1 These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not at my own instance, but because you first invited me. 2. For neither am I, nor is any other like me, able to follow the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who when he was among you in the presence of the men of that time taught accurately and steadfastly the word of truth, and also when he was absent wrote letters to you, from the study of which you will be able to build yourselves up into the faith given you; 3. which is the mother of us all, when faith follows, and love of God and of neighbour goes before. For if one be in this company he has fulfilled the command of righteousness, for he who has love is far from all sin.

IV

1 "But the beginning of all evils is the love of money." Knowing therefore that "we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it," let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness, and let us first of all teach ourselves to walk in the commandment of God; 2. next teach our wives to remain in the faith given to them, and in love and purity, tenderly loving their husbands in all truth, and loving all others equally in all chastity, and to educate their children in the fear of God. 3. Let us teach the widows to be discreet in the faith, praying ceaselessly for all men, being far from all slander, evil speaking, false witness, love of money, and all evil, knowing that they are an altar of God, and that all offerings are tested, and that nothing escapes Him of reasonings or thoughts, or of "the secret things of the heart."

V

1 Knowing then that "God is not mocked," we ought to walk worthily of His commandment and glory. 2. Likewise must the deacons be blameless before His righteousness, as servants of God and not of man, not slanderers, not double-tongued, not lovers of money, temperate in all things, compassionate, careful, walking according to the truth, as the messenger of God, who was the servant of all, walked. For if we please God in this present world we shall receive from Him that which is to come; even as He promised us to raise us from the dead, and that if we are worthy citizens of His community, we shall also be given a place of honour, if we have but faith. 3. Likewise also let the younger men be blameless in all things, caring above all for purity, and curbing themselves from all evil; for it is good to be cut off from the lust of the things in the world, because every lust wars against the spirit, and neither fornicators nor the effeminate nor sodomites shall inherit the Kingdom of God, nor they who do iniquitous things. Wherefore it is necessary to refrain from all these things, and to be subject to the presbyters and deacons as to servants of God. The virgins must walk with a blameless and pure conscience.

VI

1 And let the presbyters also be compassionate, merciful to all, bringing back those that have wandered, caring for all the weak, neglecting neither widow, nor orphan, nor poor, but "ever providing for that which is good before God and man," refraining from all wrath, respect of persons, unjust judgment, being far from all love of money, not quickly believing evil of any, not hasty in judgment, knowing that "we all owe the debt of sin." 2. If then we pray to our Lord to forgive us, we also ought to forgive, for we stand before the eyes of God, and we must all appear before the judgment seat of God, and each must give an account of himself. 3. So then let us serve Him with fear and all reverence, as He Himself commanded us, and as did the Apostles, who brought us the Gospel, and the Prophets who foretold the coming of the messenger. Let us be zealous for good, refraining from offence, and from the false brethren, and from those who bear the name of God in hypocrisy, who deceive empty-minded men.

VII

1 For everyone who does not confess that Jesus came as a man of flesh is in error; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the words of God for his own lusts, and says that there is neither resurrection nor judgment, this man is the first-born of Satan. 2. Wherefore, leaving the foolishness of the crowd, and their false teaching, let us turn back to the word which was delivered to us in the beginning, watching unto prayer and persevering in fasting, beseeching the all-seeing God in our supplications not to lead us into temptation, even as the messenger said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

VIII

1 Let us then persevere unceasingly in our hope, and in the pledge of our righteousness, which is the mercy of God, who sent Jesus, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, but who for our sakes, that we might live, endured all things. 2. Let us then be imitators of his endurance, and if we suffer for the sake of God's name let us glorify God. For this is the example which he gave us, and this is what we have believed.

IX

1 Now I beseech you all to obey the word of righteousness, and to endure with all the endurance which you also saw before your eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and in the other Apostles; 2. being persuaded that all of these "ran not in vain," but in faith and righteousness, and that they are with God in the place which is their due, with whom they also suffered. For they did not love this present world, but Him who has power over death, and who raised His messenger for our sakes.

X

1 Stand fast therefore in these things and follow the example of the messenger, firm and unchangeable in faith, loving the brotherhood, affectionate to one another, joined together in the truth, forestalling one another in gentleness, despising no man. 2. When you can do good defer it not, for almsgiving sets free from death; be you all subject one to the other, having your conversation blameless among the Gentiles, that you may receive praise for your good works and that the name of God be not blasphemed in you. 3. But woe to him through whom the name of God is blasphemed. Therefore teach sobriety to all and show it forth in your own lives.

