Parables (Similitudes)

Parable 1

1 He said to me, “You know that you, as the servants of God, are living in a strange country, for your city is far from this city. If then you know your city, in which you are going to dwell, why do you here prepare lands and costly establishments and buildings and vain dwellings?

“He therefore, who prepares these things for this city, is not able to return to his own city.

“O foolish and double-hearted and wretched man, do you not understand that all these things are foreign to you, and are under the power of another? For the Lord of this city will say: ‘I do not wish you to dwell in my city, but go out from this city, because you do not use my law.’

“If then you have fields and dwellings, and many other possessions, when you are cast out by him, what will you do with your land and house, and all the other things which you have prepared for yourself? For the lord of this country justly says to you, ‘Either use my law or go out from my country.’

“What then are you going to do, seeing that you have a law in your own city? Will you because of your fields and other possessions altogether deny your law, and walk in the law of this city? Take heed that it be not unprofitable to deny your law, for if you wish to return back to your city, you will not be received, because you have denied the law of your city, and you will be excluded from it.

“Take heed, then, make no further preparations for yourself beyond a sufficient competence for yourself, as though you were living in a foreign country, and be ready in order that, whenever the master of this city wishes to expel you for resisting his law, you may go out from his city, and depart to your own city, and joyfully follow your own law suffering no harm.

“Take heed, then, you who serve the Lord and have him in your heart. Do the deeds of God, ‘remembering his commandments,’ and the promises which he made, and believe him that he will perform them if his commandments be observed.

“Therefore instead of lands, purchase afflicted souls, as each is able, ‘and look after widows and orphans,’ and do not despise them, and spend your wealth and all your establishments for such fields and houses as you have received from God.

“For, for this reason did the Master make you rich, that you should fulfil these ministries for him. It is far better to purchase such lands and houses, as you will find in your own city, when you go to it.

“This wealth is beautiful and joyful, and has neither grief nor fear, but has joy. Follow therefore not after the wealth of the heathen, for it is unprofitable to you, who are the servants ot God.

“Follow your own wealth, in which you can rejoice, and do not counterfeit nor touch that which is another’s, nor desire it, for it is wicked to desire that which is another’s, but do your own work and you shall be saved.”

Parable 2

1 While I was walking in the country I noticed an elm and a vine, and was considering them and their fruits, when the shepherd appeared to me and said: “What are you considering in yourself about the elm and vine?” “I am considering, sir,” said I, “that they are very well suited to one another.”

“These two trees,” said he “are a type for the servants of God.” “I should like,” said I, “to know the type of the trees of which you speak.” “You see,” said he, “the vine and the elm.” “Yes, sir,” said I, “I see them.”

“This vine,” said he, “bears fruit, but the elm is a sterile tree. But this vine, if it do not grow upon the elm, cannot bear much fruit, because it is spread on the ground, and the fruit which it bears, it bears rotten, when it is not hanging on the elm. When, therefore, the vine is attached to the elm, it bears fruit from itself and from the elm.

“You see then that the elm gives much fruit, not less than the vine, but rather more.” “How, sir,” said I, “does it bear more?” “Because,” said he, “the vine, when it hangs on the elm, gives much beautiful fruit, but when it is lying on the ground, it bears but little fruit and rotten. This parable, therefore, applies to the servants of God, to the poor and the rich.”

“How, sir?” said I, “let me know.” “Listen,” said he. “The rich man has much wealth, but he is poor as touching the Lord, being busied about his riches, and his intercession and confession towards the Lord is very small, and that which he has is weak and small, and has no other power. But when the rich man rests upon the poor, and gives him what he needs, he believes that what he does to the poor man can find a reward with God, because the poor is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God. The rich man, therefore, helps the poor in all things without doubting.

“But the poor man, being helped by the rich, makes intercession to God, giving him thanks, for him who gave to him, and the rich man is still zealous for the poor man, that he fail not in his life, for he knows that the intercession of the poor is acceptable and rich toward the Lord.

“Therefore the two together complete the work, for the poor works in the intercession in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord: this he pays to the Lord who helps him. And the rich man likewise provides the poor, without hesitating, with the wealth which he received from the Lord; and this work is great and acceptable with God; because he has understanding in his wealth; and has wrought for the poor man from the gifts of the Lord; and fulfilled his ministry rightly.

“Among men; therefore; the elm appears as if it bore no fruit; and they do not know nor understand that if there is drought the elm which has water nourishes the vine; and the vine, having water continuously; gives double fruit; both for itself and for the elm. So also the poor; interceding with the Lord for the rich; complement their wealth; and again; the rich helping the poor with their necessities complement their prayers.

“Both; therefore; share in the righteous work. Therefore he who does these things shall not be deserted by God; but shall be inscribed in the books of the living.

“Blessed are they who are wealthy and understand that their riches are from the Lord; for he who understands this will also be able to do some good service.”

Parable 3

1 He showed me many trees, without leaves, which appeared to me to be as if dry, for they were all alike. And he said to me: “Do you see these trees?” “Yes, sir,” said I, “and I see that they are all alike and dry.” And he answered me and said: “These trees which you see are they who dwell in this world.”

“Why, then,” said I, “sir, are they as it were dry and all alike?” “Because,” said he, “in this world, neither righteous nor sinners are apparent, but are all alike. For this world is winter for the righteous and they are not apparent, though they are living with sinners.

“For just as in the winter the trees which have shed their leaves are alike, and it is not apparent which are dry and which are alive, so in this world neither the righteous nor the sinners are apparent, but all are alike.”

Parable 4

1 He showed me again many trees, some budding and some withered, and said to me, “Do you see,” said he, “these trees.” “I see them, sir,” said I, “some budding and some withered.”

“These trees,” said he, “which are budding are the righteous, who are destined to live in the world to come; for the world to come is summer for the righteous, but winter for the sinners. When therefore the mercy of the Lord shall shine, then the servants of God shall be made plain and all men shall be made apparent.

“For, just as in the summer the fruit of each individual tree is made plain, and they are recognised for what they are, so also the fruit of the righteous will be plain, and they will all be known, by blossoming in that world.

“But the heathen and the sinners—the withered trees which you saw—will be found to be such, dried and fruitless in that world, and they shall be burnt up like wood and shall be made manifest, because their conduct was wicked in their lives. For the sinners shall be burnt, because they sinned and did not repent, and the heathen shall be burnt, because they did not know their Creator.

“Be therefore fruitful, that your fruit may be known in that summer. But abstain from much business, and you will do no sin. For those who do much business also sin much, being engrossed in their business, and serving their Lord in nothing.

“How then,” said he, “can such a one pray for anything from the Lord and receive it, when he does not serve the Lord? They who serve him,—they shall receive their requests. But they who do not serve the Lord,—they shall receive nothing.

“But if anyone be occupied with but one business, he can serve the Lord also. For his understanding is not corrupted away from the Lord, but he will serve him with a pure mind.

“If, therefore, you do this, you can bear fruit for the world to come. And whoever does this shall bear fruit.”

Parable 5

1 While I was fasting, and sitting on a certain mountain, and thanking the Lord for all that he had done with me, I saw the shepherd sitting by me, and saying: “Why have you come here so early?” “Because, sir,” said I, “I have a station.”

“What,” said he, “is a station.” “I am fasting, sir,” said I. “But,” said he, “what is this fast, which you are fasting?” “I am fasting, sir,” said I, “as I have been accustomed.”

“You do not know,” said he, “how to fast to the Lord, and this useless fast which you are fasting to him is not a fast?” “Why, sir,” said I, “do you say this?” “I tell you,” said he, “that this fast which you think to fast is nothing, but I will teach you what is a fast, acceptable and complete to the Lord. Listen,” he said:

“God does not wish such a vain fast. For if you thus fast to God you do nothing for righteousness. But fast to God in this way:

“do nothing evil in your life, but serve the Lord with a pure heart; ‘keep his commandments,’ and walk in his ordinances, and let no evil desire arise in your heart, but believe in God, that if you do these things and fear him, and refrain from every wicked act, you shall live to God; and if you do this you will fulfil a great fast and one acceptable to God.

2 “Listen to the Parable which I am going to tell you concerning Fasting.

“A certain man had a field, and many servants, and on part of the field he planted a vineyard. And he chose out a certain servant, who was faithful, in good esteem and honour with him, and he called him and said to him: ‘Take this vineyard which I have planted, and fence it until I come, and do nothing more to the vineyard. And follow this order of mine and you shall have your freedom from me. And the master of the servant went abroad.’

“Now when he had gone the servant took and fenced the vineyard, and when he had finished the fencing of the vineyard he saw that the vineyard was full of weeds.

“Therefore he reasoned in himself, saying: I have finished this order of the Lord; I will next dig this vineyard, and it will be better when it is dug, and having no weeds will yield more fruit, not being choked by the weeds. He took and dug the vineyard, and pulled out all the weeds which were in the vineyard. And that vineyard became very beautiful and fertile with no weeds to choke it.

“After a time the master of the servant and the field came, and entered into the vineyard, and seeing the vineyard beautifully fenced, and moreover dug, and all the weeds pulled up and vines fertile, he was greatly pleased at the acts of the servant.

“So he called his beloved son, whom he had as heir, and his friends whom he had as counsellors, and told them what he had ordered his servant, and what he had found accomplished. And they congratulated the servant on the character which the master gave him.

“And he said to them: I promised this servant his freedom if he kept the orders which I gave him. Now he has kept my orders, and has added good work in the vineyard, and greatly pleased me. So in reward for this work which he has done I wish to make him joint heir with my son, because, when he had a good thought he did not put it on one side, but carried it out.

“The son of the master agreed with this plan, that the servant should be joint heir with the son.

“After a few days he made a feast and sent to him much food from the feast. But the servant took the food which was sent to him by the master, kept what was sufficient for himself, and distributed the rest to his fellow-servants.

“And his fellow-servants were glad when they received the food, and began to pray for him, that he might find greater favour with his master, because he had treated them thus.

“His master heard all these events, and again rejoiced greatly at his conduct. The master again assembled his friends and his son and reported to them what he had done with the food which he had received, and they were still more pleased that the servant should be made joint heir with his son.”

3 I said: “Sir, I do not know these parables and I cannot understand them if you do not explain them to me.”

“I will explain everything to you,” he said, “and everything that I talk with you.

