# Shepherd of Hermas: Mandates

- Author: [Hermas](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/hermas/)
- Latin title: *Pastor Hermae, Mandata*
- Date: ca. 100–150 (disputed)
- Source: Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 2, LCL 25 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1913), 70–137 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the Perseus Digital Library and published by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude, from the original text; each passage below gives the model and date
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/
- Passages: 166

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 1.1 (26.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:70
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Believe that God is one, the Creator who contains all and is contained by nothing.

### Greek text

Πρῶτον πάντων πίστευσον, ὅτι εἷς ἐστὶν ὁ θεός, ὁ τὰ πάντα κτίσας καὶ καταρτίσας καὶ ποιήσας ἐκ τοῦ μὴ ὄντος εἰς τὸ εἶναι τὰ πάντα καὶ πάντα χωρῶν, μόνος δὲ ἀχώρητος ὤν.

### English translation (Claude)

First of all, believe that God is one, who created all things and set them in order, and made all things out of what did not exist into being, and who contains all things but alone is not contained.

### Scripture references

- Deut 6:4: echo, medium confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:28 (2 Maccabees): echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The Mandates (Ἐντολαί, “commandments”) are twelve moral instructions given by the Shepherd. This first one was widely quoted by later writers (Irenaeus, Origen) as a summary of faith in the one Creator.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/1/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 1.2 (26.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:70
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Faith, fear of God, and self-control lead to life.

### Greek text

πίστευσον οὖν αὐτῷ καὶ φοβήθητι αὐτόν, φοβηθεὶς δὲ ἐγκράτευσαι. ταῦτα φύλασσε, καὶ ἀποβαλεῖς πᾶσαν πονηρίαν ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ καὶ ἐνδύσῃ πᾶσαν ἀρετὴν δικαιοσύνης καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ, ἐὰν φυλάξῃς τὴν ἐντολὴν ταύτην.

### English translation (Claude)

Believe him, then, and fear him, and in fearing him be self-controlled. Keep these things, and you will cast off all wickedness from yourself and put on every virtue of righteousness, and you will live to God, if you keep this commandment.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/1/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.1 (27.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:70
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Be simple and innocent like little children.

### Greek text

Λέγει μοι· Ἁπλότητα ἔχε καὶ ἄκακος γίνου, καὶ ἔσῃ ὡς τὰ νήπια τὰ μὴ γινώσκοντα τὴν πονηρίαν τὴν ἀπολλύουσαν τὴν ζωὴν τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

### English translation (Claude)

He said to me, “Have simplicity and be innocent, and you will be like little children who do not know the wickedness that destroys human life.

### Scripture references

- Matt 18:3: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.2 (27.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:70–72
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not slander or listen to slander.

### Greek text

πρῶτον μὲν μηδενὸς καταλάλει μηδὲ ἡδέως ἄκουε καταλαλοῦντος· εἰ δὲ μή, καὶ σὺ ὁ ἀκούων ἔνοχος ἔσῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ καταλαλοῦντος, ἐὰν πιστεύσῃς τῇ καταλαλιᾷ ᾗ ἂν ἀκούσῃς· πιστεύσας γὰρ καὶ σὺ αὐτὸς ἕξεις κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου· οὕτως οὖν ἔνοχος ἔσῃ τῆς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ καταλαλοῦντος.

### English translation (Claude)

First, speak evil of no one, and do not listen with pleasure to someone who speaks evil. Otherwise, you who listen will share in the sin of the one who speaks evil, if you believe the slander you hear; for if you believe it, you yourself will hold something against your brother. So you will share in the sin of the slanderer.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.3 (27.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:72
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Slander is a restless demon that breeds division.

### Greek text

πονηρὰ ἡ καταλαλιά· ἀκατάστατον δαιμόνιόν ἐστιν, μηδέποτε εἰρηνεῦον, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε ἐν διχοστασίαις κατοικοῦν. ἀπέχου οὖν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εὐθηνίαν πάντοτε ἕξεις μετὰ πάντων.

### English translation (Claude)

Slander is evil; it is a restless demon, never at peace, but always living in divisions. Keep away from it, then, and you will always have well-being with everyone.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.4 (27.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:72
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Give to everyone in need without hesitation.

### Greek text

ἔνδυσαι δὲ τὴν σεμνότητα, ἐν ᾗ οὐδὲν πρόσκομμά ἐστιν πονηρόν, ἀλλὰ πάντα ὁμαλὰ καὶ ἱλαρά. ἐργάζου τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ ἐκ τῶν κόπων σου ὧν ὁ θεὸς δίδωσίν σοι πᾶσιν ὑστερουμένοις δίδου ἁπλῶς, μὴ διστάζων, τίνι δῷς ἢ τίνι μὴ δῷς. πᾶσιν δίδου· πᾶσιν γὰρ ὁ θεὸς δίδοσθαι θέλει ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων δωρημάτων.

### English translation (Claude)

Put on reverence, in which there is no evil stumbling block, but everything is smooth and cheerful. Do what is good, and from your labors, which God gives you, give to all in need simply, not hesitating about whom to give to and whom not to give to. Give to all; for God wishes that to all be given from his own gifts.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:42: echo, medium confidence
- Luke 6:30: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- This passage is close to Did. 1.5, “give to everyone who asks you.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.5 (27.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:72
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Receivers answer to God for why they took.

### Greek text

οἱ οὖν λαμβάνοντες ἀποδώσουσιν λόγον τῷ θεῷ, διατί ἔλαβον καὶ εἰς τί· οἱ μὲν γὰρ λαμβάνοντες θλιβόμενοι οὐ δικασθήσονται, οἱ δὲ ἐν ὑποκρίσει λαμβάνοντες τίσουσιν δίκην.

### English translation (Claude)

Those, then, who receive will give an account to God of why they received and for what; for those who receive because they are in distress will not be judged, but those who receive in hypocrisy will pay the penalty.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.6 (27.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:72
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The giver who gives simply is innocent and will live.

### Greek text

ὁ οὖν διδοὺς ἀθῷός ἐστιν· ὡς γὰρ ἔλαβεν παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου τὴν διακονίαν τελέσαι, ἁπλῶς αὐτὴν ἐτέλεσεν, μηθὲν διακρίνων, τίνι δῷ ἢ μὴ δῷ. ἐγένετο οὖν ἡ διακονία αὕτη ἁπλῶς τελεσθεῖσα ἔνδοξος παρὰ τῷ θεῷ. ὁ οὖν οὕτως ἁπλῶς διακονῶν τῷ θεῷ ζήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

The one who gives, then, is innocent; for as he received from the Lord the ministry to perform, he performed it simply, not distinguishing to whom to give or not to give. This ministry, then, performed simply, became glorious before God. Whoever, then, serves God simply like this will live.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 2.7 (27.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:72
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Keep this command so that repentance may be sincere.

### Greek text

φύλασσε οὖν τὴν ἐντολὴν ταύτην, ὥς σοι λελάληκα, ἵνα ἡ μετάνοιά σου καὶ τοῦ οἴκου σου ἐν ἁπλότητι εὑρεθῇ, καὶ ἀκακία καθαρὰ καὶ ἀμίαντος.

### English translation (Claude)

Keep, then, this commandment as I have told you, so that your repentance and that of your household may be found in simplicity, and your innocence pure and undefiled.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 2.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/2/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 3.1 (28.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:74
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Love truth, for the Lord who dwells in you is true.

### Greek text

Πάλιν μοι λέγει· Ἀλήθειαν ἀγάπα καὶ πᾶσα ἀλήθεια ἐκ τοῦ στόματός σου ἐκπορευέσθω, ἵνα τὸ πνεῦμα, ὃ ὁ θεὸς κατῴκισεν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ ταύτῃ, ἀληθὲς εὑρεθῇ παρὰ πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις, καὶ οὕτως δοξασθήσεται ὁ κύριος ὁ ἐν σοὶ κατοικῶν, ὅτι ὁ κύριος ἀληθινὸς ἐν παντὶ ῥήματι καὶ οὐδὲν παρʼ αὐτῷ ψεῦδος.

### English translation (Claude)

Again he said to me, “Love truth, and let all truth come out of your mouth, so that the spirit that God has made to dwell in this flesh may be found true before all people; and so the Lord who dwells in you will be glorified, because the Lord is true in every word, and there is no falsehood in him.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 3.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 3.2 (28.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:74
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Liars rob God of the truthful spirit he entrusted to them.

### Greek text

οἱ οὖν ψευδόμενοι ἀθετοῦσι τὸν κύριον καὶ γίνονται ἀποστερηταὶ τοῦ κυρίου, μὴ παραδιδόντες αὐτῷ τὴν παρακαταθήκην, ἣν ἔλαβον. ἔλαβον γὰρ παρʼ αὐτοῦ πνεῦμα ἄψευστον. τοῦτο ἐὰν ψευδὲς ἀποδώσωσιν, ἐμίαναν τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἐγένοντο ἀποστερηταί.

### English translation (Claude)

Those, then, who lie reject the Lord and become robbers of the Lord, not returning to him the deposit they received. For they received from him a spirit free of lies. If they return this as a lying spirit, they have defiled the commandment of the Lord and become robbers.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 3.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 3.3 (28.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:74
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas weeps, confessing that he has always lied.

### Greek text

ταῦτα οὖν ἀκούσας ἐγὼ ἔκλαυσα λίαν. ἰδὼν δέ με κλαίοντα λέγει· Τί κλαίεις; Ὅτι, φημί, κύριε, οὐκ οἶδα, εἰ δύναμαι σωθῆναι. Διατί; φησίν. Οὐδέπω γάρ, φημί, κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἐμῇ ζωῇ ἀληθὲς ἐλάλησα ῥῆμα, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε πανούργως ἐλάλησα μετὰ πάντων καὶ τὸ ψεῦδός μου ἀληθὲς ἐπέδειξα παρὰ πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις· καὶ οὐδέποτέ μοι οὐδεὶς ἀντεῖπεν, ἀλλʼ ἐπιστεύθη τῷ λόγῳ μου. πῶς οὖν, φημί, κύριε, δύναμαι ζῆσαι ταῦτα πράξας;

### English translation (Claude)

When I heard these things I wept greatly. Seeing me weeping, he said, “Why are you weeping?” “Because, sir,” I said, “I do not know whether I can be saved.” “Why?” he said. “Because, sir,” I said, “I have never yet in my life spoken a true word, but have always spoken deceitfully with everyone and presented my lie as truth before all people; and no one ever contradicted me, but my word was believed. How, then, sir,” I said, “can I live, having done these things?”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 3.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 3.4 (28.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:74–76
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A servant of God must walk in truth and not grieve the spirit.

### Greek text

Σὺ μέν, φησί, καλῶς καὶ ἀληθῶς φρονεῖς· ἔδει γάρ σε ὡς θεοῦ δοῦλον ἐν ἀληθείᾳ πορεύεσθαι, καὶ πονηρὰν συνείδησιν μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος τῆς ἀληθείας μὴ κατοικεῖν μηδὲ λύπην ἐπάγειν τῷ πνεύματι τῷ σεμνῷ καὶ ἀληθεῖ. Οὐδέποτε, φημί, κύριε, τοιαῦτα ῥήματα ἀκριβῶς ἤκουσα.

### English translation (Claude)

“You think well and truly,” he said; “for you ought, as God's servant, to walk in truth, and an evil conscience ought not to dwell with the spirit of truth, nor bring grief to the reverent and true spirit.” “Never, sir,” I said, “have I heard such words so clearly.”

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:30: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 3.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 3.5 (28.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:76
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: From now on speak only truth, and you will live.

### Greek text

Νῦν οὖν, φησίν, ἀκούεις· φύλασσε αὐτά, ἵνα καὶ τὰ πρότερον ἃ ἐλάλησας ψευδὴ ἐν ταῖς πραγματείαις σου, τούτων εὑρεθέντων ἀληθινῶν, κἀκεῖνα πιστὰ γένηται· δύναται γὰρ κἀκεῖνα πιστὰ γενέσθαι. ἐὰν ταῦτα φυλάξῃς καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν πᾶσαν ἀλήθειαν λαλήσῃς, δυνήσῃ σεαυτῷ ζωὴν περιποιήσασθαι· καὶ ὃς ἂν ἀκούσῃ τὴν ἐντολὴν ταύτην καὶ ἀπέξεται τοῦ πονηροτάτου ψεύσματος ζήσεται τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

“Now, then,” he said, “you hear them; keep them, so that the lies you told before in your business dealings may themselves become trustworthy, once these are found true; for those also can become trustworthy. If you keep these things and from now on speak all truth, you will be able to gain life for yourself; and whoever hears this commandment and abstains from lying, that most wicked thing, will live to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 3.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/3/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.1 (29.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:76
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Keep purity; let no thought of another's wife enter your heart.

### Greek text

Ἐντέλλομαί σοι, φησίν, φυλάσσειν τὴν ἁγνείαν, καὶ μὴ ἀναβαινέτω σου ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν περὶ γυναικὸς ἀλλοτρίας ἢ περὶ πορνείας τινὸς ἢ περὶ τοιούτων τινῶν ὁμοιωμάτων πονηρῶν. τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν μεγάλην ἁμαρτίαν ἐργάζῃ. τῆς δὲ σῆς μνημονεύων πάντοτε γυναικὸς οὐδέποτε διαμαρτήσεις.

### English translation (Claude)

“I command you,” he said, “to keep purity, and let no thought enter your heart about another man's wife, or about sexual immorality, or about any such evil things. For in doing this you commit a great sin. But if you always remember your own wife, you will never sin.

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:28: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Mandate 4 is the earliest extended Christian discussion of adultery, divorce, and remarriage after the New Testament.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.2 (29.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:76
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Even the thought is sin; the deed brings death.

### Greek text

ἐὰν γὰρ αὕτη ἡ ἐνθύμησις ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀναβῇ, διαμαρτήσεις, καὶ ἐὰν ἕτερα οὕτως πονηρά, ἁμαρτίαν ἐργάζῃ· ἡ γὰρ ἐνθύμησις αὕτη θεοῦ δούλῳ ἁμαρτία μεγάλη ἐστίν· ἐὰν δέ τις ἐργάσηται τὸ ἔργον τὸ πονηρὸν τοῦτο, θάνατον ἑαυτῷ κατεργάζεται.

### English translation (Claude)

For if this thought enters your heart, you will sin; and if other evil things like it, you commit sin. For this thought is a great sin for a servant of God; and if anyone does this evil deed, he brings death on himself.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.3 (29.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:76–78
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Keep away from such thoughts.

### Greek text

βλέπε οὖν σύ· ἀπέχου ἀπὸ τῆς ἐνθυμήσεως ταύτης· ὅπου γὰρ σεμνότης κατοικεῖ, ἐκεῖ ἀνομία οὐκ ὀφείλει ἀναβαίνειν ἐπὶ καρδίαν ἀνδρὸς δικαίου.

### English translation (Claude)

See to it, then: keep away from this thought; for where reverence dwells, there lawlessness ought not to enter the heart of a righteous man.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.4 (29.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:78
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks: does a husband sin by living with an adulterous wife?

### Greek text

λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ὀλίγα ἐπερωτῆσαί σε. Λέγε, φησίν. Κύριε, φημί, εἰ γυναῖκα ἔχῃ τις πιστὴν ἐν κυρίῳ καὶ ταύτην εὕρῃ ἐν μοιχείᾳ τινί, ἆρα ἁμαρτάνει ὁ ἀνὴρ συνζῶν μετʼ αὐτῆς;

### English translation (Claude)

I said to him, “Sir, allow me to ask you a few things.” “Speak,” he said. “Sir,” I said, “if a man has a wife who is faithful in the Lord, and he finds her in some adultery, does the man sin if he goes on living with her?”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.5 (29.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:78
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A husband who knowingly stays with an unrepentant adulterous wife shares her sin.

### Greek text

Ἄχρι τῆς ἀγνοίας, φησίν, οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει· ἐὰν δὲ γνῷ ὁ ἀνὴρ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῆς καὶ μὴ μετανοήσῃ ἡ γυνή, ἀλλʼ ἐπιμένῃ τῇ πορνείᾳ αὐτῆς καὶ συνζῇ ὁ ἀνὴρ μετʼ αὐτῆς, ἔνοχος γίνεται τῆς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῆς καὶ κοινωνὸς τῆς μοιχείας αὐτῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

“As long as he does not know,” he said, “he does not sin; but if the husband knows her sin and the wife does not repent, but persists in her immorality, and the husband goes on living with her, he becomes guilty of her sin and a partner in her adultery.”

### Translation notes

- “Immorality” (πορνεία): here used of the wife's adultery; see the glossary.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.6 (29.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:78
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The husband should separate but not remarry; remarriage is adultery.