XI

1 I am deeply sorry for Valens, who was once made a presbyter among you, that he so little understands the place which was given to him. I advise, therefore, that you keep from avarice, and be pure and truthful. Keep yourselves from all evil. 2. For how may he who cannot attain self-control in these matters enjoin it on another? If any man does not abstain from avarice he will be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as if he were among the Gentiles who know not the judgment of God. Or do we not know that the saints shall be witnesses over the world, as Paul teaches? 3. But I have neither perceived nor heard any such thing among you, among whom the blessed Paul laboured, who are praised in the beginning of his Epistle. For concerning you he boasts in all the Churches who then alone had known God, for we had not yet known Him. 4. Therefore, brethren, I am deeply sorry for him and for his wife, and may God grant them true repentance. Therefore be yourselves also moderate in this matter, and do not regard such men as enemies, but call them back as fallible and straying members, that you may make whole the body of you all. For in doing this you edify yourselves.

XII

1 For I am confident that you are well versed in the Scriptures, and from you nothing is hid; but to me this is not granted. Only, as it is said in these Scriptures, "Be angry and sin not," and "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Blessed is the man who remembers this, and I believe that it is so with you. 2. Now may God, the Lord of our teacher Jesus, son of Mary, build you up in faith and truth, and in all gentleness, and without wrath, and in patience, and in longsuffering, and endurance, and purity, and may He give you lot and part with His saints, and to us with you, and to all under heaven who shall believe in God, who raised His messenger from the dead. 3. Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, and for potentates, and princes, and for those who persecute you and hate you, and for the enemies of the truth, that your fruit may be manifest among all men, that you may be perfected in Him.

XIII

1 Both you and Ignatius wrote to me that if anyone was going to Syria he should also take your letters. I will do this if I have a convenient opportunity, either myself or the man whom I am sending as a representative for you and me. 2. We send you, as you asked, the letters of Ignatius, which were sent to us by him, and others which we had by us. These are subjoined to this letter, and you will be able to benefit greatly from them. For they contain faith, patience, and all the edification which pertains to our Lord. Let us know anything further which you have heard about Ignatius himself and those who are with him.

XIV

1 I have written this to you by Crescens, whom I commended to you when I was present, and now commend again. For he has behaved blamelessly among us, and I believe that he will do the same with you. His sister shall be commended to you when she comes to you. Farewell in the Lord, in grace, with all who are yours. Amen.

The Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

The Lord's teaching to the nations by the Twelve Apostles.

I

1 There are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the two Ways.

2 The Way of Life is this: "First, you shall love the God who made you, secondly, your neighbour as yourself; and whatsoever you would not have done to yourself, do not do to another."

3 Now, the teaching of these words is this: "Bless those that curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those that persecute you. For what credit is it to you if you love those that love you? Do not even the heathen do the same?" But, for your part, "love those that hate you," and you will have no enemy. 4. "Abstain from carnal and bodily lusts." "If any man smite you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also," and you will be perfect. "If any man impress you to go with him one mile, go with him two. If any man take your coat, give him your shirt also. If any man will take from you what is yours, refuse it not." 5. Give to everyone that asks you, and do not refuse, for it is God's will that we give to all from the gifts we have received. Blessed is he that gives according to the commandment; for he is innocent. Woe to him who receives; for if any man receive alms under pressure of need he is innocent; but he who receives it without need shall be tried as to why he took and for what, and being in prison he shall be examined as to his deeds, and "he shall not come out thence until he pay the last farthing." 6. But concerning this it was also said, "Let your alms sweat into your hands until you know to whom you are giving."

II

1 But the second commandment of the teaching is this: 2. You shall do no murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not commit sodomy; you shall not commit fornication; you shall not steal; you shall not use magic; you shall not use philtres; you shall not procure abortion, nor commit infanticide; "you shall not covet your neighbour's goods"; 3. you shall not commit perjury, "you shall not bear false witness"; you shall not speak evil; you shall not bear malice. 4. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is the snare of death. 5. Your speech shall not be false nor vain, but completed in action. 6. You shall not be covetous nor extortionate, nor a hypocrite, nor malignant, nor proud; you shall make no evil plan against your neighbour. 7. You shall hate no man; but some you shall reprove, and for some shall you pray, and some you shall love more than your own life.

