He said to me; "You know that you, who are the servants of God, are dwelling in a foreign land; for your own city is far from this one. If then you know your own city, in which you shall dwell, why do you prepare fields and expensive displays and buildings and dwelling chambers here [in this city] which are superfluous? Therefore, he who prepares these things for this city does not purpose to return to his own city. O foolish and double-minded and miserable man, don't you perceive that all these things are foreign, and are under the power of another? For the lord of this city shall say, 'I do not wish you to dwell in my city; go forth from this city, for you do not conform to my laws.'

"You, therefore, who have fields and dwellings and many other possessions, when you are cast out by him, what will you do with your field and your house and all the other things that you prepared for yourself? For the Lord of this country said to you justly, 'Either conform to my laws, or depart from my country.' What then will you do, who are under law in your own city? For the sake of your fields and the rest of your possessions will you altogether repudiate your law, and walk according to the law of this city? Be careful, lest it becomes inexpedient to repudiate [this city's] law; for if you should desire to return again to your own city, you will certainly not be received and will be shut out from it.

"Therefore, watch out; [since you are] dwelling in a strange land, and prepare nothing more for yourself but a living that is sufficient for you, and make ready so that, whenever the master of this city may desire to cast you out for your opposition to his law, you may go forth joyfully, free from all insult. Take heed, you who serve God and have Him in your heart: work the works of God, being mindful of His commandments and of the promises He made, and believe Him, that He will perform them, if His commandments are kept.

"Therefore, instead of fields buy souls that are in trouble, as each is able, and visit widows and orphans, and do not neglect them. Spend your riches on all your displays which you received from God, on fields and houses of this kind. For to this end the Master enriched you, so that you might perform these ministries for Him. It is much better to purchase fields and possessions and houses of this kind, which you will find in your own city, when you visit it. This lavish expenditure is beautiful and joyous, not bringing sadness or fear, but joy.

"The expenditure of the heathen, then, don't practise; for it is not convenient for you the servants of God. But practice your own expenditure, in which you can rejoice; and do not corrupt, nor touch what is another man's, nor lust after it; for it is wicked to lust after other men's possessions. But perform your own task, and you will be saved."
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As I walked in the field, and noticed an elm and a vine, and was distinguishing them and their fruits, the shepherd appeared to me and said; "What are you meditating within yourself?"

"I am thinking, Sir," I said, "about the elm and the vine. They are excellently suited to one another."

"These two trees," he said, "are appointed for an example to the servants of God."

"I would like to know, Sir," I said, "the example of which you speak."

"This vine," he said, "bears fruit. but the elm is an unfruitful stock. Yet this vine, unless it climbs up the elm, cannot bear much fruit. When it is spread on the ground, the fruit that it does bear is rotten, because it is not suspended on the elm. When then the vine is attached to the elm, it bears fruit both from itself and from the elm. You see then that the elm also bears fruit, not less than the vine, but rather more."

"How more, Sir?" I said.

"Because," he said, "the vine, when hanging on the elm, bears its fruit in abundance, and in good condition; but, when it is spread on the ground, it bears little fruit, and even that is rotten. This parable therefore is applicable to the servants of God, to poor and to rich alike."

"How, Sir?" I said; "instruct me."

"Listen," he said; "the rich man has much wealth, but in the things of the Lord he is poor, being distracted about his riches, and his confession and intercession with the Lord is very scanty. Even that which he gives is small and weak and doesn't have power above. When the rich man goes to the poor, and assists him in his needs, believing that for what he does to the poor man he shall obtain a reward with God -- because the poor man is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God -- the rich man then supplies all things to the poor man without wavering. But the poor man being supplied by the rich makes intercession for him, thanking God for the one who gave to him. The other is still more zealous to assist the poor man, so that he may sustain his life: for he knows the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and rich before God.

"They both then accomplish their work; the poor man makes intercession, wherein he is rich; this he renders again to the Lord Who supplies him with it. The rich man, in the same way, furnishes to the poor man, nothing doubting, the riches which he received from the Lord. This work is great and acceptable with God, because [the rich man] has understanding concerning his riches, and works for the poor man from the bounties of the Lord, and accomplishes the ministry of the Lord rightly.