### Greek text

Τί οὖν, φημί, κύριε, ποιήσῃ ὁ ἀνήρ, ἐὰν ἐπιμείνῃ τῷ πάθει τούτῳ ἡ γυνή; Ἀπολυσάτω, φησίν, αὐτὴν καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ ἐφʼ ἑαυτῷ μενέτω· ἐὰν δὲ ἀπολύσας τὴν γυναῖκα ἑτέραν γαμήσῃ, καὶ αὐτὸς μοιχᾶται.

### English translation (Claude)

“What, then, sir,” I said, “shall the husband do, if the wife persists in this passion?” “Let him put her away,” he said, “and let the husband remain by himself. But if, having put away his wife, he marries another, he too commits adultery.”

### Scripture references

- Matt 5:32: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 19:9: allusion, high confidence
- Mark 10:11: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Cor 7:11: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Put her away” (ἀπολυσάτω): the word used for divorce in the Gospels (Matt 5:32; 19:9). Hermas permits separation for persistent adultery but forbids remarriage, so that reconciliation remains possible (4.1.7–8).

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.7 (29.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:78
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks whether a repentant wife may return.

### Greek text

Ἐὰν οὖν, φημί, κύριε, μετὰ τὸ ἀπολυθῆναι τὴν γυναῖκα μετανοήσῃ ἡ γυνὴ καὶ θελήσῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτῆς ἄνδρα ὑποστρέψαι, οὐ παραδεχθήσεται;

### English translation (Claude)

“If, then, sir,” I said, “after the wife has been put away, the wife repents and wishes to return to her own husband, shall she not be received?”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.8 (29.8)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:78–80
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The husband must take back a repentant wife; this is why he must not remarry. The rule applies equally to both.

### Greek text

Καὶ μήν, φησίν, ἐὰν μὴ παραδέξηται αὐτὴν ὁ ἀνήρ, ἁμαρτάνει καὶ μεγάλην ἁμαρτίαν ἑαυτῷ ἐπισπᾶται, ἀλλὰ δεῖ παραδεχθῆναι τὸν ἡμαρτηκότα καὶ μετανοοῦντα, μὴ ἐπὶ πολὺ δέ· τοῖς γὰρ δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ μετάνοιά ἐστιν μία. διὰ τὴν μετάνοιαν οὖν οὐκ ὀφείλει γαμεῖν ὁ ἀνήρ. αὕτη ἡ πρᾶξις ἐπὶ γυναικὶ καὶ ἀνδρὶ κεῖται.

### English translation (Claude)

“Indeed,” he said, “if the husband does not receive her, he sins and brings a great sin upon himself; rather, the one who has sinned and repents must be received, but not many times. For there is one repentance for the servants of God. Because of repentance, then, the husband ought not to marry. This rule applies to wife and husband alike.

### Translation notes

- “One repentance” (μετάνοιά ἐστιν μία): Hermas's teaching of a single repentance after baptism (compare 4.3.1–6).
- “This rule applies to wife and husband alike”: the same standard for both sexes, unusual in the ancient world.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/8/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.9 (29.9)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:80
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Idolatry is also adultery; do not live with one who persists in it.

### Greek text

οὐ μόνον, φησίν, μοιχεία ἐστίν, ἐάν τις τὴν σάρκα αὐτοῦ μιάνῃ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὃς ἂν τὰ ὁμοιώματα ποιῇ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, μοιχᾶται. ὥστε καὶ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἔργοις ἐὰν ἐμμένῃ τις καὶ μὴ μετανοῇ, ἀπέχου ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ συνζῆθι αὐτῷ· εἰ δὲ μή, καὶ σὺ μέτοχος εἶ τῆς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Not only is it adultery,” he said, “if someone defiles his flesh, but whoever does things like the Gentiles also commits adultery. So if anyone persists in such deeds and does not repent, keep away from him and do not live with him; otherwise you too share in his sin.

### Scripture references

- Jer 3:9: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Things like the Gentiles”: idolatry, often called spiritual adultery in the Old Testament (e.g. Jer 3:8–9).

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/9/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.10 (29.10)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:80
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Separated spouses must stay unmarried because repentance is possible.

### Greek text

διὰ τοῦτο προσετάγη ὑμῖν ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῖς μένειν, εἴτε ἀνὴρ εἴτε γυνή· δύναται γὰρ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις μετάνοια εἶναι.

### English translation (Claude)

For this reason you were commanded to remain by yourselves, whether husband or wife; for in such cases repentance is possible.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/10/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.11 (29.11)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:80
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: This is not permission to sin, but a way back for the sinner; God can heal past sin.

### Greek text

ἐγὼ οὖν, φησίν, οὐ δίδωμι ἀφορμήν, ἵνα αὕτη ἡ πρᾶξις οὕτως συντελῆται, ἀλλὰ εἰς τὸ μηκέτι ἁμαρτάνειν τὸν ἡμαρτηκότα. περὶ δὲ τῆς προτέρας ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ ἔστιν ὁ δυνάμενος ἴασιν δοῦναι· αὐτὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ἔχων πάντων τὴν ἐξουσίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

I do not, then,” he said, “give an occasion for this matter to be done in this way, but so that the one who has sinned may sin no more. As for his former sin, there is one who can give healing; for he is the one who has authority over all things.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.1.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/1/11/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.2.1 (30.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:80
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks for understanding.

### Greek text

Ἠρώτησα δὲ αὐτὸν πάλιν λέγων· Ἐπεὶ ὁ κύριος ἄξιόν με ἡγήσατο, ἵνα μετʼ ἐμοῦ πάντοτε κατοικῇς, ὀλίγα μου ῥήματα ἔτι ἀνάσχου, ἐπεὶ οὐ συνίω οὐδὲν καὶ ἡ καρδία μου πεπώρωται ἀπὸ τῶν προτέρων μου πράξεων· συνέτισόν με, ὅτι λίαν ἄφρων εἰμὶ καὶ ὅλως οὐθὲν νοῶ.

### English translation (Claude)

I asked him again, saying, “Since the Lord has counted me worthy that you should always live with me, bear with a few more words of mine, since I understand nothing and my heart has been hardened by my former deeds. Give me understanding, for I am very foolish and understand nothing at all.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.2.2 (30.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:80–82
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Repentance itself is great understanding.

### Greek text

ἀποκριθείς μοι λέγει· Ἐγώ, φησίν, ἐπὶ τῆς μετανοίας εἰμὶ καὶ πᾶσιν τοῖς μετανοοῦσιν σύνεσιν δίδωμι. ἢ οὐ δοκεῖ σοι, φησίν, αὐτὸ τοῦτο τὸ μετανοῆσαι σύνεσιν εἶναι; τὸ μετανοῆσαι, φησίν, σύνεσίς ἐστιν μεγάλη· συνίει γὰρ ὁ ἁμαρτήσας, ὅτι πεποίηκεν τὸ πονηρὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ κυρίου, καὶ ἀναβαίνει ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ἡ πρᾶξις, ἣν ἔπραξεν, καὶ μετανοεῖ καὶ οὐκέτι ἐργάζεται τὸ πονηρόν, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθὸν πολυτελῶς ἐργάζεται καὶ ταπεινοῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν καὶ βασανίζει, ὅτι ἥμαρτεν. βλέπεις οὖν, ὅτι ἡ μετάνοια σύνεσίς ἐστιν μεγάλη.

### English translation (Claude)

He answered me, “I,” he said, “am in charge of repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. Or do you not think,” he said, “that repenting is itself understanding? To repent,” he said, “is great understanding. For the one who has sinned understands that he has done evil before the Lord, and the deed he did comes into his heart, and he repents and no longer does evil, but does good abundantly, and humbles his soul and torments it because he sinned. You see, then, that repentance is great understanding.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.2.3 (30.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:82
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks what he must do to live.

### Greek text

Διὰ τοῦτο οὖν, φημί, κύριε, ἐξακριβάζομαι παρὰ σοῦ πάντα· πρῶτον μέν, ὅτι ἁμαρτωλός εἰμι, ἵνα γνῶ, ποῖα ἔργα ἐργαζόμενος ζήσομαι, ὅτι πολλαί μου εἰσὶν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι καὶ ποικίλαι.

### English translation (Claude)

“For this reason, then, sir,” I said, “I inquire carefully from you about everything: first, because I am a sinner, so that I may know what works I must do to live, because my sins are many and various.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.2.4 (30.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:82
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Keep the commandments and live.

### Greek text

Ζήσῃ, φησίν, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολάς μου φυλάξῃς καὶ πορευθῇς ἐν αὐταῖς· καὶ ὃς ἂν ἀκούσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας φυλάξῃ, ζήσεται τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

“You will live,” he said, “if you keep my commandments and walk in them; and whoever hears these commandments and keeps them will live to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/2/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.1 (31.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:82
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Some teachers say there is no repentance after baptism.

### Greek text

Ἔτι, φημί, κύριε, προσθήσω τοῦ ἐπερωτῆσαι. Λέγε, φησίν. Ἤκουσα, φημί, κύριε, παρά τινων διδασκάλων, ὅτι ἑτέρα μετάνοια οὐκ ἔστιν εἰ μὴ ἐκείνη, ὅτε εἰς ὕδωρ κατέβημεν καὶ ἐλάβομεν ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν τῶν προτέρων.

### English translation (Claude)

“I will go further, sir,” I said, “and ask.” “Speak,” he said. “I have heard, sir,” I said, “from certain teachers, that there is no other repentance except that which took place when we went down into the water and received forgiveness of our former sins.”

### Scripture references

- Heb 6:4: echo, medium confidence
- Heb 6:6: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Compare Heb 6:4–6, often read in the early church as denying a second repentance.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.2 (31.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:82
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The baptized ought not to sin again.

### Greek text

λέγει μοι· Καλῶς ἤκουσας· οὕτω γὰρ ἔχει. ἔδει γὰρ τὸν εἰληφότα ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν μηκέτι ἁμαρτάνειν, ἀλλʼ ἐν ἁγνείᾳ κατοικεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

He said to me, “You have heard rightly; for so it is. For the one who has received forgiveness of sins ought to sin no more, but to live in purity.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.3 (31.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:82–84
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: New believers receive forgiveness at baptism, not a later repentance.

### Greek text

ἐπεὶ δὲ πάντα ἐξακριβάζῃ, καὶ τοῦτό σοι δηλώσω, μὴ διδοὺς ἀφορμὴν τοῖς μέλλουσι πιστεύειν ἢ τοῖς νῦν πιστεύσασιν εἰς τὸν κύριον. οἱ γὰρ νῦν πιστεύσαντες ἢ μέλλοντες πιστεύειν μετάνοιαν ἁμαρτιῶν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, ἄφεσιν δὲ ἔχουσι τῶν προτέρων ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

But since you inquire carefully about everything, I will make this clear to you too, not giving an occasion to those who are going to believe or to those who have now believed in the Lord. For those who have now believed or are going to believe have no repentance for sins, but they have forgiveness of their former sins.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.4 (31.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:84
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God, knowing human weakness, appointed repentance for those already called.

### Greek text

τοῖς οὖν κληθεῖσι πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἔθηκεν ὁ κύριος μετάνοιαν· καρδιογνώστης γὰρ ὢν ὁ κύριος καὶ πάντα προγινώσκων ἔγνω τὴν ἀσθένειαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ τὴν πολυπλοκίαν τοῦ διαβόλου, ὅτι ποιήσει τι κακὸν τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πονηρεύσεται εἰς αὐτούς.

### English translation (Claude)

For those, then, who were called before these days the Lord has appointed repentance. For the Lord, knowing hearts and foreknowing all things, knew the weakness of human beings and the many wiles of the devil, that he will do some harm to the servants of God and act wickedly against them.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.5 (31.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:84
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: In mercy God appointed this repentance, entrusted to the Shepherd.

### Greek text

πολύσπλαγχνος οὖν ὢν ὁ κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπὶ τὴν ποίησιν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔθηκεν τὴν μετάνοιαν ταύτην, καὶ ἐμοὶ ἡ ἐξουσία τῆς μετανοίας ταύτης ἐδόθη.

### English translation (Claude)

Being very merciful, then, the Lord had compassion on his creature and appointed this repentance, and to me the authority over this repentance was given.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.6 (31.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:84
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: After baptism there is one repentance; repeated sin and repentance is of no use.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ ἐγώ σοι λέγω, φησί, μετὰ τὴν κλῆσιν ἐκείνην τὴν μεγάλην καὶ σεμνὴν ἐάν τις ἐκπειρασθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου ἁμαρτήσῃ, μίαν μετάνοιαν ἔχει· ἐὰν δὲ ὑπὸ χεῖρα ἁμαρτάνῃ καὶ μετανοήσῃ, ἀσύμφορόν ἐστι τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ τοιούτῳ· δυσκόλως γὰρ ζήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

But I tell you,” he said, “if after that great and holy calling someone is tempted by the devil and sins, he has one repentance; but if he sins repeatedly and repents, it is of no profit to such a person; for he will live with difficulty.”

### Translation notes

- “That great and holy calling”: baptism.
- “He will live with difficulty”: his salvation is doubtful, not impossible.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.7 (31.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:84
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas is revived by the hope of salvation.

### Greek text

λέγω αὐτῷ· Ἐζωοποιήθην ταῦτα παρὰ σοῦ ἀκούσας οὕτως ἀκριβῶς· οἶδα γὰρ ὅτι, ἐὰν μηκέτι προσθήσω ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις μου, σωθήσομαι. Σωθήσῃ, φησίν, καὶ πάντες, ὅσοι ἐὰν ταῦτα ποιήσωσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

I said to him, “I have been made alive by hearing these things from you so exactly; for I know that if I add no more to my sins, I shall be saved.” “You will be saved,” he said, “and so will all who do these things.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.3.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/3/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.4.1 (32.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:84–86
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks whether a widow or widower sins by remarrying.

### Greek text

Ἠρώτησα αὐτὸν πάλιν λέγων· Κύριε, ἐπεὶ ἅπαξ ἀνέχῃ μου, ἔτι μοι καὶ τοῦτο δήλωσον. Λέγε, φησίν. Ἐὰν γυνή, φημί, κύριε, ἢ πάλιν ἀνήρ τις κοιμηθῇ καὶ γαμήσῃ τις ἐξ αὐτῶν, μήτι ἁμαρτάνει ὁ γαμῶν;

### English translation (Claude)

I asked him again, saying, “Sir, since you bear with me once more, make this also clear to me.” “Speak,” he said. “If a wife, sir,” I said, “or again a husband, falls asleep, and one of them marries, does the one who marries sin?”

### Translation notes

- “Falls asleep”: dies.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.4.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.4.2 (32.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:86
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Remarriage after a spouse's death is no sin, though remaining single brings more honor.

### Greek text

Οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, φησίν· ἐὰν δὲ ἐφʼ ἑαυτῷ μείνῃ τις, περισσοτέραν ἑαυτῷ τιμὴν καὶ μεγάλην δόξαν περιποιεῖται πρὸς τὸν κύριον· ἐὰν δὲ καὶ γαμήσῃ, οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει.

### English translation (Claude)

“He does not sin,” he said; “but if he remains by himself, he gains for himself more honor and great glory with the Lord; but even if he marries, he does not sin.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:39: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:40: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:8: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.4.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.4.3 (32.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:86
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Keep purity, and the Shepherd will dwell in your house.

### Greek text

τήρει οὖν τὴν ἁγνείαν καὶ τὴν σεμνότητα, καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ. ταῦτά σοι ὅσα λαλῶ καὶ μέλλω λαλεῖν, φύλασσε ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν, ἀφʼ ἧς μοι παρεδόθης ἡμέρας, καὶ εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου κατοικήσω.

### English translation (Claude)

Keep, then, purity and reverence, and you will live to God. All these things that I say and will say to you, keep them from now on, from the day on which you were handed over to me, and I will dwell in your house.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.4.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.4.4 (32.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:86
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Forgiveness for all who keep the commandments.

### Greek text

τοῖς δὲ προτέροις σου παραπτώμασιν ἄφεσις ἔσται, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολάς μου φυλάξῃς· καὶ πᾶσι δὲ ἄφεσις ἔσται, ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολάς μου ταύτας φυλάξωσι καὶ πορευθῶσιν ἐν τῇ ἁγνότητι ταύτῃ.

### English translation (Claude)

And for your former transgressions there will be forgiveness, if you keep my commandments; and there will be forgiveness for all, if they keep these commandments of mine and walk in this purity.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 4.4.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/4/4/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.1 (33.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:86
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Be patient, and you will master evil.

### Greek text

Μακρόθυμος, φησί, γίνου καὶ συνετός, καὶ πάντων τῶν πονηρῶν ἔργων κατακυριεύσεις καὶ ἐργάσῃ πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην.

### English translation (Claude)

“Be patient,” he said, “and understanding, and you will master all evil deeds and do all righteousness.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.2 (33.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:86
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Patience keeps the Holy Spirit within joyful and unhindered.

