THE SECOND PART OF THE
BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS COMMANDS.
Introduction.
WHEN I had prayed at home, and was sat down upon the bed, a certain man came in to me with a reverend look, in the habit of a Shepherd, clothed with a white cloak, having his bag upon his back, and his staff in his hand, and saluted me.
2 I returned his salutation, and immediately he sat down by me, and said unto me, I am sent by that venerable messenger, that I should dwell with thee all the remaining days of thy life.
3 But I thought that he was come to try me, and said unto him, Who are you? For I know to whom I am committed. He said unto me, Do you not know me? I answered no. I am, said he, that shepherd to whose care you are delivered.
4 Whilst he was yet speaking, his shape was changed; and when I knew that it was he to whom I was committed, I was ashamed, and a sudden fear came upon me, and I was utterly overcome with sadness, because I had spoken so foolishly unto him.
5 But he said unto me, Be not ashamed, but receive strength in thy mind, through the commands which I am about to deliver unto thee. For, said he, I am sent to show unto thee all those things again, which thou hast seen before, but especially such of them as may be of most use unto thee.
6 And first of all write my Commands and Similitudes, the rest thou shall so write as I shall show unto thee. But I therefore bid thee first of all write my Commands and Similitudes, that by often reading of them thou mayest the more easily [1]keep them in memory.
7 Whereupon I wrote his Commands and Similitudes, as he bade me.
8 Which things if when you have heard, ye shall observe to do them, and shall walk according to them, and exercise yourselves in them with a pure mind, ye shall receive from the Lord those things which he has promised unto you.
9 But if having heard them ye shall not repent, but shall still go on to add to your sins, [2]ye shall be punished by him.
10 All these things that Shepherd, the angel of repentance, commanded me to write.
COMMAND I.
Of believing in one God.
FIRST of [3]all believe that there is one God who created and brought all things out of nothing into existence.
2 He comprehends all things, and is only infinite, not to be comprehended by any.
3 Who can neither be defined by any words, nor conceived by the mind.
4 Therefore believe in him, and fear him; and fearing him [4]abstain from all evil.
5 Keep these things, and cast all [5]lust and iniquity far from thee, and put on righteousness, and thou shalt live to God, if thou shalt keep his commandment.
COMMAND II.
