Lost scriptures: books that did not make it into the New Testament (67 page)

built upon water?” “I have told you al

9
I saw other stones cast far from the

ready,” she said, “and you keep seeking;

tower; these came onto the path, but did

it is by seeking, therefore, that you find

not remain there, but rolled from the path

the truth. As to why the tower is built

onto the rough terrain. Others fell into

upon water, listen: it is because your life

the fire and were burned. And others fell

was saved and will be saved through wanear the water, but could not be rolled ter. But the tower is founded on the word

into it, even though they wanted to be.

of the almighty and glorious name, and

it is strengthened by the invisible power

(III,
3)

of the Master.”

11 When she had shown me these

things she wanted to hurry

(III,
4)

away. I said to her, “Lady, what good is

12

it for me to see these things if I do not

I responded to her, “Lady, this

is a great and amazing thing.

know what they mean?” She answered

But the six young men who are building,

and said to me, “You, fellow, are a crafty

Lady—who are they?” “These are the

one, wanting to know about the tower.”

holy angels of God who were created

“Yes, Lady,” I said; “I want to announce

first, to whom the Lord handed over his

258

NON-CANONICAL APOCALYPSES AND REVELATORY TREATISES

entire creation, so that they could inbuilding, who fit together at their joints crease, build up, and rule over it all. Thus,

with the other stones already built in it?”

through these the building of the tower

“These are those who have suffered on

will be brought to completion.”

account of the name of the Lord.”

2
“But the other—the ones bringing

3
“But I also want to know, Lady, who

the stones—who are they?” “They also

the other stones are, the ones brought

are holy angels of God; but these six are

from the dry land.” She said, “Those that

superior to them. And so the building of

go into the building without being hewn

the tower will be completed, and then all

are ones the Lord has approved, because

of them will rejoice together around the

they walk in the uprightness of the Lord

tower and glorify God, because the buildand carry out his commandments.”

ing of the tower has been completed.”

4
“And who are the ones brought and

3
I asked her, “Lady, I want to know

placed in the building?” “These are those

about the destination of the stones, and

who are new in the faith and faithful.

about what they mean.” And she an

They are admonished by the angels to do

swered me, “This will be revealed to you,

good; for this reason, no evil has been

but not because you are more worthy than

found in them.”

everyone else. For others are ahead of

5
“But who are the ones who were

you and better than you; and these visions

tossed aside and cast out?” “These are

should have been revealed to them. But

those who have sinned but wish to repent.

that the name of God may be glorified,

For this reason they are not cast far away

the matter has been revealed to you and

from the tower, because they will be usewill be revealed, for the sake of those ful for the building, if they repent. And

who are of two minds, who debate in

so if those who are about to repent do so,

their hearts whether these things are so

they will be strong in faith—if they reor not. Tell them that all these things are pent now while the tower is still under

true, that none of them is outside the

construction. But if the building is comtruth, but that everything is firm and cerpleted, they will no longer have a place, tain and established.

but will be outcasts. This alone is to their

advantage, that they lie next to the tower.

(III,
5)

13 “Hear now about the stones that

(III,
6)

go into the building. On the one

14

hand, the squared and white stones that

“But do you want to know

about the ones that are broken

fit together at the joints are the apostles,

off and cast far from the tower? These

bishops, teachers, and deacons who live

are the children of lawlessness. For they

reverently towards God and perform their

came to faith hypocritically and no wickduties as bishops, teachers, and deacons edness ever left them. And so they have

for the chosen ones of God in a holy and

no salvation, since, because of their wickrespectful way; some of these have fallen edness, they are useless for the building.

asleep, but others are still living. And

This is why they were broken off and

they have always been harmonious with

cast far away, because of the Lord’s anone another and at peace with one anger, since they aggravated him.

other, and they have listened to one an

2
But with respect to the many other

other. For this reason their joints fit tostones you saw lying on the ground and gether in the building of the tower.”

not coming into the building—the ones

2
“But who are the ones drawn from

that are rough are those who know the

the depths of the sea and placed into the

truth but do not remain in it nor cling to

THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS

259

the saints. This is why they are of no

path onto the rough terrain, these are the

use.”

ones who have believed, but have left

3
“But who are the ones with cracks?”

their true path because they are of two

“These are those who hold a grudge

minds. They are lost, thinking they can

against one another in their hearts and

find a better path; and they are miserable,

have no peace among themselves. Even

walking over the rough terrain.

though they seem to be peace-loving,

2
But the ones that fell into the fire and

when they leave one another’s presence,

were burned are those who completely

their wickedness remains in their hearts.

abandoned the living God; and they no

These are the cracks the stones have.

longer think about repenting because of

4
But the ones that are broken off are

their licentious desires and the wicked

those who have believed and live, for the

deeds they have performed.”

most part, in righteousness, but also have

3
“But who are the other ones, which

a certain share of lawlessness. This is

fall near the water but cannot be rolled

why they are broken off and not whole.”

into it?” “These are the ones who have

5
“But who are the white stones, Lady,

heard the word and wanted to be baptized

which are rounded and do not fit into the

in the name of the Lord. But then when

building?” She replied to me, “How long

they recall what the life of true purity

will you be foolish and ignorant, asking

involves, they change their minds and

everything and understanding nothing?

return to pursue their evil desires.”

These are the ones who have faith, but

4
And so she completed her interprealso are wealthy in this age. But when tation of the tower.

affliction comes, because of their wealth

5
But being completely shameless, I

and their business affairs, they deny their

asked her yet another question, whether

Lord.”

these stones that were tossed aside and

6
And I responded to her, “And so

not fit into the building of the tower could

when, Lady, will they be useful for the

repent and have a place in the tower.

building?” “When the wealth that be

“They can repent,” she said, “but they

guiles them is cut off from them,” she

cannot be fit into this tower.

said, “then they will be useful to God.

6
They will be fit into a greatly inferior

For just as a round stone cannot be made

place—and then only after they have

square unless it has something cut off

been tormented and have completed the

and discarded, so also with those who are

days of their sins. That is why they will

rich in this age: if their wealth is not cut

be removed from there, because they

off from them, they cannot be useful to

have taken part in the righteous word.

the Lord.

And then they will be removed from the

7
You should know this above all from

torments inflicted for the evil deeds they

your own case. When you were wealthy,

did. But if deep down they do not want

you were of no use; but now you are

to repent, they will not be saved, because

useful and helpful in life. All of you

of their hardened hearts.”

should be useful to God. For you yourself

are also being taken from the same

(III,
8)

stones.

16 And so, when I stopped asking

her about all these things, she

(III,
7)

said to me, “Do you want to see some15 “But the other stones that you thing else?” Being so eager to observe, I saw cast far from the tower and

was excited by the prospect.

falling on the path and rolling from the

2
She looked at me and smiled, and

260

NON-CANONICAL APOCALYPSES AND REVELATORY TREATISES

said to me, “Do you see seven women

you and the saints—along with the rearound the tower?” “I see them, Lady,” I newal of your spirits.

replied. “This tower,” she said, “is sup

10
These things have not been revealed

ported by them according to the comfor your sake alone; for you are to show mandment of the Lord.

them to all the others,

3
Hear now about the work they do.

11
in three days; first, however, you

The first of them, the one clasping her

must think. But I enjoin you first, Her-

hands, is called Faith. Those who are

mas, with these words I am about to say;

chosen by God are saved through her.

you are to speak them all in the ears of

4
And the other one, the one wearing

the saints, that once they have heard and

a belt and acting like a man,f is called

done them they may be cleansed from

Self-restraint. She is the daughter of

their wicked deeds, and you along with

Faith. Whoever follows her will be forthem.

tunate in his life, because he will abandon

all his evil deeds, believing that if he

(III,
9)

abandons every evil desire, he will inherit

eternal life.”

17 “Listen to me, children. I raised

you with great simplicity, in

5
“And the others, Lady, who are

nocence, and reverence because of the

they?” “They are daughters of one anmercy of the Lord, who drizzled his other, called Simplicity, Knowledge, Inrighteousness upon you that you may be nocence, Reverence, and Love. And so,

made upright and purified from all evil

when you perform all the works of their

and perversity. Yet you do not wish to

mother, you will be able to live.”

stop doing your wicked deeds.

6
I replied, “I wish to know, Lady,

2
And so, now, listen to me: be at peace

about the power that each of them has.”

with one another, take care of one an

“Listen,” she said, “to the powers they

other, help one another; and do not take

have.

an overabundance of God’s creations for

7
Their powers are connected and folyourselves, but share with those in need.

low one another in the order of their birth.

3
For those who enjoy many kinds of

From Faith is born Self-restraint, from

food make their flesh weak and harm it;

Self-restraint Simplicity, from Simplicity

but the flesh of those without enough

Innocence, from Innocence Reverence,

food is harmed by lack of proper nourfrom Reverence Knowledge, and from ishment, and their body wastes away.

Knowledge Love. And so their deeds are

4
This disparity is harmful to you who

pure, reverent, and godly.

have but do not share with those in need.