Shepherd of Hermas (COMMAND 10)
COMMAND X Of the sadness of the heart; and that we must take, heed not to grieve the spirit of Alahym that is in us.
PUT all sadness far from thee; for it is the sister of doubting and of anger. How, sir, said I is it the sister of these? For sadness, and anger, and doubting, seem to me to be very different from one another.
2 And he answered: Art thou without sense that thou dost not understand it? For sadness is the most mischievous of all spirits, and the worst to the servants of Alahym: It destroys the spirits of all men, and torments the Holy Spirit, and it saves again.
3 Sir, said I, I am very foolish, and understand not these things. I cannot apprehend how it can torment, and yet save. Hear, said he, and understand. They who never sought out the truth, nor inquired concerning the majesty of Alahym, but only believed, are involved in the affairs of the heathen.
4 And there is another lying prophet that destroys the minds of the servants of Alahym; that is of those that are doubtful, not of those that fully trust in Yahuwah. Now those doubtful persons come to him, as to a divine spirit, and inquire of him what shall befall them.
5 And this lying prophet, having no power in him of the Divine Spirit, answers them according to their demands, and fills their souls with promises according as they desire. Howbeit that prophet is vain, and answers vain things to those who are themselves vain.
6 And whatsoever is asked of him by vain men, he answers them vainly; nevertheless he speaketh some things truly. For the Devil fills him with his spirit, that he may overthrow some of the righteous.
7 Whosoever therefore are strong in the faith of Yahuwah, and have put on the truth; they are not joined to such spirits, but depart from them. But they that are doubtful, and often repenting, like the heathens, consult them, and heap up to themselves great sin, serving idols.
8 As many therefore as are such, inquire of them upon every occasion; worship idols, and are foolish; and void of the truth. For every spirit that is given from Alahym needs not to be asked: but having the power of divinity speaks all things of itself, because he comes from above; from the power of Alahym.
10 But he, that being asked speaks according to men's desires and concerning many other affairs of this present world, understands not the tidings which relate unto Alahym. For these spirits are darkened through such affairs, and corrupted, and broken. \
11 As good vines if they are neg- lected, are oppressed with weeds and thorns, and at last killed by them; so are the men who believe such spirits.
12 They fall into many actions and businesses, and are void of sense, and when they think of things pertaining unto Alahym, they understand nothing at all; but at any time they chance to hear any thing concerning Yahuwah, their thoughts are upon their business.
13 But they that have the fear of Yahuwah, and search out the truth concerning Alahym, having all their thoughts towards Yahuwah; apprehend whatsoever is said to them, and forthwith understand it, because they have the fear of Yahuwah in them.
14 For where the spirit of Yahuwah dwells, there is also much understanding added. Wherefore join thyself to Yahuwah, and thou shalt understand all things.
15 Learn now, O unwise man! how sadness troubleth the Holy Spirit, and how it saves. When a man that is doubtful is engaged in any affair, and does not accomplish it by reason of his doubting; this sadness enters into him, and grieves the Holy Spirit, and makes him sad.
16 Again anger, when it over, takes any man for any business he is greatly moved; and then again sadness entereth into the heart of him, who was moved with anger, and he is troubled for what he hath done, and repenteth, because he hath done amiss.
17 This sadness therefore seemeth to bring salvation, because he repenteth of his evil deed. But both the other things, namely, doubting and sadness, such as before was mentioned, vex the spirit: doubting, be- cause his work did not succeed; and sadness, because he angered the Holy Spirit.
18 Remove therefore sadness from thyself, and afflict not the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in thee, lest he entreat Alahym, and depart from thee. For the spirit of Yahuwah which is given to dwell in the flesh, endureth no such sadness.
19 Wherefore clothe thyself with cheerfulness, which has always favour with Yahuwah, and thou shalt rejoice in it. For every cheerful man does well; and relishes those things that are good, and despises sadness.
20 But the sad man does always wickedly. First, he doth wickedly, because he grieveth the Holy Spirit, which is given to man being of a cheerful nature. And again he does ill, because be prays with sadness unto Yahuwah, and maketh not first a thankful acknowledgment unto him of former mercies, and obtains not of Alahym what he asks.
21 For the prayer of a sad man has not always efficacy to come up to the altar of Alahym. And I said unto him, Sir, why has not the prayer of a sad man virtue to come up to the altar of Alahym? Because, said he, that sadness remaineth in his heart.
22 When therefore a man's prayer shall be accompanied with sadness, it will not suffer his requests to ascend pure to the altar of Alahym. For as wine when it is mingled with vinegar, has not the sweetness it had before; so sadness being mixed with the Holy Spirit, suffers not a man's prayer to be the same as it would be otherwise.
23 Wherefore cleanse thyself from sadness, which is evil, and thou shalt live unto Alahym. And all others shall live unto Alahym, as many as shall lay aside sadness, and put on cheerfulness.