Didascalia Apostolorum (Gibson translation)

Didascalia Apostolorum (Gibson translation)

3rd century

A Syrian church order of the early third century, put under the name of the twelve apostles. It teaches bishops, presbyters, deacons, widows and laity how to live and govern the church, and deals with penance, the care of the poor, fasting, persecution and the Passover. It is the oldest of the church orders on which the Apostolic Constitutions were later built.

Prologue

1 In the name of the Father Almighty, and of the Eternal Word and only Son, and of the Holy Ghost, one true God. We begin to write the Book Didascalia, as the holy Apostles of our Lord appointed to us, with regard to the presiding officers of the Holy Church, and the Canons and the Laws for believers as they commanded in it. 2 We, then, twelve Apostles of the only Son, the Everlasting Word of God, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, being assembled with one accord in Jerusalem the city of the great King, and with us our brother Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, and James the Bishop of the above-mentioned city, have established this Didascalia, in which are included the Confession and the Creed, and we have named all the Ordinances, as the ordinances of the heavenly bodies, and thus again the Ordinances of the Holy Church. We assert that every one shall stand and confess and believe in what has been allotted to him by God; that is to say, the Bishop as a shepherd; the Elders as teachers; the Deacons as ministers; the Subdeacons as helpers; the Lectors as readers; the Singers as psalmists with intelligence and with constancy; and that the rest of the populace should be hearers of the words of the Gospel according to discipline. When we had completed and confirmed these Canons, we established them in the Church. And now we have written this other Book of doctrine which will enlighten all the habitable earth, and we have sent it by the hands of Clement our comrade. This which ye hear, O Christian Nazarenes, who are beneath the sun [is] that ye may learn with diligence and care. He who hears and keeps these commandments which are written in this Didascalia, will have everlasting life, and great boldness before the judgment-seat of our Lord Jesus the Christ the Son of God, He who taught us about His great mystery. And he who is contentious, and doth not keep them, they shall put him out as an opposer and quarreller, as it is written that those who do evil things shall go to everlasting torment, and those who do good things shall inherit everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven.

3 In it there are twenty-seven chapters.

Chapter 1

1 Teaches all men in general about the simple and natural law, that what is hateful to thyself thou shouldst not do to thy neighbour 2 The planting of God, and the holy Vine of His Catholic Church, the chosen people who trust in the simplicity of the fear of the Lord, those who by their faith inherit the eternal kingdom, those who have received the power and communion of the Holy Ghost, with which they are armed and confirmed in His worship, those who have been partakers in the sprinkling of the pure and precious blood of the great God, Jesus the Christ; those who have received boldness to call God the Almighty 'Father,' as heirs and partakers with His Son [and] His Beloved; hear the Teaching of God, ye who hope for and expect His promises, according as it was written by order of our Saviour, and is in accordance with His glorious commandments! Take care, ye sons of God, and do everything so as to obey God, and in all things be pleasing to the Lord our God. If any man run after iniquity, and oppose the will of God, he shall be counted by God as an heathen and an evildoer. Flee therefore and get far from all avarice and iniquity, that ye may covet nothing from any one, for it is written in the Law, "Thou shalt not covet anything from thy neighbour, neither his field nor his house nor his servant nor his maidservant nor his ox nor his ass nor any of his goods, for all these desires are of the Evil One.

3 For he that coveteth his neighbour's wife or his servant or his maidservant is already a thief and an adulterer. He is guilty of abomination, like a Sodomite, from our Lord and Teacher Jesus the Christ, to whom be glory and honour for ever and ever, Amen. As also in the Gospel He reneweth and confirmeth and completeth the Ten Commandments of the Law. For it is written in the Law, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But this I say unto you, as He who spoke in the Law of Moses, thus in person I myself say unto you, that every one who looketh at the wife of his friend to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. Thus he that lusteth is guilty as an adulterer. Also he that coveteth the ox or the ass of his neighbour is likely to steal it and to lead it away. Again, he that coveteth the field of his neighbour, behold, doth he not wish to narrow it at the border, and to contrive to buy it to himself for nothing? Wherefore because of this, murders and deaths and condemnations come upon them from God. But to those men who are obedient to God there is one simple and valid law, and I say that thou shalt not make questions to Christians, this, that whatever thou hatest should happen to thyself from another, thou shalt not do to another.

4 Thou dost not wish that any one should look at thy wife in an evil manner, for her corruption? do not thou also look at the wife of thy neighbour with an evil mind. Thou dost not wish that any one should take from thee thy garment? do not thou also take the garment of others. Thou dost not wish to be cursed or beaten? also do not thou do either of these things to others; but if any one curseth thee, thou shalt surely bless him, for it is written in the book of 'the Psalms', "He that blesseth shall be blessed, and he that curseth shall be cursed," and again also in the Gospel it is written, "Bless those that curse you, and do not evil to those that do evil to you; do good to those that hate you"; be long-suffering and patient, for the Scripture saith, "Do not say, I will repay to mine enemy evil as he has done to me, but be long-suffering, and the Lord will be a helper to thee, and will bring retribution on him that hath done thee evil. Again He saith in the Gospel, "Love them that hate you, pray for them that curse you, and no one shall be an enemy to you. Let us look therefore, O beloved, and understand these commandments, and keep them, so that we may be the children of light.

Chapter 2

1 Teaches every man that he should please his wife alone, and should not adorn himself and be a stumbling-block to women; that he should not love idleness; that he should study the Scriptures of life, and keep away from the scriptures of paganism and from the bonds which are in Deuteronomy; and that in the baths he wash not with women, and let him not give his soul to the wickedness of harlots. 2 Let us be patient with one another, O servants and sons of God! Let not a man despise his wife, nor behave contemptuously and haughtily towards her, but let him be compassionate, and let his hand be liberal in giving. Let him please his wife alone, and soothe her with honour; let him study to be loved by her alone, and not by any other. Do not adorn thyself so as to be seen by a strange woman and that she should desire thee. If thou, for instance, art constrained by her, and sinnest with her, death by fire shall come upon thee by decree from God, even that which is everlasting in the cruel and bitter fire. Thou shalt know and understand when thou art cruelly tormented. But, if thou doest not this abomination, but removest her from thee, and refusest her, in this alone thou hast sinned, that by means of thine adornment thou hast caused a woman to be held by desire of thee; for thou hast done this to her so that it has happened thus to her because of thee, and that by means of her desire she committeth adultery. But thou art not so much under sin, because thou hast not lusted after her. Mercy from the Lord shall be upon thee because thou hast not delivered thy soul unto her, and hast not been persuaded by her when she sent unto thee; not even in thy mind hast thou turned to this woman, who was held by desire of thee;

3 but she suddenly met with thee, she was wounded in her mind, and she sent unto thee, but thou like a God-fearing man didst refuse her and remove thyself from her and hast not sinned with her. She in truth was struck in her heart because thou art a youth, beautiful and good, and thou didst adorn thyself and make her desire thee. And thou art found guilty, that she hath sinned in regard to thee; for because of thine adornment it hath thus happened to her. But seek from the Lord God, that no sin may be written against thee on her account. If thou wishest to please God, and not men, and hopest for life and everlasting rest, do not adorn the beauty of thy nature which hath been given to thee by God, but with the humility of neglect, make it poor before man. Thus again also let not the hair of thy head grow, nor comb it nor dress it; but shave it, and anoint it not, that it may not attract to thee such women as snare or are snared by lust. Also wear no beautiful garments nor even put on shoes of lustful and contemptible workmanship, nor set signet-rings encased in gold upon thy fingers, because that all these things are works of harlotry, and everything that thou doest which is beyond nature.