III

1 My child, flee from every evil man and from all like him. 2. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads to murder, nor jealous, nor contentious, nor passionate, for from all these murders are engendered. 3. My child, be not lustful, for lust leads to fornication, nor a speaker of base words, nor a lifter up of the eyes, for from all these is adultery engendered. 4. My child, regard not omens, for this leads to idolatry; neither be an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a magician, neither wish to see these things, for from them all is idolatry engendered. 5. My child, be not a liar, for lying leads to theft, nor a lover of money, nor vain-glorious, for from all these things thefts are engendered. 6. My child, be not a murmurer, for it leads to blasphemy, nor self-willed nor evil-minded, for from all these blasphemies are engendered. 7. But be meek, for "the meek shall inherit the earth." 8. Be long-suffering and merciful and guileless and quiet and good, and trembling at the words which you have heard, always. 9. You shall not exalt yourself, nor give boldness to your soul. Your soul shall not be joined with the lofty, but with the righteous and humble shall you walk. 10. The events that befall you accept as good, knowing that apart from God nothing happens.

IV

1 My child, you shall remember, day and night, him who speaks the word of God to you, and you shall honour him as a servant of God, for where the commandments of God are spoken of, there God's guidance is present. 2. And you shall seek daily the presence of the saints, that you may find rest in their words. 3. You shall not desire a schism, but shall reconcile those that strive. You shall give righteous judgment; you shall favour no man's person in reproving transgression. 4. You shall not be of two minds whether it shall be or not.

5 Be not one who stretches out his hands to receive, but shuts them when it comes to giving. 6. Of whatsoever you have gained by your hands you shall give, as a ransom for your sins. 7. You shall not hesitate to give, nor shall you grumble when you give, for you shall know who is the good Paymaster of the reward. 8. You shall not turn away the needy, but shall share everything with your brother, and shall not say that it is your own, for if you are sharers in the imperishable, how much more in the things which perish?

9 You shall not withhold your hand from your son or from your daughter, but you shall teach them the fear of God from their youth up. 10. You shall not command in your bitterness your slave or your handmaid, who hope in the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over you both; for He does not come to call men with respect of persons, but those whom He has prepared. 11. But do you who are slaves be subject to your masters in reverence and fear of God.

12 You shall hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to God. 13. You shall not forsake the commandments of God, but you shall keep what you received, adding nothing to it and taking nothing away. 14. In the congregation you shall confess your transgressions, and you shall not betake yourself to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

V

1 But the Way of Death is this: First of all, it is wicked and full of cursing, murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, witchcrafts, charms, robberies, false witness, hypocrisies, a double heart, fraud, pride, malice, stubbornness, covetousness, foul speech, jealousy, impudence, haughtiness, boastfulness. 2. Persecutors of the good, haters of truth, lovers of lies, knowing not the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to the good nor to righteous judgment, spending wakeful nights not for good but for wickedness, from whom meekness and patience is far, lovers of vanity, following after reward, unmerciful to the poor, not working for him who is oppressed with toil, without knowledge of Him who made them, murderers of children, corrupters of God's creatures, turning away the needy, oppressing the distressed, advocates of the rich, unjust judges of the poor, altogether sinful; may you be delivered, my children, from all these.

VI

1 See that no one makes you err from this Way of the teaching, for he teaches you apart from God. 2. For if you can bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect, but if you cannot, do what you can. 3. And concerning food, bear what you can, but keep strictly from that which is offered to idols, for it is the worship of dead gods.

VII

1 Concerning baptism, baptise thus: Having first rehearsed all these things, baptise in the Name of God, the One, in running water; 2. but if you have no running water, baptise in other water, and if you cannot in cold, then in warm. 3. But if you have neither, pour water three times on the head in the Name of God. 4. And before the baptism let the baptiser and him who is to be baptised fast, and any others who are able. And you shall bid him who is to be baptised to fast one or two days before.

VIII

1 Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on Mondays and Thursdays, but do you fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. 2. And do not pray as the hypocrites, but as the messenger commanded, pray thus: "Our Lord, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, as in Heaven so also upon earth; give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debt as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into trial, but deliver us from the Evil One, for Yours is the power and the glory for ever." 3. Pray thus three times a day.