### Greek text

ἐὰν γὰρ μακρόθυμος ἔσῃ, τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον τὸ κατοικοῦν ἐν σοὶ καθαρὸν ἔσται, μὴ ἐπισκοτούμενον ὑπὸ ἑτέρου πονηροῦ πνεύματος, ἀλλʼ ἐν εὐρυχώρῳ κατοικοῦν ἀγαλλιάσεται καὶ εὐφρανθήσεται μετὰ τοῦ σκεύους, ἐν ᾧ κατοικεῖ, καὶ λειτουργήσει τῷ θεῷ ἐν ἱλαρότητι πολλῇ, ἔχον τὴν εὐθηνίαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

For if you are patient, the Holy Spirit who dwells in you will be pure, not darkened by another, evil spirit, but dwelling in a spacious place it will rejoice and be glad with the vessel in which it dwells, and will serve God with much cheerfulness, having well-being within itself.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.3 (33.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:86–88
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Bad temper crowds out the delicate Holy Spirit.

### Greek text

ἐὰν δὲ ὀξυχολία τις προσέλθῃ, εὐθὺς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, τρυφερὸν ὄν, στενοχωρεῖται, μὴ ἔχον τὸν τόπον καθαρόν, καὶ ζητεῖ ἀποστῆναι ἐκ τοῦ τόπου· πνίγεται γὰρ ὑπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ πνεύματος, μὴ ἔχον τόπον λειτουργῆσαι τῷ κυρίῳ, καθὼς βούλεται, μιαινόμενον ὑπὸ τῆς ὀξυχολίας. ἐν γὰρ τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ ὁ κύριος κατοικεῖ, ἐν δὲ τῇ ὀξυχολίᾳ ὁ διάβολος.

### English translation (Claude)

But if some bad temper comes in, immediately the Holy Spirit, being delicate, is distressed, not having a clean place, and seeks to leave the place; for it is choked by the evil spirit, having no room to serve the Lord as it wishes, being defiled by the bad temper. For the Lord dwells in patience, but the devil in bad temper.

### Translation notes

- “Bad temper” (ὀξυχολία): literally “sharp bile,” quick anger.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.4 (33.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:88
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The two spirits cannot share one person.

### Greek text

ἀμφότερα οὖν τὰ πνεύματα ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ κατοικοῦντα, ἀσύμφορόν ἐστιν καὶ πονηρὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ, ἐν ᾧ κατοικοῦσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

When both spirits dwell together, then, it is unprofitable and evil for the person in whom they dwell.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.5 (33.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:88
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A little wormwood spoils a whole jar of honey.

### Greek text

ἐὰν γὰρ λάβῃς ἀψινθίου μικρὸν λίαν καὶ εἰς κεράμιον μέλιτος ἐπιχέῃς, οὐχὶ ὅλον τὸ μέλι ἀφανίζεται, καὶ τοσοῦτον μέλι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐλαχίστου ἀψινθίου ἀπόλλυται καὶ ἀπόλλυσι τὴν γλυκύτητα τοῦ μέλιτος, καὶ οὐκέτι τὴν αὐτὴν χάριν ἔχει παρὰ τῷ δεσπότῃ, ὅτι ἐπικράνθη καὶ τὴν χρῆσιν αὐτοῦ ἀπώλεσεν; ἐὰν δὲ εἰς τὸ μέλι μὴ βληθῇ τὸ ἀψίνθιον, γλυκὺ εὑρίσκεται τὸ μέλι καὶ εὔχρηστον γίνεται τῷ δεσπότῃ αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

For if you take a very little wormwood and pour it into a jar of honey, is not the whole honey spoiled, so much honey destroyed by the tiniest bit of wormwood, which destroys the sweetness of the honey, so that it no longer has the same value for its owner, because it has been made bitter and has lost its usefulness? But if the wormwood is not put into the honey, the honey is found sweet and becomes useful to its owner.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.6 (33.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:88
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Anger mixed with patience spoils it and its prayer.

### Greek text

βλέπεις ὅτι ἡ μακροθυμία γλυκυτάτη ἐστὶν ὑπὲρ τὸ μέλι καὶ εὔχρηστός ἐστι τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ κατοικεῖ. ἡ δὲ ὀξυχολία πικρὰ καὶ ἄχρηστός ἐστιν. ἐὰν οὖν μιγῇ ἡ ὀξυχολία τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, μιαίνεται ἡ μακροθυμία καὶ οὐκέτι εὔχρηστός ἐστι τῷ θεῷ ἡ ἔντευξις αὐτῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

You see that patience is sweeter than honey and useful to the Lord, and he dwells in it. But bad temper is bitter and useless. If, then, bad temper is mixed with patience, patience is defiled, and its prayer is no longer useful to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.1.7 (33.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:88–90
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Guard against anger; the Shepherd will help those who repent.

### Greek text

Ἤθελον, φημί, κύριε, γνῶναι τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς ὀξυχολίας, ἵνα φυλάξωμαι ἀπʼ αὐτῆς. Καὶ μήν, φησίν, ἐὰν μὴ φυλάξῃ ἀπʼ αὐτῆς σὺ καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου, ἀπώλεσάς σου τὴν πᾶσαν ἐλπίδα. ἀλλὰ φύλαξαι ἀπʼ αὐτῆς· ἐγὼ γὰρ μετὰ σοῦ εἰμί. καὶ πάντες δὲ ἀφέξονται ἀπʼ αὐτῆς, ὅσοι ἂν μετανοήσωσιν ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν· μετʼ αὐτῶν γὰρ ἔσομαι καὶ συντηρήσω αὐτούς· ἐδικαιώθησαν γὰρ πάντες ὑπὸ τοῦ σεμνοτάτου ἀγγέλου.

### English translation (Claude)

“I would like to know, sir,” I said, “the working of bad temper, so that I may guard myself from it.” “Indeed,” he said, “if you and your household do not guard against it, you have lost all your hope. But guard yourself against it, for I am with you. And all will abstain from it who repent with their whole heart; for I will be with them and preserve them. For all have been justified by the most reverend angel.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.1.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/1/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.1 (34.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:90
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Anger overthrows the empty and doubting, not the faithful.

### Greek text

Ἄκουε νῦν, φησί, τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς ὀξυχολίας, πῶς πονηρά ἐστι, καὶ πῶς τοὺς δούλους μου καταστρέφει τῇ ἑαυτῆς ἐνεργείᾳ καὶ πῶς ἀποπλανᾷ αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς δικαιοσύνης. οὐκ ἀποπλανᾷ δὲ τοὺς πλήρεις ὄντας ἐν τῇ πίστει οὐδὲ ἐνεργῆσαι δύναται εἰς αὐτούς, ὅτι ἡ δύναμίς μου μετʼ αὐτῶν ἐστιν· ἀποπλανᾷ δὲ τοὺς ἀποκένους καὶ διψύχους ὄντας.

### English translation (Claude)

“Hear now,” he said, “the working of bad temper, how evil it is, and how it overthrows my servants by its working and leads them away from righteousness. But it does not lead astray those who are full in faith, nor can it work on them, because my power is with them; it leads astray those who are empty and double-minded.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.2 (34.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:90
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Anger arises from trifles.

### Greek text

ὅταν δὲ ἴδῃ τοὺς τοιούτους ἀνθρώπους εὐσταθοῦντας, παρεμβάλλει ἑαυτὴν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ μηδενὸς ὁ ἀνὴρ ἢ ἡ γυνὴ ἐν πικρίᾳ γίνεται ἕνεκεν βιωτικῶν πραγμάτων ἢ περὶ ἐδεσμάτων ἢ μικρολογίας τινὸς ἢ περὶ φίλου τινὸς ἢ περὶ δόσεως ἢ λήψεως ἢ περὶ τοιούτων μωρῶν πραγμάτων· ταῦτα γὰρ πάντα μωρά ἐστι καὶ κενὰ καὶ ἄφρονα καὶ ἀσύμφορα τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

When it sees such people at peace, it forces itself into that person's heart, and from nothing the man or the woman becomes bitter over matters of daily life, or about food, or some trifle, or about some friend, or about giving or receiving, or about such foolish things. For all these things are foolish and empty and senseless and unprofitable to God's servants.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.3 (34.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:90–92
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Patience is strong, cheerful, and gentle.

### Greek text

ἡ δὲ μακροθυμία μεγάλη ἐστὶ καὶ ἰσχυρὰ καὶ δύναμιν ἔχουσα καὶ στιβαρὰν καὶ εὐθηνουμένην ἐν πλατυσμῷ μεγάλῳ, ἱλαρά, ἀγαλλιωμένη, ἀμέριμνος οὖσα, δοξάζουσα τὸν κύριον ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ, μηδὲν ἐν ἑαυτῇ ἔχουσα πικρόν, παραμένουσα διὰ παντὸς πραεῖα καὶ ἡσύχιος· αὕτη οὖν ἡ μακροθυμία κατοικεῖ μετὰ τῶν τὴν πίστιν ἐχόντων ὁλόκληρον.

### English translation (Claude)

But patience is great and strong, and has power that is sturdy and flourishing in great breadth, cheerful, rejoicing, free from care, glorifying the Lord at every time, having nothing bitter in itself, remaining always gentle and quiet. This patience, then, dwells with those who have faith in its fullness.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.4 (34.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:92
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Anger grows by steps into an incurable sin.

### Greek text

ἡ δὲ ὀξυχολία πρῶτον μὲν μωρά ἐστιν, ἐλαφρά τε καὶ ἄφρων. εἶτα ἐκ τῆς ἀφροσύνης γίνεται πικρία, ἐκ δὲ τῆς πικρίας θυμός, ἐκ δὲ τοῦ θυμοῦ ὀργή, ἐκ δὲ τῆς ὀργῆς μῆνις· εἶτα ἡ μῆνις αὕτη ἐκ τοσούτων κακῶν συνισταμένη γίνεται ἁμαρτία μεγάλη καὶ ἀνίατος.

### English translation (Claude)

But bad temper is first foolish, frivolous, and senseless. Then from folly comes bitterness, from bitterness wrath, from wrath anger, and from anger rancor; then this rancor, made up of so many evils, becomes a great and incurable sin.

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:31: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.5 (34.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:92
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: One vessel cannot hold both the Holy Spirit and these spirits.

### Greek text

ὅταν γὰρ ταῦτα τὰ πνεύματα ἐν ἑνὶ ἀγγείῳ κατοικῇ, οὗ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον κατοικεῖ, οὐ χωρεῖ τὸ ἄγγος ἐκεῖνο, ἀλλʼ ὑπερπλεονάζει.

### English translation (Claude)

For when these spirits dwell in one vessel, where the Holy Spirit also dwells, that vessel cannot contain them, but overflows.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.6 (34.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:92
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Holy Spirit leaves the angry person.

### Greek text

τὸ τρυφερὸν οὖν πνεῦμα, μὴ ἔχον συνήθειαν μετὰ πονηροῦ πνεύματος κατοικεῖν μηδὲ μετὰ σκληρότητος, ἀποχωρεῖ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ τοιούτου καὶ ζητεῖ κατοικεῖν μετὰ πραότητος καὶ ἡσυχίας.

### English translation (Claude)

The delicate spirit, then, not being used to dwelling with an evil spirit or with harshness, departs from such a person and seeks to dwell with gentleness and quietness.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.7 (34.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:92
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Without the Spirit, the angry are driven by evil spirits.

### Greek text

εἶτα ὅταν ἀποστῇ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου, οὗ κατοικεῖ, γίνεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος κενὸς ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ δικαίου, καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν πεπληρωμένος τοῖς πνεύμασι τοῖς πονηροῖς ἀκαταστατεῖ ἐν πάσῃ πράξει αὐτοῦ, περισπώμενος ὧδε κἀκεῖσε ἀπὸ τῶν πνευμάτων τῶν πονηρῶν, καὶ ὅλως ἀποτυφλοῦται ἀπὸ τῆς διανοίας τῆς ἀγαθῆς. οὕτως οὖν συμβαίνει πᾶσι τοῖς ὀξυχόλοις.

### English translation (Claude)

Then, when it has departed from the person in whom it dwelt, that person becomes empty of the righteous spirit, and from then on, filled with the evil spirits, is unstable in all he does, dragged here and there by the evil spirits, and is altogether blinded from good thinking. This is what happens to all the bad-tempered.

### Scripture references

- Matt 12:45: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 5.2.8 (34.8)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:92–94
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Put on patience; mastering anger helps keep all the commandments.

### Greek text

ἀπέχου οὖν ἀπὸ τῆς ὀξυχολίας, τοῦ πονηροτάτου πνεύματος· ἔνδυσαι δὲ τὴν μακροθυμίαν καὶ ἀντίστα τῇ ὀξυχολίᾳ καὶ τῇ πικρίᾳ, καὶ ἔσῃ εὑρισκόμενος μετὰ τῆς σεμνότητος τῆς ἠγαπημένης ὑπὸ τοῦ κυρίου. βλέπε οὖν μήποτε παρενθυμηθῇς τὴν ἐντολὴν ταύτην· ἐὰν γὰρ ταύτης τῆς ἐντολῆς κυριεύσῃς, καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς ἐντολὰς δυνήσῃ φυλάξαι, ἅς σοι μέλλω ἐντέλλεσθαι. ἰσχυροῦ ἐν αὐταῖς καὶ ἐνδυναμοῦ, καὶ πάντες ἐνδυναμούσθωσαν, ὅσοι ἐὰν θέλωσιν ἐν αὐταῖς πορεύεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

Keep away, then, from bad temper, that most wicked spirit; but put on patience, and resist bad temper and bitterness, and you will be found with the reverence beloved by the Lord. See, then, that you never neglect this commandment; for if you master this commandment, you will be able to keep the other commandments that I am about to give you. Be strong in them and be empowered, and let all be empowered who wish to walk in them.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 5.2.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/5/2/8/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.1.1 (35.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:94
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The virtues work in two ways, toward the righteous and the unrighteous.

### Greek text

Ἐνετειλάμην σοι, φησίν, ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ ἐντολῇ, ἵνα φυλάξῃς τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὸν φόβον καὶ τὴν ἐγκράτειαν. Ναί, φημί, κύριε. Ἀλλὰ νῦν θέλω σοι, φησίν, δηλῶσαι καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις αὐτῶν, ἵνα νοήσῃς τίς αὐτῶν τίνα δύναμιν ἔχει καὶ ἐνέργειαν· διπλαῖ γάρ εἰσιν αἱ ἐνέργειαι αὐτῶν. κεῖνται οὖν ἐπὶ δικαίῳ καὶ ἀδίκῳ·

### English translation (Claude)

“I commanded you,” he said, “in the first commandment to keep faith and fear and self-control.” “Yes, sir,” I said. “But now,” he said, “I wish to show you also their powers, so that you may understand what power and working each of them has; for their workings are twofold. They concern, then, the righteous and the unrighteous.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.1.2 (35.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:94
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Walk the straight way, not the crooked.

### Greek text

σὺ οὖν πίστευε τῷ δικαίῳ, τῷ δὲ ἀδίκῳ μὴ πιστεύσῃς· τὸ γὰρ δίκαιον ὀρθὴν ὁδὸν ἔχει, τὸ δὲ ἄδικον στρεβλήν. ἀλλὰ σὺ τῇ ὀρθῇ ὁδῷ πορεύου καὶ ὁμαλῇ, τὴν δὲ στρεβλὴν ἔασον.

### English translation (Claude)

So you, trust what is righteous, but do not trust what is unrighteous; for what is righteous has a straight way, but what is unrighteous a crooked one. But you, walk in the straight and level way, and leave the crooked one.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.1.3 (35.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:94
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The crooked way is rough and harmful.

### Greek text

ἡ γὰρ στρεβλὴ ὁδὸς τρίβους οὐκ ἔχει, ἀλλʼ ἀνοδίας καὶ προσκόμματα πολλὰ καὶ τραχεῖά ἐστι καὶ ἀκανθώδης. βλαβερὰ οὖν ἐστι τοῖς ἐν αὐτῇ πορευομένοις.

### English translation (Claude)

For the crooked way has no paths, but pathless places and many stumbling blocks, and it is rough and thorny. It is harmful, then, to those who walk in it.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.1.4 (35.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:94
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The straight way is smooth.

### Greek text

οἱ δὲ τῇ ὀρθῇ ὁδῷ πορευόμενοι ὁμαλῶς περιπατοῦσι καὶ ἀπροσκόπως· οὔτε γὰρ τραχεῖά ἐστιν οὔτε ἀκανθώδης. βλέπεις οὖν, ὅτι συμφορώτερόν ἐστι ταύτῃ τῇ ὁδῷ πορεύεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

But those who walk in the straight way walk evenly and without stumbling; for it is neither rough nor thorny. You see, then, that it is better to walk in this way.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.1.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.1.5 (35.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:94–96
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Whoever turns to the Lord will walk the straight way.

### Greek text

Ἀρέσκει μοι, φημί, κύριε, ταύτῃ τῇ ὁδῷ πορεύεσθαι. Πορεύσῃ, φησί, καὶ ὃς ἂν ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς κύριον, πορεύσεται ἐν αὐτῇ.

