Pastor de Hermas 69

1Disse-lhe: “Senhor, explica-me o que significa esta árvore, pois estou perplexo com ela, porque, depois de tantos ramos terem sido cortados, continua sã, e nada parece ter sido cortado dela.

1I said to him, “Sir, explain to me what this tree means, for I am perplexed about it, because, after so many branches have been cut off, it continues sound, and nothing appears to have been cut away from it.

2Com isto, agora, estou perplexo.” “Escuta,” disse ele: “Esta grande árvore que lança a sua sombra sobre planícies, e montes, e toda a terra, é a lei de Deus que foi dada a todo o mundo; e esta lei é o Filho de Deus, proclamado até os confins da terra; e o povo que está debaixo da sua sombra são os que ouviram a proclamação e creram nele.

2By this, now, I am perplexed.” “Listen,” he said: “This great tree that casts its shadow over plains, and mountains, and all the earth, is the law of God that was given to the whole world; and this law is the Son of God, proclaimed to the ends of the earth; and the people who are under its shadow are they who have heard the proclamation, and have believed upon Him.

3E o grande e glorioso anjo Miguel é aquele que tem autoridade sobre este povo e o governa; pois este é o que lhes pôs a lei nos corações dos crentes: por isso supervisiona aqueles a quem a deu, para ver se a guardaram. E vês os ramos de cada um, pois os ramos são a lei.

3And the great and glorious angel Michael is he who has authority over this people, and governs them; for this is he who gave them the law into the hearts of believers: he accordingly superintends them to whom he gave it, to see if they have kept the same. And you see the branches of each one, for the branches are the law.

4Vês, portanto, muitos ramos que foram tornados inúteis, e conhecê-los-ás todos: os que não guardaram a lei; e verás a morada de cada um.” Disse-lhe: “Senhor, por que despediu alguns para a torre e deixou outros a ti?” “Todos,” respondeu, “os que transgrediram a lei que dele receberam, deixou-os sob o meu poder para o arrependimento; mas todos os que satisfizeram a lei e a guardaram, retém-nos sob a sua própria autoridade.” “Quem são, então,” continuei, “os que foram coroados e vão para a torre?” “Estes são os que sofreram por causa da lei; mas os outros, e os que devolveram os seus ramos verdes e com rebentos, mas sem fruto, são os que foram afligidos por causa da lei, mas que não sofreram nem negaram a sua lei; e os que devolveram os seus ramos verdes como os receberam são os veneráveis, e os justos, e os que andaram cuidadosamente em coração puro e guardaram os mandamentos do Senhor.

4You see, accordingly, many branches that have been rendered useless, and you will know them all—those who have not kept the law; and you will see the dwelling of each one.” I said to him, “Sir, why did he dismiss some into the tower, and leave others to you?” “All,” he answered, “who transgressed the law which they received from him, he left under my power for repentance; but all who have satisfied the law, and kept it, he retains under his own authority.” “Who, then,” I continued, “are they who were crowned, and who go to the tower?” “These are they who have suffered on account of the law; but the others, and they who returned their branches green, and with offshoots, but without fruit, are they who have been afflicted on account of the law, but who have not suffered nor denied their law; and they who returned their branches green as they had received them, are the venerable, and the just, and they who have walked carefully in a pure heart, and have kept the commandments of the Lord.

5E o resto conhecerás quando eu tiver examinado aqueles ramos que foram plantados e regados.”

5And the rest you will know when I have examined those branches which have been planted and watered.”