“I will show you his commandments and if you do anything good, beyond the commandment of God, you will gain for yourself greater glory, and shall be more honourable with God than you were destined to be. If then, you keep the commandments of God, and add these services also, you shall rejoice, if you keep them according to my commandment.”

I said to him: “Sir, I will keep whatever you command me, for I know that you are with me.” “I will be with you,” said he, “because you have such zeal for doing good, and I will be with all, said he, who have this zeal.

“This fast,” said he, “if the commandments of the Lord are kept, is very good. You shall therefore keep this fast, which you are going to observe in this way:

“First of all, keep from every evil word, and from every evil desire and purify your heart from all the vanities of this world. If you keep these things, this fist shall be perfect for you.

“And you shall do thus: After completing what has been written, in that day on which you fast you shall taste nothing except bread and water, and you shall reckon the price of the expense for that day which you are going to keep, of the foods which you would have eaten, and you shall give it to a widow or an orphan or to some one destitute, and you shall thus be humble-minded that through your humility he who receives it may fill his soul and pray to the Lord for you.

“If then you thus fulfil the fast as I commanded you, your ‘sacrifice shall be acceptable to God,’ and this fast shall be written down to your credit, and the service which is thus done is good and joyful and acceptable to the Lord.

“You shall therefore keep these things thus with your children and all your house, and if you keep them you shall be blessed, and all who hear them and keep them shall be blessed and shall obtain from the Lord whatever they ask.”

4 I besought him much to explain to me the parable of the field and the master and the vineyard and the servant who fenced the vineyard, and the fences, and the weeds which were pulled up from the vineyard, and the son, and the friends the counsellors. For I understood that all these things are a parable.

He answered and said to me: “You are very importunate with asking. You ought not,” he said, “to ask at all, for if it be necessary for it to be explained to you it will be explained.” I said to him: “Sir, whatever you show me and do not explain I shall have seen in vain, and not understand what it is. So likewise it you speak parables to me and do not interpret them to me, I shall have heard something from you in vain.”

He answered and said to me again: “Whoever,” said he, “is God’s servant, and has his Lord in his heart, seeks understanding from him and receives it, and he interprets every parable, and the sayings of the Lord which were spoken through parables are made known to him. But as many as are weak and idle in prayer, those hesitate to ask from the Lord.

“But the Lord is very merciful and gives unceasingly to all who ask from him. But you, since you have been given power by the Holy Angel, and received from him such intercession and are not idle, wherefore do you not seek understanding from the Lord and receive it from him?”

I said to him: “Sir, when I have you with me I needs must ask you and enquire of you, for you show me all things and talk with me, but if I had seen or heard them without you, I should have asked the Lord that it might be explained to me.”

5 “I told you,” said he, “just now, that you are obstinate and importunate in asking for the, explanations of the parable. But since you are so persistent I will explain to you the parable of the field and all the other consequences of it, that you may make them known to everyone. Listen, now,” he said, “and understand it.

“‘The field is this world,’ and the Lord of the field is ‘He who created everything,’ and perfected it and gave it strength. And the servant is the Son of God, and the vines are this people which he planted.

“And the fences are the holy Angels of the Lord who support his people. And the weeds which are pulled up out of the vineyard are iniquities of the servants of God. And the food which he sent to him from the supper is the commandments which he gave to his people through his Son, and the friends and counsellors are the holy Angels who were first created. And the absence of the Master is the time which remains before his coming.”

I said to him: “Sir, all is great and wonderful and all is glorious. How then,” said I, “could I understand it? Nor is there any other man, however understanding he may be, who can understand it. Moreover, sir,” said I, “explain to me what I am going to ask you.”

“Say,” said he, “what you wish.” “Why,” said I, “sir, is the Son of God in the parable given the form of a servant?”

6 “Listen,” said he: “The Son of God is not given the form of a servant., but is given great power and lordship.” “How, sir?” said I, “I do not understand.”

“Because God planted the vineyard,” said he, “that is, created the people, and gave it over to his Son. And the Son appointed the angels over them to keep them. And he himself cleansed their sins, labouring much and undergoing much toil. For no vineyard can be dug without toil or labour.

“When, therefore, he had cleansed the sins of the people, he showed them the ways of life, and gave them the law which he ‘received from his Father.’

“But listen why the Lord took his Son and the glorious angels as counsellors concerning the heritage of the servant.

“The Holy Spirit which pre-exists, which created all creation, did God make to dwell in the flesh which he willed. Therefore this flesh, in which the Holy Spirit dwelled, served the Spirit well, walking in holiness and purity, and did not in any way defile the spirit.

“When, therefore, it had lived nobly and purely, and had laboured with the Spirit, and worked with it in every deed, behaving with power and bravery, he chose it as companion with the Holy Spirit; for the conduct of this flesh pleased him, because it was not defiled while it was bearing the Holy Spirit on earth.

“Therefore he took the Son and the glorious angels as counsellors, that this flesh also, having served the Spirit blamelessly, should have some place of sojourn, and not seem to have lost the reward of its service. For all flesh in which the Holy Spirit has dwelt shall receive a reward if it be found undefiled and spotless.

“You have the explanation of this parable also.”

7 “I am glad, sir,” said I, “to hear this explanation.” “Listen, now,” he said. “Guard this flesh of yours, pure and undefiled, that the spirit which dwells in it may bear it witness, and your flesh may be justified.

“See to it, lest the idea enter your heart that this flesh of yours is mortal, and you abuse it in some defilement. For if you defile your flesh you defile also the Holy Spirit, and if you defile the flesh you shall not live.”

“But, if, sir,” said I, “there was any previous ignorance before these words were heard, how can the man who defiled his flesh be saved?” “For the former ignorances,” said he, “it is possible for God alone to give healing, for ‘he has all power,’

“if, for the future, you defile neither the flesh nor the spirit; for both are in communion, and neither can be defiled without the other. Keep, therefore, both pure, and you shall live to God.”

Parable 6

1 While I was seated in my house, and was glorifying the Lord for all that I had seen, and enquiring about the commandments because they were beautiful and joyful and glorious, and “able to save the soul,” of man, I said in myself: I shall be blessed if I “walk in these commandments,” and whoever shall walk in them shall be blessed.

While I said this in myself I suddenly saw him seated by me, and saying this: “Why are you double-minded concerning the commandments which I commanded you? They are beautiful. Be not double-minded at all, but put on the faith of the Lord, and you shall walk in them, for I will strengthen you in them.

“These commandments are helpful to those who are going to repent, for if they do not walk in them their repentance is in vain.

“Do you, therefore, who repent, put away the wickednesses of this world which lead you astray, but if you put on all the virtue of righteousness, you shall be able to keep these commandments, and no longer add to your sins. Therefore walk in these commandments of mine, and you shall live to God. All these things have been spoken to you by me.”

And after he spoke these things with me, he said to me: “Let us go into the country, and I will show you the shepherds of the sheep.” “Let us go, sir,” said I. And we came into a plain, and he showed me a young shepherd, clothed with a suit of garments of yellow colour.

And he was feeding very many sheep, and these sheep were well fed and very frisky, and were glad as they skipped here and there. And the shepherd himself was very joyful over his flock, and the face of the shepherd was very joyful, and he ran about among the sheep.

2 And he said to me: “Do you see this shepherd?” “Yes, sir,” said I, “I see him.” “This,” said he, “is the angel of luxury and deceit. He wears out the souls of the servants of God, and perverts them from the truth, deceiving them with evil desires in which they perish.

“For they forget the commandments of the Living God, and walk in deceit and vain luxury, and are destroyed by this angel, some to death, and some to corruption.”

I said to him: “Sir, I do not know what is ‘to death,’ and what is ‘to corruption.’” “Listen,” he said, “the sheep which you see joyful and skipping, these are those which have been torn away from God completely, and have given themselves up to the lusts of this world. For these, then, there is no repentance of life, because they added to their sins and blasphemed against the name of God. Such men incur death.

“But the sheep which you see not skipping, but feeding in one place, these are they who have given themselves up to luxury and deceit, but have uttered no blasphemy against the Lord. These then have been corrupted from the truth; in them there is hope of repentance, in which they can live. Corruption, then, has hope of some renewing, but death has eternal destruction.”

Again I went on a little, and he showed me a great shepherd, as it were savage in appearance, clothed in a white goat-skin, and he had a bag on his shoulders, with a great staff, very hard and with knots, and a great whip. And he looked very bitter so that 1 was afraid of him, such a look had he.

This shepherd then was receiving the sheep from the young shepherd; that is to say, those who were frisky and well-fed but not skipping, and put them in a certain place precipitous and thorny and full of thistles, so that the sheep could not disentangle themselves from the thorns and thistles, but were caught in the thorns and thistles.

These then were being pastured all entangled in the thorns and thistles, and they were very wretched, being beaten by him, and he was driving them about here and there, and gave them no rest, and those sheep had no happy time at all.

3 When therefore I saw them thus beaten and miserable I grieved for them that they were being so tormented, and had no rest at all.

I said to the shepherd who was speaking with me: “Sir, who is this shepherd who is so pitiless and bitter, and has no compassion at all on these sheep?” “This,” said he, “is the angel of punishment. He is one of the righteous angels, but is set over punishment.

“Therefore he receives those who have wandered away from God, and walked in the lusts and deceits of this world, and punishes them, as they deserve, with various terrible punishments.”

“I should like, sir,” said I, “to know these different punishments, of what kind they are.” “Hear,” said he, “the different tortures and punishments. The tortures befall them in this life, for some are punished with loss, others with deprivations, others with divers illnesses, others with all unsettlement, and others are insulted by the unworthy, and suffer many other things.

“For many have been unsettled in their counsels and try many things, and nothing goes well for them at all. And they say that they do not prosper in their undertaking, and it does not enter into their hearts that they have done wicked deeds, but they blame the Lord.

“When, therefore, they have been afflicted with every affliction, then they are handed over to me, for good instruction, and are made strong in the faith of the Lord, and they serve the Lord the rest of the days of their life ‘with a pure heart.’ And if they repent, then it enters into their hearts, that the deeds which they did were evil, and then they glorify God saying that he is ‘a righteous judge,’ and that they suffered righteously, ‘each according to his deeds,’ and for the future they serve the Lord with a pure heart, and they prosper in all their deeds, ‘receiving from the Lord all things, whatever they ask;’, and then they glorify the Lord that they were handed over to me, and they no longer suffer any of the evils.”