### English translation (Claude)

“It pleases me, sir,” I said, “to walk in this way.” “You will walk in it,” he said, “and whoever turns to the Lord with his whole heart will walk in it.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.1.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/1/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.1 (36.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:96
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Two angels accompany each person, one good and one evil.

### Greek text

Ἄκουε νῦν, φησί, περὶ τῆς πίστεως. δύο εἰσὶν ἄγγελοι μετὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, εἷς τῆς δικαιοσύνης καὶ εἷς τῆς πονηρίας.

### English translation (Claude)

“Hear now,” he said, “about faith. There are two angels with a person, one of righteousness and one of wickedness.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.2 (36.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:96
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: How can one tell them apart?

### Greek text

Πῶς οὖν, φημί, κύριε, γνώσομαι τὰς αὐτῶν ἐνεργείας, ὅτι ἀμφότεροι ἄγγελοι μετʼ ἐμοῦ κατοικοῦσιν;

### English translation (Claude)

“How, then, sir,” I said, “shall I know their workings, since both angels dwell with me?”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.3 (36.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:96
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The angel of righteousness speaks of purity and virtue.

### Greek text

Ἄκουε, φησί, καὶ συνιεῖς αὐτάς. ὁ μὲν τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἄγγελος τρυφερός ἐστι καὶ αἰσχυντηρὸς καὶ πραῢς καὶ ἡσύχιος· ὅταν οὖν οὗτος ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀναβῇ, εὐθέως λαλεῖ μετὰ σοῦ περὶ δικαιοσύνης, περὶ ἁγνείας, περὶ σεμνότητος καὶ περὶ αὐταρκείας καὶ περὶ παντὸς ἔργου δικαίου καὶ περὶ πάσης ἀρετῆς ἐνδόξου. ταῦτα πάντα ὅταν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀναβῇ, γίνωσκε, ὅτι ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς δικαιοσύνης μετὰ σοῦ ἐστί. ταῦτα οὖν ἐστι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ἀγγέλου τῆς δικαιοσύνης. τούτῳ οὖν πίστευε καὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

“Hear,” he said, “and you will understand them. The angel of righteousness is delicate and modest and gentle and quiet. When, then, he enters your heart, he immediately speaks with you about righteousness, about purity, about reverence, about contentment, about every righteous deed, and about every glorious virtue. When all these things enter your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. These, then, are the works of the angel of righteousness. Trust him, then, and his works.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.4 (36.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:96
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The angel of wickedness is known by anger and bitterness.

### Greek text

ὅρα οὖν καὶ τοῦ ἀγγέλου τῆς πονηρίας τὰ ἔργα. πρῶτον πάντων ὀξύχολός ἐστι καὶ πικρὸς καὶ ἄφρων, καὶ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρά, καταστρέφοντα τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ· ὅταν οὖν οὗτος ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀναβῇ, γνῶθι αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Now see also the works of the angel of wickedness. First of all he is bad-tempered and bitter and senseless, and his works are evil, overthrowing the servants of God. When, then, he enters your heart, know him by his works.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.5 (36.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:96–98
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Anger, excess, lust, greed, and pride are signs of the evil angel.

### Greek text

Πῶς, φημί, κύριε, νοήσω αὐτόν, οὐκ ἐπίσταμαι. Ἄκουε, φησίν. ὅταν ὀξυχολία σοί τις προσπέσῃ ἢ πικρία, γίνωσκε, ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν σοί· εἶτα ἐπιθυμία πράξεων πολλῶν καὶ πολυτέλειαι ἐδεσμάτων πολλῶν καὶ μεθυσμάτων καὶ κραιπαλῶν πολλῶν καὶ ποικίλων τροφῶν καὶ οὐ δεόντων καὶ ἐπιθυμίαι γυναικῶν καὶ πλεονεξιῶν καὶ ὑπερηφανία πολλή τις καὶ ἀλαζονεία καὶ ὅσα τούτοις παραπλήσιά ἐστι καὶ ὅμοια· ταῦτα οὖν ὅταν ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀναβῇ, γίνωσκε, ὅτι ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς πονηρίας ἐστὶν ἐν σοί.

### English translation (Claude)

“How, sir,” I said, “I shall perceive him, I do not know.” “Hear,” he said. “When some bad temper or bitterness comes upon you, know that he is in you; then the desire for many activities and the extravagance of many foods and drinking bouts and much drunkenness and various unnecessary delicacies, and desires for women and for possessions, and great arrogance and boasting, and whatever is like and similar to these: when these things enter your heart, know that the angel of wickedness is in you.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.6 (36.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:98
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Depart from the evil angel and trust the righteous one.

### Greek text

σὺ οὖν ἐπιγνοὺς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἀπόστα ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, μηδὲν αὐτῷ πίστευε, ὅτι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρά εἰσι καὶ ἀσύμφορα τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ. ἔχεις οὖν ἀμφοτέρων τῶν ἀγγέλων τὰς ἐνεργείας· σύνιε αὐτὰς καὶ πίστευε τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς δικαιοσύνης·

### English translation (Claude)

So you, recognizing his works, depart from him and trust him in nothing, because his works are evil and unprofitable to the servants of God. You have, then, the workings of both angels; understand them and trust the angel of righteousness.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.7 (36.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:98
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Even a faithful person who listens to the evil angel will sin.

### Greek text

ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ ἀγγέλου τῆς πονηρίας ἀπόστηθι, ὅτι ἡ διδαχὴ αὐτοῦ πονηρά ἐστι παντὶ ἔργῳ· ἐὰν γὰρ ᾖ τις πιστὸς ἀνὴρ καὶ ἡ ἐνθύμησις τοῦ ἀγγέλου τούτου ἀναβῇ ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ, δεῖ τὸν ἄνδρα ἐκεῖνον ἢ τὴν γυναῖκα ἐξαμαρτῆσαί τι.

### English translation (Claude)

But depart from the angel of wickedness, because his teaching is evil in every work; for if someone is a faithful man and the thought of this angel enters his heart, that man or woman must commit some sin.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.8 (36.8)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:98
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Even the wicked do good when the good angel moves them.

### Greek text

ἐὰν δὲ πάλιν πονηρότατός τις ᾖ ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνὴ καὶ ἀναβῇ ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ἀγγέλου τῆς δικαιοσύνης, ἐξ ἀνάγκης δεῖ αὐτὸν ἀγαθόν τι ποιῆσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

But if, again, a man or woman is very wicked and the works of the angel of righteousness enter his heart, he must of necessity do something good.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/8/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.9 (36.9)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:98
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Follow the good angel; renounce the evil one.

### Greek text

βλέπεις οὖν, φησίν, ὅτι καλόν ἐστι τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἀκολουθεῖν, τῷ δὲ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς πονηρίας ἀποτάξασθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

You see, then,” he said, “that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness and to renounce the angel of wickedness.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/9/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 6.2.10 (36.10)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:98–100
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Faith means trusting the good angel's works and refusing the evil angel's.

### Greek text

τὰ μὲν περὶ τῆς πίστεως αὕτη ἡ ἐντολὴ δηλοῖ, ἵνα τοῖς ἔργοις τοῦ ἀγγέλου τῆς δικαιοσύνης πιστεύσῃς, καὶ ἐργασάμενος αὐτὰ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ. πίστευε δέ, ὅτι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ἀγγέλου τῆς πονηρίας χαλεπά ἐστι· μὴ ἐργαζόμενος οὖν αὐτὰ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

This commandment makes clear what concerns faith, so that you may trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and by doing them live to God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are harmful; by not doing them, then, you will live to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 6.2.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/6/2/10/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 7.1 (37.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:100
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Fear the Lord and keep his commandments.

### Greek text

Φοβήθητι, φησί, τὸν κύριον καὶ φύλασσε τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ. φυλάσσων οὖν τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ θεοῦ ἔσῃ δυνατὸς ἐν πάσῃ πράξει, καὶ ἡ πρᾶξίς σου ἀσύγκριτος ἔσται. φοβούμενος γὰρ τὸν κύριον πάντα καλῶς ἐργάσῃ· οὗτος δέ ἐστιν ὁ φόβος, ὃν δεῖ σε φοβηθῆναι, καὶ σωθῆναι.

### English translation (Claude)

“Fear the Lord,” he said, “and keep his commandments. By keeping God's commandments, then, you will be strong in every deed, and your deeds will be beyond compare. For by fearing the Lord you will do everything well. This is the fear with which you must fear, and be saved.

### Scripture references

- Eccl 12:13: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 7.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 7.2 (37.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:100
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not fear the devil, who has no power over those who fear God.

### Greek text

τὸν δὲ διάβολον μὴ φοβηθῇς· φοβούμενος γὰρ τὸν κύριον κατακυριεύσεις τοῦ διαβόλου, ὅτι δύναμις ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν. ἐν ᾧ δὲ δύναμις οὐκ ἔστιν, οὐδὲ φόβος· ἐν ᾧ δὲ δύναμις ἡ ἔνδοξος, καὶ φόβος ἐν αὐτῷ. πᾶς γὰρ ὁ δύναμιν ἔχων φόβον ἔχει· ὁ δὲ μὴ ἔχων δύναμιν ὑπὸ πάντων καταφρονεῖται.

### English translation (Claude)

But do not fear the devil; for by fearing the Lord you will master the devil, because there is no power in him. And where there is no power, there is no fear either; but where there is glorious power, there is fear too. For everyone who has power inspires fear; but one who has no power is despised by all.

### Scripture references

- Jas 4:7: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 7.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 7.3 (37.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:100
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Fear the devil's works, not the devil.

### Greek text

φοβήθητι δὲ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ διαβόλου, ὅτι πονηρά ἐστι. φοβούμενος οὖν τὸν κύριον οὐκ ἐργάσῃ αὐτά, ἀλλʼ ἀφέξῃ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

But fear the works of the devil, because they are evil. Fearing the Lord, then, you will not do them, but will abstain from them.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 7.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 7.4 (37.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:100
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Fear of the Lord keeps from evil and moves to good.

### Greek text

δισσοὶ οὖν εἰσιν οἱ φόβοι· ἐὰν γὰρ θέλῃς τὸ πονηρὸν ἐργάσασθαι, φοβοῦ τὸν κύριον, καὶ οὐκ ἐργάσῃ αὐτό· ἐὰν δὲ θέλῃς πάλιν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐργάσασθαι, φοβοῦ τὸν κύριον, καὶ ἐργάσῃ αὐτό. ὥστε ὁ φόβος τοῦ κυρίου ἰσχυρός ἐστι καὶ μέγας καὶ ἔνδοξος. φοβήθητι οὖν τὸν κύριον, καὶ ζήσῃ αὐτῷ· καὶ ὅσοι ἂν φοβηθῶσιν αὐτὸν καὶ τηρήσωσι τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

There are, then, two kinds of fear. For if you wish to do evil, fear the Lord, and you will not do it; but if again you wish to do good, fear the Lord, and you will do it. So the fear of the Lord is strong and great and glorious. Fear the Lord, then, and you will live to him; and all who fear him and keep his commandments will live to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 7.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 7.5 (37.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:100–102
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Life belongs to those who both fear God and keep his commandments.

### Greek text

Διατί, φημί, κύριε, εἶπας περὶ τῶν τηρούντων τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ· Ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ; Ὅτι, φησίν, πᾶσα ἡ κτίσις φοβεῖται τὸν κύριον, τὰς δὲ ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ οὐ φυλάσσει. τῶν οὖν φοβουμένων αὐτὸν καὶ φυλασσόντων τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, ἐκείνων ἡ ζωή ἐστι παρὰ τῷ θεῷ· τῶν δὲ μὴ φυλασσόντων τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, οὐδὲ ζωὴ ἐν αὐτῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

“Why, sir,” I said, “did you say of those who keep his commandments, ‘They will live to God’?” “Because,” he said, “all creation fears the Lord, but does not keep his commandments. Those, then, who fear him and keep his commandments have life with God; but those who do not keep his commandments have no life in him either.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 7.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/7/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.1 (38.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:102
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Self-control is twofold: some things to refrain from, some not.

### Greek text

Εἶπόν σοι, φησίν, ὅτι τὰ κτίσματα τοῦ θεοῦ διπλᾶ ἐστι· καὶ γὰρ ἡ ἐγκράτεια διπλῆ ἐστιν. ἐπί τινων γὰρ δεῖ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι, ἐπί τινων δὲ οὐ δεῖ·

### English translation (Claude)

“I told you,” he said, “that God's creatures are twofold; for self-control too is twofold. For in some things one must be self-controlled, and in some things not.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.2 (38.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:102
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Refrain from evil, never from good.

### Greek text

Γνώρισόν μοι, φημί, κύριε, ἐπὶ τίνων δεῖ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι, ἐπὶ τίνων δὲ οὐ δεῖ. Ἄκουε, φησί. τὸ πονηρὸν ἐγκρατεύου καὶ μὴ ποίει αὐτό· τὸ δὲ ἀγαθὸν μὴ ἐγκρατεύου, ἀλλὰ ποίει αὐτὸ. ἐὰν γὰρ ἐγκρατεύσῃ τὸ ἀγαθὸν μὴ ποιεῖν, ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλην ἐργάζῃ· ἐὰν δὲ ἐγκρατεύσῃ τὸ πονηρὸν μὴ ποιεῖν, δικαιοσύνην μεγάλην ἐργάζῃ. ἐγκράτευσαι οὖν ἀπὸ πονηρίας πάσης ἐργαζόμενος τὸ ἀγαθόν.

### English translation (Claude)

“Make known to me, sir,” I said, “in what things one must be self-controlled and in what not.” “Hear,” he said. “Refrain from evil and do not do it; but do not refrain from good, but do it. For if you refrain from doing good, you commit a great sin; but if you refrain from doing evil, you do great righteousness. Refrain, then, from all wickedness, and do what is good.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.3 (38.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:102
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A list of vices to refrain from.

### Greek text

Ποταπαί, φημί, κύριε, εἰσὶν αἱ πονηρίαι, ἀφʼ ὧν ἡμᾶς δεῖ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι; Ἄκουε, φησίν· ἀπὸ μοιχείας καὶ πορνείας, ἀπὸ μεθύσματος ἀνομίας, ἀπὸ τρυφῆς πονηρᾶς, ἀπὸ ἐδεσμάτων πολλῶν καὶ πολυτελείας πλούτου καὶ καυχήσεως καὶ ὑψηλοφροσύνης καὶ ὑπερηφανίας καὶ ἀπὸ ψεύσματος καὶ καταλαλιᾶς καὶ ὑποκρίσεως, μνησικακίας καὶ πάσης βλασφημίας.

### English translation (Claude)

“What kinds of evil, sir,” I said, “are those from which we must refrain?” “Hear,” he said: “from adultery and sexual immorality, from lawless drunkenness, from wicked luxury, from much food and extravagance of wealth, and boasting and haughtiness and arrogance, and from lying and slander and hypocrisy, rancor and every blasphemy.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.4 (38.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:102–104
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: These vices must be avoided to live to God.

### Greek text

ταῦτα τὰ ἔργα πάντων πονηρότατά εἰσιν ἐν τῇ ζωῇ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. ἀπὸ τούτων οὖν τῶν ἔργων δεῖ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ θεοῦ· ὁ γὰρ μὴ ἐγκρατευόμενος ἀπὸ τούτων οὐ δύναται ζῆσαι τῷ θεῷ. ἄκουε οὖν καὶ τὰ ἀκόλουθα τούτων,

### English translation (Claude)

These works are the most wicked of all in human life. From these works, then, the servant of God must refrain; for whoever does not refrain from these cannot live to God. Hear, then, also what follows from them.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.5 (38.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:104
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: More vices: theft, lying, greed, deceit, vanity.

### Greek text

Ἔτι γάρ, φημί, κύριε, πονηρὰ ἔργα ἐστί; Καί γε πολλά, φησίν, ἔστιν, ἀφʼ ὧν δεῖ τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι· κλέμμα, ψεῦδος, ἀποστέρησις, ψευδομαρτυρία, πλεονεξία, ἐπιθυμία πονηρά, ἀπάτη, κενοδοξία, ἀλαζονεία καὶ ὅσα τούτοις ὅμοιά εἰσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

“Are there still other evil works, sir?” I said. “Yes, many,” he said, “from which the servant of God must refrain: theft, falsehood, robbery, false witness, greed, evil desire, deceit, vainglory, boasting, and whatever is like these.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.6 (38.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:104
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Refrain from these to be enrolled among the living.

