Afflicted for His Household

A few days later I saw him on the same plain where I had also seen the shepherds, and he said to me, “What are you looking for?” “I am here, sir,” I said, “to ask you to order the shepherd who punishes to leave my house, because he is afflicting me terribly.” “You have to be afflicted,” he said, “for that is what the glorious angel ordered concerning you: he wants you to be tested.” “What have I done that is so bad, sir,” I said, “that I should be handed over to this angel?” [a]

“Listen,” he said. “Your sins are many, but not so many that you should be handed over to this angel. Your household, though, has done great acts of lawlessness and great sins, and the glorious angel was embittered at what they did. That is why he ordered you to be afflicted for a time — so that they too would repent and clean themselves of every craving of this present age. When they have repented and been made clean, then the angel of punishment will leave you.” “Sir,” I said, “if they are the ones who have done such things that the glorious angel is embittered against them, what have I done?” “There is no other way for them to be afflicted,” he said, “unless you, the head of the house, are afflicted. When you are afflicted, they cannot help being afflicted too; but as long as you are comfortable, they can feel no affliction at all.”

“But look, sir,” I said, “they have repented with their whole heart.” “I know that too,” he said, “that they have repented with their whole heart. So do you think the sins of people who repent are forgiven right away? Not entirely. The one who repents has to torture his own soul, and humble himself hard in everything he does, and be afflicted with all kinds of affliction. And if he holds up under the afflictions that come on him, then the one who made all things and gave them their strength will surely be moved with pity and will give him some healing — and he will certainly do it, if he sees that the heart of the one repenting is clean of every evil thing. “And it is good for you and for your household to be afflicted now. But why should I say much to you? You must be afflicted, just as that angel of the Lord ordered — the one who handed you over to me. And give thanks to the Lord for this: that he counted you worthy to show you the affliction beforehand, so that knowing it in advance you could hold up under it with strength.”

“Sir,” I said, “stay with me, and I will be able to hold up under any affliction.” “I will be with you,” he said, “and I will also ask the punishing angel to afflict you more lightly. Still, you will be afflicted for a short time, and then you will be put back in your house again. Only stay humble, and serve the Lord with a completely clean heart — you and your children and your household — and walk in the commands I am giving you, and your repentance will be able to be strong and clean. And if you and your household keep these commands, every affliction will leave you.” “And affliction will leave everyone,” he said, “who walks in these commands of mine.”