Texts in Conversation
The Testament of Judah describes two spirits with every person, one of truth and one of deceit, with the mind free to choose one. The Shepherd of Hermas echoes this, describing an angel of righteousness and an angel of wickedness for each person.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Testament of Judah 20:1
Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs
Pseudepigrapha, Testaments
1 So understand this, my children: two spirits are always present with a person, the spirit of truth and the spirit of dishonesty. 2 Between them is the spirit of understanding, which belongs to the mind and has the freedom to choose whatever it wants. 3 The actions inspired by truth and those inspired by dishonesty are written on every person's heart, and the Lord knows them all.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:1
Early Christian
1 “Listen now,” he said, “about faith. There are two angels with a person, one of righteousness and one of wickedness.” 2 “Then how, Sir,” I said, “will I recognize their actions, since both angels live with me?” 3 “Listen,” he said, “and understand their workings. The angel of righteousness is delicate and shy and gentle and calm. When this one enters your heart, at once he speaks to you of righteousness, purity, holiness, and contentment, of every righteous deed and every glorious virtue. When all these things enter your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. These, then, are the actions of the angel of righteousness. Trust him and his works.
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Notes and References
... The two workings or two ways of the previous chapter are here personified as two accompanying "angels" (ἄγγελοι, verse 1), one that moves a person to justice (δικαιοσύνη) and the other to evil (πονηρία). While the two spirits of Mandate 5.1.3 and 2.5 are spoken of as dwelling within the person, the two angels live with μετὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ... κατοικοῦσιν (verses 1-2); but the difference is not deliberate, for in verses 3-4, both angels enter the heart. Very similar to the two angels described here, and usually cited, is Testament of Judah 20.1-2: "two spirits (πνεύματα) await an opportunity with humanity: the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. In between is the conscience of the mind which inclines as it will." ...
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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