### Greek text

οὐ δοκεῖ σοι ταῦτα πονηρὰ εἶναι; καὶ λίαν πονηρά, φημί, τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ. τούτων πάντων δεῖ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι τὸν δουλεύοντα τῷ θεῷ. ἐγκράτευσαι οὖν ἀπὸ πάντων τούτων, ἵνα ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐγγραφήσῃ μετὰ τῶν ἐγκρατευομένων αὐτά. ὧν μὲν οὖν δεῖ σε ἐγκρατεύεσθαι, ταῦτά ἐστιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Do you not think these are evil?” “Very evil,” I said, “for the servants of God.” “From all these the one who serves God must refrain. Refrain, then, from all these, so that you may live to God and be enrolled with those who refrain from them. These, then, are the things from which you must refrain.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.7 (38.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:104
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not refrain from doing good.

### Greek text

ἃ δὲ δεῖ σε μὴ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι, φησίν, ἀλλὰ ποιεῖν, ἄκουε. τὸ ἀγαθὸν μὴ ἐγκρατεύου, ἀλλὰ ποίει αὐτό.

### English translation (Claude)

And hear,” he said, “what you must not refrain from, but do. Do not refrain from the good, but do it.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.8 (38.8)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:104
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks about the good works.

### Greek text

Καὶ τῶν ἀγαθῶν μοι, φημί, κύριε, δήλωσον τὴν δύναμιν, ἵνα πορευθῶ ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ δουλεύσω αὐτοῖς, ἵνα ἐργασάμενος αὐτὰ δυνηθῶ σωθῆναι. Ἄκουε, φησί, καὶ τῶν ἀγαθῶν τὰ ἔργα, ἅ σε δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι καὶ μὴ ἐγκρατεύεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

“Make clear to me, sir,” I said, “the power of the good things also, so that I may walk in them and serve them, so that by doing them I may be saved.” “Hear,” he said, “the works of the good things also, which you must do and not refrain from.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/8/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.9 (38.9)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:104
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The chief goods: faith, fear of God, love, concord, truth, endurance.

### Greek text

πρῶτον πάντων πίστις, φόβος κυρίου, ἀγάπη, ὁμόνοια, ῥήματα δικαιοσύνης, ἀλήθεια, ὑπομονή· τούτων ἀγαθώτερον οὐδέν ἐστιν ἐν τῇ ζωῇ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. ταῦτα ἐάν τις φυλάσσῃ καὶ μὴ ἐγκρατεύηται ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, μακάριος γίνεται ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

First of all, faith, fear of the Lord, love, concord, words of righteousness, truth, endurance; nothing is better than these in human life. If anyone keeps these and does not refrain from them, he becomes blessed in his life.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/9/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.10 (38.10)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:104–106
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Works of mercy: care for widows and orphans, hospitality, patience, restoring the fallen.

### Greek text

εἶτα τούτων τὰ ἀκόλουθα ἄκουσον· χήραις ὑπηρετεῖν, ὀρφανοὺς καὶ ὑστερουμένους ἐπισκέπτεσθαι, ἐξ ἀναγκῶν λυτροῦσθαι τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ, φιλόξενον εἶναι ʽἐν γὰρ τῇ φιλοξενίᾳ εὑρίσκεται ἀγαθοποίησίς ποτεʼ, μηδενὶ ἀντιτάσσεσθαι, ἡσύχιον εἶναι, ἐνδεέστερον γίνεσθαι πάντων ἀνθρώπων, πρεσβύτας σέβεσθαι, δικαιοσύνην ἀσκεῖν, ἀδελφότητα συντηρεῖν, ὕβριν ὑποφέρειν, μακρόθυμον εἶναι, μνησικακίαν μὴ ἔχειν, κάμνοντας τῇ ψυχῇ παρακαλεῖν, ἐσκανδαλισμένους ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως μὴ ἀποβάλλεσθαι, ἀλλʼ ἐπιστρέφειν καὶ εὐθύμους ποιεῖν, ἁμαρτάνοντας νουθετεῖν, χρεώστας μὴ θλίβειν καὶ ἐνδεεῖς, καὶ εἴ τινα τούτοις ὅμοιά ἐστι.

### English translation (Claude)

Then hear what follows from these: to serve widows, to visit orphans and those in need, to ransom God's servants from their distress, to be hospitable (for in hospitality good deeds are sometimes found), to oppose no one, to be quiet, to become humbler than all people, to honor the aged, to practice righteousness, to preserve brotherhood, to bear insult, to be patient, to bear no grudge, to comfort those weary in soul, not to cast off those who have stumbled in the faith but to turn them back and encourage them, to admonish sinners, not to oppress debtors and the needy, and whatever else is like these.

### Scripture references

- Jas 1:27: echo, medium confidence
- Heb 13:2: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “To ransom God's servants from their distress”: probably buying the release of Christian prisoners or slaves.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/10/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.11 (38.11)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:106
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Walk in these good works and live.

### Greek text

δοκεῖ σοι, φησί, ταῦτα ἀγαθὰ εἶναι; Τί γάρ, φημί, κύριε, τούτων ἀγαθώτερον; Πορεύου οὖν, φησίν, ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ μὴ ἐγκρατεύου ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ·

### English translation (Claude)

“Do you think these things are good?” he said. “What, sir,” I said, “is better than these?” “Walk in them, then,” he said, “and do not refrain from them, and you will live to God.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/11/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8.12 (38.12)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:106
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Doing good and refraining from evil lead to life.

### Greek text

φύλασσε οὖν τὴν ἐντολὴν ταύτην· ἐὰν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ποιῇς καὶ μὴ ἐγκρατεύσῃ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ, καὶ πάντες ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ οἱ οὕτω ποιοῦντες. καὶ πάλιν ἐὰν τὸ πονηρὸν μὴ ποιῇς καὶ ἐγκρατεύσῃ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ, καὶ πάντες ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ, ὅσοι ἐὰν ταύτας τὰς ἐντολὰς φυλάξωσι καὶ πορευθῶσιν ἐν αὐταῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

Keep, then, this commandment: if you do good and do not refrain from it, you will live to God, and all who do so will live to God. And again, if you do not do evil and refrain from it, you will live to God, and all will live to God who keep these commandments and walk in them.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 8.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/8/12/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.1 (39.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:106
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not doubt when asking God, even as a sinner.

### Greek text

Λέγει μοι· Ἆρον ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ τὴν διψυχίαν καὶ μηδὲν ὅλως διψυχήσῃς αἰτήσασθαί τι παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, λέγων ἐν σεαυτῷ ὅτι πῶς δύναμαι αἰτήσασθαι παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ λαβεῖν, ἡμαρτηκὼς τοσαῦτα εἰς αὐτόν;

### English translation (Claude)

He said to me, “Remove double-mindedness from yourself, and do not be double-minded at all about asking anything from God, saying to yourself, ‘How can I ask anything from the Lord and receive it, when I have sinned so much against him?’

### Scripture references

- Jas 1:6: allusion, medium confidence
- Jas 1:8: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Mandate 9 is on “double-mindedness” (διψυχία), doubt that divides the heart between God and the world; compare Jas 1:5–8.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.2 (39.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:106
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Turn to God wholeheartedly and ask without hesitation.

### Greek text

μὴ διαλογίζου ταῦτα, ἀλλʼ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου ἐπίστρεψον ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον καὶ αἰτοῦ παρʼ αὐτοῦ ἀδιστάκτως, καὶ γνώσῃ τὴν πολλὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλίπῃ, ἀλλὰ τὸ αἴτημα τῆς ψυχῆς σου πληροφορήσει.

### English translation (Claude)

Do not reason like this, but turn to the Lord with your whole heart and ask of him without hesitating, and you will know his great compassion, that he will never abandon you, but will fulfill the request of your soul.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.3 (39.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:106–108
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God holds no grudges.

### Greek text

οὐκ ἔστι γὰρ ὁ θεὸς ὡς οἱ ἄνθρωποι μνησικακοῦντες, ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἀμνησίκακός ἐστι καὶ σπλαγχνίζεται ἐπὶ τὴν ποίησιν αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

For God is not like people who bear grudges; he bears no grudge and has compassion on his creation.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.4 (39.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:108
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Ask without doubting and you will lack nothing.

### Greek text

σὺ οὖν καθάρισόν σου τὴν καρδίαν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ματαιωμάτων τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου καὶ τῶν προειρημένων σοι ῥημάτων καὶ αἰτοῦ παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου, καὶ ἀπολήψῃ πάντα καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν αἰτημάτων σου ἀνυστέρητος ἔσῃ, ἐὰν ἀδιστάκτως αἰτήσῃς παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

So you, cleanse your heart from all the vanities of this world and from the things I have already spoken of to you, and ask of the Lord, and you will receive everything and will lack nothing of all your requests, if you ask of the Lord without hesitating.

### Scripture references

- Matt 21:22: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.5 (39.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:108
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The doubter receives nothing.

### Greek text

ἐὰν δὲ διστάσῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, οὐδὲν οὐ μὴ λήψῃ τῶν αἰτημάτων σου. οἱ γὰρ διστάζοντες εἰς τὸν θεόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ δίψυχοι καὶ οὐδὲν ὅλως ἐπιτυγχάνουσι τῶν αἰτημάτων αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

But if you hesitate in your heart, you will receive none of your requests. For those who hesitate toward God are the double-minded, and they obtain none of their requests at all.

### Scripture references

- Jas 1:7: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.6 (39.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:108
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The wholehearted receive; the doubter is saved with difficulty.

### Greek text

οἱ δὲ ὁλοτελεῖς ὄντες ἐν τῇ πίστει πάντα αἰτοῦνται πεποιθότες ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον καὶ λαμβάνουσιν, ὅτι ἀδιστάκτως αἰτοῦνται, μηδὲν διψυχοῦντες. πᾶς γὰρ δίψυχος ἀνήρ, ἐὰν μὴ μετανοήσῃ, δυσκόλως σωθήσεται.

### English translation (Claude)

But those who are complete in faith ask everything trusting in the Lord, and receive, because they ask without hesitating, not being double-minded at all. For every double-minded man, unless he repents, will be saved with difficulty.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.7 (39.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:108
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: If an answer is slow, do not doubt; there is a reason.

### Greek text

καθάρισον οὖν τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀπὸ τῆς διψυχίας, ἔνδυσαι δὲ τὴν πίστιν, ὅτι ἰσχυρά ἐστι, καὶ πίστευε τῷ θεῷ, ὅτι πάντα τὰ αἰτήματά σου ἃ αἰτεῖς λήψῃ, καὶ ἐὰν αἰτησάμενός ποτε παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου αἴτημά τι βραδύτερον λαμβάνῃς, μὴ διψυχήσῃς, ὅτι ταχὺ οὐκ ἔλαβες τὸ αἴτημα τῆς ψυχῆς σου· πάντως γὰρ διὰ πειρασμόν τινα ἢ παράπτωμά τι, ὃ σὺ ἀγνοεῖς, βραδύτερον λαμβάνεις τὸ αἴτημά σου.

### English translation (Claude)

Cleanse, then, your heart from double-mindedness, and put on faith, because it is strong, and trust God that you will receive all the requests you ask. And if, having asked the Lord for something, you receive it rather slowly, do not be double-minded because you did not receive your soul's request quickly; for surely it is because of some temptation or some transgression, which you do not know, that you receive your request more slowly.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.8 (39.8)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:108
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Keep asking; blame yourself, not God, if you give up.

### Greek text

σὺ οὖν μὴ διαλίπῃς αἰτούμενος τὸ αἴτημα τῆς ψυχῆς σου, καὶ λήψῃ αὐτό· ἐὰν δὲ ἐκκακήσῃς καὶ διψυχήσῃς αἰτούμενος, σεαυτὸν αἰτιῶ καὶ μὴ τὸν διδόντα σοι.

### English translation (Claude)

So do not stop asking for your soul's request, and you will receive it; but if you grow weary and doubt as you ask, blame yourself and not the one who gives to you.

### Scripture references

- Luke 18:1: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/8/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.9 (39.9)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:108–110
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Doubt is the devil's daughter and uproots many.

### Greek text

βλέπε τὴν διψυχίαν ταύτην· πονηρὰ γάρ ἐστι καὶ ἀσύνετος καὶ πολλοὺς ἐκριζοῖ ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως καί γε λίαν πιστοὺς καὶ ἰσχυρούς. καὶ γὰρ αὕτη ἡ διψυχία θυγάτηρ ἐστὶ τοῦ διαβόλου καὶ λίαν πονηρεύεται εἰς τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Look at this double-mindedness; for it is evil and senseless, and it uproots many from the faith, even those who are very faithful and strong. For this double-mindedness is a daughter of the devil and does great evil to God's servants.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/9/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.10 (39.10)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:110
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Faith accomplishes all; doubt fails at everything.

### Greek text

καταφρόνησον οὖν τῆς διψυχίας καὶ κατακυρίευσον αὐτῆς ἐν παντὶ πράγματι, ἐνδυσάμενος τὴν πίστιν τὴν ἰσχυρὰν καὶ δυνατήν· ἡ γὰρ πίστις πάντα ἐπαγγέλλεται, πάντα τελειοῖ, ἡ δὲ διψυχία μὴ καταπιστεύουσα ἑαυτῇ πάντων ἀποτυγχάνει τῶν ἔργων αὐτῆς ὧν πράσσει.

### English translation (Claude)

Despise, then, double-mindedness and master it in every matter, putting on faith that is strong and powerful; for faith promises everything and accomplishes everything, but double-mindedness, not trusting itself, fails in all the works it does.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/10/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.11 (39.11)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:110
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Faith is from above; doubt is earthly and powerless.

### Greek text

βλέπεις οὖν, φησίν, ὅτι ἡ πίστις ἄνωθέν ἐστι παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἔχει δύναμιν μεγάλην· ἡ δὲ διψυχία ἐπίγειον πνεῦμά ἐστι παρὰ τοῦ διαβόλου, δύναμιν μὴ ἔχουσα.

### English translation (Claude)

You see, then,” he said, “that faith is from above, from the Lord, and has great power; but double-mindedness is an earthly spirit from the devil, having no power.

### Scripture references

- Jas 3:15: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/11/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 9.12 (39.12)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:110
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Serve faith and live.

### Greek text

σὺ οὖν δούλευε τῇ ἐχούσῃ δύναμιν τῇ πίστει καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς διψυχίας ἀπόσχου τῆς μὴ ἐχούσης δύναμιν, καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ, καὶ πάντες ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ οἱ ταῦτα φρονοῦντες.

### English translation (Claude)

So you, serve faith, which has power, and keep away from double-mindedness, which has no power, and you will live to God; and all will live to God who think these things.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 9.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/9/12/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.1.1 (40.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:110
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Put away sorrow, sister of doubt and anger.

### Greek text

Ἆρον ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ, φησί, τὴν λύπην· καὶ γὰρ αὕτη ἀδελφή ἐστι τῆς διψυχίας καὶ τῆς ὀξυχολίας.

### English translation (Claude)

“Remove sorrow from yourself,” he said, “for it too is the sister of double-mindedness and of bad temper.”

### Translation notes

- Mandate 10 is on λύπη, “sorrow” or “grief”: a gloomy, discouraged spirit, not healthy repentance.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.1.2 (40.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:110–112
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Sorrow is the worst spirit: it crushes the Holy Spirit, yet can also save.

### Greek text

Πῶς, φημί, κύριε, ἀδελφή ἐστι τούτων; ἄλλο γάρ μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ὀξυχολία καὶ ἄλλο διψυχία καὶ ἄλλο λύπη. Ἀσύνετος εἶ ἄνθρωπε, φησί, καὶ οὐ νοεῖς, ὅτι ἡ λύπη πάντων τῶν πνευμάτων πονηροτέρα ἐστὶ καὶ δεινοτάτη τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ παρὰ πάντα τὰ πνεύματα καταφθείρει τὸν ἄνθρωπον καὶ ἐκτρίβει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ πάλιν σώζει;

### English translation (Claude)

“How, sir,” I said, “is it their sister? For bad temper seems to me to be one thing, double-mindedness another, and sorrow another.” “You are a foolish man,” he said, “and do not understand that sorrow is more evil than all the spirits and most terrible to God's servants, and more than all the spirits it ruins a person and crushes out the Holy Spirit, and again saves.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.1.3 (40.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:112
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas does not understand.

### Greek text

Ἐγώ, φημί, κύριε, ἀσύνετός εἰμι καὶ οὐ συνίω τὰς παραβολὰς ταύτας. πῶς γὰρ δύναται ἐκτρίβειν καὶ πάλιν σώζειν, οὐ νοῶ.

### English translation (Claude)

“I am foolish, sir,” I said, “and do not understand these parables. For how it can crush out and again save, I do not understand.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.1.4 (40.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:112
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Those absorbed in worldly business cannot understand divine things.

### Greek text

Ἄκουε, φησίν· οἱ μηδέποτε ἐρευνήσαντες περὶ τῆς ἀληθείας μηδὲ ἐπιζητήσαντες περὶ τῆς θεότητος, πιστεύσαντες δὲ μόνον, ἐμπεφυρμένοι δὲ πραγματείαις καὶ πλούτῳ καὶ φιλίαις ἐθνικαῖς καὶ ἄλλαις πολλαῖς πραγματείαις τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου· ὅσοι οὖν τούτοις πρόσκεινται, οὐ νοοῦσι τὰς παραβολὰς τῆς θεότητος· ἐπισκοτοῦνται γὰρ ὑπὸ τούτων τῶν πράξεων καὶ καταφθείρονται καὶ γίνονται κεχερσωμένοι.

