Seeking Divine
Mercy
The Didache
TEACHING of the TWELVE
APOSTLES
The Teaching of the Lord by the Twelve
Apostles to the Gentiles.
Chap. I.
1. There
are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death; but there is a great difference
between the two Ways.
2. Now
the Way of Life is this: First, Thou shalt love God
who made thee; secondly, thy neighbor as thyself; and all things whatsoever
thou wouldst not have done to thee, neither do thou to another.
3. Now
the teaching of these [two] words [of the Lord] is this: Bless those who curse
you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you; for what
thank is there if ye love those who love you? Do not even Gentiles the same?
But love ye those who hate you, and ye shall not have an enemy.
4. Abstain
from fleshly and bodily [worldly] lusts. If any one give
thee a blow on the right cheek turn to him the other also, and thou shalt be perfect. If any one press thee to go with him one
mile, go with him two; if any one take away thy cloak, give him also thy tunic;
if any one take from thee what is thine, ask it not back, as indeed thou canst
not.
5. Give
to every one that asketh thee, and ask not back, for
the Father wills that from our own blessings we should give to all. Blessed is
he that gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him
that receives; for if any one receives, having need, he shall be guiltless, but
he that has not need shall give account, why he received and for what purpose,
and coming into distress he shall be strictly examined concerning his deeds,
and he shall not come out thence till he have paid the last farthing.
6. But
concerning this also it hath been said, "Let thine alms sweat (drop like
sweat) into thy hands till thou know to whom thou shouldst
give."
Chap. II.
1. And
the second commandment of the Teaching is:
2. Thou
shalt not kill. Thou shalt
not commit adultery; thou shalt not corrupt boys;
thou shalt not commit fornication. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not
use witchcraft; thou shalt not practice sorcery. Thou
shalt not procure abortion, nor shalt
thou kill the new-born child. Thou shalt not covet
thy neighbor's goods.
3. Thou
shalt not forswear thyself (swear falsely). Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt
not speak evil; thou shalt not bear malice.
4. Thou shalt not be
double-minded nor double-tongued; for duplicity of tongue is a snare of
death.
5. Thy
speech shall not be false, nor vain, but fulfilled by
deed.
6. Thou
shalt not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a
hypocrite, nor malignant, nor haughty. Thou shalt not
take evil counsel against thy neighbor.
7. Thou
shalt not hate any one, but some thou shalt rebuke and for some thou shalt
pray, and some thou shalt love above thine own soul
(or, life).
Chap. III.
1. My
child, flee from every evil, and from every thing that is like unto it.
2. Be not prone to anger, for anger leadeth
to murder; nor given to party spirit, nor contentious, nor quick-tempered (or,
passionate); for from all these things murders are generated.
3. My
child, be not lustful, for lust leadeth
to fornication; neither be a filthy talker, nor an eager gazer, for from all
these are generated adulteries.
4. My
child, be not an observer of birds [for divination] for it leads to idolatry;
nor a charmer (enchanter), nor an astrologer, nor a purifier (a user of
purifications or expiations), nor be thou willing to look on those things; for
from all these is generated idolatry.
5. My
child, be not a liar, for lying leads to theft; nor
avaricious, nor vainglorious, for from all these things are generated thefts.
6. My
child, be not a murmurer, for it leads to blasphemy;
neither self-willed (presumptuous), nor evil-minded, for from all these things
are generated blasphemies.
7. But
be thou meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth.
8. Be
thou long-suffering, and merciful, and harmless, and quiet, and good, and
trembling continually at the words which thou hast heard.
9. Thou
shalt not exalt thyself, nor shalt
thou give audacity (presumption) to thy soul. Thy soul shall not be joined to
the lofty, but with the just and lowly shalt thou
converse.
10. The
events that befall thee thou shalt accept as good,
knowing that nothing happens without God.
Chap. IV.
1. My
child, thou shalt remember night and day him that
speaks to thee the word of God, and thou shalt honor
him as the Lord, for where the Lordship is spoken of, there is the Lord.
2. And
thou shalt seek out day by day the faces of the
saints, that thou mayest rest upon their words.
3. Thou
shalt not desire (make) division, but shalt make peace between those at strife. Thou shalt judge justly; thou shalt
not respect a person (or, show partiality) in rebuking for transgressions.
4. Thou
shalt not be double-minded (doubtful in thy mind)
whether it shall be or not.
5. Be
not one that stretches out his hands for receiving, but draws them in for
giving.
6. If
thou hast [anything], thou shalt give with thy hands
a ransom for thy sins.