"In the sight of men the elm seems not to bear any fruit, and they don't know, nor perceive that if there comes a drought, the elm having water nurtures the vine, and the vine having a constant supply of water bears fruit twofold, both for itself and for the elm. So likewise the poor, by interceding with the Lord for the rich, establishes their riches; and again the rich, supplying their needs to the poor, establish their souls. So then both are made partners in the righteous work. He who does these things shall not be abandoned by God, but shall be written in the books of the living. Blessed are the rich, who understand that they are enriched from the Lord; for they who have this mind shall be able to do some good work."
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He showed me many trees which had no leaves, but they seemed to me to be, as it were, withered; for they were all alike.

He said to me; "See these trees?"

"I see them, Sir," I said, "they are all alike, and are withered."

He answered and said to me; "These trees that you see are those who dwell in this world."

"Why then, Sir," I said, "are they as if they were withered, and alike?"

"Because," he said, "neither the righteous are distinguishable, nor the sinners in this world, but they are alike. For this world is winter to the righteous, and they are not distinguishable, as they dwell with the sinners. As in winter the trees, having shed their leaves, are alike, and are not distinguishable as to which are withered, and which alive, so also in this world neither the just nor the sinner are distinguishable, but they are all alike."
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He showed me many trees again, some of them sprouting, and others withered, and he said to me; "See these trees?"

"I see them, Sir," I said, "some of them sprouting, and others withered."

"These trees," he said, "which are sprouting are the righteous, who shall dwell in the world to come; for the world to come is summer to the righteous, but winter to the sinners. When the mercy of the Lord shines forth, then those who serve God shall bemade manifest; yes, and all men shall be made manifest, and recognised as to what sort they are. So also the fruits of the righteous shall be manifest, and all even the very smallest shall be known to be flourishing in that world. But the Gentiles andthe sinners, just as you saw the trees which were withered, thus shall they be found, withered and unfruitful in that world. They shall be burnt up as fuel, and shall be manifest, because their practice in their life has been evil. The sinners shall beburned, because they sinned and didn't repent; and the Gentiles shall be burned, because they didn't know the One who created them. Therefore, bear fruit, so that in the summer your fruit may be known.

"Abstain from overmuch business, and you will never fall into any sin. Those who busy themselves overmuch, sin much also, being distracted about their business, and in no wise serving their own Lord.

"How then," he said, "can such a man ask anything of the Lord and receive it, seeing that he doesn't serve the Lord? Those who serve Him shall receive their petitions, but those who don't serve the Lord shall receive nothing.

"If any one works just one single action [at a time], he is also able to serve the Lord; for his mind is not corrupted from [following] the Lord. He shall serve Him, because he keeps his mind pure. If you do these things, you will be able to bear fruitfor the world to come; yes, and whoever shall do these things, shall bear fruit."
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1. As I was fasting and seated on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all He had done to me, I saw the shepherd seated by me and saying; "Why have you come here in the early morning?"

"I am fasting, Sir," I said.

"What," he said, "is this fast which you are fasting?"

"As I was accustomed, Sir," I said, "so I fast."

"You don't know how to fast to the Lord," he said. "Neither is this a fast, this unprofitable fast which you make to Him."

"Why, Sir," I said, "do you say this?"

"I tell you," he said, "this is not a fast, which you think you are fasting; but I will teach you what is a complete fast and acceptable to the Lord. Listen," he said; "God doesn't desires such a vain fast; for by so fasting to God you will do nothing for righteousness. But fast to God such a fast as this; do no wickedness in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart; observe His commandments and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil desire rise up in your heart; but believe God. Then, if youwill do these things, and fear Him, and control yourself from every evil deed, you will live to God; and if you do these things, you will accomplish a great fast, and one acceptable to God.