### English translation (Claude)

“Hear,” he said. “Those who have never searched about the truth nor inquired about the divine nature, but have merely believed, and are mixed up in business and wealth and pagan friendships and many other affairs of this world: all who are devoted to these things do not understand the parables about the divine nature; for they are darkened by these activities and ruined and become barren.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.1.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.1.5 (40.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:112
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Like neglected vineyards, the worldly become overgrown.

### Greek text

καθὼς οἱ ἀμπελῶνες οἱ καλοί, ὅταν ἀμελείας τύχωσι, χερσοῦνται ἀπὸ τῶν ἀκανθῶν καὶ βοτανῶν ποικίλων, οὕτως οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ πιστεύσαντες καὶ εἰς ταύτας τὰς πράξεις τὰς πολλὰς ἐμπίπτοντες τὰς προειρημένας, ἀποπλανῶνται ἀπὸ τῆς διανοίας αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐδὲν ὅλως νοοῦσι περὶ δικαιοσύνης, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅταν ἀκούσωσι περὶ θεότητος καὶ ἀληθείας, ὁ νοῦς αὐτῶν περὶ τὴν πρᾶξιν αὐτῶν καταγίνεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ὅλως νοοῦσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Just as good vineyards, when they are neglected, become barren from thorns and various weeds, so people who have believed and fall into these many activities mentioned before are led astray from their understanding and understand nothing at all about righteousness; but even when they hear about the divine nature and truth, their mind is occupied with their business, and they understand nothing at all.

### Scripture references

- Matt 13:22: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.1.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.1.6 (40.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:112–114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Those who fear God understand quickly.

### Greek text

οἱ δὲ φόβον ἔχοντες θεοῦ καὶ ἐρευνῶντες περὶ θεότητος καὶ ἀληθείας καὶ τὴν καρδίαν ἔχοντες πρὸς τὸν κύριον, πάντα τὰ λεγόμενα αὐτοῖς τάχιον νοοῦσι καὶ συνίουσιν, ὅτι ἔχουσι τὸν φόβον τοῦ κυρίου ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· ὅπου γὰρ ὁ κύριος κατοικεῖ, ἐκεῖ καὶ σύνεσις πολλή. κολλήθητι οὖν τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ πάντα συνήσεις καὶ νοήσεις.

### English translation (Claude)

But those who have the fear of God and search about the divine nature and truth, and have their heart toward the Lord, understand and grasp quickly everything that is said to them, because they have the fear of the Lord in themselves; for where the Lord dwells, there also is much understanding. Cling, then, to the Lord, and you will understand and grasp everything.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.1.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/1/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.2.1 (41.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: How sorrow harms and saves.

### Greek text

Ἄκουε οὖν, φησίν, ἀνόητε, πῶς ἡ λύπη ἐκτρίβει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ πάλιν σώζει·

### English translation (Claude)

Hear, then, foolish one,” he said, “how sorrow crushes out the Holy Spirit and again saves.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.2.2 (41.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Sorrow after failure grieves the Holy Spirit.

### Greek text

ὅταν ὁ δίψυχος ἐπιβάληται πρᾶξίν τινα καὶ ταύτης ἀποτύχῃ διὰ τὴν διψυχίαν αὐτοῦ, ἡ λύπη αὕτη εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὸν ἄνθρωπον καὶ λυπεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ ἐκτρίβει αὐτό.

### English translation (Claude)

When the double-minded person undertakes some deed and fails in it because of his double-mindedness, this sorrow enters into the person and grieves the Holy Spirit and crushes it out.

### Scripture references

- Eph 4:30: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.2.3 (41.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Sorrow after anger can lead to repentance.

### Greek text

εἶτα πάλιν ἡ ὀξυχολία ὅταν κολληθῇ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ περὶ πράγματός τινος, καὶ λίαν πικρανθῇ, πάλιν ἡ λύπη εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὴν καρδίαν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ ὀξυχολήσαντος, καὶ λυπεῖται ἐπὶ τῇ πράξει αὐτοῦ ᾗ ἔπραξε καὶ μετανοεῖ, ὅτι πονηρὸν εἰργάσατο.

### English translation (Claude)

Then again, when bad temper attaches itself to a person about some matter, and he becomes very bitter, again sorrow enters into the heart of the person who lost his temper, and he is sorry for the deed he did and repents, because he did evil.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.2.4 (41.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Both doubt and anger grieve the Spirit.

### Greek text

αὕτη οὖν ἡ λύπη δοκεῖ σωτηρίαν ἔχειν, ὅτι τὸ πονηρὸν πράξας μετενόησεν. ἀμφότεραι οὖν αἱ πράξεις λυποῦσι τὸ πνεῦμα· ἡ μὲν διψυχία, ὅτι οὐκ ἐπέτυχε τῆς πράξεως αὐτῆς, ἡ δὲ ὀξυχολία λυπεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα, ὅτι ἔπραξε τὸ πονηρόν. ἀμφότερα οὖν λυπηρά ἐστι τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ, ἡ διψυχία καὶ ἡ ὀξυχολία.

### English translation (Claude)

This sorrow, then, seems to bring salvation, because having done evil he repented. Both actions, then, grieve the Spirit: double-mindedness, because it did not succeed in its undertaking, and bad temper grieves the Spirit because it did evil. Both, then, are grievous to the Holy Spirit, double-mindedness and bad temper.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 7:10: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.2.5 (41.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not afflict the Holy Spirit within you.

### Greek text

ἆρον οὖν ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ τὴν λύπην καὶ μὴ θλῖβε τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον τὸ ἐν σοὶ κατοικοῦν, μήποτε ἐντεύξηται τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἀποστῇ ἀπὸ σοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Remove, then, sorrow from yourself, and do not afflict the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, lest he intercede with God against you and depart from you.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.2.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.2.6 (41.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God's Spirit cannot bear sorrow.

### Greek text

τὸ γὰρ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ τὸ δοθὲν εἰς τὴν σάρκα ταύτην λύπην οὐχ ὑποφέρει οὐδὲ στενοχωρίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

For the Spirit of God given to this flesh endures neither sorrow nor distress.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.2.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/2/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.3.1 (42.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:114–116
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Put on cheerfulness, which pleases God.

### Greek text

Ἔνδυσαι οὖν τὴν ἱλαρότητα, τὴν πάντοτε ἔχουσαν χάριν παρὰ τῷ θεῷ καὶ εὐπρόσδεκτον οὖσαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐντρύφα ἐν αὐτῇ. πᾶς γὰρ ἱλαρὸς ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὰ ἐργάζεται καὶ ἀγαθὰ φρονεῖ καὶ καταφρονεῖ τῆς λύπης.

### English translation (Claude)

Put on, then, cheerfulness, which always has favor with God and is acceptable to him, and delight in it. For every cheerful man does good and thinks good and despises sorrow.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.3.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.3.2 (42.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:116
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A sorrowful man's prayer cannot rise to God's altar.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ λυπηρὸς ἀνὴρ πάντοτε πονηρεύεται· πρῶτον μὲν πονηρεύεται, ὅτι λυπεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον τὸ δοθὲν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἱλαρόν· δεύτερον δὲ λυπῶν τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἀνομίαν ἐργάζεται, μὴ ἐντυγχάνων μηδὲ ἐξομολογούμενος τῷ κυρίῳ. Πάντοτε γὰρ λυπηροῦ ἀνδρὸς ἡ ἔντευξις οὐκ ἔχει δύναμιν τοῦ ἀναβῆναι ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

But the sorrowful man always does evil: first he does evil because he grieves the Holy Spirit, which was given to the person cheerful; second, by grieving the Holy Spirit he commits lawlessness, not praying nor confessing to the Lord. For the prayer of a sorrowful man never has power to go up to the altar of God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.3.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.3.3 (42.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:116
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Sorrow mixed with prayer is like vinegar in wine.

### Greek text

Διατί, φημί, οὐκ ἀναβαίνει ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον ἡ ἔντευξις τοῦ λυπουμένου; Ὅτι, φησίν, ἡ λύπη ἐγκάθηται εἰς τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ. μεμιγμένη οὖν ἡ λύπη μετὰ τῆς ἐντεύξεως οὐκ ἀφίησι τὴν ἔντευξιν ἀναβῆναι καθαρὰν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον. ὥσπερ γὰρ ὄξος καὶ οἶνος μεμιγμένα ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ τὴν αὐτὴν ἡδονὴν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, οὕτω καὶ ἡ λύπη μεμιγμένη μετὰ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος τὴν αὐτὴν ἔντευξιν οὐκ ἔχει.

### English translation (Claude)

“Why,” I said, “does the prayer of one who is sorrowful not go up to the altar?” “Because,” he said, “sorrow sits in his heart. Sorrow mixed with prayer, then, does not let the prayer go up pure to the altar. For just as vinegar and wine mixed together do not have the same pleasantness, so sorrow mixed with the Holy Spirit does not have the same prayer.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.3.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 10.3.4 (42.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:116
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Cast off sorrow and live.

### Greek text

καθάρισον οὖν σεαυτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης τῆς πονηρᾶς ταύτης, καὶ ζήσῃ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ πάντες ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ, ὅσοι ἂν ἀποβάλωσιν ἀφʼ ἑαυτῶν τὴν λύπην καὶ ἐνδύσωνται πᾶσαν ἱλαρότητα.

### English translation (Claude)

Cleanse yourself, then, from this evil sorrow, and you will live to God; and all will live to God who cast off sorrow from themselves and put on all cheerfulness.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 10.3.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/10/3/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.1 (43.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:116–118
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A false prophet sits before the believers.

### Greek text

Ἔδειξέ μοι ἐπὶ συμψελλίου καθημένους ἀνθρώπους καὶ ἕτερον ἄνθρωπον καθήμενον ἐπὶ καθέδραν, καὶ λέγει μοι· Βλέπεις τοὺς ἐπὶ τοῦ συμψελλίου καθημένους; Βλέπω, φημί, κύριε. Οὗτοι, φησί, πιστοί εἰσι, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τὴν καθέδραν ψευδοπροφήτης ἐστίν, ὃς ἀπόλλυσι τὴν διάνοιαν τῶν δούλων τοῦ θεοῦ· τῶν διψύχων δὲ ἀπόλλυσιν, οὐ τῶν πιστῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

He showed me people sitting on a bench and another man sitting on a chair, and he said to me, “Do you see those sitting on the bench?” “I see them, sir,” I said. “These,” he said, “are faithful, and the one sitting on the chair is a false prophet, who destroys the understanding of God's servants; he destroys that of the double-minded, not of the faithful.

### Translation notes

- Mandate 11 gives tests for telling true prophets from false, comparable to Did. 11.7–12.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.2 (43.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:118
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The false prophet tells the doubters what they want to hear.

### Greek text

οὗτοι οὖν οἱ δίψυχοι ὡς ἐπὶ μάντιν ἔρχονται καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτόν, τί ἄρα ἔσται αὐτοῖς· κἀκεῖνος ὁ ψευδοπροφήτης, μηδεμίαν ἔχων ἐν ἑαυτῷ δύναμιν πνεύματος θείου, λαλεῖ μετʼ αὐτῶν κατὰ τὰ ἐπερωτήματα αὐτῶν καὶ κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς πονηρίας αὐτῶν καὶ πληροῖ τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν, καθὼς αὐτοὶ βούλονται.

### English translation (Claude)

These double-minded ones, then, come to him as to a soothsayer and ask him what will happen to them; and that false prophet, having in himself no power of a divine spirit, speaks with them according to their questions and according to the desires of their wickedness, and fills their souls as they themselves wish.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.3 (43.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:118
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Empty himself, he gives empty answers, mixed with some truth.

### Greek text

αὐτὸς γὰρ κενὸς ὢν κενὰ καὶ ἀποκρίνεται κενοῖς· ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇ, πρὸς τὸ κένωμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀποκρίνεται. τινὰ δὲ καὶ ῥήματα ἀληθῆ λαλεῖ· ὁ γὰρ διάβολος πληροῖ αὐτὸν τῷ αὐτοῦ πνεύματι, εἴ τινα δυνήσεται ῥῆξαι τῶν δικαίων.

### English translation (Claude)

For being empty himself, he gives empty answers to empty people; for whatever he is asked, he answers according to the person's emptiness. But he also speaks some true words; for the devil fills him with his own spirit, to see whether he can break one of the righteous.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.4 (43.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:118
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Consulting a false prophet is idolatry.

### Greek text

ὅσοι οὖν ἰσχυροί εἰσιν ἐν τῇ πίστει τοῦ κυρίου, ἐνδεδυμένοι τὴν ἀλήθειαν, τοῖς τοιούτοις πνεύμασιν οὐ κολλῶνται, ἀλλʼ ἀπέχονται ἀπʼ αὐτῶν· ὅσοι δὲ δίψυχοί εἰσι καὶ πυκνῶς μετανοοῦσι, μαντεύονται ὡς καὶ τὰ ἔθνη καὶ ἑαυτοῖς μείζονα ἁμαρτίαν ἐπιφέρουσιν εἰδωλολατροῦντες· ὁ γὰρ ἐπερωτῶν ψευδοπροφήτην περὶ πράξεώς τινος εἰδωλολάτρης ἐστὶ καὶ κενὸς ἀπὸ τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ ἄφρων.

### English translation (Claude)

Those, then, who are strong in the faith of the Lord, clothed with the truth, do not cling to such spirits, but keep away from them; but those who are double-minded and repent often practice divination like the Gentiles and bring greater sin on themselves by committing idolatry. For whoever consults a false prophet about any matter is an idolater and empty of the truth and foolish.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.5 (43.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:118
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A true spirit is not consulted like an oracle; it speaks of itself.

### Greek text

πᾶν γὰρ πνεῦμα ἀπὸ θεοῦ δοθὲν οὐκ ἐπερωτᾶται, ἀλλὰ ἔχον τὴν δύναμιν τῆς θεότητος ἀφʼ ἑαυτοῦ λαλεῖ πάντα, ὅτι ἄνωθέν ἐστιν ἀπὸ τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ θείου πνεύματος.

### English translation (Claude)

For no spirit given by God is consulted; but having the power of the divine nature, it speaks everything of itself, because it is from above, from the power of the divine Spirit.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.6 (43.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:118
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A false spirit speaks only when asked.

### Greek text

τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐπερωτώμενον καὶ λαλοῦν κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπίγειόν ἐστι καὶ ἐλαφρόν, δύναμιν μὴ ἔχον· καὶ ὅλως οὐ λαλεῖ, ἐὰν μὴ ἐπερωτηθῇ.

### English translation (Claude)

But the spirit that is consulted and speaks according to people's desires is earthly and light, having no power; and it does not speak at all unless it is consulted.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.7 (43.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:118–120
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Test prophets by their life.

### Greek text

Πῶς οὖν, φημί, κύριε, ἄνθρωπος γνώσεται, τίς αὐτῶν προφήτης καὶ τίς ψευδοπροφήτης ἐστίν; Ἄκουε, φησί, περὶ ἀμφοτέρων τῶν προφητῶν· καὶ ὥς σοι μέλλω λέγειν, οὕτω δοκιμάσεις τὸν προφήτην καὶ τὸν ψευδοπροφήτην. ἀπὸ τῆς ζωῆς δοκίμαζε τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν ἔχοντα τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον.

### English translation (Claude)

“How, then, sir,” I said, “will a person know which of them is a prophet and which a false prophet?” “Hear,” he said, “about both prophets; and as I am about to tell you, so you shall test the prophet and the false prophet. Test the man who has the divine Spirit by his life.

### Scripture references

- Matt 7:15: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 7:16: echo, medium confidence
- 1 John 4:1: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.8 (43.8)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:120
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The true prophet is humble, answers no private questions, and speaks when God wills.

### Greek text

πρῶτον μὲν ὁ ἔχων τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄνωθεν πραΰς ἐστι καὶ ἡσύχιος καὶ ταπεινόφρων καὶ ἀπεχόμενος ἀπὸ πάσης πονηρίας καὶ ἐπιθυμίας ματαίας τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου καὶ ἑαυτὸν ἐνδεέστερον ποιεῖ πάντων τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν ἀποκρίνεται ἐπερωτώμενος, οὐδὲ καταμόνας λαλεῖ, οὐδὲ ὅταν θέλῃ ἄνθρωπος λαλεῖν, λαλεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, ἀλλὰ τότε λαλεῖ, ὅταν θελήσῃ αὐτὸν ὁ θεὸς λαλῆσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

First, the one who has the Spirit from above is gentle and quiet and humble-minded, and abstains from all wickedness and vain desire of this world, and makes himself poorer than all people, and gives no answer to anyone when consulted, nor does he speak in private, nor does the Holy Spirit speak when a man wishes to speak, but it speaks when God wishes him to speak.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/8/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.9 (43.9)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:120
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The true prophet speaks in the assembly when filled with the Spirit.

