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Testament of Judah

Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs

About this book
Chapter 20

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. 4 There is never a moment when our deeds can be hidden, because they are recorded on the heart itself before the Lord. 5 The spirit of truth reveals everything and brings all to account; and the sinner is condemned by his own heart, unable to lift his face before the Judge.⁠

Texts in conversation

Compare Testament of Judah 20:1 and Shepherd of Hermas 36:1

Pseudepigrapha, Testaments · Early Christian

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Summary

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.

Passages

Testament of Judah 20:1

Pseudepigrapha, Testaments · Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs
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.
100 BCE – 100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Testament of Judah

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.
90–140 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Shepherd of Hermas

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." ...
Carolyn Osiek, Shepherd of Hermas: A Commentary, ed. Helmut Koester (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999), 124.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Testament of Judah 20:1 and Shepherd of Hermas 36:1

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