2 At one time I saw her bathing in the Tiber, so I gave her my hand, leading her out of the river. I pondered her in my heart, saying, “How blessed would I be to have a woman of such good beauty and character as my wife.” This I thought, and nothing more.
3 After this, as I was journeying to Cumae, I glorified the creations of God. As it were, I tired and fell asleep as I walked. And while I slept, a spirit took me, carrying me away to an unexplored expanse, through which no man had ever walked. The place was filled with running waters, and the rock was broken and cracked because of it. When I had crossed these waters, I knelt down and prayed to the Lord, confessing to him my sins.
4 And as I prayed, heaven was opened, and the woman whom I had loved greeted me, saying, “May the Lord bless you in the day to come, Hermas.”
5 Upon seeing her, I said, “Woman, what are you doing here?” She answered me, “I was taken up into heaven that I might accuse you of your sins before the Lord.”