### Greek text

ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἔχων τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον εἰς συναγωγὴν ἀνδρῶν δικαίων τῶν ἐχόντων πίστιν θείου πνεύματος καὶ ἔντευξις γένηται πρὸς τὸν θεὸν τῆς συναγωγῆς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων, τότε ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ προφητικοῦ πνεύματος ὁ κείμενος πρὸς αὐτὸν πληροῖ τὸν ἄνθρωπον, καὶ πληρωθεὶς ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ λαλεῖ εἰς τὸ πλῆθος, καθὼς ὁ κύριος βούλεται.

### English translation (Claude)

When, then, the man who has the divine Spirit comes into an assembly of righteous men who have faith in a divine Spirit, and prayer is made to God by the assembly of those men, then the angel of the prophetic spirit who is assigned to him fills the man, and the man, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks to the congregation as the Lord wishes.

### Translation notes

- “Assembly” (συναγωγή): the gathered church.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/9/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.10 (43.10)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:120
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: So the divine Spirit is made known.

### Greek text

οὕτως οὖν φανερὸν ἔσται τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς θεότητος. ὅση οὖν περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος τῆς θεότητος τοῦ κυρίου ἡ δύναμις αὕτη.

### English translation (Claude)

In this way, then, the Spirit of the divine nature will be manifest. Such, then, is the power of the Lord concerning the Spirit of the divine nature.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/10/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.11 (43.11)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:120
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Now the false spirit.

### Greek text

ἄκουε νῦν, φησί, περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἐπιγείου καὶ κενοῦ καὶ δύναμιν μὴ ἔχοντος, ἀλλὰ ὄντος μωροῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Hear now,” he said, “about the spirit that is earthly and empty and has no power, but is foolish.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/11/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.12 (43.12)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:120–122
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The false prophet seeks honor, lives in luxury, and prophesies for pay.

### Greek text

πρῶτον μὲν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος ὁ δοκῶν πνεῦμα ἔχειν ὑψοῖ ἑαυτὸν καὶ θέλει πρωτοκαθεδρίαν ἔχειν, καὶ εὐθὺς ἰταμός ἐστι καὶ ἀναιδὴς καὶ πολύλαλος καὶ ἐν τρυφαῖς πολλαῖς ἀναστρεφόμενος καὶ ἐν ἑτέραις πολλαῖς ἀπάταις καὶ μισθοὺς λαμβάνων τῆς προφητείας αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ λάβῃ, οὐ προφητεύει. δύναται οὖν πνεῦμα θεῖον μισθοὺς λαμβάνειν καὶ προφητεύειν; οὐκ ἐνδέχεται τοῦτο ποιεῖν θεοῦ προφήτην, ἀλλὰ τῶν τοιούτων προφητῶν ἐπίγειόν ἐστι τὸ πνεῦμα.

### English translation (Claude)

First, the man who seems to have a spirit exalts himself and wants to have the first seat, and at once he is bold and shameless and talkative, and lives in much luxury and in many other deceptions, and takes pay for his prophecy; and if he does not receive it, he does not prophesy. Can, then, a divine Spirit take pay and prophesy? It is not possible for a prophet of God to do this; but the spirit of such prophets is earthly.

### Scripture references

- Mic 3:11: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/12/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.13 (43.13)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/13/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:122
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The false prophet avoids the assembly and prophesies privately to doubters.

### Greek text

εἶτα ὅλως εἰς συναγωγὴν ἀνδρῶν δικαίων οὐκ ἐγγίζει, ἀλλʼ ἀποφεύγει αὐτούς· κολλᾶται δὲ τοῖς διψύχοις καὶ κενοῖς καὶ κατὰ γωνίαν αὐτοῖς προφητεύει καὶ ἀπατᾷ αὐτοὺς λαλῶν κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας αὐτῶν πάντα κενῶς· κενοῖς γὰρ καὶ ἀποκρίνεται· τὸ γὰρ κενὸν σκεῦος μετὰ τῶν κενῶν συντιθέμενον οὐ θραύεται, ἀλλὰ συμφωνοῦσιν ἀλλήλοις.

### English translation (Claude)

Then he does not approach an assembly of righteous men at all, but avoids them; and he attaches himself to the double-minded and empty, and prophesies to them in a corner, and deceives them, speaking everything emptily according to their desires; for he gives answers to empty people. For an empty vessel put with empty ones does not break, but they agree with one another.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.13 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/13/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.14 (43.14)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/14/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:122
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: In the praying assembly the false prophet is struck dumb.

### Greek text

ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ εἰς συναγωγὴν πλήρη ἀνδρῶν δικαίων ἐχόντων πνεῦμα θεότητος καὶ ἔντευξις ἀπʼ αὐτῶν γένηται, κενοῦται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐπίγειον ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου φεύγει ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ κωφοῦται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος καὶ ὅλως συνθραύεται, μηδὲν δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

But when he comes into an assembly full of righteous men who have the Spirit of the divine nature, and prayer is made by them, that man is emptied, and the earthly spirit flees from him in fear, and that man is struck dumb and altogether broken, unable to say anything.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.14 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/14/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.15 (43.15)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/15/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:122
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: An empty jar stays empty among full ones.

### Greek text

ἐὰν γὰρ εἰς ἀποθήκην στιβάσῃς οἶνον ἢ ἔλαιον καὶ ἐν αὐτοῖς θῇς κεράμιον κενόν, καὶ πάλιν ἀποστιβάσαι θελήσῃς τὴν ἀποθήκην, τὸ κεράμιον ἐκεῖνο, ὃ ἔθηκας κενόν, κενὸν καὶ εὑρήσεις· οὕτω καὶ οἱ προφῆται οἱ κενοὶ ὅταν ἔλθωσιν εἰς πνεύματα δικαίων, ὁποῖοι ἦλθον, τοιοῦτοι καὶ εὑρίσκονται.

### English translation (Claude)

For if you store wine or oil in a storeroom and put an empty jar among them, and then wish to empty the storeroom, you will find that jar you put there empty still empty. So also the empty prophets, when they come among the spirits of the righteous, are found as they came.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.15 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/15/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.16 (43.16)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/16/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:122
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Test by works and life.

### Greek text

ἔχεις ἀμφοτέρων τῶν προφητῶν τὴν ζωήν. δοκίμαζε οὖν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων καὶ τῆς ζωῆς τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν λέγοντα ἑαυτὸν πνευματοφόρον εἶναι.

### English translation (Claude)

You have the life of both prophets. Test, then, by his works and his life the man who says he is inspired by the Spirit.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.16 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/16/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.17 (43.17)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/17/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:122
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Trust the Spirit from God, not the earthly spirit.

### Greek text

σὺ δὲ πίστευε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἔχοντι δύναμιν· τῷ δὲ πνεύματι τῷ ἐπιγείῳ καὶ κενῷ μηδὲν πίστευε, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ δύναμις οὐκ ἔστιν· ἀπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου γὰρ ἔρχεται.

### English translation (Claude)

But you, trust the Spirit that comes from God and has power; but trust nothing to the earthly and empty spirit, because there is no power in it; for it comes from the devil.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.17 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/17/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.18 (43.18)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/18/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:122–124
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A parable: you cannot hit heaven with a stone.

### Greek text

ἄκουσον οὖν τὴν παραβολήν, ἣν μέλλω σοι λέγειν· λάβε λίθον καὶ βάλε εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, ἴδε, εἰ δύνασαι ἅψασθαι αὐτοῦ· ἢ πάλιν λάβε σίφωνα ὕδατος καὶ σιφώνισον εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, ἴδε, εἰ δύνασαι τρυπῆσαι τὸν οὐρανόν.

### English translation (Claude)

Hear, then, the parable that I am about to tell you. Take a stone and throw it at the sky; see whether you can touch it. Or again, take a water squirt and squirt it at the sky; see whether you can pierce the sky.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.18 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/18/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.19 (43.19)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/19/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:124
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Earthly spirits are powerless.

### Greek text

Πῶς, φημί, κύριε, δύναται ταῦτα γενέσθαι; ἀδύνατα γὰρ ἀμφότερα ταῦτα εἴρηκας. Ὡς ταῦτα οὖν, φησίν, ἀδύνατά ἐστιν, οὕτω καὶ τὰ πνεύματα τὰ ἐπίγεια ἀδύνατά ἐστι καὶ ἀδρανῆ.

### English translation (Claude)

“How, sir,” I said, “can these things happen? For both things you have said are impossible.” “As these things, then, are impossible,” he said, “so also the earthly spirits are powerless and weak.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.19 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/19/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.20 (43.20)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/20/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:124
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Small things from above have great power.

### Greek text

λάβε οὖν τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἄνωθεν ἐρχομένην· ἡ χάλαζα ἐλάχιστόν ἐστι κοκκάριον, καὶ ὅταν ἐπιπέσῃ ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν ἀνθρώπου, πῶς πόνον παρέχει; ἢ πάλιν λάβε σταγόνα, ἣ ἀπὸ τοῦ κεράμου πίπτει χαμαὶ καὶ τρυπᾷ τὸν λίθον.

### English translation (Claude)

Take, then, the power that comes from above: hail is a very small grain, and when it falls on a man's head, what pain it causes! Or again, take a drop that falls from the roof to the ground and wears a hole in the stone.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.20 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/20/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11.21 (43.21)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/21/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:124
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Spirit from above is powerful; trust it.

### Greek text

βλέπεις οὖν, ὅτι τὰ ἄνωθεν ἐλάχιστα πίπτοντα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν μεγάλην δύναμιν ἔχει· οὕτω καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ θεῖον ἄνωθεν ἐρχόμενον δυνατόν ἐστι· τούτῳ οὖν τῷ πνεύματι πίστευε, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ ἑτέρου ἀπέχου.

### English translation (Claude)

You see, then, that the smallest things from above falling on the earth have great power; so also the divine Spirit coming from above is powerful. Trust, then, this Spirit, and keep away from the other.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 11.21 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/11/21/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.1.1 (44.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:124
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Put on good desire to master evil desire.

### Greek text

Λέγει μοι· Ἆρον ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ πᾶσαν ἐπιθυμίαν πονηράν, ἔνδυσαι δὲ τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τὴν ἀγαθὴν καὶ σεμνήν· ἐνδεδυμένος γὰρ τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν ταύτην μισήσεις τὴν πονηρὰν ἐπιθυμίαν καὶ χαλιναγωγήσεις αὐτήν, καθὼς βούλει.

### English translation (Claude)

He said to me, “Remove from yourself all evil desire, and put on the good and reverent desire; for if you are clothed with this desire you will hate evil desire and rein it in as you wish.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/1/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.1.2 (44.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:124–126
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Evil desire is wild and consumes the worldly.

### Greek text

ἀγρία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ καὶ δυσκόλως ἡμεροῦται. φοβερὰ γάρ ἐστι καὶ λίαν τῇ ἀγριότητι αὐτῆς δαπανᾷ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους· μάλιστα δὲ ἐὰν ἐμπέσῃ εἰς αὐτὴν δοῦλος θεοῦ καὶ μὴ ᾖ συνετός, δαπανᾶται ὑπʼ αὐτῆς δεινῶς· δαπανᾷ δὲ τοὺς τοιούτους τοὺς μὴ ἔχοντας ἔνδυμα τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ἀγαθῆς, ἀλλὰ ἐμπεφυρμένους τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ· τούτους οὖν παραδίδωσιν εἰς θάνατον.

### English translation (Claude)

For evil desire is wild and is tamed with difficulty. For it is terrible and consumes people greatly by its wildness; especially if a servant of God falls into it and is not wise, he is terribly consumed by it. It consumes such as do not have the garment of good desire, but are mixed up with this world; these it hands over to death.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/1/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.1.3 (44.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:126
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas asks about the works of evil desire.

### Greek text

Ποῖα, φημί, κύριε, ἔργα ἐστὶν τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς πονηρᾶς τὰ παραδιδόντα τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς θάνατον; γνώρισόν μοι, ἵνα ἀφέξωμαι ἀπʼ αὐτῶν. Ἄκουσον, φησίν, ἐν ποίοις ἔργοις θανατοῖ ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

“What, sir,” I said, “are the works of evil desire that hand people over to death? Make them known to me, so that I may abstain from them.” “Hear,” he said, “in what works evil desire kills God's servants.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/1/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.2.1 (45.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:126
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Chief evil desires: another's spouse, wealth, food, drink, luxury.

### Greek text

Πάντων προέχουσα ἐπιθυμία γυναικὸς ἀλλοτρίας ἢ ἀνδρὸς καὶ πολυτελείας πλούτου καὶ ἐδεσμάτων πολλῶν ματαίων καὶ μεθυσμάτων καὶ ἑτέρων τρυφῶν πολλῶν καὶ μωρῶν· πᾶσα γὰρ τρυφὴ μωρά ἐστι καὶ κενὴ τοῖς δούλοις τοῦ θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Above all, desire for another's wife or husband, and for extravagant wealth and many vain foods and drinking bouts and many other foolish luxuries; for every luxury is foolish and empty for the servants of God.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.2.2 (45.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:126
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Evil desire is the devil's daughter.

### Greek text

αὗται οὖν αἱ ἐπιθυμίαι πονηραί εἰσι, θανατοῦσαι τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ· αὕτη γὰρ ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ τοῦ διαβόλου θυγάτηρ ἐστίν. ἀπέχεσθαι οὖν δεῖ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν τῶν πονηρῶν, ἵνα ἀποσχόμενοι ζήσητε τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

These desires, then, are evil, killing the servants of God; for this evil desire is the devil's daughter. One must, then, abstain from evil desires, so that by abstaining you may live to God.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.2.3 (45.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:126
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Those mastered by them die.

### Greek text

ὅσοι δὲ ἂν κατακυριευθῶσιν ὑπʼ αὐτῶν καὶ μὴ ἀντισταθῶσιν αὐταῖς, ἀποθανοῦνται εἰς τέλος· θανατώδεις γάρ εἰσιν αἱ ἐπιθυμίαι αὗται.

### English translation (Claude)

But all who are mastered by them and do not resist them will die finally; for these desires are deadly.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.2.4 (45.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:126–128
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Armed with the fear of God, resist, and evil desire will flee.

### Greek text

σὺ δὲ ἔνδυσαι τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ καθοπλισάμενος τὸν φόβον τοῦ κυρίου ἀντίστηθι αὐταῖς· ὁ γὰρ φόβος τοῦ θεοῦ κατοικεῖ ἐν τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ. ἡ ἐπιθυμία ἡ πονηρὰ ἐὰν ἴδῃ σε καθωπλισμένον τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθεστηκότα αὐτῇ, φεύξεται ἀπὸ σοῦ μακρὰν καὶ οὐκέτι σοι ὀφθήσεται φοβουμένη τὰ ὅπλα σου.

### English translation (Claude)

But you, put on the desire of righteousness, and armed with the fear of the Lord resist them; for the fear of God dwells in good desire. If evil desire sees you armed with the fear of God and resisting it, it will flee far from you and will no longer be seen by you, fearing your weapons.

### Scripture references

- Jas 4:7: echo, medium confidence
- Eph 6:11: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.2.5 (45.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:128
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Serve good desire, and you will master evil desire.

### Greek text

σὺ οὖν νικήσας καὶ στεφανωθεὶς κατʼ αὐτῆς ἐλθὲ πρὸς τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτῇ τὸ νῖκος, ὃ ἔλαβες, δούλευσον αὐτῇ, καθὼς αὐτὴ βούλεται. ἐὰν δουλεύσῃς τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ καὶ ὑποταγῇς αὐτῇ, δυνήσῃ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς πονηρᾶς κατακυριεῦσαι καὶ ὑποτάξαι αὐτήν, καθὼς βούλει.

### English translation (Claude)

So you, having conquered and been crowned against it, come to the desire of righteousness, and handing over to it the victory you have won, serve it as it wishes. If you serve good desire and submit to it, you will be able to master evil desire and subdue it as you wish.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.2.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/2/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.3.1 (46.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:128
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Serve good desire by righteousness, truth, faith, and gentleness.

### Greek text

Ἤθελον, φημί, κύριε, γνῶναι, ποίοις τρόποις με δεῖ δουλεῦσαι τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ. Ἄκουε, φησίν· ἔργασαι δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἀρετήν, ἀλήθειαν καὶ φόβον κυρίου, πίστιν καὶ πραότητα καὶ ὅσα τούτοις ὅμοιά ἐστιν ἀγαθά. ταῦτα ἐργαζόμενος εὐάρεστος ἔσῃ δοῦλος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ζήσῃ αὐτῷ· καὶ πᾶς, ὃς ἂν δουλεύσῃ τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ τῇ ἀγαθῇ, ζήσεται τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

“I would like to know, sir,” I said, “in what ways I must serve good desire.” “Hear,” he said: “practice righteousness and virtue, truth and the fear of the Lord, faith and gentleness, and whatever good things are like these. Doing these things you will be a well-pleasing servant of God and will live to him; and everyone who serves good desire will live to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.3.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.3.2 (46.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:128
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The twelve commandments are complete.