7. Thou
shalt not hesitate to give, nor in giving shalt thou murmur, for thou shalt
know who is the good recompenser of
the reward.
8. Thou
shalt not turn away him that needeth,
but shalt share all things with thy brother, and shalt not say that they are thine own; for if you are
fellow-sharers in that which is imperishable (immortal), how much more in
perishable (mortal) things?
9. Thou
shalt not take away thy hand from thy son or from thy
daughter, but from [their] youth up thou shalt teach
[them] the fear of God.
10. Thou
shalt not in thy bitterness lay commands on thy
man-servant (bondman), or thy maid-servant (bondwoman), who hope in the same
God, lest they should not fear Him who is God over [you] both; for He comes not
to call [men] according to the outward appearance (condition), but [he comes]
on those whom the Spirit has prepared.
11. But
ye, bondmen, shall be subject to our (your) masters as to the image of God in
reverence (modesty) and fear.
12. Thou
shalt hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not
pleasing to the Lord.
13. Thou
shalt not forsake the commandments of the Lord, but
thou shalt keep what thou hast received, neither
adding [thereto] nor taking away [therefrom].
14. In
the congregation (in church) thou shalt confess thy
transgressions, and thou shalt not come to thy prayer
(or, place of prayer) with an evil conscience.
This
is the way of life.
Chap. V.
1. But
the way of death is this. First of all it is evil and full of curse; murders,
adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, witchcrafts, sorceries,
robberies, false-witnessings, hypocrisies,
double-heartedness, deceit, pride, wickedness, self-will, covetousness,
filthy-talking, jealousy, presumption, haughtiness, boastfulness.
2. Persecutors
of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing the reward of
righteousness, not cleaving to that which is good nor to righteous judgment,
watchful not for that which is good but for that which is evil; far from whom
is meekness and endurance, loving vanity, seeking after reward, not pitying the
poor, not toiling with him who is vexed with toil, not knowing Him that made
them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away
from the needy, vexing the afflicted, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of
the poor, wholly sinful.
May
ye, children, be delivered from all these.
Chap. VI.
1. Take
heed that no one lead thee astray from this way of teaching, since he teacheth thee apart from God.
2. For
if indeed thou art able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord thou shalt be perfect; but if thou art not able, do what thou
canst.
3. And
as regards food, bear what thou canst, but against idol-offerings be
exceedingly on thy guard, for it is a service of dead gods.
Chap. VII.
1. Now
concerning baptism, baptize thus: Having first taught all these things, baptize
ye into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living
water.
2. And
if thou hast not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not
in cold, then in warm (water).
3. But
if thou hast neither, pour [water] thrice upon the head in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
4. But
before Baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and any others who can;
but thou shalt command the baptized to fast for one
or two days before.
Chap. VIII.
1. Let
not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast
on the second and fifth day of the week; but ye shall fast on the fourth day,
and the preparation day (Friday).
2. Neither
pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded
in His Gospel, so pray ye: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in
heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily (needful) bread. And forgive us
our debt as we also forgive our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one (or, from evil). For Thine is
the power and the glory for ever."
3. Pray
thus thrice a day.
Chap. IX.
1. Now
as regards the Eucharist (the Thank-offering), give thanks after this manner:
2. First
for the cup: "We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of
David Thy servant, which thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant:
to Thee be the glory for ever."
3. And
for the broken bread: "We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the life
and knowledge which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to
Thee be the glory for ever.
4. "As
this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and gathered together became
one, so let Thy church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy
kingdom, for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for
ever."
5. But
let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, except those baptized into the name
of the Lord; for as regards this also the Lord has said: "Give not that
which is holy to the dogs."
Chap. X.
1. Now
after being filled, give thanks after this manner:
2. "We
thank Thee, Holy Father, for Thy Holy Name, which Thou hast caused to dwell
(tabernacle) in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality
which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant, to Thee be the
glory for ever.
3. "Thou,
O, Almighty Sovereign, didst make all things for Thy Name's sake; Thou gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment that they might
give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou didst freely give spiritual food and drink
and eternal life through Thy Servant.
4. "Before
all things we give thanks to Thee that Thou art mighty; to Thee be the glory
for ever.
5. "Remember,
O Lord, Thy Church to deliver her from all evil and to perfect her in Thy love;
and gather her together from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which
Thou didst prepare for her; for Thine 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
one is holy let him come, if any one is not holy let him repent. Maranatha.
Amen."
