and others green rods with shoots. They too went off to their group.
Greek source
εἶτα ἐπέδωκαν οἱ ἐλάχιστον ἔχοντες χλωρόν, τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ μέρη ξηρά· τούτων αἱ ῥάβδοι εὑρέθησαν τὸ πλεῖστον μέρος χλωραὶ καὶ παραφυάδας ἔχουσαι καὶ καρπὸν ἐν ταῖς παραφυάσιν, καὶ ἕτεραι χλωραὶ ὅλαι. ἐπὶ ταύταις ταῖς ῥάβδοις ἐχάρη ὁ ποιμὴν μεγάλως, ὅτι οὕτως εὑρέθησαν. ἀπῆλθον καὶ οὗτοι ἕκαστος εἰς τὸ ἴδιον τάγμα.
Translation
Next came those whose rods had had only a tiny green part and the rest dry. Most of their rods were found green with shoots and fruit on the shoots, and others entirely green. The shepherd rejoiced greatly over these rods, because they were found like this. Each of these people too went off to their own group.
Chapter 6
Greek source
Μετὰ τὸ πάντων κατανοῆσαι τὰς ῥάβδους τὸν ποιμένα λέγει μοι· Εἶπόν σοι, ὅτι τὸ δένδρον τοῦτο φιλόζωόν ἐστιν. βλέπεις, φησί, πόσοι μετενόησαν καὶ ἐσώθησαν; Βλέπω, φημί, κύριε. Ἵνα εἰδῇς, φησίν, τὴν πολυσπλαγχνίαν τοῦ κυρίου, ὅτι μεγάλη καὶ ἔνδοξός ἐστιν καὶ ἔδωκεν πνεῦμα τοῖς ἀξίοις οὖσι μετανοίας.
Translation
After the shepherd had examined everyone's rods, he said to me, “I told you that this tree loves life. Do you see,” he asked, “how many repented and were saved?” “I do, sir,” I said. “This is so that you may know,” he said, “that the Lord's compassion is great and glorious. He gave a spirit to those worthy of repentance.”
Greek source
Ὅτι οὖν, φημί, κύριε, πάντες οὐ μετενόησαν; Ὧν εἶδεν, φησίν, ὁ κύριος τὴν καρδίαν μέλλουσαν καθαρὰν γενέσθαι καὶ δουλεύειν αὐτῷ ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας, τούτοις δέδωκε τὴν μετάνοιαν· ὧν δὲ εἶδε τὴν δολιότητα καὶ πονηρίαν, καὶ μέλλοντας ἐν ὑποκρίσει μετανοεῖν, ἐκείνοις οὐκ ἔδωκεν, μήποτε πάλιν βλασφημήσωσιν τὸν νόμον αὐτοῦ.
Translation
“Why, then, sir,” I asked, “did not everyone repent?” “Those whose hearts the Lord saw would become pure and who would serve him with all their heart,” he said, “he granted repentance. But those whose deceit and wickedness he saw, and who would repent hypocritically, he did not grant it, lest they again blaspheme his law.”
Greek source
λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, νῦν μοι ἐπίλυσον τοὺς τὰς ῥάβδους ἀποδεδωκότας, ποταπός τις αὐτῶν ἐστι, καὶ τὴν τούτων κατοικίαν, ἵνα ἀκούσαντες οἱ πιστεύσαντες καὶ εἰληφότες τὴν σφραγῖδα καὶ τεθλακότες αὐτὴν καὶ μὴ τηρήσαντες ὑγιῆ, ἐπιγνόντες τὰ ἑαυτῶν ἔργα μετανοήσωσιν, λαβόντες ὑπὸ σοῦ σφραγῖδα, καὶ δοξάσωσι τὸν κύριον, ὅτι ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐξαπέστειλέν σε τοῦ ἀνακαινίσαι τὰ πνεύματα αὐτῶν.
Translation
I said to him, “Sir, now explain to me the people who returned the rods: what sort each is, and where they dwell. Then those who believed and received the seal, but broke it and did not keep it sound, may hear, recognize their own deeds, and repent, receiving a seal from you. They may glorify the Lord because he had compassion on them and sent you to renew their spirits.”