4 For to thee, a man who believes in God, it is not allowed to let the hair on thy head grow, to comb it and make it even, which is this voluptuousness of desire, and thou must not put it in order and dress it, nor arrange it so as to be beautiful; nor must thou destroy the hairs of thy beard, nor the likeness of the nature of thy face, nor change it to something outside of what God has created, because thou wishest to please men. If thou doest these things, thou deprives thyself of life, and thou art rejected from the presence of the Lord God. As a man therefore who wishes to please God, be watchful and do nothing like these things, keep away from everything which the Lord hates, and do not be wandering and turning vainly about in marketplaces, seeing the inane spectacles of those who behave themselves in an evil manner, but in thy craft and work be constant and watchful, and wishful to do those things that are pleasing to God. Meditate constantly in the words of the Lord. If then thou art rich and requirest not to work for thy livelihood, be not wandering and turning inanely about, but be constant at all times, and have intercourse with believers and those like-minded with thyself, and be instructed along with them in the words of life.

5 But if not, then stay at home, and read in the Law, and in the Book of the Kings and in the Prophets and in the Gospel [which is] the fulness of these things. Keep far then from all the books of the heathen. For what hast thou to do with foreign words or with false laws or prophecies, which also easily cause young people to wander from the Faith? What then is wanting to thee in the Word of God that thou throwest thyself upon these myths of the heathen? If thou wishest to read the tales of the fathers, thou hast the Book of the Kings, or of wise men and philosophers, thou hast the Prophets, amongst whom thou wilt find more wisdom and scripture than [amongst] the wise men and the philosophers because they are the words of God, of one only wise God; if thou desirest songs, thou hast the Psalms of David; or if the beginning of the world, thou hast the Genesis of great Moses; if law and commandments, thou hast the Book of Exodus of the Lord our God. Therefore keep entirely away from all these foreign things which are contrary to them. But nevertheless what thou readest in the law of Deuteronomy, be heedful, that in reading thou readest only in it with simplicity. From the precepts and admonitions which are in it keep well away, lest thou lead thyself astray, and bind thyself with indissoluble heavy chains of burdens.

6 For this reason therefore even if thou read in Deuteronomy, in this alone be intelligent to know, and glorify God, who has delivered us from all these chains. Let this also be put before thine eyes, that thou mayest distinguish and know what is the Law, and what are the chains that are in Deuteronomy; that after the Law had been given to those that were in the Law, on account of Deuteronomy they sinned all these sins in the wilderness. For the Law is in the first place that which the Lord God spake, before the people made the calf and offered the sacrifices of idols, which is the ten Commandments and Statutes; and after they had worshipped idols He justly put upon them chains as they deserved. Thou therefore do not put them on thy heart, for our Saviour came for nothing else but to fulfil the Law, and to loosen us from the chains of Deuteronomy; for He loosened from these chains, and He called thus to those who believe in Him, and said, "Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Thou therefore without the weight of these burdens read the simple Law which agrees with the Gospel, and again in the Gospel and in the Prophets, also in the Book of the Kings, that thou mayest know how many kings were righteous, and were made famous by the Lord God in this world, and rested also in the promises of everlasting life.

7 But those kings who turned aside from God, and worshipped idols, justly perished cruelly by a decreed judgment, and were cut off from the kingdom of God, and instead of rest they were tormented. When therefore thou readest these things, thou shalt grow more in the faith and be increased. After these things rise and go out to the market-place, and wash in the baths for men, and not in those for women, lest, when thou hast stripped and shewn the bareness and nakedness of thy body, thou wilt either be hunted for or thou wilt constrain to fall and be hunted by thee; therefore be watchful against these things and live for God. Learn therefore what the Holy Word saith in Wisdom, "My son, keep my words, and hide my commandments within thee. My son, honour the Lord and be strong, and fear no other but Him; keep my commandments, and live well, and my law as the apples of thine-eyes, bind them on thy fingers, and write them on the tables of thine heart. Say to Wisdom, Thou art my sister, and with understanding make thyself acquainted; that she may keep thee from the strange woman, and the adulteress whose words are flattering;

8 for from the window of her house and her lattice she looketh out into the street, and at every young man whom she seeth, those who are childish and void of understanding, who pass in the streets by the side of the corners of the paths of her house, and who talk in the dark, in the evening and in the thick darkness of the silence of the night; then the woman goeth out, and in the garb of a harlot she meeteth the young man, and she causeth the hearts of the youths to fly away. She is rebellious and insolent and prodigal. Her feet rest not in her house but she is now wandering out, and now in ambush in the street and in the corners. She catcheth him who is likeminded and kisseth him and maketh her face bold and saith unto him, 'I have peace-offerings with me, this day I have paid my vows; therefore I have come out to meet thee, expecting to see thee, and I have found thee. With a carpet have I spread my bed, and with Egyptian tapestries have I covered it; I have sprinkled saffron upon my bed, and in my house there is cinnamon. Come, let us enjoy ourselves with love till the morning, and embrace each other with desire. For my lord is not at home, he has gone a long way off.

9 He has taken a bag of silver in his hand, and he will come to his house after many days.' She causeth him to err by the multitude of her words, by the flattery of her lips and by a vile wink of her eyes she draweth him unto her. He goeth after her like an infant, and like an ox that goeth to the slaughter, and like a dog to the chain, and like a stag which 'an arrow pierces and he fleeth, like a bird into the snare, and he knoweth not that he is gone to the death of his soul. Wherefore hearken unto me, my son, and give ear to the words of my mouth. Incline not thy heart to her ways, and come not near to the door of her house; do not wander in her paths; for she hath cast down a multitude of slain, her victims are innumerable. The ways of her house are the ways of Sheol, which go down to the chambers of death. My son, give ear to my wisdom, and incline thy mind to my understanding, that my counsel may keep thee, and the knowledge of my lips, which I command thee, because that the lips of an adulteress distil honey, and with her flatteries she sweeteneth the palate; yet the latter end of them is bitterer than wormwood, and sharper than a two-edged-sword;

10 for the feet of the foolish woman bring down to the chambers of Sheol those who adhere to her, for there is nothing which goeth before her heels; she walks not into the land of life, for her paths are in error, and are not known. Therefore, my son, hearken unto me, and decline not from the words of my mouth; remove thy way from her, and come not near the door of her house, that thou give not thy life to others, and thy years to those that have no mercy; lest strangers be satisfied with thy substance, and thy merchandise [pass] to the houses of others; and in thine old age thou repent thyself, when the flesh of thy body faileth, and thou shalt say, Why did I hate my correction and my heart reject reproof, and I did not hearken to the voice of my teachers, nor incline my ears to my monitors? I was very nearly in all evil things. But let us not prolong and extend the admonition of our doctrine; if we omit anything, you, like wise men, choose from what pleaseth you in the holy books, and from the Gospel of God, so that ye may be confirmed, and all these evil things may be removed and cast away from you, and ye may be found blameless in everlasting life with God.

