Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 27
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 27 in the continuous (Whittaker) numbering used by the Codex Sinaiticus Project is Mandate 2, chapter 1 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.
Numbering: Greek verse 0 has no English counterpart under that number. Compare by content.
How was this verified? (Provenance)
0εντολη β 1λεγει μοι απλοτηταν εχε και ακακοϲ γεινου και εϲη ωϲ τα νηπια τα μη γινωϲοντα την πονηριαν την απολλυουϲαν την ζωην των ανθρωπω 2πρωτον μεν μηδενοϲ καταλαλει μηδε ηδεωϲ ακουαι καταλαλουντοϲ ει δε μη και ϲυ ο ακουων ενοχοϲ ει τηϲ αμαρτιαϲ του καταλαλουντοϲ εαν γαρ πιϲτευϲηϲ τηϲ καταλαλιαϲ ηϲ αν ακουϲηϲ πιϲτευϲαϲ και ϲυ αυτοϲ εξειϲ κατα του αδελφου ϲου ουτωϲ ουν ενοχοϲ εϲη τηϲ αμαρτιαϲ του καταλαλουντοϲ 3πονηρα καταλαλια ακαταϲτατον δεμονιον εϲτιν μηδεποτε ϊρηνευον αλλα παντοτε εν διχοϲταϲιαιϲ κατοικουν απεχου οιν απ αυτου και ευθηνιαν παντοται εχειϲ μετα πατων 4ενδυϲε δε την ϲεμνοτητα εν η ουδεν προϲκομμα εϲτιν πονηρον αλλα παντοτε ϊλαρα και ομαλα εργαζου το αγαθον και εκ των κοπων ων ο θϲ διδωϲιν ϲου παϲι ϋϲτερουμενοιϲ διδου απωϲ μη διϲταζων τινι δωϲ η τινι μη δωϲ παϲιν διδου παϲιν γαρ ο θϲ διδοϲθε θελι απο των ϊδιων δωρηματω
1He saith to me; "Keep simplicity and be guileless, and thou shalt be as little children, that know not the wickedness which destroyeth the life of men. 2First of all, speak evil of no man, neither take pleasure in listening to a slanderer. Otherwise thou that hearest too shalt be responsible for the sin of him that speaketh the evil, if thou believest the slander, which thou hearest; for in believing it thou thyself also wilt have a grudge against thy brother. So then shalt thou be responsible for the sin of him that speaketh the evil. 3Slander is evil; it is a restless demon, never at peace, but always having its home among factions. Refrain from it therefore, and thou shalt have success at all times with all men. 4But clothe thyself in reverence, wherein is no evil stumbling-block, but all things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of thy labors, which God giveth thee, give to all that are in want freely, not questioning to whom thou shalt give, and to whom thou shalt not give. Give to all; for to all God desireth that there should be given of His own bounties.
5οι ουν λαμβανοτεϲ αποδωϲουϲι λογον τω θω διατι ελαβον και ειϲ τι οι μεν γαρ λαμβανοντεϲ απ θλιβομενοι ου δικαϲθηϲονται οι δε εν αποκριϲει λαμβανονταιϲ τιϲουϲιν δικην 6ο ουν διδουϲ αθωοϲ εϲτιν ωϲ γαρ ελαβε παρα του κυ την διακονιαν τελεϲαι απλωϲ αυτην ετελεϲεν μηθε διακρινων τινι δω η μη δω εγενετο ουν η διακονια αυτη απλωϲ τελεϲθειϲα ενδοξοϲ παρα τω θω ο ουν ουτωϲ > απλωϲ διακονω τω θω ζηϲεται 7αντοϲ ·
5They then that receive shall render an account to God why they received it, and to what end; for they that receive in distress shall not be judged, but they that receive by false pretence shall pay the penalty. 6He then that giveth is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord the ministration to perform it, he hath performed it in sincerity, by making no distinction to whom to give or not to give. This ministration then, when sincerely performed, becomes glorious in the sight of God. He therefore that ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God. 7Therefore keep this commandment, as I have told thee, that thine own repentance and that of thy household may be found to be sincere, and [thy] heart pure and undefiled."
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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