Greek source
Ἄκουε, φησίν· ὧν αἱ ῥάβδοι ξηραὶ καὶ βεβρωμέναι ὑπὸ σητὸς εὑρέθησαν, οὗτοί εἰσιν ἀποστάται καὶ προδόται τῆς ἐκκλησίας καὶ βλασφημήσαντες ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις αὐτῶν τὸν κύριον, ἔτι δὲ καὶ ἐπαισχυνθέντες τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου τὸ ἐπικληθὲν ἐπ’ αὐτούς. οὗτοι οὖν εἰς τέλος ἀπέθανον τῷ θεῷ. βλέπεις ὅτι οὐδὲ εἷς αὐτῶν μετενόησε, καίπερ ἀκούσαντες τὰ ῥήματα ἃ ἐλάλησας αὐτοῖς, ἅ σοι ἐνετειλάμην· ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων ἡ ζωὴ ἀπέστη.
Translation
“Listen,” he said. “Those whose rods were found dry and moth-eaten are deserters and betrayers of the assembly. In their sins they blasphemed against the Lord and were also ashamed of the Lord's name that had been invoked over them. They have died completely in relation to God. You see that not one of them repented, even though they heard the words you spoke to them, which I commanded you to speak. Life has departed from people like these.
Greek source
οἱ δὲ τὰς ξηρὰς καὶ ἀσήπτους ἐπιδεδωκότες, καὶ οὗτοι ἐγγὺς αὐτῶν· ἦσαν γὰρ ὑποκριταὶ καὶ διδαχὰς ἑτέρας εἰσφέροντες καὶ ἐκστρέφοντες τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ, μάλιστα δὲ τοὺς ἡμαρτηκότας, μὴ ἀφίοντες αὐτοὺς μετανοεῖν, ἀλλὰ ταῖς διδαχαῖς ταῖς μωραῖς πείθοντες αὐτούς. οὗτοι οὖν ἔχουσιν ἐλπίδα τοῦ μετανοῆσαι.
Translation
“Those who returned dry rods that were not rotten are close to them too. They were hypocrites who introduced other teachings and led God's servants astray, especially those who had sinned. They would not let them repent, but persuaded them with their foolish teachings. These people, however, have hope of repenting.
Greek source
βλέπεις δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν πολλοὺς μετανενοηκότας ἀφότε ἐλάλησας αὐτοῖς τὰς ἐντολάς μου· καὶ ἔτι μετανοήσωσιν. ὅσοι δὲ οὐ μετανοήσουσιν, ἀπώλεσαν τὴν ζωὴν αὐτῶν· ὅσοι δὲ μετενόησαν ἐξ αὐτῶν, ἀγαθοὶ ἐγένοντο, καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ κατοικία αὐτῶν εἰς τὰ τείχη τὰ πρῶτα· τινὲς δὲ καὶ εἰς τὸν πύργον ἀνέβησαν. βλέπεις οὖν, φησίν, ὅτι ἡ μετάνοια τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν ζωὴν ἔχει, τὸ δὲ μὴ μετανοῆσαι θάνατον.
Translation
“You see that many of them have repented since you spoke my commandments to them, and they may yet repent. Those who will not repent have lost their life. Those among them who repented became good, and their dwelling came to be at the first walls. Some even went up into the tower. So you see,” he said, “that repentance brings life to sinners, while not repenting brings death.
Chapter 7
Greek source
Ὅσοι δὲ ἡμιξήρους ἐπέδωκαν καὶ ἐν αὐταῖς σχισμὰς εἶχον, ἄκουε περὶ αὐτῶν. ὅσων ἦσαν αἱ ῥάβδοι ἡμίξηροι, δίψυχοί εἰσιν· οὔτε γὰρ ζῶσιν οὔτε τεθνήκασιν.
Translation
“Now listen about those who returned partly dry rods with splits in them. Those whose rods were partly dry are wavering: they are neither alive nor dead.
Greek source
οἱ δὲ ἡμιξήρους ἔχοντες καὶ ἐν αὐταῖς σχισμάς, οὗτοι καὶ δίψυχοί εἰσιν καὶ κατάλαλοι, μηδέποτε εἰρηνεύοντες ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλὰ διχοστατοῦντες πάντοτε. καὶ τούτοις, φησίν, ἔτι κεῖται μετάνοια. βλέπεις, φησίν, ἤδη τινὰς ἐξ αὐτῶν μετανενοηκότας. καὶ ἔτι ἐλπίς ἐστιν ἐν αὐτοῖς μετανοίας.