Chapter 3

1 The doctrine about women, that they please and honour their husbands only, actively and wisely, attending with diligence to the works of their houses, and that they wash not with the men nor adorn themselves, and become a cause of offence to men nor hunt after them; that they be chaste and quiet and not quarrel with their husbands. 2 Again, let the woman be submissive to her husband, because the head of the woman is the man, and the head of the man who walks in the way of righteousness is the Christ, after the Lord Almighty our God and the Father of the worlds, of this one which exists and of that which is to come, Lord of all breathing things and of all powers, and His living and Holy Spirit, to Whom be glory and honour for ever and ever. Amen. O woman! fear thy husband, and revere him, and please him alone; be ready for his service; stretch out thy hands to wool, and let thy mind be on the spindle, as it is said in Wisdom, "Who can find a virtuous woman? she is more precious than fine stones, which are of great value. The heart of her husband doth trust in her, and treasure is not wanting to her; she is a helper of her husband in all things; there is nothing wanting to him in his dwelling. She worketh wool and linen with her clever hands; she furnisheth good things; like a merchant ship which gathereth all her riches from afar. She riseth by night, and giveth covering to her household and work to her handmaids. She looketh to her field, and also buyeth it, and from the fruit of her hands she planteth a possession. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She tasteth that it is good to labour; her candle goeth not out all the night.

3 She stretcheth out her arms with activity, and her hands to the spindle; she extendeth her right hand to the poor, from her fruits she giveth to the needy. The master of the house is not anxious, because that all his household is clothed with wool above their raiment. She maketh for her husband garments of fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth in the seat of the elders. She maketh linen in her house, and selleth girdles to the merchants. Strength and glory are her raiment, she shall rejoice on the last day. She openeth her mouth in wisdom. Her tongue speaketh firmly with intelligence and order; the ways of her house are strict, she eateth not bread in idleness. She openeth her mouth according to wisdom; the law of mercy is upon her tongue; her children shall arise and grow rich, and praise her; she shall rejoice in them in the latter days; also her husband shall call her blessed. The multitude of her daughters possess great riches. She doeth great things and is exalted above all women, for the woman who feareth the Lord shall be blessed. The fear of the Lord is (her) glory. Give her of her fruits that are worthy of her lips. She shall be honoured in the gates, and in every place her husband shall be honoured. Again, a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.

4 Ye have learnt therefore what praises a chaste woman who loveth her husband receiveth from the Lord God, she who is found faithful and desirous of pleasing God. Therefore, thou, O chaste woman, do not adorn thyself so as to please other men, and do not plait the plaits of harlotry, nor wear the garments of lasciviousness, nor put on golden shoes, that thou mayest be like those that are such, that thou attract not to thyself those that are captivated by such things. Even if thou sinnest not by this act of abomination, nevertheless in this thou sinnest, that thou obligest and makest him to lust after thee; and if thou sinnest, thou also hast destroyed thy life from God, and thou art guilty also concerning the soul of that [man]. For again, as thou hast sinned with one, thou hast enervated thy soul, and thou wilt be going also after another, as it is said in Wisdom, "When the wicked hath gone into the depths of evil, he despiseth and enervateth his soul; ignominy and disgrace shall come upon him. She therefore that is thus, whose soul is completely wounded and is possessed by lust, taketh captive the souls of those who are void of understanding. But let us learn also about these things as the Holy Word unfolds them in Wisdom, for it speaks thus: "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is beauty to a woman who doeth evil": and again, "As a worm in wood, so an evil woman destroyeth a man":

5 and again, "A woman void of understanding and boastful shall be in want of bread and shall not know shame. For she sitteth in the market-place, at the door of her house on a high seat, and she calleth to those who pass on the road and to those who walk in her ways, and saith, Whoso among you is simple, let him come near to me, and he who is void of understanding, and she saith to him, Come near lovingly to hidden bread and to stolen waters which are sweet; and he knoweth not that strong men have perished with her and have been brought to the depths of Sheol. But flee, and tarry not in that place; do not lift thine eyes to look at her. And again, "It is better to sit upon a turret of the roof rather than to dwell with a woman who is garrulous and quarrelsome in the middle of the house. Thou therefore who art a Christian, do not be like such women, but if thou wishest to be faithful, please thy husband only, and when thou walkest in the market-place, cover thy head with thy garment, that by thy veil the greatness of thy beauty may be covered; do not adorn the face of thine eyes, but look down and walk veiled; be watchful, not to wash in the baths with men. When there are baths for women in the city or in the district, a believing woman will not wash in the baths with men;

6 for if thou veilest thy face from strange men by a covering of chastity, how then goest thou with strange men to the baths? But if there are no baths for women, and thou art compelled to wash in the baths for men and women, this at the least is necessary, that thou wash with chastity and modesty and bashfulness and moderation; not at every time nor every day; nor at noon, but let the time for thee to wash be known to thee, at ten o'clock; for it is required of thee, O believing woman, that by every means thou shalt flee from the multitude of vain sights of the pride of eye which is in the bath. But thy quarrel with every one, especially that with thy husband, cut short and prevent like a believing woman, lest thy husband, if he be a heathen, should be offended because of thee, and blaspheme God, and thou shouldst receive a woe from Him, for woe to those through whom the name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles. Again, if thy husband be a believer, he is constrained as one who knows the Scriptures, and he will say to thee the word from Wisdom, that "it is better to dwell on a turret of the roof rather than to dwell with a garrulous and quarrelsome woman in the middle of the house.

7 For it is required of women that by a covering of modesty and humility they show the fear of God, for the conversion and growth of the faith of those who are without, of the men and of the women. If we have a little admonished and instructed you, our sisters and daughters, our members, ye like wise women, seek and choose for yourselves those things which are excellent and honoured and without rebuke in the dwelling of the world; learn and know such things by which ye can get to the kingdom of our Lord and have rest, having already been pleasing to Him by good works. 8 About the ordination of Bishops. Let a Bishop be ordained having already been chosen by all the people, according to the will of the Holy Ghost, being blameless, chaste, quiet, humble, not anxious, watchful, not loving money, without accusation, not quarrelsome, clement, who does not talk excessively, a lover of good things, a lover of the poor, expert in the mysteries, not distraught nor wandering together with the world; who is peaceable and a fulfiller of all good things, like one who is entrusted with the order and place of God. It is better that he should be and remain without a wife, and if not, that he be husband of one wife only, that he may sympathize with the infirmity of the widows. Let him be of middle age, let him be ordained when he is not a boy. Being like this, on the Sunday let him receive the imposition of hands, all of them taking part in his ordination, and bearing witness about him with all the Elders and with all the Bishops who are near.