4 I said to him: “Sir, tell me this also.” “What more,” said he, “do you ask?” “Whether, Sir,” said I, “those who live in luxury and are deceived are punished for the same time as they live in luxury and deceit?” And he said to me: “Yes, they are punished the same time.”

“Sir,” said I, “they are punished a very short time, for those who live in such luxury and forget God, ought to be punished sevenfold.”

He said to me: “You are foolish, and do not understand the power of punishment.” “No,” said I, “Sir, for if I had understood it, I should not have asked you to tell me.” “Listen,” said he, “to the power of both.

“The time of luxury and deceit is one hour, but the hour of punishment has the power of thirty days. If, therefore, any man live in luxury and deceit for one day, and be punished one day, the day of punishment has the power of a whole year, for a man is punished as many years as he has lived days in luxury. You see, therefore,” said he, “that the time of luxury and deceit is very short, but the time of punishment is long.”

5 “Sir,” said I, “I still do not at all understand about the time of deceit and luxury and torture; explain it to me more clearly.”

He answered and said to me: “Your foolishness is lasting, and you do not wish to purify your heart and to serve God. See to it,” said he, “lest the time be fulfilled, and you be found still foolish. Listen, then,” said he, “that you may understand it as you wish.

“He who lives in luxury and deceit for a single day, and does what he likes, is clothed with great foolishness, and does not understand the deed which he is doing. For he forgets to-morrow what he did yesterday. For luxury and deceit have no memory, because of the foolishness which they have put on. But when punishment and torture cleave to a man for a single day, he is punished and tortured for a year, for punishment and torture have long memories.

“Therefore, being tortured and punished for a whole year, he then remembers his luxury and deceit, and knows that he is suffering evil because of them. Therefore, all men who live in luxury and deceit are thus tortured, because though they have life, they have given themselves over to death.”

“What sort of luxuries, Sir,” said I, “are harmful?” “Every act which a man does with pleasure,” said he, “is luxury, for even the ill-tempered man, by giving satisfaction to his own temper, lives luxuriously. And the adulterer and drunkard and evil-speaker and liar, and the covetous and the robber, and he who does such things as these gives satisfaction to his own disease; therefore he lives in luxury from his own acts.

“All these luxuries are harmful to the servants of God. Those, therefore, who are punished and tortured suffer, because of these deceits.

“But there are also luxuries which bring men salvation, for many who do good luxuriate and are carried away with their own pleasure. This luxury therefore is profitable to the servants of God, and brings life to such a man. But the harmful luxuries spoken of already bring them torture and punishment. But if they continue in them and do not repent, they procure death for themselves.”

Parable 7

1 After a few days I saw him in the same plain, where I had also seen the shepherds, and he said to me: “What more are you seeking?” “I have come here, Sir,” said I, “in order that you may command the shepherd of punishment to depart from my house, because he afflicts me too much.” “You must be: afflicted,” said he, “For thus,” said he, “the glorious angel enjoined concerning you. For he wishes you to be tried.” “Yes, Sir,” said I, “but what have I done so wicked, that I should be handed over to this angel?”

“Listen,” said he, “your sins are many, but not so great as that you should be handed over to this angel; but your family has done great iniquity and sin, and the glorious angel has become enraged at their deeds, and for this reason he commanded you to be afflicted for some time, that they also may repent and purify themselves from every lust of this world. When, therefore, they repent, and have been purified, then the angel of punishment will depart from you.”

I said to him: “Sir, even if they have done such things that the glorious angel is enraged, what have I done?” “They cannot,” said he, “be punished in any other way, than if you, the head of the house, be afflicted. For when you are afflicted, they also will necessarily be afflicted, but while you prosper, they cannot suffer any affliction.”

“But see, Sir,” said I, “they have repented with all their heart.” “I know,” said he, “myself also, that they have repented with all their heart; do you then think that the sins of those who repent are immediately forgiven? By no means; but he who repents must torture his own soul, and be humble in all his deeds and be afflicted with many divers afflictions. And if he endure the afflictions which come upon him he who ‘created all things,’ and gave them power will have compassion in all ways upon him, and will give him some measure of healing;

“and this in every case when he sees that the heart of the penitent is clean from every evil deed. But it is good for you and for your house, to suffer affliction now. But why do I say much to you? you must be afflicted, even as that angel of the Lord, who handed you over to me, ordained. And give the Lord thanks for this, because he deemed you worthy to show you the affliction beforehand, that in your foreknowledge you may endure it with strength.”

I said to him: “Sir, do you be with me, and I shall be able to endure every affliction.” “Yes,” said he, “I will be with you, and I will also ask the angel of punishment to afflict you more lightly. But you shall be afflicted a little time and you shall be restored again to your house. Only continue humble and serving the Lord with a pure heart, both your children and your household, and walk in my commandments which I give you, and your repentance shall be able to be strong and pure.

“And if you keep these commandments with your family all affliction shall depart from you. Yes,” said he, “and affliction shall depart from all who walk in these my commandments.”

Parable 8

1 He showed me a great willow, covering plains and mountains, and under the cover of the willow-tree all had come who were called by the name of the Lord.

And there stood an angel of the Lord, glorious and very tall, by the side of the willow, with a great pruning-hook, and he kept cutting branches from the willow, and gave them to the people who were in the shade of the willow, and he gave them little rods about a cubit long.

After they had all received the little sticks the angel put down the pruning-hook, and that tree remained as sound as when I first saw it.

And I wondered in myself saying: How is the tree sound, when so many branches have been cut off? The shepherd said to me: “Do not wonder that this tree has remained sound, though so many branches have been cut off; but if you see everything it will be made clear to you what it is.”

The angel who had given the sticks to the people asked them back, and as they had received so also they were called to him, and each of them gave back the sticks. And the angel of the Lord took them and looked at them.

From some he received the sticks dried and, as it were, moth-eaten. The angel commanded those who had given up such sticks, to stand apart.

And others gave up dry sticks, but they were not moth-eaten, and these he commanded to stand apart.

And others gave up sticks half dry, and these stood apart.

And others gave up their sticks half dry and with cracks, and these stood apart.

And others gave up their sticks, green and having cracks, and these stood apart.

And others gave up their sticks half dry and half green, and these stood apart.

And others brought two-thirds of the stick green, and one-third dry, and these stood apart.

And others gave up two-thirds dry, and one-third green, and these stood apart.

And others gave up their sticks almost wholly green, but a little of their sticks was dry, just the tip, and they had cracks in them, and these stood apart.

And of others there was very little green and the rest of the sticks was dry, and these stood apart.

And others came, bearing their sticks green, as they had received them from the angel, and the greater part of the multitude gave up such sticks, and the angel rejoiced greatly over these, and these stood apart.

And others gave up their sticks green and with buds, and these stood apart, and over these also the angel rejoiced greatly.

And others gave up their sticks green and with buds. and the buds had; as it were, some fruit. And those men whose sticks were found thus were very joyful; and the angel rejoiced and the shepherd was very joyful over them.

2 And the angel of the Lord commanded crowns to be brought; and crowns were brought; made; as it were; of palm leaves; and he crowned the men who had given up their sticks with buds and some fruit; and sent them away into the tower.

And he sent also the others into the tower who gave up their sticks green and with buds; but the buds without fruit; and he gave them seals.

And all who went into the tower had the same clothing; white as snow.

And he sent away those who had given up their sticks green, as they had received them, and gave them clothing and seals.

After the angel had finished this he said to the shepherd: “I am going away, but you shall send these within the walls, according as any is worthy to dwell there. But consider their sticks carefully and thus let them go, but look carefully. See to it that none pass you,” he said, “but if anyone pass you, I will test them at the altar.” When he had said this to the shepherd he departed.

And after the angel had departed the shepherd said to me: “Let us take the sticks of all of them, and plant them to see if some of them will be able to live.” I said to him: “Sir, how can these dry things live?”

He answered me, and said: “This tree is a willow, and is a. species tenacious of life. If then, the sticks be planted and receive a little moisture, many of them will live; but next we must try them, and water them. If any of them can live I shall rejoice with them, and if they do not live I shall not be proved careless.”

And the shepherd commanded me to call each of them as they stood. They came, rank by rank, and gave up their sticks to the shepherd. And the shepherd took the sticks and planted them in ranks, and after planting them, poured much water round them, so that the sticks could not be seen for the water.

And after he had watered the sticks he said to me: “Let us go and come back after a few days, and visit all the sticks, for he who created this tree wishes all to live who received branches from this tree. And I too have hope for these sticks which have received moisture and been watered, that the greater part of them will live.”

3 I said to him: “Sir, tell me what this tree is. For I am perplexed about it, that although so many branches have been cut off, the tree is healthy, and nothing seems to have been cut from it; I am perplexed at this.”

“Listen,” said he, “this great tree, which covers plains and mountains and all the earth, is God’s law which was given to all the world. And this law is God’s son preached to the ends of the earth. And those who are under its shade are nations which have heard the preaching and have believed in it.

“And the great and glorious angel is Michael, who has power over this people and governs them; for this is he who put the law into the hearts of those who believe. Therefore he looks after those to whom he gave it to see if they have really kept it.

“But you see the sticks of each one, for the sticks are the law. Therefore, you see that many sticks have been made useless, and you will understand, that they are all the men who have not observed the law; and you will see the dwelling of each one of them.”

I said to him: “Sir, why did he send some into the tower, and left some to you?” “All those who have transgressed against the law, which they received from him, he left to my authority for repentance. But as many as were already well-pleased with the law, and have observed it, he keeps them under his own authority.”

“Who then, Sir,” said I, “are they who were crowned and went into the tower?” “All those,” said he, “who wrestled with the devil and conquered him, have been crowned. These are they who suffered for the law.

“And the others who also gave up their sticks green and having buds, but without fruit, are they who were persecuted for the law, but did not suffer, and did not deny their law.

“And those who gave them up green, as they received them, are holy and righteous and have walked far with a pure heart, and have kept the commandments of the Lord. And the rest you will know, when I look at these sticks which have been planted and watered.”

4 And after a few days he came to the place, and the shepherd sat in the place of the angel, and I stood by him, and he said to me; “Gird yourself with a towel and serve me.” And I girded myself with a clean towel made of sackcloth.