Translation
“Those whose rods were partly dry with splits are both wavering and slanderous. They are never at peace among themselves, but always divided. For them too,” he said, “repentance is still available. You see that some of them have already repented, and there is still hope of repentance among them.
Greek source
ὅσοι οὖν, φησίν, ἐξ αὐτῶν μετανενοήκασιν, τὴν κατοικίαν εἰς τὸν πύργον ἔχουσιν· ὅσοι δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν βραδύτερον μετανοήσουσιν, εἰς τὰ τείχη κατοικήσουσιν· ὅσοι δὲ οὐ μετανοήσουσιν, ἀλλ’ ἐμμενοῦσιν ἐν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτῶν, θανάτῳ ἀποθανοῦνται.
Translation
“Those among them who have repented,” he said, “have their dwelling in the tower. Those who repent more slowly will dwell at the walls. Those who do not repent but persist in their conduct will surely die.
Greek source
οἱ δὲ χλωρὰς ἐπιδεδωκότες τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν καὶ σχισμὰς ἐχούσας, οὗτοι πάντοτε πιστοὶ καὶ ἀγαθοὶ ἐγένοντο, ἔχοντες δὲ ζῆλόν τινα ἐν ἀλλήλοις περὶ πρωτείων καὶ περὶ δόξης τινός· ἀλλὰ πάντες οὗτοι μωροί εἰσιν, ἐν ἀλλήλοις ἔχοντες ζῆλον περὶ πρωτείων.
Translation
“Those who returned green rods with splits have always been faithful and good, but had some rivalry among themselves over first place and a certain glory. Yet all these people are foolish, having rivalry among themselves over first place.
Greek source
ἀλλὰ καὶ οὗτοι ἀκούσαντες τῶν ἐντολῶν μου, ἀγαθοὶ ὄντες, ἐκαθάρισαν ἑαυτοὺς καὶ μετενόησαν ταχύ. ἐγένετο οὖν ἡ κατοίκησις αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν πύργον· ἐὰν δέ τις αὐτῶν πάλιν ἐπιστραφῇ εἰς τὴν διχοστασίαν, ἐκβληθήσεται ἐκ τοῦ πύργου καὶ ἀπολέσει τὴν ζωὴν αὐτοῦ.
Translation
“But these people too, being good, heard my commandments, cleansed themselves, and quickly repented. Their dwelling therefore came to be in the tower. But if any of them turns back to division, they will be thrown out of the tower and lose their life.
Greek source
ἡ ζωὴ πάντων ἐστὶ τῶν τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ κυρίου τηρούντων· ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς δὲ περὶ πρωτείων ἢ περὶ δόξης οὐκ ἔστιν, ἀλλὰ περὶ μακροθυμίας καὶ περὶ ταπεινοφροσύνης ἀνδρός. ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις οὖν ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ κυρίου, ἐν δὲ τοῖς διχοστάταις καὶ παρανόμοις θάνατος.
Translation
“Life belongs to everyone who observes the Lord's commandments. The commandments concern neither first place nor glory, but a person's patience and humility. In people like these there is the Lord's life, but in the divisive and lawless there is death.
Chapter 8
Greek source
Οἱ δὲ ἐπιδεδωκότες τὰς ῥάβδους ἥμισυ χλωράς, ἥμισυ ξηράς, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ταῖς πραγματείαις αὐτῶν ἐμπεφυρμένοι καὶ τοῖς ἁγίοις μὴ κολλώμενοι.
Translation
“Those who returned rods half green and half dry are the ones entangled in their dealings, who do not hold closely to the holy ones.
Greek source
διὰ τοῦτο τὸ ἥμισυ αὐτῶν ζῇ καὶ τὸ ἥμισυ ἀπέθανεν. πολλοὶ οὖν ἀκούσαντες τῶν ἐντολῶν μου μετενόησαν. ὅσοι οὖν μετενόησαν, ἡ κατοικία αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν πύργον. τινὲς δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τέλος ἀπέστησαν. οὗτοι οὖν μετάνοιαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν· διὰ τὰς πραγματείας γὰρ αὐτῶν ἐβλασφήμησαν τὸν κύριον καὶ ἀπηρνήσαντο αὐτόν. ἀπώλεσαν οὖν τὴν ζωὴν αὐτῶν διὰ τὴν πονηρίαν ἣν ἔπραξαν.