9 About the election of Elders. Let an Elder be ordained when he has the witness of all the people, like what was said before about the Bishop, wise in reading, humble, gentle, poor, not a lover of money, who has laboured much in the services of the weak, who has been proved, and is pure without a stain; if he have been a father to the orphans; if he have served the poor; if he have not stayed away from church; who in everything excels in piety; as he has been, let him be worthy in all things that have been revealed to us by God, those that are useful and those that are suitable, as those [men] are also worthy of the gifts of healing. 10 How it is proper for the Elder to teach, also whom, and with experience. Let then the teaching of the Elder be suitable and apt, gentle and temperate, mingled with reverence and fear, in the likeness also of that of the Bishop, and in the teaching let them not talk vain things, but let the hearers when they have heard all keep all, that the Elder may say, that all the things which he has taught they remember; for in the day of the Lord the word will be required which he will testify to the people, so that those may be reproved who have not obeyed; that he may rise up before the glory of the Father. Again, when he speaks the things that he is teaching, thus therefore let him teach, so that he may not perish. Let him pray for those who hear, that the Lord may give them the sense of the Spirit of the knowledge of the truth, that he may not vainly throw pearls before swine, but may prove that they are worthy who have heard and laboured, lest when the word has not brought forth fruit in them, but has perished, he may give account of its perishing.

11 About the election of Deacons. Let the Deacon be ordained; when he has been elected according to what has been already said, if he be of good behaviour, if he be pure, if he have been elected on account of his purity, and because of his exemption from distractions; if not thus, even if he be in wedlock with one wife; one who is witnessed of by all the believers, who is not entangled in the merchandise of the world, who does not know a diabolical craft, who has no riches and no sons; and if he have sons, it is also fitting that they should cultivate the beauty of piety and that they be pure, that they may be of those who adorn the Church and the canon of service. Let the Church be careful about them so that some of them may abide permanently in the law and in the care of the service; should he not then fulfil in the church the things that are suitable? Let then the service be like this: first, those things that are commanded by the Bishop, so that they only may be done at the ministration, and of all the clergy he may be the Counsellor and secret of the Church. He who ministers to the sick, he who ministers to the strangers, who helps the widows, and goes round all the houses of those who are in want; lest there should be any one in distress or sickness or in misery he goes round to the houses.

12 About Catechumens. How he is to confirm those that are in doubt, and instruct those that are ignorant. Men who are dead he is to clothe, having adorned them, burying strangers, leading them from their dwellings, wayfarers or exiles. For the help of those who are in want let him have much care and let him inform the Church. How it is fitting that the children of the Church should be. Let twelve Elders be known in the Church, seven Deacons, and fourteen Subdeacons; and let those Widows who sit first be thirteen. Let the Deacon who is considered among them to be the one who is most diligent and most judicious; let him be chosen to be the receiver of strangers in the house which is the inn of the Church; let him be at all times clad in white garments, having only a stole upon his shoulder. In everything he is as the eye of the Church. With reverence let him make known what is to be the type of the people of piety.

13 The teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Behold ye sons and daughters of the Church, in the name of our Lord Jesus the Christ, John, Matthew, Peter, and Philip, and Andrew, and Simeon, and James, and Jude the son of James; with Nathanael, and Thomas and Bartholomew and Matthia, all of us gathered together by command of our Lord Jesus the Christ our Saviour, according as He commanded us, that before ye are ready to divide anything by lot, for eparchies, ye shall count the places of the numbers, the authorities of the Bishops, the seats of the Elders, the continual offerings of the Deacons, the admonitions of the Readers, the blamelessnesses of the Widows, and all the things that are fitting to the foundation and confirmation of the Church, according as they already know the type of heavenly things. Let them take care and keep themselves from all error, knowing that they have an account to give in the great day of judgment concerning the things that having heard they have not kept. They commanded us to confirm His words in all places. It appeared to us therefore, about the reminding and admonition of the brethren, that as to each one of us our Lord revealed as the will of God by means of the Holy Ghost these words of remembrance, we should command you.

14 John said, Men, brethren, knowing that we are about to give account concerning those things that were commanded us, do not accept one another's persons, but if a man thinks good to say anything that is not thine, let some one speak adversely to him in opposition. It pleased them all that John should speak first. John said, There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but the differences are many between these two ways; for the way of life is this, first, that thou shalt love God, Him who has made thee, with all thy heart, and glorify Him who has redeemed thee from death, which is the first commandment. But secondly, that thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, which is the second commandment, those on which hang all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew said, All those things that thou dost not wish to happen to thee, do not thou also do to others. That therefore which thou hatest, that shalt thou not do to others. O our brother Peter, tell thou the doctrine of these words. Peter said, Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not commit fornication. Thou shalt not corrupt boys. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not be a soothsayer. Thou shalt not use enchantments. Thou shalt not kill a child at its birth, nor after he is born shalt thou kill him. Thou shalt not covet what belongs to thy neighbours. Thou shalt not transgress oaths. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

15 Thou shalt not say anything wickedly. Thou shalt not keep anger in thy heart. Thou shalt not be double-minded, nor double-tongued, for doubleness of tongue is a snare of death. Thy word shall not be vain, nor false. Thou shalt not be avaricious nor rapacious. Thou shalt not be a respecter of persons, nor evil-minded, nor be a boaster, nor shalt thou receive evil about thy neighbour; neither shalt thou hate any one, but thou shalt reprove some, and have compassion on others, pray for some, love others more than thyself. Andrew said, My son, flee from all evil, and from all that resembles it; be not angry, for anger leads on to murder, for anger is a masculine demon. Be not jealous, but peaceful; nor quarrelsome, nor irritable; for from these things arises murder. Philip said, My son, be not licentious, for lust leadeth to fornication, and attracts men towards it, for lust is a feminine demon. One with anger, the other with mirth, they destroy those into whom they enter; for the way of an evil spirit is a sin of the soul, and when it has got a little entrance, it enlarges it as itself, and brings that soul to all evil things, and does not allow the man to look and see the truth. Let there be a measure for your wrath, rule it for a little time and repress it, lest it throw you into an evil deed.

