slander is evil[1] and an unnsteady demon. It never abides in peace, but always remains in discord. Keep yourself from it, and you will always be at peace with all. Put on a holiness in which there is no wicked cause of offence, but all deeds that are equable and joyful. Practise goodness; and from the rewards of your labours, which God gives you, give to all the needy in simplicity, not hesitating as to whom you are to give or not to give. Give to all, for God wishes His gifts to be shared amongst all. They who receive, will render an account to God why and for what they have received. For the afflicted who receive will not be condemned,[2] but they who receive on false pretences will suffer punishment. He, then, who gives is guiltless. For as he received from the Lord, so has he accomplished his service in simplicity, not hesitating as to whom he should give and to whom he should not give. This service, then, if accomplished in simplicity, is glorious with God. He, therefore, who thus ministers in simplicity, will live to God.[3] Keep therefore these commandments, as I have given them to you, that your repentance and the repentance of your house may be found in simplicity,[4] and your heart may be pure and stainless."
COMMANDMENT THIRD.
On avoiding falsehood, and on the repentance of Hermas for his dissimulation.
Again he said to me, "Love the truth, and let nothing but truth proceed from your mouth, that the spirit which God has placed in your flesh may be found truthful before all men; and the Lord, who dwelleth in you,[5] will be glorified, because the Lord is truthful in every word, and in Him is
- ↑ For slander is ruinous.—Vat. For it is wicked to slander any one.—Pal.
- ↑ For … condemned, om. in Vat.
- ↑ This service … God. And he has accomplished this service to God simply and gloriously.—Vat.
- ↑ The Vat. adds: and a blessing may fall on your house.
- ↑ Dwelleth in you. Who put the spirit within you.—Vat.
