Hippolytus: a bishop in Pontus foretells the judgment within a year (new translation)

XIX. Another man likewise in Pontus, he too the head of a church, a devout and humble man, but one who did not hold firmly to the Scriptures, believed instead the visions that he himself saw. For having proved right in a first, a second and a third dream, he began from then on to foretell things to the brethren as a prophet: “This I saw, and this is about to happen.” And once, having been led astray, he said: “Know, brethren, that after a year the judgment is to take place.” Hearing him foretell that “the day of the Lord is at hand”, they besought the Lord night and day with weeping and lamentation, having before their eyes the coming day of judgment. And he brought the brethren to such fear and dread that they let their lands and fields lie waste, and most of them sold off their possessions. And he said to them: “If it does not happen as I have said, then believe not even the Scriptures any longer, but let each of you do what he wishes.” But when they had waited for what would come about, and the year was completed, and none of the things he had spoken had happened, he himself was put to shame as one who had lied, while the Scriptures were shown to be true; and the brethren were found scandalized, so that afterwards their virgins married and the men went back to farming; and those who had rashly sold their possessions were found later begging.