er when it is dug, and
having no weeds will yield more fruit, not being choked by the weeds.
He took and dug the vineyard, and pulled out all the weeds which were
in the vineyard. And that vineyard became very beautiful and fertile
with no weeds to choke it. After a time the master of the servant and
the field came, and entered into the vineyard, and seeing the vineyard
beautifully fenced, and moreover, dug, and all the weeds pulled up and
vines fertile, he was greatly pleased at the acts of the servant. So
he called his beloved son, whom he had as heir, and his friends whom he
had as counsellors, and told them what he had ordered his servant, and
what he had found accomplished. And they congratulated the servant on
the character which the master gave him. And he said to them: 'I
promised this servant his freedom if he kept the orders which I gave
him. Now he has kept my orders, and has added good work in the
vineyard, and greatly pleased me. So in reward for this work which he
has done I wish to make him joint-heir with my son, because, when he
had a good thought he did not put it on one side, but carried {113} it
out. The son of the master agreed with this plan, that the servant
should be joint-heir with the son. After a few days he made a feast
and sent to him much food from the feast. But the servant took the
food which was sent to him by the master, kept what was sufficient for
himself, and distributed the rest to his fellow-servants. And his
fellow-servants were glad when they received the food, and began to
pray for him, that he might find greater favour with his master,
because he had treated them thus. His master heard of all these
doings, and again rejoiced greatly at his conduct. The master again
assembled his friends and his son, and reported to them what he had
done with the food which he had received, and they were still more
pleased that the servant should be made joint-heir with his son."

A little later on the angel explains this passage. There is first a
confused discussion as to the work of the Son, and it is not easy to be
sure whether the reference is to the Holy Spirit or to Jesus, but
finally the following clear statement is given: "The Holy Spirit which
is pre-existent, which created all creation, did God make to dwell in
the flesh which he willed. Therefore this flesh, in which the Holy
Spirit dwelled, served the Spirit well, walking in holiness and purity,
and did not in any way