16 For anger is an evil enjoyment, [such as] when they remain with a man for a long season, become demons, and when a man allows them, they swell up in his soul, and become greater and lead him to the works of iniquity, also they laugh at him and enjoy themselves in the destruction of the man. Simon the Zealot said, My son, be not a necromancer, for this will lead thee to the worship of idols; nor an enchanter, nor one who teaches extraneous and heathenish doctrine, nor an augur, nor even seek to know these things; from all these things comes the worship of idols. James said, My son, speak not foul and silly words, for these take one far from God, and be not haughty of eye, for every one that is haughty of eye falleth before God. Do not covet the wife of thy friend; do not love sodomy; from these things come adulteries and the wrath of God. Nathanael said, My son, be not false, for falsehood leads to theft, nor be a lover of money, nor vainglorious; from all these things come thefts. My son, be not a murmurer, for murmuring brings blasphemy, and be not proud nor arrogant, nor a contriver of evil things, for from all these things come blasphemies. Therefore be meek and humble, for the meek and humble shall inherit the kingdom of Heaven; but be long suffering and merciful, a peace-maker, pure in heart from all evil, innocent, quiet, and gentle;

17 it is good that thou shouldest attend and tremble at the words which thou hast heard. Do not exalt thyself, nor set thyself with the proud, but with the righteous, and have intercourse with the poor; and the events that happen to thee receive as good things, knowing that without God nothing happens. Thomas said, My son, he who speaks the Word of God, and is the cause of life to thee, and gives thee the seal that is in the Christ; love him as the apple of the eye; remember him then by night and by day; honour him moreover as of God, for where the Godhead is spoken of, there is the Lord. Thou shalt seek then his face daily; also the other Saints, that thou mayest be soothed by their words; for thou being joined to the Saints, art sanctified. Thou shalt honour him then as thou art able, by thy sweat and by the labour of thy hands. For if through him the Lord has honoured thee by giving thee spiritual food and the water of everlasting life, much more must thou offer him perishable and temporal food, for the labourer is worthy of his hire. The ox that grinds thou shalt not muzzle; and no one planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of its fruit. Jude the son of James said, My son, do not make schisms; calm those who are quarrelling, and judge righteously.

18 Be no respecter of persons in reproving a man who is in fault, for riches can have no power with the Lord, nor does the Lord give more honour to dignities, nor has beauty any advantage, but there is equality of all these things with Him. In thy prayer do not doubt which of them shall be yea or nay. Let it not be that thou shouldst stretch out thine hand in order to receive, whilst the hand that giveth thou contractest. If there be [aught] in thy hands, give the redemption of thy sins, and do not hesitate to give, nor when thou givest murmur and tell. Know then who is the good payer of thy reward. Turn not thy face from the needy; share with thy brother in all things, and say not that they are thine own, for if ye are sharers in immortal things how much more in those that are perishable? Bartholomew said, We then persuade you, my brethren, that while it is yet time, and whilst ye have among you some of the things by which ye work, ye should not spare yourselves in anything whatever of what ye have, for the day of the Lord is at hand in which all these things will be destroyed together with the Wicked One. For our Lord shall come, and His reward with Him. To yourselves then be lawgivers; be good counsellors of yourselves, taught of God. Keep these things that thou hast received, not adding to them, and also not diminishing from them.

19 Matthia said about the Readers. Let a Reader be appointed, having first been proved by many probations, not a talkative man, not a drunkard, not a speaker of laughable things; of good manner, of good disposition, persuadable, of good will; who in the Lord's congregations on Sundays runs first, good at hearing, and as a maker of narratives; who knows that he takes the place of an Evangelist. Peter said, Brethren, other things concerning admonition the Scriptures teach, but let us command and teach the things that we have been commanded. All of them said, Let Peter speak. Peter said, If there be and not many nearly twelve men, let them write to those Churches that are near, where there is a Church founded, so that from thence may come three chosen and tried men, to prove him who is worthy; if he be a man who has a good report from the Gentiles; if he be without sin, if he be not irascible, if he be a lover of the poor, if he be chaste, if he be not a drunkard, nor a fornicator, not avaricious, nor a calumniator, nor a respecter of persons, nor anything like these. It is a good thing if he have no wife, or if not, that he have one wife; who is a sharer in discipline, who is able to explain the Scriptures, but if he know not letters, let him be meek and humble, and in love to all men let him abound, lest he be reproved about anything by the masses, let him be a Bishop.

20 John said, Let the Bishop who is appointed, knowing the diligence and the love of God, and those who are with him, appoint two Elders, those whom he has proven. All of them objected to this, and said, Not two, but three, for there are twenty-four Elders, twelve on the right hand and twelve on the left. John said, Well do ye remember, my Brethren, for those on the right hand are those who having received from the Archangels instead of a reward, which they offer to the Lord, but those on the left rule over many angels. It is right that there should be Elders, those who formerly were for some time removed from the world, and in some way removed from intercourse with women, good at giving to the brethren, who do not accept any man's person, sons of the Mystery of the Bishop, and his assistants in gathering the people together, who act promptly with the Pastor and serve him. Let the Elders who are on the right have the care of those who labour at the altar, so that they may give honour and blame, and may reprove in what is necessary. But let the Elders who are at the left have the care of the multitude of the people, so that there be good administration without tumult, they having learnt beforehand to conduct themselves with all submission. But if a man, having been admonished, give an answer, those who are at the altar, being of one opinion, shall judge him that is such with one mind, as he deserves, so that the others also may fear, lest they accept one another's persons, and many think evil with the evildoers, and the evil spread like a gangrene, and all be taken captive.

21 James said (as Mathia on p. 15). He that fills the ears of him that is ignorant of what is written is considered before God. Matthew said, Let three Deacons be appointed, for it is written that in the mouth of two or three every word of the Lord shall be established. Let them be those who are proved in all their service, that they may have witness from strangers and from the congregation, that they are [but once] married, and that their children are chaste, gentle, peaceable, not grumblers, not double-tongued, not wrathful, for wrath destroyeth a wise man; not respecters of the persons of the rich, nor oppressing the poor; not using much wine, very laborious and inventive in works that are hidden and good; inciters, obliging and constraining those of the brethren who have aught to stretch out their hands to give, and let them also be good givers, and communicators, that they may be honoured by the people with all possible honour and reverence, watching carefully for those who walk disorderly, dealing tenderly with some of them, and persuading others, inciting others with reproof, and others, who show complete contempt, excommunicating, knowing that those who are quarrelsome and contemptuous, and calumniators, are depraved, opposing themselves to the Christ.

22 Cephas said, Let three Widows be appointed, two who shall be continually in prayer for all those who are in temptation and in regard to revelations and signs, for what is necessary, but one to be continually with the women who are tried by sickness, who is good at service, watchful to make known what is required to the Elders. [Let them] not be lovers of filthy lucre, not accustomed to much wine, so that they may be able to be watchful in the night services of the sick, and in any other good works that any one wishes to do, for these things are the first good treasures 'that are desirable'. Andrew said, Let Deacons, doers of good works, go round to every place by night and by day, that they may not neglect the poor, nor accept the persons of the rich; let them recognize him who is in straits, and deprive him not of the blessings. Let them constrain those who are able to lay up for themselves treasures in good works, looking forward to the words of our Teacher, that ye saw Me hungry, and fed Me not; for those who have served Him well and blamelessly, prepare for themselves 'a large place'.