And when he saw me girded and ready to serve him he said: “Call the men whose sticks have been planted, according to the order in which each gave his stick.” And I went into the plain and called all of them, and they all stood in their stations.

And he said to them: “Let each pull out his own stick and bring it to me.”

And they first gave them up who had had them dry and cut, and they were found to be still dry and cut, and he commanded them to stand apart.

Then they gave them up who had them dry, but not cut, and some of them gave up their sticks green and some dry and cut as it were by moth. Those then who gave them up green he commanded to stand apart, and those who had given them up dry and cut he commanded to stand with the first ones.

Then those gave them up who had them half dry and cracked, and many of them gave them up green and without cracks, and some green and with buds, and with fruit on the buds, as those had had who had gone crowned into the tower. But some gave them up dry and moth-eaten, and some dry but not eaten, and some remained half dry and with cracks. And he commanded each of them to stand apart, some in their own station and some apart.

5 Next those gave up their sticks who had had them green but with cracks, and these all gave them up green and stood in their own station. And the shepherd rejoiced over these that all were changed and had lost their cracks.

And those also gave them up who had had them half green and half dry. The sticks of some of them were found quite green, of some half dry, of some dry and moth-eaten, but of some green and with buds. All these were sent each to his own station.

Next those gave them up who had two-thirds green and one-third dry; many of them gave them up green, but many half-dry, and others dry and moth-eaten; these all stood in their own station.

Next they gave them up who had had two-thirds dry, and one-third green. Many of them gave them up half-dry,, and some dry and moth-eaten and others half-dry and with cracks, and a few green. These all stood in their own station.

And those gave up their sticks who had had them green, but a very little dry and with cracks. Of these some gave them up green, and some green and with buds. These also went away to their own station.

Next, those gave them up who had had a very little green, but the rest dry. Of these the sticks were found for the greatest part green and with buds, and fruit on the buds, and others quite green. Over these sticks the shepherd rejoiced greatly because they were found thus. And these went away each to his own station.

6 After the shepherd had looked at the sticks of them all, he said to me: “I told you that this tree is tenacious of life. Do you see,” said he, “how many have repented and been saved?” “Yes, Sir,” said I, “I see it.” “See then,” said he, “the mercifulness of the Lord, that it is great and glorious, and he has given his spirit to those who are worthy of repentance.”

“Why then, Sir,” said I, “did not all repent?” “He gave repentance to those,” said he, “whose heart he saw would be pure, and would serve him with all their heart. But in whom he saw guile and wickedness, that they would repent with hypocrisy, to them he gave no repentance, lest they should again defile his name.”

I said to him: “Sir, now therefore, explain to me those who gave up the sticks, what is the character of each and their dwelling, that when those hear who have believed and have received the seal, and have broken it, and have not kept it whole, they may recognize their own deeds, and repent, and receive a seal from you and glorify the Lord, that he had mercy on them, and sent you to renew their spirits.”

“Listen,” said he, “those whose sticks are dry and were found moth-eaten are the apostates and the betrayers of the Church, and blasphemers of the Lord in their sins; and moreover they were ashamed of ‘the name of the Lord which was called over them.’ These then have finally perished to God. And you see that not even one of them repented, although they heard the words which you spoke to them, which I commanded you; from such life is departed.

“And they who gave up their sticks dry and not moth-eaten, these are also near them; for they were hypocrites, and introduced strange doctrines and corrupted the servants of God, and especially those who have sinned, not suffering them to repent, but persuading them with their foolish doctrines. These, then, have hope of repentance.

“And you see that many of them have repented since I told them my commandments; and they shall still repent. But as many as shall not repent have lost their lives. But as many of them as repented became good and their dwelling was within the first walls, and some of them even went up into the tower. You see then,” said he, “that repentance of sins brings life, but not to repent brings death.”

7 “And as many as gave them up half dry and had cracks in them; listen also, concerning them:— They, whose sticks were half dry are the double-minded, for they are neither alive nor dead.

“And those who had them half dry and with cracks, these are double-minded and evil speakers, and are never ‘at peace among themselves,’ but are always making schisms; but repentance,” said he, “waits also for these. You see,” said he, “that some of them have repented, and there remains,” said he, “still hope of repentance in them.

“And as many of them,” said he, “as have repented, shall have their dwellings in the tower, and as many of them as have repented more slowly, shall dwell on the Avails. But as many as do not repent, but remain in their deeds, shall die the death.

“And they who gave up their sticks green and with cracks, these were ever faithful and good, but had some jealousy among themselves over the first place and some question of reputation. But all these are foolish, who quarrel among themselves about the first place.

“But these also, when they heard my commandments, because they were good, purified themselves and quickly repented; so their dwelling was in the tower. But if any of them turn again to schism he shall be cast out from the tower, and shall lose his life.

“Life is for all those who keep the commandments of the Lord. And in the commandments there is nothing about the first place or any question of reputation, but about man’s long-suffering and humility. Among such, then, is the life of the Lord, but among the schismatic and law-breakers there is death.

8 “But those who gave up their sticks half-green and half-dry these are those who are concerned with business and do not cleave to the saints; for this reason half of them is alive, and half is dead.

“Many, then, of them, when they heard my commandments repented. As many, as repented, have their dwelling in the tower; but some of them were apostate to the end. These then have no repentance, for because of their business they blasphemed the Lord and denied him. So they lost their life because of the wickedness which they wrought.

“And many of them were double-minded. These have still repentance if they repent quickly, and their dwelling shall be in the tower, but if they repent more slowly they shall dwell on the walls. But if they do not repent they also have lost their life.

“And those who gave up their sticks two-thirds green, and one-third dry, these are they who have denied with manifold denials.

“Many of them therefore repented and went to live in the tower. But many of them were apostates from God to the end; these lost their life finally. And some of them were double-minded, and were schismatic, these then have repentance, if they repent quickly, and do not remain in their pleasures; but if they continue in their deeds, these also procure death for themselves.

9 “And those who gave up their sticks two-thirds dry, and one-third green, these are they who were faithful, but became rich and in honour among the heathen; then they put on great haughtiness and became high-minded, and abandoned the truth, and did not cleave to the righteous, but lived together with the heathen, and this way pleased them better. But they were not apostates from God, but remained in the faith, without doing the works of the faith.

“Many, then, of them repented, and their dwelling was in the tower.

“But others lived to the end with the heathen, and were corrupted by the vainglory of the heathen, and were apostates from God, and did the deeds of the heathen. These were reckoned with the heathen.

“And others of them were double-minded, not hoping to be saved, because of the deeds which they had done. And others were double-minded, and made schisms among themselves. For these, then, who became double-minded because of their deeds there is still repentance, but their repentance must be speedy that their dwelling may be within the tower. But for those who do not repent, but remain in their pleasures, death is near.

10 “But those who gave up their sticks green, but the tips were dry and had cracks, these were always good and faithful and glorious before God, but they sinned a little because of small lusts, and had small quarrels with one another. But when they heard my word the greater part repented quickly, and their dwelling was in the tower.

“But some of them were double-minded, and some in their double-mindedness made a greater schism. For these then there is still hope of repentance, because they were always good, and not easily shall any of them die.

“But those who gave up their sticks dry, but with a little green, these are they who had belief only but did the deeds of wickedness; but they were never apostates from God, and they bore the name gladly, and they gladly received into their houses the servants of God. When they heard, then, of this repentance, they repented without doubting, and are accomplishing all virtue and righteousness.

“But some of them are also afraid, knowing the deeds which they had done. All these, then, shall have their dwelling in the tower.”

11 And after he had finished the explanations of all the sticks he said to me: “Go and tell all men to repent and live to God, for the Lord sent me in his mercy to give repentance to all, although some are not worthy because of their deeds. But the Lord, being long-suffering, wishes those who were called through his Son to be saved.”

I said to him: “Sir, I hope that all who hear them will repent. For I am persuaded that each one who recognizes his own deeds and fears God will repent.”

And he answered me and said: “As many,” said he, “as repent with all their hearts, and purify themselves from the wickednesses which have been mentioned before, and no longer add anything to their sins, shall receive healing from the Lord for their former sins, if they are not double-minded as to these commandments, and they shall live to God. But as many,” said he, “as add to their sins, and live in the lusts of this world shall condemn themselves to death.

“But do you walk in my commandments and you shall live to God, and as many as walk in them and do rightly, shall live to God.”

When he had showed me these things and had told me everything, he said to me: “And the rest I will show yon after a few days.”

Parable 9

1 After I had written the commandments and parables of the shepherd, the angel of repentance, he came to me and said to me: “I wish to show you what the Holy Spirit which spoke with you in the form of the Church showed you, for that Spirit is the Son of God.

“For since you were too weak in the flesh, it was not shown you by an angel. But when you were strengthened by the spirit, and made strong in your strength, so that you could also see an angel, then the building of the tower was shown to you by the Church. You saw all things well and holily as if from a virgin. But now you see them from an angel, yet through the same Spirit.

“But you must learn everything more accurately from me. For, for this reason too, I was given by the glorious angel, to live in your house, that you might see all things with power and fear nothing, as you did formerly.”

And he took me away to Arcadia, to a breast-shaped mountain, and set me on top of the mountain, and showed me a great plain and round the plain twelve mountains, and each mountain had a different appearance.

The first was black as pitch, the second was bare without herbs, and the third was full of thorns and thistles.

And the fourth had half-dried herbage; the tops of the herbs were green, but the parts by the roots were dry. And some of the herbs, when the sun had burnt them, were becoming dry.

And the fifth mountain had green herbs and was steep. And the sixth mountain was altogether full of cracks, some small and some great. And the cracks had herbage, but the herbage was not very flourishing, but rather as if it were fading.

And the seventh mountain had vigorous herbage, and the whole mountain was flourishing, and all kinds of cattle and birds were feeding on that mountain. And the more the cattle and birds were feeding, the more the herbage of that mountain flourished. And the eighth mountain was full of springs, and every kind of creature of the Lord was given to drink from the springs of that mountain.

But the ninth mountain had no water at all, and wai quite desert. But it had in it wild beasts and deadly reptiles destroying men. And the tenth mountain had great trees and was full of shady places, and under the shade of the trees sheep were lying resting and ruminating.

And the eleventh mountain was full of trees and those trees had fruit, and were each adorned with different fruits, so that whoever saw them desired to eat of their fruits. And the twelfth mountain was all white, and its appearance was joyful, and the mountain was in itself very beautiful.

