Pastor de Hermas 57

1Roguei-lhe muito que me explicasse a semelhança do campo, e do senhor da vinha, e do escravo que estacou a vinha, e das estacas, e das ervas daninhas que foram arrancadas da vinha, e do filho, e dos amigos que eram co-conselheiros, pois sabia que todas estas coisas eram uma espécie de parábola. E ele me respondeu e disse: “És extremamente persistente com as tuas perguntas.

1I prayed him much that he would explain to me the similitude of the field, and of the master of the vineyard, and of the slave who staked the vineyard, and of the stakes, and of the weeds that were plucked out of the vineyard, and of the son, and of the friends who were fellow-councillors, for I knew that all these things were a kind of parable. And he answered me, and said, “You are exceedingly persistent with your questions.

2Não deverias,” continuou, “fazer pergunta alguma; pois se é necessário explicar alguma coisa, ser-te-á dada a conhecer.” Disse-lhe: “Senhor, tudo o que me mostrares e não explicares, o terei visto em vão, não entendendo o seu significado.

2You ought not,” he continued, “to ask any questions at all; for if it is needful to explain anything, it will be made known to you.” I said to him, “Sir, whatsoever you show me, and do not explain, I shall have seen to no purpose, not understanding its meaning.

3Do mesmo modo, também, se me falares em parábolas e não as desdobrares, terei ouvido as tuas palavras em vão.” E ele me respondeu de novo, dizendo: “Todo aquele que é servo de Deus e tem o seu Senhor no coração pede-lhe entendimento e o recebe, e abre toda parábola; e as palavras do Senhor que são ditas em parábolas se lhe tornam conhecidas.

3In like manner, also, if you speak parables to me, and do not unfold them, I shall have heard your words in vain.” And he answered me again, saying, “Every one who is the servant of God, and has his Lord in his heart, asks of Him understanding, and receives it, and opens up every parable; and the words of the Lord become known to him which are spoken in parables.

4Mas os que são fracos e preguiçosos na oração hesitam em pedir algo ao Senhor; mas o Senhor é cheio de compaixão e dá sem falta a todos os que lhe pedem.

4But those who are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask Him.

5Mas tu, tendo sido fortalecido pelo santo Anjo e tendo obtido dele tal intercessão, e não sendo preguiçoso, por que não pedes ao Senhor entendimento e o recebes dele?” Disse-lhe: “Senhor, tendo-te comigo, sou obrigado a fazer-te perguntas, pois tu me mostras todas as coisas e conversas comigo; mas se eu visse ou ouvisse estas coisas sem ti, então pediria ao Senhor que as explicasse.”

5But you, having been strengthened by the holy Angel, and having obtained from Him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from Him?” I said to him, “Sir, having you with me, I am necessitated to ask questions of you, for you show me all things, and converse with me; but if I were to see or hear these things without you, I would then ask the Lord to explain them.”