7. But
permit the Prophets to give thanks as much as [in what words] they wish.
Chap. XI.
1. Whosoever then comes and
teaches you all the things aforesaid, receive him.
2. But
if the teacher himself being perverted teaches another teaching to the
destruction [of this], hear him not, but if [he teach] to the increase of
righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
3. Now
with regard to the Apostles and Prophets, according to the decree (command) of
the gospel, so do ye.
4. Let
every Apostle that cometh to you be received as the Lord.
5. But
he shall not remain [longer than] one day; and, if need be, another [day] also;
but if he remain three [days] he is a false prophet.
6. And
when the Apostle departeth, let him take nothing
except bread [enough] till he reach his lodging
(night-quarters). But if he ask for money, he is a
false prophet.
7. And
every prophet who speaks in the spirit ye shall not try or prove; for every sin
shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
8. Not
every one that speaks in the spirit is a Prophet, but only if he has the
behavior (the ways) of the Lord. By their behavior then shall the false prophet
and the [true] Prophet be known.
9. And
no Prophet that orders a table in the spirit eats of it [himself], unless he is
a false prophet.
10. And
every Prophet who teaches the truth if he does not practice what he teaches, is a false prophet.
11. And
every approved, genuine Prophet, who makes assemblies for a worldly mystery,
but does not teach [others] to do what he himself does, shall not be judged by
you; for he has his judgment with God (or, his judgment is in the hands of
God); for so did also the ancient Prophets.
12. But
whosoever says in the spirit: Give me money or any other thing, ye shall not
listen to him; but if he bid you to give for others that lack, let no one judge
him.
Chap. XII.
1. Let
every one that comes in the name of the Lord be received, and then proving him
ye shall know him; for ye shall have understanding right and left.
2. If
indeed he who comes is a wayfarer, help him as much as ye can; but he shall not
remain with you longer than two or three days, unless there be necessity.
3. If
he wishes to settle among you, being a craftsman (artisan), let him work and
eat (earn his living by work).
4. But
if he has not handicraft (trade), provide according to your understanding that
no Christian shall live idle among you.
5. And
if he will not act thus he is a Christ-trafficker. Beware of such.
Chap. XIII.
1. But
every true Prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food (or,
support).
2. Likewise
a true Teacher is himself worthy, like the workman, of his food.
3. Therefore
thou shalt take and give all the first-fruit of the
produce of the wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and sheep, to the
Prophets; for they are your chief-priests.
4. But
if ye have no Prophet, give to the poor.
5. If
thou preparest bread, take the first fruit and give
according to the commandment.
6. Likewise
when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the
first-fruit and give to the Prophets.
7. And
of silver, and raiment, and every possession, take the first-fruit, as may seem
good to thee, and give according to the commandment.
Chap. XIV.
1. And
on the Lord's Day of the Lord come together, and break bread, and give thanks,
having before confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.
2. Let
no one who has a dispute with his fellow come together with you until they are
reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be 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, saith the
Lord, and my name is wonderful among the Gentiles."
Chap. XV.
1. Elect
therefore for yourselves Bishops and Deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and
not lovers of money, and truthful, and approved; for they too minister to you
the ministry of the Prophets and Teachers.
2. Therefore
despise them not, for they are those that are the honored [men] among you with
the Prophets and Teachers.
3. And
reprove one another not in wrath, but in peace, as ye have [it] in the gospel; and with every one that transgresses against
another let no one speak, nor let him hear [a word] from you until he repents.
4. But
so do your prayers and alms and all your actions as ye have [it] in the gospel
of our Lord.
Chap. XVI.
1. Watch
over your life; let not your lamps be quenched and let not your loins be
unloosed, but be ye ready; for ye know not the hour in which our Lord comes.
2. But
be ye frequently gathered together, seeking the things that are profitable for
your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you except in the
last season ye be found perfect.
3. For
in the last days the false prophets and destroyers shall be multiplied, and the
sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate.
4. For
when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute, and deliver up one
another; and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do
signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he
shall commit iniquities which have never yet come to pass from the beginning of
the world.
5. And
then shall the race of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be
offended and shall perish; but they who endure in their faith shall be saved
from under the curse itself.
6. And
then shall appear the signs of the truth: first the sign of opening in heaven;
then the sign of the voice of the trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of
the dead.
7. Not,
however, of all, but as was said, "The Lord shall come, and all the saints
with him."
8. Then
shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.
This version of The Didache was
originally published in 1885 by Funk & Wagnalls,
Publishers (