2 In the middle of the plain he showed me a great white rock, which had risen out of the plain. and the rock was higher than the hills, four-square, so that it could hold the whole world.

And that rock was old, and had a door hewn out of it. But it seemed to me that the cutting of the door was recent. And the door glistened so in the sun, that I marvelled at the brightness of the door.

And round the door there stood twelve maidens; the four who stood at the corner, seemed to me to be the more glorious, but the others also were glorious, and they stood at the four parts of the door, each with two other maidens on each side.

And they were clothed in linen mantles, and were beautifully girded, and had their right shoulders outside, as if they were going to carry a load. Thus they were ready, for they were very joyful and eager.

After I had seen these things I wondered in myself, for I was seeing great and glorious things. And again I was perplexed at the maidens, that though they were so delicate, they stood bravely as though they would carry the whole heaven.

And the shepherd said to me: “Why do you reason in yourself and are perplexed, and give yourself sorrow? For what things you cannot comprehend,—be prudent, do not attempt them, but ask the Lord that you may receive understanding and comprehend them.

“What is behind you you cannot see, but you see what is before you. Let go what you cannot see, and do not trouble yourself. But what you see, master that, and do not be curious about the rest, and I will explain everything to you, whatever I show you. Look then at the rest.”

3 I saw six men who came, tall and glorious, and alike in appearance, and they summoned a multitude of men, and they too who came were tall men and beautiful and strong, and the six men commanded them to build a certain tower above the rock. And there was a great throng of those men who had come to build the tower, running here and there round the tower.

And the maidens stood round the tower, and told the men to make speed with building the tower. And the maidens held out their hands as if they were going to take something from the men.

And the six men commanded stones to come up from a certain deep place, and to go into the building of the tower. And there came up ten square stones, beautiful and not hewn.

And the six men called the maidens and commanded them to take all the stones which were to come for the building of the tower, and to go through the gate, and give them to the men who were going to build the tower.

And the maidens put the ten stones, which first came out of the deep place, on one another, and they carried them together like a single stone.

4 And just as they had stood together round the gate, so the maidens who seemed to be strong were carrying, and they were stooping under the corners of the stone. But the others were stooping by the sides of the stone, and so they were carrying all the stones. And they brought them through the gate as they had been commanded, and gave them to the men in the tower, and they took the stones and went on building.

Now, the building of the tower was raised on the great rock, and above the gate. So those ten stones were fitted in, and they filled the whole rock. And they were the foundation of the building of the tower, and the rock and the gate were supporting the whole tower.

And after the ten stones, twenty other stones came up out of the deep place, and these were fitted into the building of the tower and were carried by the maidens like the former stones. And after these there came up thirty-five, and these likewise were fitted into the tower. And after these there came up forty other stones, and all these were placed into the building of the tower; so there became four tiers in the foundations of the tower.

And they ceased to come up from the deep place, and the builders also stopped for a little. And again the six men commanded the mass ot tile multitude to bring stones for the building of the tower from the mountains.

Therefore there were brought from all the mountains stones of different colours, hewn out by the men, and they were given to the maidens, and the maidens carried them through the gate and gave them over for the building of the tower. And when the various stones were put into the building they became all alike white and changed their various colours.

But some stones were given by the men for the building, which did not become bright but proved to remain as they were when they were put in. For they had not been given by the maidens, and had not been brought in through the door. Therefore these stones were unseemly in the building of the tower.

And when the six men saw the unseemly stones in the building they commanded them to be taken away and to be brought down to their own place, whence they had been taken.

And they said to the men who were bringing the stones in: “You must on no account put stones into the building, but put them by the side of the tower, that the maidens may bring them in through the gate, and give them over for the building. For if,” said they, “they are not brought in by the hands of these maidens through the gate they cannot change their colours; do not then,” said they, “labour in vain.”

5 And on that day the building was finished, but the tower was not completed, for it was going to be built on to, and there was a pause in the building. And the six men commanded all the builders to retire a little and rest, but they commanded the maidens not to go away from the tower. And it seemed to me that the maidens had given up looking after the tower.

But after they had all gone away and were resting I said to the shepherd: “Why, Sir,” said I, “was the building of the tower not completed?” “The tower,” said he, “cannot yet be completed unless its lord come and test this building, in order that if some stones prove to be rotten, he may change them, for the tower is being built according to his will.”

“I should like, Sir,” said I, “to know what is this building of the tower, and concerning the rock, and the gate, and the mountains and the maidens, and the stones which came up from the deep place, and were not hewn, but went as they were into the building.

“What is behind you you cannot see, but you see what is before you. Let go what you cannot see, and do not trouble yourself. But what you see, master that, and do not be curious about the rest, and I will explain everything to you, whatever I show you. Look then at the rest.And why ten stones were first laid for the foundation, then twenty, then thirty-five, then forty, and concerning the stones which went into the building, and were taken away again and put back in their own place. Give my soul rest concerning all these things, Sir, and let me know them.”

“If,” said he, “you are not found to be vainly zealous, you shall know all things. For after a few days we will come here, and you shall see the rest of what happens to this tower, and you will know all the parables accurately.”

And after a few days we came to the place where we had sat, and he said to me: “Let us go to the tower, for the master of the tower is coming to examine it.” And we came to the tower, and there was nobody by it at all, except only the maidens.

And the shepherd asked the maidens if the Lord of the tower had come. And they said that he was about to come, to examine the building.

6 And lo, after a little time I saw an array of many men coming, and in the middle there was a man so tall, that he overtopped the tower.

And the six men, who had been in charge of the building, were walking with him on the right hand and on the left, and all who had worked at the building were with him, and there were many other glorious beings around him. And the maidens who kept the tower ran to him and kissed him, and began to walk near him round the tower.

And that man examined the building carefully, so that he felt each stone, and he held a staff in his hand and hit each individual stone used in the building.

And when he struck, some of them became as black as pitch, and some rotten, and some with cracks, and some short, and some neither white nor black, and some rough and not fitting in with the other stones, and some with many stains. These were the varieties of the rotten stones which were found in the building.

Therefore he commanded all these to be taken away from the tower, and to be put beside the tower, and other stones to be brought and laid in their place.

And the builders asked him from which mountains he wished stones to be brought and laid in their place, and he commanded them not to be brought from the mountains, but he commanded them to be brought from a certain plain near at hand.

And the plain was quarried, and splendid square stones were found, but some were also round. And all the stones that were found in that plain were brought and carried through the door by the maidens.

And the square stones were hewn and put into the place of those which had been taken out, but the round stones were not put into the building, because they were hard to hew, and it took a long time; but they were put beside the tower, as if they were going to be hewn and put into the building; for they were very splendid.

7 When the glorious man, the Lord of all the tower, had finished these things, he called the shepherd and gave over to him all the stones which were lying by the tower which had been taken out of the building, and said to him:

“Clean these stones carefully, and put into the building of the tower those which can fit in with the rest, and throw far away from the tower those which do not fit.”

With these commands to the shepherd he went away from the tower, with all those with whom he had come. But the maidens stood round the tower guarding it.

I said to the shepherd: “How can these stones come again into the building of the tower after they have been rejected?” He answered and said to me: “Do you see these stones?” said he. “Yes, Sir, 1 see them,” said I. “I will hew,” said he, “the greater part of these stones, and put them into the building, and they will fit in with the rest of the stones.”

“How, Sir,” said I, “can they fill the same room after they have been hewn?” He answered and said to me: “Those which turn out to be little will be put into the middle of the building, and such as are bigger will be put outside and will hold them together.”

When he had said this he said to me: “Let us go, and after two days let us come and cleanse these stones and put them into the building, for everything round the tower must be cleansed lest the Master come suddenly and find it dirty round the tower and he will be angry, and these stones will not go into the building of the tower, and I shall seem to be careless before the Master.”

And after two days we came to the tower, and he said to me: “Let us look at all the stones, and let us see which are able to come into the building.” I said to him: “Sir, let us look.”

8 And when we began we first looked at the black stones, and these were found to be the same as when they were put out of the building. And the shepherd commanded them to be removed from the tower and sent away.

Then he looked at those which were rotten and he took and hewed many of them and commanded the maidens to take them and put them into the building, and the maidens took them and put them into the building in the middle of the tower. And the rest he commanded to be put with the black ones, for these also were found to be black.

Then he began to look at those which had cracks, and of these he hewed many, and commanded them to be brought back by the maidens into the building. But they were put on the outside because they were found to be stronger. But the rest could not be hewn because of the number of the cracks. For this cause, therefore, they were thrown away from the building of the tower.

Then he began to look at those which were short, and many among them were found black, and some with great cracks, and he commanded these also to be put with the rejected. But the majority of them he cleaned and hewed and commanded to be put into the building. And the maidens took them, and fitted them into the middle of the building of the tower, for they were too weak.

Then he began to look at those which were half white, and half black, and many of them were found to be black, and these also he commanded to be put aw ay with the rejected. But the rest were all taken up by the maidens, for they were white and were fitted by the maidens themselves into the building. And they were put on the outside because they were found to be sound, so that they could support those that were put in the middle, for in no way were they too short.

Then he began to look at those which were hard and difficult, and a few of them were rejected, because they could not be hewn, for they proved to be very hard. But the rest of them were hewn, and were taken by the maidens and fitted into the middle of the building of the tower; for they were too weak.

Then he began to look at those which had stains, and of these a very few were turned black, and were rejected with the rest, but most of them were found to be bright and sound, and these were fitted by the maidens into the building, but they were put on the outside because of their strength.

9 Next he came to look at the white and round stones, and said to me: “What do we do with these stones?” “How should I know, Sir?” said I. “Then do you not notice anything about them?”

“I, Sir,” said I, “have not this art, I am neither a stone-cutter, nor can I understand.” “Do you not see,” said he, “that they are very round, and if I wish to make them square, a great deal must be cut away from them? Yet some of them must of necessity be put into the building.”

“If then, Sir,” said I, “it is necessary, why do you worry yourself, and not choose for the building those which you wish and fit them into it?” He chose out from them the largest and bright ones and hewed them, and the maidens took and fitted them into the outside of the building.

