Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 24
Introduction
This entry meets the strict three-criteria standard of the Theosis Library:
- Manuscript scan: The actual folio(s) of Codex Sinaiticus containing this chapter, from the Codex Sinaiticus Project (codexsinaiticus.org). Each section links to the specific folio holding its verses.
- Original text: The Codex Sinaiticus Project's verbatim transcription of the folio shown (uncial letters, lunate sigma, nomina sacra preserved).
- English translation: J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891), public domain, retrieved verbatim from Lightfoot 1891 via earlychristianwritings.com transcription.
Numbering: Chapter 24 in the continuous (Whittaker) numbering used by the Codex Sinaiticus Project is Vision 4, chapter 3 in Lightfoot's traditional division, which the English column follows.
Why this is here: Codex Sinaiticus binds this text after Revelation, alongside the canonical books. Reading it on the same parchment as the Gospels is primary evidence for how a 4th-century Christian community treated it.
How was this verified? (Provenance)
1ηρωτηϲα αυτην περι τω τεϲϲαρων χρηματων ων ειχεν το θηριον ειϲ την καιφαλην η δε αποκριθιϲα μοι λεγει παλιν περιεργοϲ ει περι τοιουτων πραγματω ναι φημι κυρια γνωριϲον μοι τι εϲτιν ταυτα 2ακουε φηϲιν το μεν μελαν · ουτοϲ ο κοϲμοϲ εϲτιν εν ω κατοικιται · 3το δε πυρροϊδεϲ · και εματωϊδεϲ οτι τον κοϲμον τουτο δι αιματοϲ και πυροϲ απολλυϲθαι 4το δε χρυϲουν μεροϲ ϋμειϲ οι εκφυγονταιϲ τον κοϲμον τουτον ωϲπερ γαρ το χρυϲιο δοκιμαζεται δια του πυροϲ και ευχρηϲτον γεινεται ουτωϲ και ϋμιϲ δοκιμαζεϲθε οι κατοικουντεϲ εν αυτοιϲ οι ουν μιναντεϲ και ποιρωθεντεϲ υπ αυτων καθαριϲθηϲεϲθε ωϲπερ χρυϲιον αποβαλλι τη ϲκωριαν αυτου ουτω και ϋμιϲ αποβαλιται παϲαν λυπην και ϲτενοχωριαν και καθαριϲθηϲεϲθε και χρηϲιοι εϲεϲθαι ειϲ την οικοδομην του πυργου 5το δε λευκον μεροϲ ο αιων ο επερχομενοϲ εν ω κατοικουϲιν οι εκλεκτοι του θυ ειϲ ζωην αιωνιον ·
1I asked her concerning the four colors, which the beast had upon its head. Then she answered me and said, "Again thou art curious about such matters." "Yes, lady," said I, "make known unto me what these things are." 2"Listen," said she; "the black is this world in which ye dwell; 3and the fire and blood color showeth that this world must perish by blood and fire; 4and the golden part are ye that has escaped from this world. For as the gold is tested by the fire and is made useful, so ye also [that dwell in it] are being tested in yourselves. Ye then that abide and pass through the fire will be purified by it. For as the old loses its dross. so Ye also shall cast away all sorrow and tribulation, and shall be purified, and shall be useful for the building of the tower. 5But the white portion is the coming age, in which the elect of God shall dwell; because the elect of God shall be without spot and pure unto life eternal.
6ϲυ ουν μη διαλιπηϲ λαλω ειϲ τα ωτα των αγιων εχετε τυπον τηϲ θλιψεωϲ τηϲ ερχομενηϲ μεγαληϲ εαν δε ϋμιϲ θεληϲητε ουδεν εϲται · μνημονευετε τα προγεγραμμενα 7ταυτα ειπαϲα απηλθε νεφοϲ γαρ εγενετο καγω επεϲτραφην ειϲ τα οπιϲω φοβηθειϲ δοκω οτι το θηρειον ερχεται ·
6Wherefore cease not thou to speak in the ears of the saints. Ye have now the symbolism also of the tribulation which is coming in power. But if ye be willing, it shall be nought. Remember ye the things that are written beforehand." 7With these words she departed, and I saw not in what direction she departed; for a noise was made: and I turned back in fear, thinking that the beast was coming.
Cite
Source & Cross-References
- Source text: Codex Sinaiticus folio + transcription (codexsinaiticus.org) + J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891) — view original
- Critical edition: Tischendorf 8th edition (1869) / Codex Sinaiticus transcription
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