2. "Hear this parable which I shall tell you relating to fasting. A certain man had an estate, and many slaves. A portion of his estate he planted as a vineyard; and choosing out a certain slave who was trusty and well-pleasing [and] held in honour, he called him to him and said to him; 'Take this vineyard which I have planted, and fence it till I come, but do nothing else to the vineyard. Now keep this commandment, and you will be free in my house.'

"Then the master of the servant went away to travel abroad. When he had gone away, the servant fenced the vineyard.

"Having finished the fencing of the vineyard, he noticed that the vineyard was full of weeds. He reasoned within himself, saying, 'This commandment of my lord I have carried out. Now, I will dig this vineyard, and it shall be neater; and when it has no weeds it will yield more fruit, because it isn't choked by the weeds.'

"He dug the vineyard, and plucked up all the weeds. That vineyard became very neat and flourishing, when it had no weeds to choke it.

"After a time the master of the servant came, and went into the vineyard. Seeing the vineyard fenced neatly, and dug as well, and all the weeds plucked up, and the vines flourishing, he rejoiced exceedingly at what his servant had done. So he called his beloved son, who was his heir, and the friends who were his advisers, and told them what he had commanded his servant, and how much he had found done. They rejoiced with the servant at the testimony which his master had borne to him.

"He said to them; 'I promised this servant his freedom, if he should keep the commandment which I commanded him; but he kept my commandment and did a good work besides to my vineyard, and pleased me greatly. For this work therefore which he has done, Idesire to make him joint-heir with my son, because, when the good thought struck him, he did not neglect it, but fulfilled it.'

"In this purpose the son of the master agreed with him, that the servant should be made joint-heir.

"After a few days, his master made a feast, and sent to him many dainties from the feast. But when the servant received the dainties sent to him by the master, he took, what was sufficient for him, and distributed the rest to his fellow-servants. His fellow-servants, when they received the dainties, rejoiced, and began to pray for him, that he might find greater favour with the master, because he had treated them so handsomely.

"All these things which had taken place his master heard, and again rejoiced greatly at his deed. So the master called together again his friends and his son, and announced to them the deed that he had done with regard to his dainties which he had received; and they still the more approved of his resolve, that his servant should be made joint-heir with his son."

3. I said, "Sir, I can't understand these parables unless you explain them for me."

"I will explain," he said. "Keep the commandments of the Lord, and you will be well-pleasing to God, and will be enrolled among the number of those who keep His commandments. But if you do any good thing outside the commandment of God, you will win for yourself more exceeding glory, and will be more glorious in the sight of God than you would otherwise have been. If then, while you keep the commandments of God, you add these services likewise, you will rejoice, if you observe them according to my commandment.

"This fasting," he said, "if the commandments of the Lord are kept, is very good. This then is the way, that you will keep this fast which you are about to observe. First of all, keep yourself from every evil word and every evil desire, and purify yourheart from all the vanities of this world. If you keep these things, this fast shall be perfect for you.

"Having fulfilled what is written, on the day on which you fast you must taste nothing but bread and water. From your meats, which you would have eaten, you must reckon up the amount of that day's expenditure, which you would have incurred, and give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to one in want. So must you humble your soul, so that he who has received from your humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and may pray for you to the Lord. If then you accomplish this fast, as I have commanded you, your sacrifice shall be acceptable in the sight of God, and this fasting shall be recorded; and the service so performed is beautiful and joyous and acceptable to the Lord. These things you must so observe, you and your children and your whole household; and, observing them, you will be blessed; yes, and all those, who shall hear and observe them, shall be blessed, and whatever things they shall ask of the Lord, they shall receive."
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1. As I sat in my house, and glorified the Lord for all the things I had seen, and was considering concerning the commandments, how that they were beautiful and powerful and gladsome and glorious and able to save man's soul, I said within myself; "Happy would I be, if I walked in these commandments; yes, and whoever shall walk in them shall be blessed."

As I spoke these things within myself, I saw him suddenly seated by me, and saying as follows; "Why are you of a doubtful mind concerning the commandments, which I commanded you? They are beautiful. Don't doubt at all; but clothe yourself in the faith ofthe Lord, and you will walk in them. I will strengthen you in them. These commandments are suitable for those who meditate repentance; for if they don't walk in them, their repentance is in vain.