And the rest which remained over were taken up and put back into the plain from which they had been brought. But they were not rejected, “Because,” said he, “there remains still a little to be built of the tower, and the master of the tower wishes that all these stones should be fitted into the building because they are very bright.”

And there were called twelve women, very beautiful to look at, clothed in black, girded, and their shoulders bare, and their hair loose. And these women looked to me to be cruel. And the shepherd commanded them to take the stones which were rejected from the building, and take them back to the mountains, from which also they had been brought.

And they were glad and took them up, and took away all the stones, and put them whence they had been taken. And after all the stones had been taken up, and there no longer remained a stone round the tower, the shepherd said to me: “Let us go round the tower and see if there is any defect in it.” And I went round it with him.

And when the shepherd saw that the tower was beautifully built, he was very joyful; for the tower was so built that when I saw it, I envied its building, for it was so built, as if it were all one stone, without a single joint in it, and the stone appeared as if it had been hewn out of a rock, for it seemed to me to be a single stone.

10 And I also walked with him and was glad when I saw such good things. And the shepherd said to me: “Go and bring lime and a light clay, that I may fill up the marks of the stones which have been taken up, and put into the building. For all the ground round the tower must be level.”

And I did as he commanded and brought them to him. “Serve me,” said he, “and the work will soon be completed.” So he filled up the marks of the stones which had gone into the building, and commanded all round the tower to be swept, and be made clean.

And the maidens took brooms and swept, and they took away all the dirt from the tower and sprinkled water, and the place of the tower became joyful and very beautiful.

The shepherd said to me: “Everything,” said he, “has been made clean. If the lord come to visit the tower, he has nothing with which to blame us.” When he had said this he wished to go away.

But I took him by his wallet, and began to adjure him by the Lord to explain to me what he had shown me. He said to me: “I am busy for a little and then I will explain everything to you. Wait for me here till I come.”

I said to him: “Sir, what shall I do here alone?” “You are not alone,” he said, “for these maidens are here with you.” “Give me then,” said I, “into their charge.” The shepherd called them and said to them: “I entrust him to you till I come,” and he went away.

And I was alone with the maidens, and they were merry and gracious towards me, especially the four more glorious of them.

11 The maidens said to me: “To-day the shepherd is not coming here.” “What then,” said I, “shall I do?” “Wait for him,” said they, “until the evening, and if he come he will speak with you; and if he come not you shall remain here with us until he come.”

I said to them: “I will wait for him till evening, but if he come not I will go away home and return in the morning.” But they answered and said to me: “You were given to our charge; you cannot go away from us.”

“Where shall I stay then?” said I. “You shall sleep with us,” said they, “as a brother and not as a husband, for you are our brother and for the future we are going to live with you, for we love you greatly.” But I was ashamed to stay with them.

And she who seemed to be the first of them began to kiss and embrace me, and the others seeing her embracing me began to kiss me themselves, and to lead me round the tower, and to play with me.

I, too, had, as it were, become young again, and began to play with them myself, for some were dancing, others were gavotting, others were singing, and I walked in silence with them round the tower, and was merry with them.

But when evening came I wished to go home but they did not let me go, but kept me, and I stayed the night with them and slept by the tower.

For the maidens spread their linen tunics on the ground, and they made me lie down in the midst of them, and they did nothing else but pray, and I also prayed with them unceasingly and not less than they, and the maidens rejoiced when I was praying thus, and I stayed there until the morrow until the second hour with the maidens.

Then the shepherd came and said to the maidens: “Have you done him any despite?” “Ask him,” said they. I said to him: “Sir, I rejoiced at remaining with them.” “On what,” said he, “did you sup?” “I supped, Sir,” said I, “on the words of the Lord the whole night.” “Did they receive you well?” said he, “Yes, Sir,” said I.

“Now-,” said he, “what do you wish to hear first?” “Even as, Sir,” said I, “you showed me from the beginning; I ask you, Sir, to declare things to me even as I ask them of you.” “Even as you desire,” said he, “so I will interpret to you, and hide from you nothing at all.”

12 “First of all, Sir,” said I, “tell me this: What is the rock and the door?” “This rock and the door,” said he, “is the Son of God.” “How is it,” said I, “Sir, that the rock is old, but the gate is new?” “Listen,” said he, “and understand, foolish man.

“The Son of God is older than all his creation, so that he was the counsellor of his Creation to the Father, therefore the rock is also old.” “But why is the gate new, Sir?” said I.

“Because,” said he, “He was manifested in the last days of the end of the world, for this reason the gate is new, that those who are to be saved may ‘enter,’ through it ‘into the kingdom of God.’

“Do you see,” said he, “the stones which entered through the gate, were put into the building of the tower, but those which did not enter through it were put back again into their own place?” “I see, Sir,” said I. “So,” said he, “no man ‘shall enter into the Kingdom of God,’ except he take his holy name.

“For if you wish to enter into a city, and that city has been walled round, and has one gate, can you enter into that city except through the gate which it has?” “No, Sir,” said I, “for how is it possible otherwise?” “If then you are not able to enter into the city except through the gate which it has, so,” said he, “a man ‘cannot,’ otherwise ‘enter into the kingdom of God,’ except through the name of his Son, who was beloved by him.

“Do you see,” said he, “the crowd which is building the tower?” “Yes, Sir,” said I, “I see it.” “They,” said he, “are all glorious angels; by these then the Lord has been walled round. But the gate is the Son of God, this is the only entrance to the Lord. No man can enter in to him otherwise, than through his Son.

“So you see,” said he, “the six men, and the glorious and great man in their midst, who is walking round the tower and rejected the stones from the building?” “Yes, Sir,” said I, “I see him.”

“The glorious man,” said he, “is the Son of God, and those six are glorious angels supporting him on the right hand and on the left. None of these glorious angels,” said he, “can enter into God’s presence without him. Whoever receives not his name ‘shall not enter into the kingdom of God.’”

13 “But,” said I, “what is the tower?” “This tower,” said he, “is the Church.”

“And what are these maidens?” “They,” said he, “are holy spirits. And a man cannot be found in the kingdom of God in any other way, except they clothe him with their clothing. For if you receive the name alone but do not receive the clothing from them, you will benefit nothing, for these maidens are the powers of the Son of God. If you bear the name, but do not bear his power you will be bearing his name in vain.

“And the stones,” said he, “which you saw rejected, these are they who bore the name, but were not clothed with the raiment of the maidens.” “What,” said I, “is their raiment. Sir?” “Their names themselves,” said he, “are their raiment. Whoever bears the name of the Son of God must also bear their names; for even the Son himself bears the names of these maidens.

“All the stones,” said he, “which you saw enter into the building of the tower, given by their hands and remaining in the building, had put on the power of these maidens.

“For this reason you see that the tower has become one solid stone with the rock. So also those who believe on the Lord through his Son, and put on these spirits will become ‘one spirit and one body,’ and the colour of their raiment will be one. And the dwelling of such as bear the names of the maidens is in the tower,”

“Why, Sir,” said I, “were the rejected stones rejected? For they came in through the gate and were put into the building of the tower by the hands of the maidens.” “Since,” said he, “you care for everything, and enquire accurately, listen concerning the rejected stones.

“These,” said he, “all bore the name of the Son of God, and they also received the power of these maidens. By receiving these spirits, then, they were strengthened and were with the servants of God, and they had ‘one spirit and one body,’ and one raiment, for they ‘had the same mind,’ and ‘wrought righteousness.’

“After some time, then, they were made disobedient by the women whom you saw clothed in black raiment, who had their shoulders bare, and their hair loose, and were beautiful. When they saw them they desired them, and put on their power, and put off the clothing and power of the maidens.

“They were therefore rejected from the house of God and were handed over to those women. But those who were not deceived by the beauty of these women remained in the house of God. You have here,” said he, “the explanation of those who were rejected.”

14 “How will it then be, Sir,” said I, “if these men, such as they are, repent and put away the lusts of these women, and return to the maidens and walk in their power and in their deeds? Will they not enter into the house of God?”

“They will enter,” said he, “if they put away the works of these women, and take back the power of the maidens and walk in their deeds. For this cause also there was a pause in the building, in order that, if they repent, they may go away into the building of the tower. But if they do not repent then others will enter and they will be finally rejected.”

I thanked the Lord for all these things, that he had mercy on all who call upon his name, and sent the angel of repentance to us who have sinned against him, and renewed our spirit, even when we were already corrupted, and restored our life, when we had no hope of living.

“Now, Sir,” said I, “explain to me why the tower was not built on the ground but on the rock and on the gate.” “Are you still,” said he, “silly and foolish?” “I need, Sir,” said I, “to ask everything from you, because I am wholly without power of understanding anything. For all things great and glorious are also difficult for men to understand.”

“Listen,” said he, “the name of the Son of God is great and incomprehensible, and supports the whole world. If then the whole creation is supported by the Son of God, what do you think of those who are called by him, and bear the name of the Son of God, and walk in his commandments?

“Do you see then whom he supports? Those who bear his name with their whole heart. He then was their foundation and he supports them joyfully, because they are not ashamed to bear his name.”

15 “Explain to me, Sir,” said I, “the names of the maidens, and of the women who are clothed in black raiment.” “Listen,” said he, “to the names of the stronger maidens who stand at the corners.

“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.’

“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.”

“But, Sir,” said I, “what are the stones which were fitted into the building from 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 are prophets and teachers of the preaching of the Son of God.”

“Why, then, Sir,” said I, “did the maidens give these stones also for the building of the tower, and brought them through the gate?”

“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.”

16 “Explain to me, Sir,” said I, “still more.” “What,” said he, “are you asking further?” “Why Sir,” said I, “did the stones come up from the deep and were put into the building of the tower, after they had borne these spirits?”

“They had need,” said he, “to come up through the water that they might be made alive, for ‘they could not,’ otherwise ‘enter into the kingdom of God,’ unless they put away the mortality of their former life.

“So these also who had fallen asleep received the seal of the Son of God and ‘entered into the kingdom of God.’ For before,” said he, “a man bears the name of the Son of God, he is dead. But when he receives the seal he puts away mortality and receives life.

“The seal, then, is the water. They go down then into the water dead, and come up alive. This seal, then, was preached to them also, and they made use of it ‘to enter into the kingdom of God.’”

“Why, Sir,” said I, “did the forty stones also come up with them from the deep, although they had received the seal already?” “Because,” said he, “these apostles and teachers, who preached the name of the Son of God, having fallen asleep in the power and faith of the Son of God, preached also to those who had fallen asleep before them, and themselves gave to them the seal of the preaching.