23 Philip said, The laymen shall obey the commands for laymen, being submissive to those who serve continually at the altar. Every one in his place shall please the Lord, not shewing enmity to one another concerning those things that are appointed, every one in that wherein he has been called of God. Let not one persuade to the course of another, for the angels also, beyond what is appointed to them, do no other things. Andrew said, It would be very good, my brethren, that we should appoint women as Deaconesses. Peter said, As we have commanded and appointed all these things, and arrived at this point, let us in truth make known accurately about the offerings of the Body and Blood. John said, It has escaped you, my brethren, that when our Teacher asked for the Bread and the Cup, and blessed them saying, This is my Body and my Blood, He did not allow these to remain with us.

24 Martha said about Mary, I saw her laughing between her teeth joyfully. Mary said, I did not surely laugh, but I remembered the words of our Lord, and I rejoiced, for ye know that He said to us before, when He was teaching, He that is weak shall be saved by means of the strong. Cephas said, We ought to remember the single things, for it is not fitting for women to take the communion with heads uncovered, but having covered their heads. James said, How then can we define any service for the women, except only some service of strengthening and helping those women who are in want? Philip said, Now, my brethren, let us say this to you, in regard to the participation in gifts. He that doeth good works, lays up and prepares good treasures for himself, for he who lays up for himself treasures in the kingdom shall be counted as a workman (it is written) before God.

25 Peter said, These things, my brother, we do not command as necessary from the power that we have over men, but as we have a commandment from the Lord, our Lord, we persuade you to keep the commandments, not diminishing aught from them nor adding aught. In the name of our Lord Jesus the Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The teaching of the Twelve holy Apostles is finished by the hands of Baltous, an odious and lazy servant of the Christ, son of George Moses of the tribe of the household of John, from the village of the fortress of the woman, which is beside the Convent of Kourkama, an (episcopal) see of Western Syria, between the city of Mardin and the above-mentioned Convent in the year 1896 in the month of July, and to Him be glory, may His mercies be over us for ever.

26 From Paul the Apostle about the Times of Prayer. Institute prayer in the morning and at the third hour, and at the sixth hour, and at the ninth hour, and in the evening, and when ye go to sleep, that for protection, and at the cockcrow: in the morning thanking God who has given us light, having made the night to pass and brought the day; at the third hour because at it our Lord suffered judgment from Pilate; in that of the sixth hour because in it the Christ was crucified, all created things were shaken, trembling at the daring deed which the wicked Jews did; He was pierced in His side by a lance, and shed forth blood and water; in that of the ninth hour because when our Lord was crucified the sun was darkened at mid-day, and the dead arose from their graves; created things could not bear to see the ignominy of our Lord; also He gave up His Spirit into the hands of His Father; in that of the evening thanking God, who gave us the night for rest from the labours of the day; in that for protection while ye now slumber the sleep of rest from work; but pray that in sleep and in rest ye leave not this world, and if that should happen, the prayer which ye have prayed will help you in the way that is everlasting; and at cockcrow, because that is the hour in which announcement is made to us of the coming of the day, and for the labour of the works of light.

Commandments from the writing of Addai the Apostle.

27 (1) The Holy Apostles have therefore decreed, first, that people should pray towards the East, because, that as the lightning that flashes from the East, and is seen unto the West, thus shall be the coming of the Son of Man. By this let us know and understand when we pray, that He shall be seen from the East, and towards it we expect Him and we worship Him. (2) Again, the Apostles have decreed, that on Sunday there shall be service and reading of the Holy Scriptures, and the Eucharist, because that on Sunday the Christ rose from the dead, and on Sunday He ascended to Heaven; on Sunday again He will appear at the end with His holy Angels. (3) Again, the Apostles have decreed that on Wednesday there shall be service, that is to say, the Eucharist, because that on it our Lord revealed to His Apostles about His judgment and passion, and crucifixion, and death, and resurrection; and the disciples were in sorrow about this.

28 (4) Again, the Apostles have decreed, that also on Friday at the ninth hour there shall be service, because of what was said on Wednesday about the Passion of our Saviour; on the Friday it was accomplished, the earth quaking and all creatures crying out, and the lights in the heaven were darkened. (5) The Apostles have also decreed that there shall be Elders in the Church like the holy Priests, the sons of Aaron; and Deacons, like the Levites; and Subdeacons, like those who carried the vessels of the court of the sanctuary of the Lord; and an Overseer who should be leader of all the people, like Aaron the High Priest, chief and leader of all the Levites and priests and of all the camp. (6) The Apostles have also decreed that they should make the day of the Epiphany of our Saviour to be the beginning of the yearly feasts, on the 6th of January (second Conun) according to the number of the months of the Greeks.

29 (7) The Apostles have also decreed that forty days before the Passion of our Saviour they should fast, and then should keep the day of His Passion and the day of His Resurrection, because that also our Lord Himself, the Lord of the feast, fasted for forty days; also Moses and Elias, who were clothed with this mystery, fasted for forty days and then were glorified. (8) The Apostles have also decreed that at the end of all the Scriptures the Gospel shall be read as the seal of all the Scriptures, the people rising to their feet to hear it; because it is the Message of the Salvation of all men. (9) The Apostles have also decreed that at the end of forty days after His Resurrection, they should make remembrance of His Ascension to His glorious Father. (10) The Apostles have also decreed that except the Old (Testament) and the Prophets, and the Gospel, and the Acts of their own triumphs, nothing should be read from the pulpit in the Church.

30 (11) The Apostles have also decreed that he who does not know the faith of the Church and the ordinances and the laws that are decreed in it, shall not be a leader and commander; and he who knows them and transgresses them, shall not again serve; because he is not true in his service, but false. (12) The Apostles have also decreed that he who swears and is untrue, or who bears false witness or goes with wizards and diviners and Chaldæans, and confirms fortunes and nativities, or anything which those who know not God hold to; as if he were a man who knows not God, let him be put out of His service, and never again serve in it. (13) The Apostles have also decreed that if there be a man who is doubtful about his service and not sure of it, he shall never again serve, because the Lord of the service is not real to him, and he deceives men; but not God, before whom stratagems are not established.

31 (14) The Apostles have also decreed that he who lends and takes usury, or he who uses merchandise of avarice, shall never again serve, and shall not remain in his service. (15) The Apostles have also decreed that he who loves the Jews like Judas Iscariot who loved them, or the heathen, who worship the creatures instead of the Creator, shall not enter among them nor serve; or if he be among them, they shall not allow him, but he shall be separated from them, and shall not serve with them. (16) The Apostles have also decreed that if there have come a man of the Jews or of the heathen and been mingled with them, and after he has come and has been received and mingled with them, he have turned and gone again to the sect in which he stood, and again have come and been converted to them for the second time, he shall not be received again, but as the sect in which he was at the first, thus those that know him shall regard him.

32 (17) The Apostles have also decreed that it shall not be lawful for the ruler to administer the affairs of the Church without those who serve along with him, but in the counsel of all he shall command and oversee that with which all shall be pleased, and not in any way oppressed. (18) The Apostles have also decreed that all those who go out of this world in the martyrdom of the faith of Jesus the Christ, and in tribulation for His Name's sake, of them remembrance shall be made on the day of their murders. (19) The Apostles have also decreed that whilst they stand in the service of the Church, they should recite the songs of David every day; because of this, "I will bless the Lord at all times, and at all times His songs are in my mouth," and "in the night I will meditate and say and cause my voice to be heard before Thee."