IX

1 And concerning the thanksgiving meal, give thanks thus: 2. First concerning the Cup: "We give thanks to You, our Lord, for the holy vine of David Your servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant; to You be glory for ever." 3. And concerning the broken Bread: "We give You thanks, our Lord, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant. To You be glory for ever. 4. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains, but was brought together and became one, so let Your community be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom, for Yours is the glory and the power for ever." 5. But let none eat or drink of your thanksgiving meal except those who have been baptised in the Name of God. For concerning this also it was said, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."

X

1 But after you are satisfied with food, thus give thanks: 2. "We give thanks to You, O Holy Lord, for Your Holy Name which You made to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant. To You be glory for ever. 3. You, Lord Almighty, created all things for Your Name's sake, and gave food and drink to men for their enjoyment, that they might give thanks to You, but us have You blessed with spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Your servant. 4. Above all we give thanks to You for that You are mighty. To You be glory for ever. 5. Remember, Lord, Your community, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Your love, and gather it together in its holiness from the four winds to Your kingdom which You have prepared for it. For Yours is the power and the glory for ever. 6. Let grace come and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If any man be holy, let him come; if any man be not, let him repent. Amen."

7 But suffer the prophets to give thanks as they will.

XI

1 Whosoever then comes and teaches you all these things aforesaid, receive him. 2. But if the teacher himself be perverted and teach another doctrine to destroy these things, do not listen to him, but if his teaching be for the increase of righteousness and knowledge of God, receive him as a messenger of God.

3 And concerning the Apostles and Prophets, act thus according to the ordinance of the Gospel. 4. Let every Apostle who comes to you be received as a messenger of God, 5. but let him not stay more than one day, or if need be a second as well; but if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. 6. And when an Apostle goes forth let him accept nothing but bread till he reaches his night's lodging; but if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

7 Do not test or examine any prophet who is speaking in a spirit, for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. 8. But not everyone who speaks in a spirit is a prophet, except he have the behaviour of the righteous. From his behaviour, then, the false prophet and the true prophet shall be known. 9. And no prophet who orders a meal in a spirit shall eat of it: otherwise he is a false prophet. 10. And every prophet who teaches the truth, if he does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. 11. But no prophet who has been tried and is genuine, though he enact a worldly mystery of the Church, if he does not teach others to do what he does himself, shall be judged by you: for he has his judgment with God, for so also did the prophets of old. 12. But whosoever shall say in a spirit, "Give me money, or something else," you shall not listen to him; but if he tells you to give on behalf of others in want, let none judge him.

XII

1 Let everyone who comes in the Name of the Lord be received; but when you have tested him you shall know him, for you shall have understanding of true and false. 2. If he who comes is a traveller, help him as much as you can, but he shall not remain with you more than two days, or, if need be, three. 3. And if he wishes to settle among you and has a craft, let him work for his bread. 4. But if he has no craft, provide for him according to your understanding, so that no believer shall live among you in idleness. 5. But if he will not do so, he is making traffic of his faith; beware of such.

XIII

1 But every true prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food. 2. Likewise a true teacher is himself worthy, like the workman, of his food. 3. Therefore you shall take the firstfruit of the produce of the winepress and of the threshing-floor and of oxen and sheep, and shall give them as the firstfruits, in charity, to the prophets, for they are your teachers. 4. But if you have not a prophet, give to the poor. 5. If you make bread, take the firstfruits, and give it according to the commandment. 6. Likewise when you open a jar of wine or oil, give the firstfruits to the prophets. 7. Of money also and clothes, and of all your possessions, take the firstfruits, as it seems best to you, and give according to the commandment.

XIV

1 On the Lord's Day come together, break bread and give thanks, after confessing your transgressions that your offering may be pure; 2. but let none who has a quarrel with his fellow join in your meeting until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice be not defiled. 3. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord, "In every place and time offer Me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King," says the Lord, "and My name is wonderful among the nations."

XV

1 Appoint therefore for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, meek men, and not lovers of money, and truthful and approved, for they also minister to you the ministry of the prophets and teachers. 2. Therefore do not despise them, for they are your honourable men together with the prophets and teachers.

3 And reprove one another, not in wrath but in peace, as you find in the Gospel, and let none speak with any who has done a wrong to his neighbour, nor let him hear a word from you until he repents.