Translation
“For this reason, half of them lives and half has died. Many heard my commandments and repented. Those who repented have their dwelling in the tower. But some of them fell away completely. They have no repentance, for because of their dealings they blasphemed against the Lord and denied him. They lost their life because of the wickedness they committed.
Greek source
πολλοὶ δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐδιψύχησαν. οὗτοι ἔτι ἔχουσι μετάνοιαν, ἐὰν ταχὺ μετανοήσωσιν, καὶ ἔσται ἡ κατοικία αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν πύργον· ἐὰν δὲ βραδύτερον μετανοήσωσιν, κατοικήσουσιν εἰς τὰ τείχη· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ μετανοήσωσι, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀπώλεσαν τὴν ζωὴν αὐτῶν.
Translation
“Many among them wavered. They still have repentance if they repent quickly, and their dwelling will be in the tower. If they repent more slowly, they will dwell at the walls. But if they do not repent, they too have lost their life.
Greek source
οἱ δὲ τὰ δύο μέρη χλωρά, τὸ δὲ τρίτον ξηρὸν ἐπιδεδωκότες, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀρνησάμενοι ποικίλαις ἀρνήσεσι.
Translation
“Those who returned rods two parts green and the third dry are the ones who denied in various ways.
Greek source
πολλοὶ οὖν μετενόησαν ἐξ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὸν πύργον κατοικεῖν· πολλοὶ δὲ ἀπέστησαν εἰς τέλος τοῦ θεοῦ· οὗτοι τὴν ζωὴν εἰς τέλος ἀπώλεσαν. τινὲς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐδιψύχησαν καὶ ἐδιχοστάτησαν· τούτοις οὖν ἔτι ἐστὶν μετάνοια, ἐὰν ταχὺ μετανοήσωσιν καὶ μὴ ἐπιμείνωσιν ταῖς ἡδοναῖς αὐτῶν· ἐὰν δὲ ἐπιμείνωσιν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτῶν, καὶ αὐτοὶ θάνατον ἑαυτοῖς ἐργάζονται.
Translation
“Many of them repented and went to dwell in the tower. But many abandoned God completely and lost their life completely. Some among them wavered and became divided. Repentance is still available to them if they repent quickly and do not persist in their pleasures. If they persist in their conduct, they too bring death upon themselves.
Chapter 9
Greek source
Οἱ δὲ ἐπιδεδωκότες τὰς ῥάβδους τὰ μὲν δύο μέρη ξηρά, τὸ δὲ τρίτον χλωρόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν πιστοὶ μὲν γεγονότες, πλουτήσαντες δὲ καὶ γενόμενοι ἐνδοξότεροι παρὰ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν· ὑπερηφανίαν μεγάλην ἐνεδύσαντο καὶ ὑψηλόφρονες ἐγένοντο καὶ κατέλιπον τὴν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ οὐκ ἐκολλήθησαν τοῖς δικαίοις, ἀλλὰ μετὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν συνέζησαν, καὶ αὕτη ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτοῖς ἡδυτέρα ἐγένετο· ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἀπέστησαν, ἀλλ’ ἐνέμειναν τῇ πίστει, μὴ ἐργαζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἔργα τῆς πίστεως.
Translation
“Those who returned rods two parts dry and the third green had been faithful, but became rich and gained greater glory among the nations. They put on great pride, became arrogant, and abandoned the truth. They did not hold closely to the righteous, but lived among the nations, and found this way more pleasant. Yet they did not abandon God. They remained in faith, but did not do the deeds of faith.
Greek source
πολλοὶ οὖν ἐξ αὐτῶν μετενόησαν, καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ κατοίκησις αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν πύργον.
Translation
“Many of them repented, and their dwelling came to be in the tower.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ εἰς τέλος μετὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν συνζῶντες καὶ φερόμενοι ταῖς κενοδοξίαις τῶν ἐθνῶν ἀπέστησαν ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ ἔπραξαν τὰς πράξεις τῶν ἐθνῶν. οὗτοι οὖν μετὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐλογίσθησαν.
Translation
“Others, living among the nations to the end and carried along by the nations' empty glories, abandoned God and did what the nations do. These people were therefore counted among the nations.