33 (20) The Apostles have also decreed that those who are void of riches and do not run after increase of silver shall be chosen and also presented for the service of government. (21) The Apostles have also decreed that the priest who binds in a hap-hazard and unjust manner shall receive punishment justly; but he who is bound shall receive the interdict as he who is reasonably bound. (22) The Apostles have also decreed that those who are accustomed to hear judgment, if it be perceived that they are respecters of persons condemning the innocent, and acquitting the guilty; they shall not again hear another judgment, and they shall also receive the reproof of their partiality. (23) The Apostles have also decreed that those who are high-minded and lifted up in the haughtiness of pride shall not be presented for service, because of this that "he who is haughty among men is abominable before God," for it is also said, "I will repay vengeance on them that exalt themselves."

34 (24) The Apostles have also decreed that the commands of the Bishop shall be upon the Elders of the Churches who are in all the villages, that he may be known to be the chief of them all, that through him they may all be judged, for Samuel also visited thus from place to place and commanded. (25) The Apostles have also decreed that those kings who shall become believers in the Christ; it shall be lawful for them to go up and stand before the altar with the Ruler of the Church, because also David and those who were like him went up and stood before the altar of the Lord. (26) The Apostles have also decreed that no man shall venture to do anything with the authority of the priesthood in unrighteousness and impropriety but in integrity without accusation of partiality. (27) The Apostles have also decreed that the bread of the Eucharist in the day in which it is cooked shall be 'laid on the altar', and not after some days, which is not lawful.

35 Again, a little of the Canons of the Apostles, and the Fathers, by which the Church of the Christ is truly bound. To those who in everything agree with us in the Orthodox faith, and in the Apostolic laws; the holy Bishops, the glorious Priests, the pure Deacons; and the faithful and Christ-loving people, with the rest of all the ecclesiastical order, and the sons of the Lord; who live, that is to say, dwell as strangers in all the various provinces, keeping (themselves) continually in the Lord, Amen...Because, therefore, O beloved, we are sons and heirs of the laws, prophetical and apostolic, those which command and warn us that continually and always we shall learn the way which is straight and good, and that we should go in it; we have appointed to you twenty Canons, and they are these. Canon I. A man shall not take a wife, and his son her daughter.

36 II⁠. Nor shall a man take a girl, and his son the mother of the girl. III⁠. Nor a man and his son two sisters, or two daughters of a paternal uncle. IV. Nor two brothers a woman and her daughter. V. Also a man shall not take a woman, and give his daughter to her son. VI. Nor a man a woman, and give his daughter to her brother. VII. Nor a man a woman, and give his daughter to her father. VIII. Nor shall a man take the sister of his wife nor the daughter of his sister. IX. Nor a man the wife of the brother of his wife. X. Nor the wife of a brother or the wife of his son. XI. Nor (is) a man bound to the wife of his paternal uncle. XII. Nor is the wife of a mother's brother lawful. XIII. Nor let a man take the daughter of the brother of his wife.

37 XIV. Nor let a man take his godmother from among men for three generations. XV. Nor the brothers of that one for two generations. XVI. Nor let a man take a (fellow-) sponsor of baptism, nor a man who is related to him in race for five generations. XVII. Nor let an Elder baptize his son according to the flesh, unless a reason of death should happen to that child and there be no stranger Elder to baptize him. XVIII. Nor let a man confirm the espousals of a woman except before the Elders and Deacons, and before free persons who are worthy to be believed. XIX. And he who espouses a spouse let him not do violence to the girl, and let him not see her face until he has fulfilled to her all (things) that are obligatory to the order of Christians, and let the girl enter his house.

38 XX. It is not lawful for a Christian to give a woman to any kind of marriage with a Nestorian or with a people out of our fold, nor to a heretic, nor to those who are strange to us in faith. These things we have determined thus and appointed to you as to sons and obedient people; as therefore ye keep them and walk in them, attend also to the Canons spoken by the Spirit; by them ye shall be kept, in this world ye shall be blest, and in that which is to come ye shall be saved to the kingdom of our Lord and ye shall have rest, pleasing Him by good works.

Chapter 4

1 Teaches what sort of man it is right to be chosen for the Bishopric, and what like his works should be. 2 About Bishops hear thus. Of the Pastor who is appointed as a Bishop and chief in the Eldership of the Church in all the assemblies, it is required that he be without reproof, irreprehensible, that he be far from all evil things, a man who is not less than fifty years (of age) and therefore far from the vehement manners of youth, from the desires of the Enemy, and from calumny, and from the blasphemy of false brethren which they bring against many, because they do not understand the word which is spoken in the Gospel, that "every one who speaks an idle word shall give account of it to the Lord in the day of judgment, for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. If it be possible let him be a teacher, and if he be illiterate, let him be persuasive and wise of speech: let him be advanced in years. If the assembly be small and there be not found a man advanced in years, [one] about whom there be witnesses that he is wise and suitable to be appointed Bishop; one being found who is a youth, whose companions testify about him, and those who are with him, that he is worthy to be appointed to the Bishopric; he though yet a youth shewing the works of age in humility and meekness, if all men testify about him, being proved by all the people;

3 thus let him sit in peace, because that even King Solomon when twelve years of age, reigned over Israel, and Josiah reigned in righteousness when eight years of age; again also Joash, when seven years of age, reigned over Israel; therefore, this man even if he be a youth, yet let him be meek and reverent and gentle; because the Lord God said by Isaiah, "To whom will I look and with [whom] will I rest, but with the gentle and meek who trembleth at My words"...Also in the Gospel He saith thus, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth"; and let him be merciful, for He saith in the Gospel, "Blessed are the merciful, for on them shall be mercy"; and again, let him be a peacemaker, for it is said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Let him be pure from all evil things, and injustice and iniquity, for it is said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Let him be watchful, and chaste, and stable, and well-regulated, and let him not be turbulent, nor trespass in wine, nor be a calumniator, nor let him be contentious, nor a lover of money, nor have a childish mind, nor let him exalt himself and fall into the condemnation of Satan; for it is said that, "every one that exalteth himself shall be abased. Thus the Bishop is required to be; a man who has taken one wife, who ruleth his house well;

4 and thus let him be proved when he receives the laying on of hands, that he may sit in the place of the Bishops, if he be chaste, and if also his wife be believing and chaste, and if he have brought up his children in the fear of God, and if he have admonished and taught them, and if they reverence and respect him at home, and if all of them be obedient to him; for if his household according to the flesh oppose him and do not obey him, how shall those who are without belong to him and submit to him? Let it also be proved that he is blameless in the affairs of the world, and in his body, for it is written; "See that there be no blemish in him who is appointed priest. Let him be also without anger, for the Lord hath said that anger destroyeth even the wise. Let him be merciful and gracious and full of love, for the Lord hath said that love shall cover a multitude of sins. Let his hand be stretched out to give; let him love both orphans and widows. Let him love the poor, and also strangers. Let him be apt in his service, and let him be constant in service. Let him humble himself, and not be ashamed; let him know who is most worthy to receive.

