Pastor de Hermas 76

1“E os que entregaram os seus ramos verdes, mas com as pontas secas e rachadas, estes foram sempre bons e fiéis e distintos diante de Deus; mas pecaram muito pouco, entregando-se a pequenos desejos e achando pequenas faltas uns nos outros. Mas ao ouvir as minhas palavras a maior parte deles se arrependeu depressa, e a sua morada foi sobre a torre. Contudo alguns deles estavam em dúvida; e certos deles que estavam em dúvida causaram maior dissensão.

1“And they who gave in their branches green, but having the tips withered and cracked, these were always good, and faithful, and distinguished before God; but they sinned a very little through indulging small desires, and finding little faults with one another. But on hearing my words the greater part of them quickly repented, and their dwelling was upon the tower. Yet some of them were in doubt; and certain of them who were in doubt wrought greater dissension.

2Entre estes, portanto, há esperança de arrependimento, porque foram sempre bons; e dificilmente algum deles perecerá. E os que entregaram os seus ramos secos, mas tendo uma parte muito pequena verde, são os que apenas creram, mas continuam a operar as obras da iniquidade. Nunca, porém, se afastaram de Deus, mas alegremente levaram o seu nome e receberam jubilosamente os seus servos nas suas casas.

2Among these, therefore, is hope of repentance, because they were always good; and with difficulty will any one of them perish. And they who gave up their branches withered, but having a very small part green, are those who believed only, yet continue working the works of iniquity. They never, however, departed from God, but gladly bore His name, and joyfully received His servants into their houses.

3Tendo, portanto, ouvido este arrependimento, arrependeram-se sem hesitação e praticam toda virtude e justiça; e alguns deles até [sofreram, sendo voluntariamente postos à morte], conhecendo as suas obras que tinham feito. De todos estes, portanto, a morada será na torre.”

3Having accordingly heard of this repentance, they unhesitatingly repented, and practise all virtue and righteousness; and some of them even [suffered, being willingly put to death], knowing their deeds which they had done. Of all these, therefore, the dwelling shall be in the tower.”