30 But I, the messenger of
repentance, say unto you, fear not
the devil, for I am sent unto you,
that I may be with you, as many
as shall repent with your whole
heart, and that I may confirm you
in the faith.
31 Believe therefore, ye who
by reason of your transgressions
have forgot God and your own
salvation; and adding to your
sins have made your life very
heavy.
32 That if ye shall turn to the
Lord with your whole hearts, and
shall serve him according to his
will; he will heal you of your
former sins, and ye shall have
dominion over all the works of the
devil.
33 Be not then afraid in the
least of his threatenings, for they
are without force, as the nerves of
a dead man. But hearken unto
me, and fear the Lord Almighty,
who is able to save and to destroy
you; and keep his commands, that
ye may live unto God.
34 And I said unto him; Sir,
I am now confirmed in all the
commands of the Lord whilst you
are with me, and I know that you
will break all the powers of the
devil.
35 And we also shall overcome
him, if we shall be able, through
the help of the Lord, to keep these
commands which you have delivered.
36 Thou shalt keep them, said
he, if thou shalt purify thy heart
towards the Lord. And all they
also shall keep them who shall
cleanse their hearts from the vain
desires of the present world, and
shall live unto God.
THE THIRD PART OF THE
BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS SIMILITUDES.
SIMILITUDE I.