5 For if there be a widow who possesses aught, or if she be able to provide for herself anything that is necessary for the nourishment of the flesh; and if there be another who is not yet a widow and is in want, either on account of sickness or the education of children, or because of the infirmity of the flesh, to this one rather let him stretch out his hand. If there be a person, who is spendthrift or drunken or lazy, and is constrained in provision for the flesh, this one is not worthy of alms nor even for the Church. Therefore let the Bishop also not be a respecter of persons, and let him not be ashamed before the rich, and let him not please them beyond what is right, and let him not despise or neglect the poor; let him not be haughty towards them. Let him be frugal and poor in his food and drink; so that he can be watchful in admonition and in discipline towards those who have no education. Let him not be very designing nor eccentric, nor be luxurious, nor let him love dainties, nor love pleasant viands, and let him not be irritable, but let him be long-suffering in his admonition. Let him be very diligent in his instruction; let him be constant in the reading of the divine books assiduously, that he may interpret and explain the Scriptures accurately.

6 Let him compare the Law and the Prophets with the Gospel, how that the commandments of the Law and the Prophets agree with the Gospel. Before all things then let him be a good discriminator of the Law, and of Deuteronomy, so that he may distinguish and shew what is the law of believers, and what are the chains of the unbelievers; lest any man of those who are under thy hand should take the chains to be the Law, and should put heavy burdens upon his soul, and should become a son of perdition. Be therefore diligent and careful about the Word, O Bishop, if thou 'canst explain' every commandment as it is in the doctrine. 7 Let him not love heathen feasts, nor be led by vain error. Let him not be covetous, nor love money, because all these things come from the operation of demons. Then let the Bishop inquire into all these things and warn the whole world. Let him be wise and self-denying. Let him be a monitor and a teacher in his doctrine and in the discipline of God. Let his mind be clear, let him be far from all wicked designs of the heathen; let his mind be sharp to compare, that he may anticipate and know the wicked, and ye may keep yourselves from them. Let him be a lover of all men, being a righteous judge. Everything that is found good among men, let these things be in the Bishop; because when the pastor is far from all evil things, he can also constrain his disciples, and encourage them by his good manners, that they may be imitators of his good works; as the Lord said in the Twelve Prophets, "let the people be like the priest"; for it is required of you that ye be an example to the people, for ye also have the example of the Christ. Therefore be ye also a good example to your people.

8 For the Lord has said in Ezekiel the Prophet, "The word of the Lord was upon me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, The land, when I bring a sword upon it, and captivity upon the people of this land, and they appoint a man from among them and make him a watchman, and he seeth the sword coming upon the land, and he bloweth with the trumpet and warneth the people; and whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet and taketh not warning, and the sword cometh and taketh him away, his blood shall be upon his head, because he heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning, his blood shall be upon his head, but he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword coming, and blow not the trumpet, and warn not the people, and the sword come and take any soul from among them, he shall be taken away in his sins, but his blood shall be required at the watchman's hands. Therefore the sword is the judgment and the trumpet is the Gospel; the watchman is the Bishop who is appointed over the Church.

Chapter 5

1 Doctrine and caution for the Bishop, that he should preach about judgment and warn the people, and remove himself from the disobedient, and judge those who do wrong like God, and not spare those that are wicked, and corrupt the people. It is required of thee, therefore, O Bishop, that when thou preachest thou shouldst testify and affirm about judgment, as in the Gospel, because the Lord hath said also to thee, "Also thou, O son of man, I have set thee for a watchman unto the house of Israel, that thou mayest hear the word at My mouth, and take heed, and preach it as from Me. When I say unto the wicked, That the wicked shall surely die, and thou dost not preach and say, so that the wicked may turn from his iniquity, the wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hands. But thou, if thou warn the people from its way and it be not warned, the wicked shall die in his iniquity, but thou shalt deliver thy soul. Therefore ye also, because upon you will fall the accusation of those who have sinned without knowing, preach and testify, and those who walk without discipline, admonish and reprove them publicly. Though we say and repeat these things often, O brethren, let us not be blamed, for by a great deal of doctrine and by much hearing it may happen that a man is made to blush, and to do good things and avoid evil things.

2 For the Lord saith in the Law, "Hear, O Israel," and to this day he has not heard. Again, in the Gospel he preacheth much and saith, "Every one that hath ears to hear, let him hear," and they have not heard, even those that thought they heard, because they leaned to the evil perdition of the heresies, those on whom the sentence of condemnation will come, for we do not believe, brethren, that when a man goeth down to the water, he will again do the abominable and impure works of the heathen and the depraved; 3 for this is manifest and known to all men, that every one who doeth evil things after having received baptism, is already condemned to the Gehenna of fire. We think that even the heathen blaspheme on account of these things, because we do not mix with them, nor are we partakers with them; and by means of the falseness of the heathen, keep the more, brethren, to the truth; for He saith thus in the Gospel, "Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and shall say against you every evil word falsely for my sake; rejoice then and be glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for thus your fathers persecuted the prophets. Therefore if they blaspheme against a man falsely he is blessed, because he is tried by temptations, saith the Lord. And the Scripture saith, A man who is not tried is also not proved. For if a man be reproved for doing wicked works, he is not a Christian, but is false, and by hypocrisy he has adhered to the worship of God. On this account when some of these are detected and reproved in truth publicly, let the Bishop reject them, he who is without offence and without hypocrisy.

4 If then even his mind be not pure, having respect to persons on account of filthy lucre, or on account of the presents he has received, and he should spare him who has sinned wickedly [and] allow him to remain in the Church, the Bishop who is such pollutes the congregation before God, and also before men, and before many of the communicants who are young in their minds, or before the hearers; again also he destroys those that are young along with himself; for on account of the wicked lasciviousness which they saw in him among them, they also doubt in their souls, and imitate him, and they also stumble and are taken by this passion and perish with him...But if he who sinneth see the Bishop and the Deacons, that they are free from accusation and that all the flock are pure, in the first place he will not dare to go up to the congregation because he is reproved by his mind; and if it should happen that he have courage, and should go to the church in his impudence, let him be reproved and reprimanded by the Bishop; he will look at them all, and will not find an offence in one of them, neither in the Bishop, nor in those who are with him; he will blush therefore, and with much shame he will go out quickly, weeping, and be in penitence of soul. Thus the flock will remain pure.

5 Again, when he has gone out he will repent of his sin and weep and be consoled before God, that he may have hope. Then again, all the flock, having seen his weeping and his tears, will fear, knowing and understanding that every one that sins shall perish. Because of this, therefore, O Bishop, strive to be pure in thy works, and know thy place, that thou art appointed in the semblance of God Almighty, and that thou holdest the place of God Almighty; thus sit in the Church and teach, as one who hath power to judge those that sin, in the place of Almighty God; for to you Bishops it is said in the Gospel, that what ye bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven.