Pastor de Hermas 73

1“E quantos entregaram os ramos meio secos e rachados, ouve também a respeito deles. Aqueles cujos ramos estavam meio secos no mesmo grau são os vacilantes; pois nem vivem, nem estão mortos. E os que os têm meio secos e rachados são ao mesmo tempo vacilantes e caluniadores, [injuriando os ausentes,] e nunca em paz uns com os outros, mas sempre em desacordo. E contudo também para estes,” continuou, “é possível o arrependimento.

1“And as many as gave in the branches half-withered and cracked, hear also about them. They whose branches were half-withered to the same extent are the wavering; for they neither live, nor are they dead. And they who have them half-withered and cracked are both waverers and slanderers, [railing against the absent,] and never at peace with one another, but always at variance. And yet to these also,” he continued, “repentance is possible.

2Vês,” disse, “que alguns deles se arrependeram, e ainda resta neles,” continuou, “uma esperança de arrependimento. E quantos deles,” acrescentou, “se arrependeram terão a sua morada na torre. E os que dentre eles foram mais lentos em arrepender-se habitarão dentro dos muros. E quantos não se arrependerem de todo, mas permanecerem nas suas obras, perecerão totalmente.

2You see,” he said, “that some of them have repented, and there is still remaining in them,” he continued, “a hope of repentance. And as many of them,” he added, “as have repented, shall have their dwelling in the tower. And those of them who have been slower in repenting shall dwell within the walls. And as many as do not repent at all, but abide in their deeds, shall utterly perish.

3E os que entregaram os seus ramos verdes e rachados foram sempre fiéis e bons, embora emulando-se uns aos outros pelos primeiros lugares e pela fama: ora, todos estes são tolos em entregar-se a tal rivalidade. Contudo também eles, sendo naturalmente bons, ao ouvir os meus mandamentos, purificaram-se e logo se arrependeram. A sua morada, portanto, foi na torre. Mas se algum recair na contenda, será lançado fora da torre e perderá a vida.

3And they who gave in their branches green and cracked were always faithful and good, though emulous of each other about the foremost places, and about fame: now all these are foolish, in indulging in such a rivalry. Yet they also, being naturally good, on hearing my commandments, purified themselves, and soon repented. Their dwelling, accordingly, was in the tower. But if any one relapse into strife, he will be cast out of the tower, and will lose his life.

4A vida é a posse de todos os que guardam os mandamentos do Senhor; mas nos mandamentos não há rivalidade quanto aos primeiros lugares, ou glória de qualquer espécie, mas quanto à paciência e à humildade pessoal. Entre tais pessoas, pois, está a vida do Senhor, mas entre os contenciosos e transgressores, a morte.”

4Life is the possession of all who keep the commandments of the Lord; but in the commandments there is no rivalry in regard to the first places, or glory of any kind, but in regard to patience and personal humility. Among such persons, then, is the life of the Lord, but amongst the quarrelsome and transgressors, death.”