“They went down therefore with them into the water and came up again, but the latter went down alive and came up alive, while the former, who had fallen asleep before, went down dead but came up alive.

“Through them, therefore, they were made alive, and received the knowledge of the name of the Son of God. For this cause they also came up with them and were joined into the building of the tower, and were used together with them for the building without being hewn. For they had fallen asleep in righteousness and in great purity, only they had not received this seal. You have then the explanation of these things also.” “Yes, Sir,” said I, “I have.”

17 “Now therefore, Sir, explain to me about the mountains. Why is their appearance different from one another and various?” “Listen,” said he, “these twelve mountains are the tribes which inhabit the whole world. The Son of God, then, was preached to them by the Apostles.”

“But tell me, Sir,” said I, “why the appearance of the mountains differs one from another and is various.” “Listen,” said he, “these twelve tribes which inhabit the whole world are twelve nations, but they are various in understanding and mind. Just as, then, you saw that the mountains are various, so also are there varieties in the mind and understanding of the nations. And I will explain to you the action of each one.”

“First of all, Sir,” said I, “explain this to me, why though these mountains were so various, when the stones from them were put into the building they became bright with a single colour, like the stones which had come up from the deep.”

“Because,” said he, “all the nations which dwell under heaven, when they heard and believed were called after the name of the Son of God. So then when they received the seal they had one understanding and one mind, and their faith became one, and their love one, and they bore the spirits of the maidens together with the name. For this cause the building of the tower became bright with one colour like the sun.

“But after they entered in together and became one body, some of them defiled themselves and were cast out from the family of the righteous, and became again what they had been before, or rather even worse.”

18 “How, Sir,” said I, “did they become worse, after they had attained to the knowledge of God?” “He who does not know God,” said he, “and does wickedly, incurs some punishment for his wickedness, but he who has knowledge of God, is bound no more to do wickedly, but to do good.

“If then he who is bound to do good do wickedly, does he not seem to do more wickedly than he who does not know God? For this reason, those who have no knowledge of God and do wickedly, are condemned to death, but those who have knowledge of God and have seen his great deeds, and do wickedly, shall be punished doubly, and shall die for ever. Thus therefore the Church of God shall be cleansed.

“But just as you saw that the stones were taken from the tower, and handed over to the evil spirits and cast out from it (and there shall be one body of those who are purified, just as also the tower became as if it were made of a single stone, after it was purified), so the Church of God also shall be, after it has been purified, and the wicked and hypocrites and blasphemers and double-minded, and doers of various wickedness, have been rejected from it.

“After these have been rejected the Church of God shall be one body, one mind, one spirit, one faith, one love, and then the Son of God shall rejoice and be glad in them, when he has received his people in purity.” “All this, Sir,” said I, “is great and wonderful.

“Yet, Sir,” said I, “explain to me the power and the action of each one of the mountains, that every soul that has believed on the Lord, may hear and glorify His great and wonderful and glorious name.” “Listen,” said he, “to the variety of the mountains and the twelve nations.

19 “From the first mountain, the black one, are such believers as these: apostates and blasphemers against the Lord, and betrayers of the servants of God. For these there is no repentance, but there is death, and for this cause they also are black, for their race is lawless.

“And from the second mountain, the bare one, are such believers as these: hypocrites and teachers of wickedness. These then also are like unto the first, having no ‘fruit of righteousness,’ for just as their mountain is unfruitful, so also such men have the name, but are devoid of faith, and there is no fruit of truth in them. For these then repentance is ready if they repent quickly, but if they delay their death will be with the former ones.”

“Why, Sir,” said I, “is there repentance for these but not for the first, for their deeds are almost the same?” “For this reason,” said he, “there is repentance for these, because they did not deceive their Lord and were not betrayers of the servants of God; but because of the lust of gain, they played the hypocrite, and each taught according to the lusts of sinful men. But they will be punished in some way, yet repentance is open to them because they did not become blasphemers or traitors.

20 “And from the third mountain, which has thorns and thistles, are such believers as these. Of them are those who are rich and are mixed up with many affairs of business, for the thistles are the rich, and the thorns are those who are mixed up with various affairs of business.

“These then who are engaged in many and various businesses do not cleave to the servants of God, but are choked by their work and go astray. And the rich cleave with difficulty to the servants of God, fearing that they will be asked for something by them. Such then (will enter with difficulty the kingdom of God.’

“For just as it is difficult to walk with naked feet among thistles, so it is also ‘difficult,’ for such men ‘to enter into the Kingdom of God.’

“But for all these there is repentance, but it must be speedy, that they may now retrace their days and the omissions of former years, and do some good. If then they repent and do some good they will live to God, but if they remain in their deeds they will be delivered to those women, and they will put them to death.

21 “And from the fourth mountain which has many herbs, with the top of the herbs green but the parts by the roots dry, and some dried up by the sun, are such believers as these: the double-minded, and those who have the Lord on their lips but do not have him in their hearts.

“For this cause their foundations are dry and have no power, and only their words are alive but their deeds are dead. Such are neither alive nor dead. Therefore they are like the double-minded, for the double-minded are neither green nor dry, for they are neither alive nor dead.

“For just as these herbs, when they saw the sun, were dried up, so also the double-minded when they hear of affliction, become idolators through their cowardice, and they are ashamed of the name of their Lord.

“Such men therefore are neither alive nor dead; but these also will be able to live if they repent quickly, but if they do not repent they have already been given over to the women who take away their life.

22 “And from the fifth mountain, which has green herbage and is rough, are such believers as these: believers, but slow to learn and presumptuous, and pleasing themselves, wishing to know everything, and yet they know nothing at all.

“Because of this presumption of theirs understanding has departed from them, and senseless folly has entered into them, and they praise themselves for having understanding and they wish to be teachers in spite of their folly.

“For this high-mindedness therefore many have been made worthless by exalting themselves, for presumption and vain confidence is a great demon. Many therefore of these were rejected, but some repented and believed, and submitted themselves to those who have understanding, recognising their own folly.

“And for the rest of such men repentance is waiting, for they were not wicked, but rather foolish and without understanding. If therefore these repent they will live to God, but if they do not repent they will dwell with the women who devise evil against them.

23 “And those of the sixth mountain which has cracks, great and small, and withered plants in the cracks, are such believers as these.

“Those who have the small cracks are those who have quarrels with one another, and are withered in the faith from their evil speaking. But many of these repented, and the rest shall also repent when they hear my commandments, for their evil-speaking was small and they will quickly repent.

“But those who have great cracks are those who are persistent in their evil-speaking, and are become malicious in their rage against one another. These then were cast away from the tower and were rejected from its building. Such men then will live with difficulty.

“If God and our Lord who rules over all and has power over all his creation bear no malice against those who confess their sins, but is merciful, shall man who is mortal and full of sin bear malice against man, as though he were ‘able to destroy or to save him.’?

“And I, the angel of repentance, say to you, do all you, who have this heresy, put it aside and repent, and the Lord will heal your former sins, if you cleanse yourselves from this demon. But if not you shall be delivered to him to death.

24 “And from the seventh mountain, on which were green and joyful herbs, and the whole mountain was fair and every kind of cattle and the birds of heaven were feeding on the herbs on this mountain, and the herbs on which they were feeding became yet more luxuriant, are such believers as these.

“They were ever simple and guileless and blessed and had nothing against one another, but ever rejoiced in the servants of God and were clothed in the holy spirit of these maidens, and were ever merciful to every man, and helped every man from the fruit of their labours without upbraiding or doubting.

“The Lord, therefore, seeing their simplicity and all their innocence, filled them with the labours of their hand, and was gracious to them in all their doings.

“And I, the angel of repentance, say to you who are such:— Remain such as you are, and your seed shall not be blotted out for ever, for the Lord has proved you and written you in among our number, and all your seed shall dwell with the Son of God, for of his spirit have you received.

25 “And from the eighth mountain, where there were many springs and all the creation of the Lord was given to drink from the springs, are such believers as these:

“Apostles and teachers who preached to all the world, and taught reverently and purely the word of the Lord, and kept nothing back for evil desire, but always walked in righteousness and truth, even as they had received the Holy Spirit. The passing of such is with the angels.

26 “And from the ninth mountain, which was desert, and had in it creeping things and wild beasts which devour men, are such believers as these:

“Those with spots are ministers who ministered amiss, and devoured the living of widows and orphans, and made gain for themselves from the ministry which they had received to administer. If then they remain in the same covetousness they are dead and they have no hope of life. But if they turn and fulfil their ministry in holiness they shall be able to live.

“And those with scabs, these are they who have denied and have not turned to their Lord, but have become barren and deserted; by not cleaving to the servants of God, but keeping alone, they are destroying their own souls.

“For just as a vine left alone within a fence and neglected is spoilt and is wasted by weeds, and in time becomes wild and is no longer useful to its master, so also such men as these have renounced themselves and have become wild and valueless to their Lord.

“To these then there is repentance, if they be not found to have denied from their hearts. But if one be found to have denied from his heart I do not know whether he can live.

“And I do not speak this for these days, in order that one may deny and receive repentance, for it is impossible for him to be saved who shall now deny his Lord. But there seems to be repentance waiting for those who have denied in time past. If then any be about to repent, let him make haste before the tower be finished, otherwise he will be destroyed by the women unto death.

“And the stunted ones, these are deceitful and evil-speaking men, and the wild beasts which you saw on the mountains are these. For just as the wild beasts destroy man by their poison and kill him, so also the words of such men destroy man and kill him.

“These then are stunted in their faith through their conduct which they have in themselves, but some repented and were saved. And the rest who are such can be saved if they repent; but if they repent not they will be put to death by those women whose quality they have.

27 “And from the tenth mountain, where were trees sheltering some sheep, are such believers as these:

“Bishops and hospitable men who at all times received the servants of God into their houses gladly and without hypocrisy; and the bishops ever ceaselessly sheltered the destitute and the widows by their ministration, and ever behaved with holiness.

“These then shall all be always sheltered by the Lord. They then who have done these things are glorious with God, and their place is already with the angels, if they continue serving the Lord unto the end.

28 “And from the eleventh mountain, where were trees full of fruit, each adorned with different fruit, are such believers as these:

“they who have suffered for the name of the Son of God, who also suffered readily with all their heart and ‘gave up their lives.’”