### Greek text

συνετέλεσεν οὖν τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς δώδεκα καὶ λέγει μοι· Ἔχεις τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας· πορεύου ἐν αὐταῖς καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντας παρακάλει, ἵνα ἡ μετάνοια αὐτῶν καθαρὰ γένηται τὰς λοιπὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

So he completed the twelve commandments and said to me, “You have these commandments; walk in them, and exhort those who hear, so that their repentance may be pure for the rest of the days of their life.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.3.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.3.3 (46.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:128–130
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas is given the ministry of calling to repentance.

### Greek text

τὴν διακονίαν ταύτην, ἥν σοι δίδωμι, ἐκτέλει ἐπιμελῶς, καὶ πολὺ ἐργάσῃ· εὑρήσεις γὰρ χάριν ἐν τοῖς μέλλουσι μετανοεῖν, καὶ πεισθήσονταί σου τοῖς ῥήμασιν· ἐγὼ γὰρ μετὰ σοῦ ἔσομαι καὶ ἀναγκάσω αὐτοὺς πεισθῆναί σοι.

### English translation (Claude)

Carry out carefully this ministry that I give you, and you will accomplish much; for you will find favor among those who are going to repent, and they will be persuaded by your words; for I will be with you and will compel them to be persuaded by you.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.3.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.3.4 (46.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:130
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas fears the commandments are too hard to keep.

### Greek text

Λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὗται μεγάλαι καὶ καλαὶ καὶ ἔνδοξοί εἰσι καὶ δυνάμεναι εὐφρᾶναι καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου τοῦ δυναμένου τηρῆσαι αὐτάς. οὐκ οἶδα δέ, εἰ δύνανται αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὗται ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου φυλαχθῆναι, διότι σκληραί εἰσι λίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

I said to him, “Sir, these commandments are great and beautiful and glorious, and able to gladden the heart of a person who is able to keep them. But I do not know whether these commandments can be kept by a human being, because they are very hard.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.3.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.3.5 (46.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:130
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Believe they can be kept, and they will be easy.

### Greek text

ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει μοι· Ἐὰν σὺ σεαυτῷ προθῇς, ὅτι δύνανται φυλαχθῆναι, εὐκόλως αὐτὰς φυλάξεις καὶ οὐκ ἔσονται σκληραί· ἐὰν δὲ ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἤδη ἀναβῇ μὴ δύνασθαι αὐτὰς ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου φυλαχθῆναι, οὐ φυλάξεις αὐτάς.

### English translation (Claude)

He answered me, “If you set before yourself that they can be kept, you will keep them easily, and they will not be hard; but if it already enters your heart that they cannot be kept by a human being, you will not keep them.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.3.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.3.6 (46.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:130
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Whoever decides they cannot be kept will not be saved.

### Greek text

νῦν δέ σοι λέγω· ἐὰν ταύτας μὴ φυλάξῃς, ἀλλὰ παρενθυμηθῇς, οὐχ ἕξεις σωτηρίαν οὔτε τὰ τέκνα σου οὔτε ὁ οἶκός σου. ἐπεὶ ἤδη σεαυτῷ κέκρικας τοῦ μὴ δύνασθαι τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπου φυλαχθῆναι.

### English translation (Claude)

But now I tell you: if you do not keep them, but neglect them, you will not have salvation, nor will your children, nor your household, since you have already judged for yourself that these commandments cannot be kept by a human being.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.3.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/3/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.1 (47.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:130
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Shepherd speaks angrily and Hermas is afraid.

### Greek text

Καὶ ταῦτά μοι λίαν ὀργίλως ἐλάλησεν, ὥστε με συγχυθῆναι καὶ λίαν αὐτὸν φοβηθῆναι· ἡ μορφὴ γὰρ αὐτοῦ ἠλλοιώθη, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἄνθρωπον ὑπενεγκεῖν τὴν ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

And he said these things to me very angrily, so that I was confounded and greatly afraid of him; for his form was changed, so that a man could not bear his anger.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.2 (47.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:130–132
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God made the world for humankind and gave him rule over it.

### Greek text

ἰδὼν δέ με τεταραγμένον ὅλον καὶ συγκεχυμένον ἤρξατό μοι ἐπιεικέστερον καὶ ἱλαρώτερον λαλεῖν καὶ λέγει· Ἄφρον, ἀσύνετε καὶ δίψυχε, οὐ νοεῖς τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ, πῶς μεγάλη ἐστὶ καὶ ἰσχυρὰ καὶ θαυμαστή, ὅτι ἔκτισε τὸν κόσμον ἕνεκα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν κτίσιν αὐτοῦ ὑπέταξε τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ καὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν πᾶσαν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ τοῦ κατακυριεύειν τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανὸν πάντων;

### English translation (Claude)

But when he saw me all troubled and confounded, he began to speak to me more gently and cheerfully, and said, “Foolish, senseless, and double-minded man, do you not understand the glory of God, how great and strong and marvelous it is, that he created the world for the sake of man and subjected all his creation to man and gave him all authority to rule over everything under heaven?

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:28: allusion, medium confidence
- Ps 8:6 (8:7 LXX): allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.3 (47.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:132
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: One who has the Lord in his heart can keep all the commandments.

### Greek text

εἰ οὖν, φησίν, πάντων ὁ ἄνθρωπος κύριός ἐστι τῶν κτισμάτων τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πάντων κατακυριεύει, οὐ δύναται καὶ τούτων τῶν ἐντολῶν κατακυριεῦσαι; δύναται, φησί, πάντων καὶ πασῶν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων κατακυριεῦσαι ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἔχων τὸν κύριον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

If, then,” he said, “man is lord of all God's creatures and rules over all, can he not also master these commandments? He can,” he said, “master everything and all these commandments, the man who has the Lord in his heart.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.4 (47.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:132
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: For those who honor God only with their lips, the commandments are hard.

### Greek text

οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς χείλεσιν ἔχοντες τὸν κύριον, τὴν δὲ καρδίαν αὐτῶν πεπωρωμένην καὶ μακρὰν ὄντες ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου, ἐκείνοις αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὗται σκληραί εἰσι καὶ δύσβατοι.

### English translation (Claude)

But for those who have the Lord on their lips, but their heart hardened, and are far from the Lord, these commandments are hard and difficult to walk in.

### Scripture references

- Isa 29:13: allusion, medium confidence
- Matt 15:8: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.5 (47.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:132
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: With the Lord in the heart, nothing is easier than these commands.

### Greek text

θέσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς, οἱ κενοὶ καὶ ἐλαφροὶ ὄντες ἐν τῇ πίστει, τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν, καὶ γνώσεσθε, ὅτι οὐδέν ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων οὔτε γλυκύτερον οὔτε ἡμερώτερον.

### English translation (Claude)

Put, then, you who are empty and light in the faith, your Lord into your heart, and you will know that nothing is easier than these commandments, nor sweeter, nor gentler.

### Scripture references

- Matt 11:30: echo, medium confidence
- 1 John 5:3: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/5/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.6 (47.6)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:132
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Turn from the devil's hard commands; he has no power over you.

### Greek text

ἐπιστράφητε ὑμεῖς οἱ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς πορευόμενοι τοῦ διαβόλου, ταῖς δυσκόλοις καὶ πικραῖς καὶ ἀγρίαις καὶ ἀσελγέσι, καὶ μὴ φοβήθητε τὸν διάβολον, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ δύναμις οὐκ ἔστιν καθʼ ὑμῶν·

### English translation (Claude)

Turn, you who walk in the commandments of the devil, which are difficult and bitter and wild and licentious, and do not fear the devil, because there is no power in him against you.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/6/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.4.7 (47.7)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:132
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The angel of repentance will be with you; the devil will flee.

### Greek text

ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔσομαι μεθʼ ὑμῶν, ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς μετανοίας ὁ κατακυριεύων αὐτοῦ. ὁ διάβολος μόνον φόβον ἔχει, ὁ δὲ φόβος αὐτοῦ τόνον οὐκ ἔχει· μὴ φοβήθητε οὖν αὐτόν, καὶ φεύξεται ἀφʼ ὑμῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

For I will be with you, the angel of repentance who masters him. The devil has only fear, but his fear has no strength; do not fear him, then, and he will flee from you.

### Scripture references

- Jas 4:7: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.4.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/4/7/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.5.1 (48.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:132–134
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hermas says the devil overpowers those who want to obey.

### Greek text

Λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, ἄκουσόν μου ὀλίγων ῥημάτων. Λέγε, φησίν, ὃ βούλει. Ὁ μὲν ἄνθρωπος, φημί, κύριε, πρόθυμός ἐστι τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ θεοῦ φυλάσσειν, καὶ οὐδείς ἐστιν ὁ μὴ αἰτούμενος παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ἵνα ἐνδυναμωθῇ ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποταγῇ αὐταῖς· ἀλλʼ ὁ διάβολος σκληρός ἐστι καὶ καταδυναστεύει αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

I said to him, “Sir, hear a few words from me.” “Say what you wish,” he said. “Man, sir,” I said, “is eager to keep God's commandments, and there is no one who does not ask the Lord to be strengthened in his commandments and to submit to them; but the devil is hard and overpowers them.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.5.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.5.2 (48.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:134
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The devil can wrestle but cannot win against those who hope in God.

### Greek text

Οὐ δύναται, φησί, καταδυναστεύειν τῶν δούλων τοῦ θεοῦ τῶν ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας ἐλπιζόντων ἐπʼ αὐτόν. δύναται ὁ διάβολος ἀντιπαλαῖσαι, καταπαλαῖσαι δὲ οὐ δύναται. ἐὰν οὖν ἀντισταθῆτε αὐτῷ, νικηθεὶς φεύξεται ἀφʼ ὑμῶν κατῃσχυμμένος. ὅσοι δέ, φησίν, ἀπόκενοί εἰσι, φοβοῦνται τὸν διάβολον ὡς δύναμιν ἔχοντα.

### English translation (Claude)

“He cannot,” he said, “overpower God's servants who hope in him with their whole heart. The devil can wrestle against them, but he cannot throw them. If, then, you resist him, he will flee from you defeated and put to shame. But those who are empty,” he said, “fear the devil as though he had power.

### Scripture references

- Jas 4:7: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.5.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.5.3 (48.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:134
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The owner checks the half-empty jars, which turn sour.

### Greek text

ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος κεράμια ἱκανώτατα γεμίσῃ οἴνου καλοῦ καὶ ἐν τοῖς κεραμίοις ἐκείνοις ὀλίγα ἀπόκενα ᾖ, ἔρχεται ἐπὶ τὰ κεράμια καὶ οὐ κατανοεῖ τὰ πλήρη· οἶδε γάρ, ὅτι πλήρη εἰσί· κατανοεῖ δὲ τὰ ἀπόκενα, φοβούμενος, μήποτε ὤξισαν· ταχὺ γὰρ τὰ ἀπόκενα κεράμια ὀξίζουσι, καὶ ἀπόλλυται ἡ ἡδονὴ τοῦ οἴνου.

### English translation (Claude)

When a man fills a great many jars with good wine, and among those jars a few are partly empty, he comes to the jars and does not examine the full ones, for he knows they are full; but he examines the partly empty ones, fearing that they have turned sour; for partly empty jars quickly turn sour, and the taste of the wine is lost.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.5.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.5.4 (48.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:134
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The devil enters those who are half-empty in faith.

### Greek text

οὕτω καὶ ὁ διάβολος ἔρχεται ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκπειράζων αὐτούς. ὅσοι οὖν πλήρεις εἰσὶν ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνθεστήκασιν αὐτῷ ἰσχυρῶς, κἀκεῖνος ἀποχωρεῖ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν μὴ ἔχων τόπον, ποῦ εἰσέλθῃ. ἔρχεται οὖν τότε πρὸς τοὺς ἀποκένους καὶ ἔχων τόπον εἰσπορεύεται εἰς αὐτούς, καὶ ὃ δὲ βούλεται ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐργάζεται, καὶ γίνονται αὐτῷ ὑπόδουλοι.

### English translation (Claude)

So also the devil comes to all God's servants to tempt them. Those, then, who are full in faith resist him strongly, and he departs from them, having no place to enter. So he comes then to the partly empty, and having a place he enters into them, and does in them whatever he wishes, and they become his slaves.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.5.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/5/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.6.1 (49.1)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:134–136
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not fear the devil; the angel of repentance strengthens the repentant.

### Greek text

Ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμῖν λέγω, ὁ ἄγγελος τῆς μετανοίας· μὴ φοβήθητε τὸν διάβολον. ἀπεστάλην γάρ, φησί, μεθʼ ὑμῶν εἶναι τῶν μετανοούντων ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας αὐτῶν καὶ ἰσχυροποιῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ πίστει.

### English translation (Claude)

But I, the angel of repentance, say to you: do not fear the devil. For I was sent,” he said, “to be with you who repent with your whole heart and to strengthen you in faith.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.6.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/1/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.6.2 (49.2)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:136
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God will heal past sins if you turn to him; the devil is powerless.

### Greek text

πιστεύσατε οὖν τῷ θεῷ ὑμεῖς οἱ διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν ἀπεγνωκότες τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῶν καὶ προστιθέντες ἁμαρτίαις καὶ καταβαρύνοντες τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῶν, ὅτι, ἐὰν ἐπιστραφῆτε πρὸς τὸν κύριον ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ ἐργάσησθε τὴν δικαιοσύνην, τὰς λοιπὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς ὑμῶν καὶ δουλεύσητε αὐτῷ ὀρθῶς κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ποιήσει ἴασιν τοῖς προτέροις ὑμῶν ἁμαρτήμασι καὶ ἕξετε δύναμιν τοῦ κατακυριεῦσαι τῶν ἔργων τοῦ διαβόλου. τὴν δὲ ἀπειλὴν τοῦ διαβόλου ὅλως μὴ φοβήθητε· ἄτονος γάρ ἐστιν ὥσπερ νεκροῦ νεῦρα.

### English translation (Claude)

Believe God, then, you who because of your sins have despaired of your life and are adding to your sins and weighing down your life, that if you turn to the Lord with your whole heart and do righteousness for the rest of the days of your life and serve him rightly according to his will, he will bring healing to your former sins, and you will have power to master the works of the devil. And do not fear the threat of the devil at all; for he is powerless, like the sinews of a dead man.

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.6.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/2/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.6.3 (49.3)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:136
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Fear God who can save and destroy.

### Greek text

ἀκούσατε οὖν μου καὶ φοβήθητε τὸν πάντα δυνάμενον, σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι, καὶ τηρεῖτε τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας, καὶ ζήσεσθε τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

Hear me, then, and fear him who is able to do all things, to save and to destroy, and keep these commandments, and you will live to God.”

### Scripture references

- Jas 4:12: allusion, medium confidence
- Matt 10:28: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.6.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/3/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.6.4 (49.4)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:136
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Strengthened, Hermas hopes to keep the commandments.

### Greek text

λέγω αὐτῷ· Κύριε, νῦν ἐνεδυναμώθην ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς δικαιώμασι τοῦ κυρίου, ὅτι σὺ μετʼ ἐμοῦ εἶ· καὶ οἶδα, ὅτι συγκόψεις τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ διαβόλου πᾶσαν καὶ ἡμεῖς αὐτοῦ κατακυριεύσομεν καὶ κατισχύσομεν πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐλπίζω, κύριε, δύνασθαί με τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας, ἃς ἐντέταλσαι, τοῦ κυρίου ἐνδυναμοῦντος φυλάξαι.

### English translation (Claude)

I said to him, “Sir, now I have been strengthened in all the ordinances of the Lord, because you are with me; and I know that you will crush all the power of the devil, and we shall master him and prevail over all his works. And I hope, sir, that I can keep these commandments that you have given, with the Lord strengthening me.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.6.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/4/).

## Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 12.6.5 (49.5)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 25:136
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A pure heart keeps the commandments.

### Greek text

Φυλάξεις, φησίν, ἐὰν ἡ καρδία σου καθαρὰ γένηται πρὸς κύριον· καὶ πάντες δὲ φυλάξουσιν, ὅσοι ἂν καθαρίσωσιν ἑαυτῶν τὰς καρδίας ἀπὸ τῶν ματαίων ἐπιθυμιῶν τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, καὶ ζήσονται τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

“You will keep them,” he said, “if your heart is pure toward the Lord; and all will keep them who cleanse their hearts from the vain desires of this world, and they will live to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Herm. Mand. 12.6.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/herm-mand/12/6/5/).