Pastor de Hermas 68

1E o anjo do Senhor ordenou que fossem trazidas coroas; e foram trazidas coroas, formadas, por assim dizer, de palmas; e coroou os homens que tinham devolvido os ramos que tinham rebentos e algum fruto e os enviou para a torre. E os outros também enviou para a torre, aqueles, a saber, que tinham devolvido ramos que eram verdes e tinham rebentos mas sem fruto, tendo-lhes dado selos. E todos os que entraram na torre tinham a mesma vestimenta — branca como a neve.

1And the angel of the Lord ordered crowns to be brought; and there were brought crowns, formed, as it were, of palms; and he crowned the men who had returned the branches which had offshoots and some fruit, and sent them away into the tower. And the others also he sent into the tower, those, namely, who had returned branches that were green and had offshoots but no fruit, having given them seals. And all who went into the tower had the same clothing—white as snow.

2E os que devolveram os seus ramos verdes, como os tinham recebido, ele os pôs em liberdade, dando-lhes vestimenta e selos. Ora, depois que o anjo terminou estas coisas, disse ao Pastor: “Vou-me embora, e tu enviarás estes para dentro dos muros, conforme cada um for digno de ter a sua morada. E examina cuidadosamente os seus ramos, e assim os despede; mas examina-os com cuidado.

2And those who returned their branches green, as they had received them, he set free, giving them clothing and seals. Now after the angel had finished these things, he said to the Shepherd, “I am going away, and you will send these away within the walls, according as each one is worthy to have his dwelling. And examine their branches carefully, and so dismiss them; but examine them with care.

3Cuida que ninguém te escape,” acrescentou; “e se algum te escapar, eu o provarei no altar.” Tendo dito estas palavras ao Pastor, partiu. E depois que o anjo partiu, o Pastor me disse: “Tomemos os ramos de todos estes e plantemo-los, e vejamos se algum deles viverá.” Disse-lhe: “Senhor, como podem viver estes ramos secos?” Respondeu e disse: “Esta árvore é um salgueiro, e de espécie muito tenaz de vida.

3See that no one escape you,” he added; “and if any escape you, I will try them at the altar.” Having said these words to the Shepherd, he departed. And after the angel had departed, the Shepherd said to me, “Let us take the branches of all these and plant them, and see if any of them will live.” I said to him, “Sir, how can these withered branches live?” He answered, and said, “This tree is a willow, and of a kind that is very tenacious of life.

4Se, portanto, os ramos forem plantados e receberem um pouco de umidade, muitos deles viverão. E agora tentemos e derramemos água sobre eles; e se algum deles viver, alegrar-me-ei com eles, e se não, ao menos eu não serei achado negligente.” E o Pastor mandou-me chamá-los, à medida que cada um era posto. E vieram, fileira por fileira, e deram os seus ramos ao Pastor.

4If, therefore, the branches be planted, and receive a little moisture, many of them will live. And now let us try, and pour water upon them; and if any of them live I shall rejoice with them, and if they do not I at least will not be found neglectful.” And the Shepherd bade me call them as each one was placed. And they came, rank by rank, and gave their branches to the Shepherd.

5E o Pastor recebeu os ramos e os plantou em fileiras; e depois de os plantar, derramou muita água sobre eles, de modo que os ramos não se podiam ver por causa da água; e depois que os ramos a beberam, disse-me: “Vamos e voltemos dentro de poucos dias e inspecionemos todos os ramos; pois aquele que criou esta árvore quer que vivam todos aqueles que receberam ramos dela. E espero também que a maior parte destes ramos que receberam umidade e beberam da água viverá.”

5And the Shepherd received the branches, and planted them in rows; and after he had planted them he poured much water upon them, so that the branches could not be seen for the water; and after the branches had drunk it in, he said to me, “Let us go, and return after a few days, and inspect all the branches; for He who created this tree wishes all those to live who received branches from it. And I also hope that the greater part of these branches which received moisture and drank of the water will live.”