Didache The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles The Teaching of the Apostles as given in the Edition of Bryennius. Chapter 1 The Path of Life (1-4) There are two paths, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two paths. So this is the path of life: “first, you shall love the God who created you; second, you shall love your neighbor as yourself; and do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” The teaching of these words is this: Bless those who curse you and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what thanks do you have if you love those who love you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? But you, love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly desires. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. Blessed is the one who gives according to the commandments, for he is blameless. But woe to the one who takes. Now, if someone takes with a genuine need, he will be blameless; but the one who takes without need will have to answer as to why he took and for what purpose. And after he is questioned and examined for what he has done, and will not leave until he repays the last penny. But also concerning this it has been said: “Retain your alms in your own hands, until you know to whom it should be given.” Chapter 2 The Path of Life (1-4) The second commandment of the teaching is: You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not corrupt children, you shall not be sexually immoral, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not use potions, you shall not kill a child whether they be born or unborn. You shall not desire what belongs to your neighbor, you shall not commit perjury, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not speak ill of others, and you shall not harbor resentment. You shall not be one who has a divided mind or who speaks with a forked tongue; for speaking with careful deception is a trap of death. Your words shall not be false or hollow, but reenforced by your actions. You shall not be a lover of money, nor a thief, nor a hypocrite, nor malicious, nor arrogant. You shall not entertain gossip about your neighbor. You shall not hate anyone, but you shall admonish those who need it, and pray for those who need it, and love them as you do your own soul. Chapter 3 The Path of Life (1-4) My child, flee from all evil and from all that resembles it. Do not become quick-tempered, for it leads to murder. Neither be jealous nor argumentative nor angry; for all of these lead to murder. My child, do not become a lust-seeker, for it leads to fornication. Neither be vulgar nor pompous; for all of these lead to fornication. My child, do not become an omen-watcher, for it leads to idolatry. Neither be a chanter, nor an astrologer, nor an alchemist; for all of these lead to idolatry. My child, do not become a deceiver, for it leads to theft. for all of these lead to thefts. My child, do not become a complainer, for complaining leads to blasphemy. Neither be arrogant nor have a rebellious heart; for all of these lead to blasphemy. But become tame, for the tame will inherit the earth. Be patient, compassionate, innocent, peaceful, good, and always be in awe at the words you have heard. Do not exalt yourself, nor give impudence to your soul. Let not your soul be joined with the lofty, but let it associate with the just and the humble. Accept the events that happen to you as good things, knowing that nothing happens without God. Chapter 4 The Path of Life (1-4) My child, remember both day and night the words God has spoken to you, and reverence Him as your Lord. For where there is lordship, there is the Lord. You shall seek out the faces of the saints each day, so that you may refresh yourself with their words. You shall not crave division, but shall make peace among those who fight; you shall judge righteously, without bias, and first reprove yourself for your own failings. You shall not be double-minded, whether it will be or not. (constantly second guessing your convictions) You shall not be someone who stretches out their hands when receiving, but draws back their hands when it comes to giving. If you have, you will pay the redemption for your sins by means of your own hands. You will not hesitate to give, and when you give, you will not grumble, for you shall know who is the good paymaster of wages. You will not turn away the needy, but you will share everything with your brother, and you will not say that anything is your own. For if you are partners in the immortal, how much more so in the mortal? You will not raise your hand against your son or daughter, but from their youth, you will teach them to fear God. Do not mistreat your servant or your handmaid who have hope in the same God as you, lest they turn away from your God due to your bitterness towards them. For God does not show favor one above another, but to those whom the spirit has prepared. But you who are servants will submit to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are benevolent and mild, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are aware of God. You will detest all forms of hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. You shall not abandon the commandments of the Lord; you shall guard what you have received, neither adding to them nor taking away from them. Confess your sins in the church, for you will not approach and pray with malice in your heart. This is the path of life. Chapter 5 The Way of Death (5-6) But this is the path of death: First of all, it is full of wickedness and curses: murders, adulteries, lustful passions, sexual immorality, thefts, idolatry, magic arts, witchcrafts, plunderings, false testimonies, hypocrisies, double-mindedness, deceit, pride, malice, self-will, greed, foul language, jealousy, audacity, arrogance, boasting. Persecutors of good people, hating truth, loving lies, not understanding the rewards of righteousness, not holding to what is good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for that which is good, but for that which is evil; far from whom are meekness and patience, loving futile things, seeking retribution, having no compassion on the poor, not toiling for him who is distressed, not recognizing their Creator, murderers of children, destroyers of God's creation, turning away from him who is in need, afflicting him who is distressed, advocates of the rich, unjust judges of the poor, altogether sinful. My child, be free of all of these. Chapter 6 The Way of Death (5-6) See that no one leads you astray from this path of teaching, for apart from God they do not teach according to truth. If you are able to bear the entire burden of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you cannot, do what you can. As for food, eat whatever you can bear, but abstain from the meat sacrificed to idols, for eating such is a way of worshiping the gods of death. Chapter 7 Of Baptism Regarding baptism, baptize in this way: having said all these things beforehand, baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” in living water. But if you do not have living water, baptize into another water; and if you cannot baptize in cold, in warm water. But if you have neither, pour water on the head three times “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Before the baptism, let the one baptizing and the one being baptized fast, and any others who are able. And you shall direct the one being baptized to fast for one or two days. Chapter 8 Of Fast-Days and Prayer Let not your fasting be done with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week. Instead you should fast on the forth day and the day of preparation. Likewise, do not pray as do the hypocrites, but pray in this way, as the Lord commanded in His gospel: “Our Father who is in heaven, let Your name be hallowed. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Pray in this way three times a day. Chapter 9 Of the Eucharist (9-10) Now concerning gratitude, give thanks in this way: First for the cup: “We give you thanks, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant. To You be the glory forever.” And concerning the bread: “We give you thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To You be the glory forever. Just as this broken bread which was once scattered on the hillsides and was gathered together and became one, so let your church be gathered from every corner of the earth into your kingdom. For the glory and power are yours through Jesus Christ, forever.” But let no one eat and drink of your thanksgiving but those who have been baptized into the name of the Lord, for also the Lord has said regarding this, “Do not give the holy things to the dogs.” Chapter 10 Of the Eucharist (9-10) And after you have been filled, give thanks in this way: “We give thanks to you, holy Father, for your holy name, which you have caused to dwell in our hearts, and for knowledge, faith, and immortality; which you have made known to us through Jesus your son. To You be the glory forever. O Lord Almighty, you created all things for the sake of your name and gave food and drink to human beings for their enjoyment, so that they might give thanks to you. But to us, you have graciously given spiritual food and drink, and eternal life through your Son. Above all, we thank you because you are able. To You be the glory forever. Remember, Lord, your church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For yours is the power and the glory forever. Let grace come and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David. If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not, let him repent; Maranatha. Amen.” And allow the prophets to give thanks as often as they will. Chapter 11 Of Apostles and Prophets (11-13) Therefore, whoever comes and teaches you all these things that have been previously mentioned, accept him. But if he, who is teaching, turns and teaches another doctrine to destroy, do not listen to him. But if he teaches to increase righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. As for the apostles and prophets, do likewise according to the teaching of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he will not stay more than one day, or the next if there is a need, but if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. But when the apostle goes out, let him take nothing except bread until he finds lodging. But if he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And do not test or judge every prophet who speaks in the Spirit. For every sin will be forgiven, but this sin will not be forgiven. Not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet, but only if he has the ways of the Lord. Therefore, the false prophet and the true prophet will be known by their conduct. Every prophet who establishes a feast by the Spirit but does not partake in it is a false prophet. Just as a prophet who teaches the truth, but does not follow what he teaches is a false prophet. Every prophet who is tested and found true, who performs a worldly mystery for the church and does not teach others to do what he himself does, will not be judged against you, for he has his judgment with God. For in the same way, the ancient prophets also acted. But whoever says in the Spirit, "Give me money or something else," you shall not listen to him. But if he speaks about helping others who are in need, let no one judge him. Chapter 12 Of Apostles and Prophets (11-13) Let everyone who comes in the name of the Lord be welcomed, and then after testing him, you will know him. For you will have discernment, both right and left. If someone is passing through and needs help, do what you can to assist them. They won't stay with you for more than two or three days if necessary. But if he wishes to remain with you, being a craftsman, let him work and eat. If, however, he does not have a trade, provide for him according to your understanding, so that he may not live among you as a Christian in idleness. But if he is not willing to do so, he is a Christ-seller; beware of such. Chapter 13 Of Apostles and Prophets (11-13) However, every true prophet who wishes to sit among you is deserving of his food. Similarly, a genuine teacher deserves to be provided for, just as a laborer is deserving of his food. So, you shall offer every firstfruit of produce from your winepress and threshing floor, as well as from your herds and flocks to the prophets. They are your high priests. But if you don't have a prophet, give it to the poor. If you prepare a meal, take the firstfruits and offer them according to the commandments. Similarly, if you open a jar of wine or oil, take the first portion and give it to the prophets. And if you receive money, clothing, or any other possessions, take the first portion and give it as you see fit, in accordance with the commandments. Chapter 14 Of Sunday Worship On the Lord's day, when you gather together, break bread and give thanks, confessing your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. Whoever has doubts should not join in your fellowship meals, until they resolve their doubts; otherwise your sacrifices may be defiled. For this is what the Lord has said, "In every place and at all times, offer me a pure offering, for I am a great King and my name is revered among the nations.” Chapter 15 Of Local Officials Therefore, select for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are gentle, not greedy for money, truthful, and proven. For they too will serve you as ministers of the prophets and teachers. Therefore, do not despise them; for they are the ones esteemed among you, along with the prophets and teachers. But reprove one another, not in anger, but in peace, as you have it in the gospel. And let no one speak against his brother, nor listen to anything from him, until he repents. But make your prayers, your acts of charity, and all your actions in such a way that you have them in accordance with the gospel of our Lord. Chapter 16 Eschatology Be watchful for your life; let not your lamps be extinguished, and your loins not be weakened, but be ready, for you do not know the hour in which our Lord comes. But gather together often seeking the things that pertain to your souls; for the whole time of your faith will not benefit you, unless you are perfected in the final hour. For in the last days, false prophets and corrupters will increase, and the sheep will be turned into wolves and love will be turned into hatred. For as lawlessness increases, they will hate one another and persecute and deliver each other up, and then the deceiver will appear as a son of God and perform signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands, and he will do unlawful things, which have never existed since the beginning of time. Then the human race will come to the testing fire, and many will stumble and be destroyed, but those who persevere in their faith will be saved by his decree. And then the signs of truth will appear: firstly, a sign of an outpouring in the sky, then a sign of the sound of a trumpet, and thirdly, the resurrection of the dead—not of all, but as it was said, “The Lord will come and all the saints with Him.” Then the world will see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.