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[1]
Explain to me. Sir, said I,
the names of the maidens, and of the women who are clothed in
1
black raiment.
Listen, said he,
to the names of the stronger maidens who stand at the corners.
[2]
The first is Faith, the second is Temperance, the third is Power, the fourth is Long-suffering, and the others who stand between them have these names:—Simplicity, Guilelessness, Holiness, Joyfulness, Truth, Understanding, Concord, Love. He who bears these names and the name of the Son of God,
shall be able to enter into the Kingdom of God.
[3]
Hear, also, said he,
the names of the women who have black raiment. Of these also four are more powerful. The first is Unbelief, the second Impurity, the third Disobedience, and the fourth Deceit; and those who follow them are called Grief, Wickedness, Licentiousness, Bitterness, Lying, Foolishness, Evil-speaking, Hate. The servant of God who bears these names shall see the Kingdom of God, but shall not enter into it.
[4]
But, Sir, said I,
what are the stones which were fitted into the building from
2
the deep?
The first, said he,
the ten which were placed in the foundation, are the first generation; and the twenty-five are the second generation of righteous men; and the thirty-five are the prophets of God and his servants, and the forty
3
are prophets and teachers of the preaching of the Son of God.
[5]
Why, then, Sir, said I,
did the maidens give these stones also for the building of the tower, and brought them through the gate?
[6]
Because, said he,
these first bore these spirits, and they did not depart from one another at all; neither the spirits from the men nor the men from the spirits, but the spirits remained with them until they fell asleep. And if they had not had these spirits with them they would not have been useful for the building of this tower.
The Shepherd of Hermas. Hermas. . 1913.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
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