Greek source
ἕτεροι δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐδιψύχησαν μὴ ἐλπίζοντες σωθῆναι διὰ τὰς πράξεις ἃς ἔπραξαν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐδιψύχησαν καὶ σχίσματα ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἐποιήσαντο. τούτοις οὖν τοῖς διψυχήσασιν διὰ τὰς πράξεις αὐτῶν μετάνοια ἔτι ἐστίν· ἀλλ’ ἡ μετάνοια αὐτῶν ταχινὴ χρῄζει εἶναι, ἵνα ἡ κατοικία αὐτῶν γένηται εἰς τὸν πύργον· τῶν δὲ μὴ μετανοούντων ἀλλὰ ἐπιμενόντων ταῖς ἡδοναῖς, ὁ θάνατος ἐγγύς.
Translation
“Others among them wavered, having no hope of being saved because of the deeds they had done. Still others wavered and created divisions among themselves. For those who wavered because of their deeds, repentance is still available. But their repentance needs to be swift, so that their dwelling may be in the tower. For those who do not repent but persist in their pleasures, death is near.
Chapter 10
Greek source
Οἱ δὲ τὰς ῥάβδους ἐπιδεδωκότες χλωράς, αὐτὰ δὲ τὰ ἄκρα ξηρὰ καὶ σχισμὰς ἔχοντα, οὗτοι πάντοτε ἀγαθοὶ καὶ πιστοὶ καὶ ἔνδοξοι παρὰ τῷ θεῷ ἐγένοντο, ἐλάχιστον δὲ ἥμαρτον διὰ μικρὰς ἐπιθυμίας καὶ μικρὰ κατ’ ἀλλήλων ἔχοντες· ἀλλὰ ἀκούσαντές μου τῶν ῥημάτων τὸ πλεῖστον μέρος ταχὺ μετενόησαν, καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ κατοικία αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν πύργον.
Translation
“Those who returned green rods with only the very tips dry and split have always been good, faithful, and glorious before God. They sinned only a little, through slight desires and holding small things against one another. But after hearing my words, most of them quickly repented, and their dwelling came to be in the tower.
Greek source
τινὲς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐδιψύχησαν, τινὲς δὲ διψυχήσαντες διχοστασίας μείζονας ἐποίησαν. ἐν τούτοις οὖν ἔτι ἐστὶν ἐλπὶς μετανοίας, ὅτι ἀγαθοὶ πάντοτε ἐγένοντο· δυσκόλως δέ τις αὐτῶν ἀποθανεῖται.
Translation
“Some of them wavered, and some, having wavered, caused greater divisions. There is still hope of repentance among them, because they have always been good. It is unlikely that any of them will die.
Greek source
οἱ δὲ τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν ἐπιδεδωκότες ξηράς, ἐλάχιστον δὲ χλωρόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν πιστεύσαντες μόνον, τὰ δὲ ἔργα τῆς ἀνομίας ἐργασάμενοι· οὐδέποτε δὲ ἀπέστησαν ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα ἡδέως ἐβάστασαν καὶ ἡδέως εἰς τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν ὑπεδέξαντο τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ. ἀκούσαντες οὖν ταύτην τὴν μετάνοιαν ἀδιστάκτως μετενόησαν καὶ ἐργάζονται πᾶσαν ἀρετὴν δικαιοσύνης.
Translation
“Those who returned dry rods with only a tiny green part are the ones who merely believed, while committing lawless deeds. Yet they never abandoned God. They gladly bore the name and gladly welcomed God's servants into their homes. On hearing of this repentance, they repented without hesitation and now practise every virtue of righteousness.
Greek source
τινὲς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν καὶ παθοῦνται κ[αὶ ἡδέως θλίβον]ται γινώσκοντες τὰς πράξεις αὐτῶν ἃς ἔπραξαν. τούτων οὖν πάντων ἡ κατοικία εἰς τὸν πύργον ἔσται.
Translation
“Some of them will also suffer [and are gladly enduring distress], recognizing the deeds they have done. The dwelling of all these people will therefore be in the tower.”
Chapter 11
Greek source
Καὶ μετὰ τὸ συντελέσαι αὐτὸν τὰς ἐπιλύσεις πασῶν τῶν ῥάβδων λέγει μοι· Ὕπαγε καὶ πᾶσι λέγε ἵνα μετανοήσωσι καὶ ζήσωσι τῷ θεῷ· ὅτι ὁ κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη καὶ ἔπεμψέ με δοῦναι πᾶσι τὴν μετάνοιαν, καίπερ τινῶν μὴ ὄντων ἀξίων σωθῆναι διὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν· ἀλλὰ μακρόθυμος ὢν ὁ κύριος θέλει τὴν κλῆσιν τὴν γενομένην διὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ σωθῆναι.