“Why then, Sir,” said I, “have all the trees fruit, but the fruit of some of them is more beautiful?” “Listen,” said he, “as many as ever suffered for the name are glorious before God, and the sins of all these have been taken away because they suffered for the name of the Son of God. But listen why their fruits are different and some better than others.

“As many,” said he, “as were brought under authority and were questioned and did not deny, but suffered readily, these are especially glorious before the Lord; the fruit of these is excellent. But as many as were fearful, were in doubt, and considered in their hearts whether they should deny or confess, and suffered, the fruits of these are inferior because this thought entered into their hearts, for this is an evil thought, that a servant should deny his own Lord.

“See to it, then, you who have these thoughts, lest this thought remain in your hearts and you die to God. But you who are suffering for the name, ought to glorify God, that God deemed you worthy to bear this name and that all your sins should be healed.

“So then count yourselves blessed; but think that you have done a great deed, if any of you suffer for God’s sake. The Lord is giving you life, and you do not consider it; for your sins have weighed you down, and except you had suffered for the name of the Lord you would have died to God because of your sins.

“I say this to you who are hesitating as to denial or confession. Confess that you have a Lord, lest you deny him and be delivered into prison.

“If the heathen punish their servants, if one deny his lord, what think you will the Lord, who has power over all, do to you? Put away these thoughts from your heart that you may live for ever to God.

29 “And from the twelfth mountain, the white one, are such believers as these: They are as innocent babes, and no evil enters into their heart, nor have they known what wickedness is, but have ever remained in innocence.

“Such then shall live without doubt in the kingdom of God, because by no act did they defile the commandments of God, but remained in innocence all the days of their lives in the same mind.

“All of you, then, as many as shall continue,” said he, “and shall be as babes, with no wickedness, shall be more glorious than all those who have been mentioned before, for all babes are glorious before God, and are in the first place by him. Blessed then are you who put away evil from yourselves, and put on guiltlessness, for you shall be the first of all to live to God.”

But after he had finished the parable of the mountains I said to him: “Sir, now explain to me about the stones which were taken out of the plain, and put into the building instead of the stones which were taken away from the tower, and the round stones which were put into the building, and those which are still round.”

30 “Listen also,” he said, “concerning all these. The stones that are taken from the plain and put into the building of the tower instead of those which are rejected, are the roots of the white mountain.

“Since then all the believers from the white mountain were found guiltless, the lord of the tower commanded these to be brought from the roots of this mountain for the building of the tower. For he knew that if these stones go into the building of the tower they will remain bright and none of them will become black.

“But if he had added them from the other mountains he would have been obliged to visit the tower again, and to purge it, for all these have been found white, both past and future believers, for they are of the same race. Blessed is this race, because it is innocent.

“Listen now concerning the round and bright stones. They also are all from this white mountain. Listen then why they have been found round. Their riches have hidden them a little from the truth and darkened them, but they have never departed from God, nor has any evil word proceeded from their mouth, but all equity and virtue of truth.

“When therefore the Lord saw their minds, that they are able to favour the truth and to remain good, he commanded their wealth to be cut down, yet not to be wholly taken away from them, that they may be able to do some good with that which was left them, and they shall live to God because they are of a good kind. Therefore they were cut down a little, and placed in the building of this tower.

31 “But the others which still remained round and were not fitted into the building, because they had not yet received the seal, were put back in their place, for they were found very round.

“But this world and the vanities of their riches must be cut away from them, and then they will be meet for the kingdom of God. For they needs must€ enter into the kingdom of God’; for the Lord blessed this innocent kind. Therefore not one of this kind shall perish, for though one of them be tempted by the most wicked devil, and do some wrong, he will quickly return to his Lord.

“I, the angel of repentance, judge you all happy who are innocent as babes, for your part is good and honourable with God.

“But I say to you all, as many as have received the seal, keep simplicity and bear no malice, and do not remain in your guilt, or in remembrance of the bitterness of offences. Be of one spirit and put away these evil schisms, and take them away from yourselves that the lord of the sheep may rejoice over them.

“But he will rejoice if all be found whole; but if he find some of them fallen away, it will be woe to the shepherds.

“But if the shepherds themselves be found fallen away, what shall they answer to the Master of the flock? That they have fallen away because of the sheep? They will not be believed, for it is incredible that a shepherd should be harmed by the sheep, and they will rather be punished for their lie. And I am the shepherd, and am very exceedingly bound to give account for you.

32 “Therefore, amend yourselves while the tower is still being built.

“The Lord dwells among men who love peace, for of a truth peace is dear to him, but he is far away from the contentious and those who are destroyed by malice. Give back then to him your spirit whole as you received it.

“For if you give to the dyer a new garment whole, and wish to receive it back from him whole, but the dyer gives it you back torn, will you accept it? Will you not at once grow hot and pursue him with abuse, saying ‘I gave you a whole garment, why have you torn it and given it me back useless? And because of the tear which you have made in it it cannot be used.’ Will you not say all these things to the dyer about the rent which he has made in your garment?

“If then you are grieved with your garment, and complain that you did not receive it back whole, what do you think the Lord will do to you, who gave you the spirit whole, and you have returned it altogether useless, so that it can be of no use to its Lord, for its use began to be useless when it had been corrupted by you. Will not therefore the Lord of that spirit punish you with death, because of this deed of yours?”

“Certainly,” said I, “He will punish all those whom he finds keeping the memory of offences.” “Do not then,” said he, “trample on his mercy, but rather honour him that he is so patient to your offences and is not as you are. Repent therefore with the repentance that avails you.

33 “All these things which have been written above I, the shepherd, the angel of repentance, have declared and spoken to the servants of God. If then you shall believe and shall listen to my words and shall walk in them, and shall correct your ways, you shall be able to live. But if you shall remain in malice and in the memory of offences, none of such kind shall live to God. All these things that I must tell have been told to you.”

The shepherd himself said to me, “Have you asked me about everything?” And I said: “Yes, Sir,” “Why then did you not ask me about the marks of the stones which were placed in the building, why we filled up the marks?” And I said: “I forgot. Sir.”

“Listen now,” said he, “about them. These are those who heard my commandments, and repented with all their hearts. And when the Lord saw that their repentance was good and pure, and that they could remain in it, he commanded their former sins to be blotted out. For these marks were their sins, and they were made level that they should not appear.”

Parable 10

1 After I had written this book the angel who had handed me over to the shepherd came to the house in which I was, and sat on the couch, and the shepherd stood on his right hand. Then he called me and said to me:

“I have handed you over,” said he, “and your house to this shepherd, that you may be protected by him.” “Yes, Sir,” said I. “If then,” said he, “you wish to be protected from all vexation and all cruelty, and to have success in every good work and word, and every virtue of righteousness, walk in his commandments, which he gave you, and you will be able to overcome all wickedness.

“For, if you keep his commandments, all the lusts and delight of this world will be subject to you, but success in every good undertaking will follow you. Take his perfection and moderation upon you, and say to all that he is in great honour and dignity with the Lord, and that he is set in great power and powerful in his office. To him alone throughout all the world is given the power of repentance. Does he not seem to you to be powerful? But you despise his perfection and the modesty which he has towards you.”

2 I said to him: “Ask him himself, Sir, whether since he has been in my house I have done anything against his command, to offend against him?”

“I know myself,” said he, “that you have done nothing and will do nothing against his command, and therefore I am speaking thus with you, that you may persevere; for he has given me a good account of you. But you shall tell these words to others, that they also who have repented, or shall repent, may have the same mind as you, and that he may give a good account to me of them, and I to the Lord.”

“I myself, Sir,” said I, “show the ‘mighty acts,’ of the Lord to all men, but I hope that all who have sinned before, if they hear this, will willingly repent, and recover life.”

“Remain then,” said he, “in this ministry and carry it out. But whoever perform his commandments shall have life, and such a one has great honour with the Lord. But whoever do not keep his commands, are flying from their own life and against him, and they do not keep his commandments, but are delivering themselves to death, and each one of them is guilty of his own blood. But you I bid to keep these commandments, and you shall have healing for your sins.

3 “But I sent these maidens to you to dwell with you, for I saw that they were courteous to you. You have them therefore to help you, in order to keep his commandments the better, for it is not possible that these commandments be kept without these maidens. I see moreover that they are with you willingly; but I will enjoin on them not to depart at all from your house.

“Only do you make your house pure, for in a pure house they will willingly dwell, for they are pure and chaste and industrious and all have favour with the Lord. If then they find your house pure they will remain with you. But if ever so little corruption come to it they will at once depart from your home, for these maidens love no sort of impurity.”

I said to him: “I hope, Sir, that I shall please them so that they may ever willingly dwell in my house. And just as he, to whom you handed me over, finds no fault in me, so they also shall find no fault in me.”

He said to the shepherd: “I know that the servant of God wishes to live, and will keep these commandments, and will provide for the maidens in purity.”

When he had said this he handed me over again to the shepherd, and called the maidens and said to them: “Since I see that you willingly dwell in his house I commend him and his house to you, that you depart not at all from his house.” But they heard these words willingly.

4 Then he said to me: “Behave manfully in this ministry, show to every man the ‘mighty acts’ of the Lord, and you shall have favour in this ministry. Whoever therefore shall walk in these commandments shall live, and shall be happy in his life; but whoever shall neglect them shall not live, and shall be unhappy in his life.

“Say to all men who are able to do right, that they cease not; the exercise of good deeds is profitable to them. But I say that every man ought to be taken out from distress, for he who is destitute and suffers distress in his daily life is in great anguish and necessity.

“Whoever therefore rescues the soul of such a man from necessity gains great joy for himself. For he who is vexed by such distress is tortured with such anguish as he suffers who is in chains. For many bring death on themselves by reason of such calamities when they cannot bear them. Whoever therefore knows the distress of such a man, and does not rescue him, incurs great sin and becomes guilty of his blood.

“Therefore do good deeds, all you who have learnt of the Lord, lest the building of the tower be finished while you delay to do them. For the work of the building has been broken off for your sake. Unless therefore you hasten to do right the tower will be finished and you will be shut out.”

Now after he had spoken this he rose from the couch, and took the shepherd and the maidens and departed, but said to me that he would send back the shepherd and the maidens to my house.