The Shepherd of Hermas 8 — Mandate 3

¹Again he saith to me; "Love truth, and let nothing but truth proceed out of thy mouth, that the Spirit which Elohim (God) made to dwell in this flesh, may be found true in the sight of all men; and thus shall Yahuah (Lord), Who dwelleth in thee, be glorified; for Yahuah (Lord) is true in every word, and with Him there is no falsehood. They therefore that speak lies set Yahuah (Lord) at nought, and become robbers of Yahuah (Lord), for they do not deliver up to Him the deposit which they received. For they received of Him a spirit free from lies. This if they shall return a lying spirit, they have defiled the commandment of Yahuah (Lord) and have become robbers." When then I heard these things, I wept bitterly. But seeing me weep he saith, "Why weepest thou?" "Because, Sir," say I "I know not if I can be saved." "Why so?" saith he. "Because, Sir," I say, "never in my life spake I a true word, but I always lied deceitfully with all men and dressed up my falsehood as truth before all men; and no man ever contradicted me, but confidence was placed in my word. How then, Sir," say I, "can I live, seeing that I have done these things?" "Your supposition," he saith, "is right and true, for it behoved thee as a servant of Elohim (God) to walk in truth, and no complicity with evil should abide with the Spirit of truth, nor bring grief to the Spirit which is holy and true." "Never, Sir," say I, "heard I clearly words such as these." "Now then," saith he, "thou hearest. Guard them, that the former falsehoods also which thou spakest in thy business affairs may themselves become credible, now that these are found true; for they too can become trustworthy. If thou keep these things, and from henceforward speak nothing but truth, thou shalt be able to secure life for thyself And whosoever shall hear this command, and abstain from falsehood, that most pernicious habit, shall live unto Elohim (God)."