Pastor de Hermas 13

1“Ouve agora a respeito das pedras que estão na construção. Aquelas pedras quadradas e brancas que se ajustavam exatamente umas às outras são apóstolos, bispos, mestres e diáconos, que viveram em pureza piedosa, e exerceram como bispos, mestres e diáconos, casta e reverentemente, o seu ofício para com os eleitos de Deus. Alguns deles adormeceram, e alguns ainda permanecem vivos. E sempre concordaram uns com os outros, e tiveram paz entre si, e escutaram-se uns aos outros.

1“Hear now with regard to the stones which are in the building. Those square white stones which fitted exactly into each other, are apostles, bishops, teachers, and deacons, who have lived in godly purity, and have acted as bishops and teachers and deacons chastely and reverently to the elect of God. Some of them have fallen asleep, and some still remain alive. And they have always agreed with each other, and been at peace among themselves, and listened to each other.

2Por causa disso, ajustam-se exatamente à construção da torre.” “Mas quem são as pedras que foram arrastadas das profundezas, e que foram postas na construção e ajustadas às demais pedras anteriormente colocadas na torre?” “São os que sofreram por amor do Senhor.” “Mas desejo saber, ó Senhora, quem são as outras pedras que foram trazidas da terra.” “Aquelas,” disse ela, “que entram na construção sem serem polidas, são as que Deus aprovou, pois andaram nos caminhos retos do Senhor e praticaram os seus mandamentos.” “Mas quem são os que estão sendo trazidos e postos na construção?” “São os que são jovens na fé e são fiéis.

2On account of this, they join exactly into the building of the tower.” “But who are the stones that were dragged from the depths, and which were laid into the building and fitted in with the rest of the stones previously placed in the tower?” “They are those who suffered for the Lord’s sake.” “But I wish to know, O Lady, who are the other stones which were carried from the land.” “Those,” she said, “which go into the building without being polished, are those whom God has approved of, for they walked in the straight ways of the Lord and practised His commandments.” “But who are those who are in the act of being brought and placed in the building?” “They are those who are young in faith and are faithful.

3Mas são admoestados pelos anjos a fazer o bem, pois nenhuma iniquidade se achou neles.” “Quem são então aqueles que rejeitaram e lançaram fora?” “São os que pecaram e desejam arrepender-se. Por isso não foram lançados para longe da torre, porque ainda serão úteis na construção, se se arrependerem. Os que, pois, hão de arrepender-se, se de fato se arrependerem, serão fortes na fé, se agora se arrependerem enquanto a torre está em construção.

3But they are admonished by the angels to do good, for no iniquity has been found in them.” “Who then are those whom they rejected and cast away?” “These are they who have sinned, and wish to repent. On this account they have not been thrown far from the tower, because they will yet be useful in the building, if they repent. Those then who are to repent, if they do repent, will be strong in faith, if they now repent while the tower is building.

4Pois se a construção for concluída, não haverá mais lugar para ninguém, mas será rejeitado. Este privilégio, porém, pertencerá somente àquele que foi agora colocado perto da torre.”

4For if the building be finished, there will not be more room for any one, but he will be rejected. This privilege, however, will belong only to him who has now been placed near the tower.”