Translation
After finishing his explanations of all the rods, he said to me, “Go and tell everyone to repent and live for God. For the Lord had compassion and sent me to grant repentance to everyone, even though some do not deserve to be saved because of their deeds. Yet the Lord is patient and wants those called through his Son to be saved.”
Greek source
λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, ἐλπίζω ὅτι πάντες ἀκούσαντες αὐτὰ μετανοήσουσιν. πείθομαι γὰρ ὅτι εἷς ἕκαστος τὰ ἴδια ἔργα ἐπιγνοὺς καὶ φοβηθεὶς τὸν θεὸν μετανοήσει.
Translation
I said to him, “Sir, I hope that everyone who hears these things will repent. For I am convinced that each person, recognizing their own deeds and fearing God, will repent.”
Greek source
ἀποκριθείς μοι λέγει· Ὅσοι, φησίν, μετανοήσωσιν ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας αὐτῶν καὶ καθαρίσωσιν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν πονηριῶν αὐτῶν τῶν προειρημένων καὶ μηκέτι προσθῶσι μηδὲν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις αὐτῶν, λήμψονται ἴασιν παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου τῶν προτέρων ἁμαρτιῶν, ἐὰν μὴ διψυχήσωσιν ἐπὶ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς ταύταις, καὶ ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ. ὅσοι δὲ προσθῶσι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις αὐτῶν καὶ πορεύσονται ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου κατακρινοῦσιν ἑαυτοὺς εἰς θάνατον.
Translation
He answered me, “Everyone who repents with all their heart, cleanses themselves of the wicked things mentioned above, and adds nothing more to their sins will receive healing from the Lord for their earlier sins, provided they do not waver over these commandments. They will live for God. But those who add to their sins and follow the desires of this age will condemn themselves to death.
Greek source
σὺ δὲ πορεύου ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς μου, καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ ὃς ἂν πορεύσεται ἐν αὐταῖς καὶ ἐργάσεται ὀρθῶς, ζήσεται τῷ θεῷ.
Translation
“But you, live by my commandments, and you will live for God. Everyone who lives by them and acts rightly will live for God.”
Greek source
ταῦτά μοι δείξας καὶ λαλήσας πάντα λέγει μοι· Τὰ δὲ λοιπά σοι δείξω μετ’ ὀλίγας ἡμέρας.
Translation
After showing and telling me all these things, he said to me, “I will show you the rest in a few days.”
Reader’s notes
1. 8.1.2
A cubit is an ancient measure based on the forearm. The source says “about a cubit”; no exact metric length has been imposed.
2. 8.1–5
“Partly dry” translates the compact adjective ἡμίξηρος. Where the source explicitly says “half dry and half green,” that proportion remains explicit; the two-thirds groups are also distinct. “Splits” describes the rods, while “divisions” renders the corresponding image in its human explanation. Initial states, changed states, and different placements are retained separately.
↑ Sim. 8.1.1↑ Sim. 8.1.2↑ Sim. 8.1.3↑ Sim. 8.1.4↑ Sim. 8.1.5↑ Sim. 8.1.6↑ Sim. 8.1.7↑ Sim. 8.1.8↑ Sim. 8.1.9↑ Sim. 8.1.10↑ Sim. 8.1.11↑ Sim. 8.1.12↑ Sim. 8.1.13↑ Sim. 8.1.14↑ Sim. 8.1.15↑ Sim. 8.1.16↑ Sim. 8.1.17↑ Sim. 8.1.18↑ Sim. 8.2.1↑ Sim. 8.2.2↑ Sim. 8.2.3↑ Sim. 8.2.4↑ Sim. 8.2.5↑ Sim. 8.2.6↑ Sim. 8.2.7↑ Sim. 8.2.8↑ Sim. 8.2.9↑ Sim. 8.3.1↑ Sim. 8.3.2↑ Sim. 8.3.3↑ Sim. 8.3.4↑ Sim. 8.3.5↑ Sim. 8.3.6↑ Sim. 8.3.7↑ Sim. 8.3.8↑ Sim. 8.4.1↑ Sim. 8.4.2↑ Sim. 8.4.3↑ Sim. 8.4.4↑ Sim. 8.4.5↑ Sim. 8.4.6↑ Sim. 8.5.1↑ Sim. 8.5.2↑ Sim. 8.5.3↑ Sim. 8.5.4↑ Sim. 8.5.5↑ Sim. 8.5.63. 8.4.4–5
The source uses κεκομμένας, “cut,” where earlier descriptions used βεβρωμένας, “eaten.” The apparent referential overlap is not hidden by using one term everywhere. Whether this shift reflects the selected reading or its digital transmission needs checking against the printed edition.
