holy angels. Happy ye who endure the great tribulation that is coming on, and happy they who shall not deny their own life.[1] For the Lord hath sworn by His Son, that those who denied their Lord have abandoned their life in despair, for even now these are to deny Him in the days that are coming.[2] To those who denied in earlier times, God became[3] gracious, on account of His exceeding tender mercy.
Chap. iii.
"But as for you, Hermas, remember not the wrongs done to you by your children, nor neglect your sister, that they may be cleansed from their former sins. For they will be instructed with righteous instruction, if you remember not the wrongs they have done you. For the remembrance of wrongs worketh death.[4] And you, Hermas, have endured great personal[5] tribulations on account of the transgressions of your house, because you did not attend to them, but were careless,[6] and engaged in your wicked transactions. But[7] you are saved, because you did not depart from the living God, and on account of your simplicity and great self-control. These have saved you, if you remain stedfast. And they will save all who act in the same manner, and walk in guilelessness and simplicity. Those who possess such virtues will wax strong against every form of wickedness, and will abide unto eternal life. Blessed are all they who practise righteousness, for they shall never
- ↑ And whosoever shall not deny his own life.—Vat.
- ↑ Those…coming. The meaning of this sentence is obscure. The Vat. is evidently corrupt, but seems to mean: "The Lord has sworn by His Son, that whoever will deny Him and His Son, promising themselves life thereby, they [God and His Son] will deny them in the days that are to come." The days that are to come would mean the day of judgment and the future state. See Matt. x. 33.
- ↑ Became gracious. Will be gracious.—Pal.
- ↑ The Vat. adds: but forgetfulness of them, eternal life.
- ↑ Personal. Worldly.—Vat.
- ↑ You…careless. You neglected them as if they did not belong to you.—Vat.
- ↑ But you will be saved for not having departed from the living God. And your simplicity and singular self-control will save you, if you remain stedfast.—Vat.