"You then who repent, cast away the evil doings of this world which crush you; and, by putting on every excellence of righteousness, you shall be able to observe these commandments, and to add no more to your sins. If then you add no further sin at all, you will depart from your former sins. Walk then in these commandments, and you shall live to God. These things have all been told you from me."

After he had told these things to me, he said to me, "Let us go into the country, and I will show you the shepherds of the sheep."

"Let us go, Sir," I said.

We came to a certain plain, and he showed me a young man, a shepherd, clothed in a light cloak, of saffron colour. He was feeding a great number of sheep, and these sheep were, as it were, well fed and very frisky, and were gladsome as they skipped about this way and that. The shepherd himself was all gladsome over his flock; and the very visage of the shepherd was exceedingly gladsome; and he ran about among the sheep.

2. He said to me; "See this shepherd?"

"I see him, Sir," I said.

"This," he said, "is the angel of self-indulgence and of deceit. He crushes the souls of the servants of God, and perverts them from the truth, leading them astray with evil desires, wherein they perish. They forget the commandments of the living God, and walk in vain deceits and acts of self-indulgence, and are destroyed by this angel, some of them to death, and others to corruption."

I said to him, "Sir, I don't understand what you mean by 'to death,' and 'to corruption'."

"Listen," he said; "the sheep which you saw gladsome and skipping about, these are the ones who have been turned apart from God utterly, and have delivered themselves over to the lusts of this world. In these, therefore, there is no repentance to life. The Name of God is being blasphemed through them. The life of such persons is death.

"The sheep, which you saw not skipping about, but feeding in one place, these are those who have delivered themselves over to acts of self-indulgence and deceit, but have not uttered any blasphemy against the Lord. These then have been corrupted from thetruth. In these there is hope of repentance, wherein they can live. Corruption, then, has hope of a possible renewal, but death has eternal destruction."

Again we went forward a little way, and he showed me a great shepherd like a wild man in appearance, with a white goatskin thrown about him; and he had a kind of wallet on his shoulders, and a staff very hard and with knots in it, and a great whip. His look was very sour, so that I was afraid of him. This shepherd kept receiving from the younger shepherd, those sheep that were frisky and well-fed, but not skipping about, and putting them in a certain spot, which was precipitous and covered with thorns and briars, so that the sheep could not disentangle themselves from the thorns and briars. They pastured, entangled in this situation, and were beaten by him, until they were in great misery. He kept driving them about to and fro, and giving them no rest, and altogether those sheep didn't have a happy time.

3. When then I saw them so lashed with the whip and vexed, I was sorry for their sakes, because they were so tortured and had no rest at all. I said to the shepherd who was speaking with me; "Sir, who is this shepherd, who is so hard-hearted and severe, and has no compassion at all for these sheep?"

"He is one of the just angels, and presides over punishment. He receives those who wander away from God, and walk after the lusts and deceits of this life, and punishes them, as they deserve, with fearful and various punishments."

"I would like to learn, Sir," I said, "of what sort are those punishments."

"Listen," he said. "The various tortures and punishments are tortures belonging to the present life; for some are punished with losses, and others with want, and others with various maladies, and others with every kind of unsettlement, and others with insults from unworthy persons and with suffering in many other respects.

"Many, being unsettled in their plans, set their hands to many things, and nothing ever goes forward with them. Then they say that they do not prosper in their doings, and it does not enter into their heart that they have done evil deeds, but they blame the Lord.

"When they are afflicted with every kind of affliction, then they are delivered over to me for good instruction, and are strengthened in the faith of the Lord, and serve the Lord with a pure heart the remaining days of their life. If they repent, [the realisation of] the evil works which they have done rises up in their hearts, and then they glorify God, saying that He is a just Judge, and that they suffered justly each according to his doings. They serve the Lord from then on with a pure heart, and are prosperous in all their doings, receiving from the Lord whatever things they may ask. Then they glorify the Lord because they were delivered over to me, and they no longer suffer any evil thing."
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