Lake Apostolic Fathers 2 - Bible Translation

THE SHEPHERD, sim. ix. xxx. 2-5
mountain were found guiltless, the lord of the tower
commanded these to be brought from the roots of
this mountain for the building of the tower. For
he knew that if these stones go into the building
of the tower they will remain bright and none of
them will become black. 3. But if he had added
them from the other mountains he would have been
obliged to visit the tower again, and to purge it,
for all these have been found white, both past and
future believers, for they are of the same race.
Blessed is this race, because it is innocent. 4. Listen
now concerning the round and bright stones. They
also are all from this white mountain. Listen then
why they have been found round. Their riches
have hidden them a little from the truth and
darkened them, but they have never departed from
God, nor has any evil word proceeded from their
mouth, but all equity and virtue of truth. 5. When
therefore the Lord saw their minds, that they are
able to favour the truth and to remain good, he
commanded their wealth to be cut down, yet not to
be wholly taken away from them, that they may
be able to do some good with that which was left
them, and they shall live to God because they are of
a good kind. Therefore they were cut down a little,
and placed in the building of this tower.
29T