4. 8.2.1–5; 8.6.6–8.9.4
The tower and the walls are distinct destinations. “At the walls” does not specify architecture beyond the source. “First walls” retains τὰ τείχη τὰ πρῶτα without assigning an unmentioned compass direction or rank. The seal remains a seal in the translation; a ritual explanation is not inserted into the ancient dialogue.
5. 8.3.2–3
The law is identified with the Son of God. The great angel is explicitly Michael, who governs the people and gives the law in believers' hearts. These statements are not turned into a claim that Michael and the Son are the same figure.
6. 8.3.6–7 — open distinction
Παθόντες is “those who suffered,” while θλιβέντες, μὴ παθόντες is “were afflicted … but did not suffer.” In this context the difference may concern the suffering associated with martyrdom rather than distress short of it. The selected text does not explicitly add “were killed” here, so the English does not silently equate suffering with death. The apparent tension merits editorial review.
7. 8.6.1–4
“A spirit” renders the unqualified πνεῦμα in 8.6.1; life or breath is also within its contextual range. The grant or withholding of repentance, the renewal of spirits, and dying in relation to God retain the source's subjects, qualifications, and negatives. Hermas's hope that everyone will repent in 8.11.2 is his expressed hope, not an assertion that everyone has done so.
8. 8.6.6 — source form
The master prints μετανοήσωσιν, a subjunctive form, in the standalone clause καὶ ἔτι μετανοήσωσιν. “And they may yet repent” retains an open prospect rather than silently changing the Greek to a future indicative. The standalone syntax needs confirmation against the printed text.
9. 8.8.4
The Greek speaks of people who “denied in various ways,” without repeating an object. No detailed list of circumstances or methods of denial has been supplied.
10. 8.10.2
“It is unlikely that any of them will die” renders δυσκόλως … ἀποθανεῖται. Here the verb concerns dying, unlike passages where δυσκόλως qualifies gaining life. The qualification is not made into an absolute guarantee that none can die.
11. 8.10.4
The source has κ⟦supplied⟧[αὶ ἡδέως θλίβον]⟦/supplied⟧ται. The conjunction's initial letter and the verb's ending lie outside the supplied span.
supplied:partialmarks the affected English phrase. The future “will suffer” and the present “are … enduring distress” remain different tenses.12. 8.11.1
“Those called through his Son” takes τὴν κλῆσιν as the call's recipients, whom the Lord wants saved. The Greek noun itself is “calling” or “call”; this contextual metonymy is an interpretative decision requiring review, not a new noun explicitly present in the Greek.
13. 8.11.3–4
Repentance with the whole heart, cleansing, adding no more sins, and not wavering are retained as conditions. The two supplied spans in the final promise remain distinct. The ending announces another disclosure in a few days, followed here by Similitude Nine.
About this edition
English translation v02. Greek source v01: Molly Whittaker, second revised edition, 1967; Patristic Text Archive (2018), Annette von Stockhausen — conversion to CTS-compliant PTA TEI and markup of places and persons. Technical derivative: Stromata Editions, 2026-09-29. Fixed version ef861ab3.
Dotted underlining marks editorial supplied spans in the selected source and the corresponding translation, including partial spans. The sign alone does not establish the intervention’s nature or necessarily indicate a conjecture. Original square brackets are preserved.
Latin ending: the ancient Vulgata edited by Adolphus Hilgenfeld, Hermae Pastor (Leipzig, 1873), pp. 155–164; project source HER-ENDING-SOURCE-v01. Hilgenfeld took the insertion in Sim. 10.2.4 from the Palatina and added habet himself. The Greek digital source’s license does not automatically cover the Latin edition or the translations.
The translation is a reviewed working version following an AI editorial pass; human philological review is not claimed.
The reproduced Greek source and its technical derivative: CC BY-SA 4.0. Whitespace adapted for reading; words and diacritics preserved. Attribution does not imply endorsement of Stromata by PTA contributors.
Vulgata · Hilgenfeld 1873 · StromataPTA · ef861ab3CC BY-SA 4.0
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