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The Didache (
/ˈdɪdəkiː/; Koine Greek: Διδαχή) or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (Didachē means "Teaching"[1]) is a brief early Christian treatise, dated by most scholars to the late first or early 2nd century.[2] But J.A.T. Robinson argues that it is first generation, dating it c.40-60.[3] The first line of this treatise is "Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles (or Nations) by the Twelve Apostles"[4]
The Didache
The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the
Nations.
Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment. There are two
ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two
ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love God who made you;
second, love your neighbor as yourself, and do not do to another what you would
not want done to you. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those
who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you.
For what reward is there for loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do
the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain
from fleshly and worldly lusts. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn to him
the other also, and you shall be perfect. If someone impresses you for one
mile, go with him two. If someone takes your cloak, give him also your coat. If
someone takes from you what is yours, ask it not back, for indeed you are not
able. Give to every one who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills
that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who
gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him who
receives; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who
receives not having need shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what.
And coming into confinement, he shall be examined concerning the things which
he has done, and he shall not escape from there until he pays back the last
penny. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your
hands, until you know to whom you should give.
Chapter 2. The Second Commandment: Grave Sin Forbidden. And the
second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not
commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty (
def.?), you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you
shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not
murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born. You shall not covet the
things of your neighbor, you shall not swear, you shall not bear false witness,
you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be
double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death.
Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not
be covetous, nor rapacious (
def.?),
nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil
counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall
reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than
your own life.
Chapter 3. Other Sins Forbidden. My child, flee from every evil
thing, and from every likeness of it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads to
murder. Be neither jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper, for out of all
these murders are engendered. My child, be not a lustful one, for lust leads to
fornication. Be neither a filthy talker, nor of lofty eye, for out of all these
adulteries are engendered. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it
leads to idolatry. Be neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier,
nor be willing to took at these things, for out of all these idolatry is
engendered. My child, be not a liar, since a lie leads to theft. Be neither
money-loving, nor vainglorious (
def.?),
for out of all these thefts are engendered. My child, be not a murmurer, since
it leads the way to blasphemy. Be neither self-willed nor evil-minded, for out
of all these blasphemies are engendered.
Rather, be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering
and pitiful and guileless and gentle and good and always trembling at the words
which you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, nor give over-confidence to
your soul. Your soul shall not be joined with lofty ones, but with just and
lowly ones shall it have its intercourse. Accept whatever happens to you as
good, knowing that apart from God nothing comes to pass.
Chapter 4. Various Precepts. My child, remember night and day him who
speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as you do the Lord. For wherever
the lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord. And seek out day by day the
faces of the saints, in order that you may rest upon their words. Do not long
for division, but rather bring those who contend to peace. Judge righteously,
and do not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. You shall not be
undecided whether or not it shall be. Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to
receive and a drawer of them back to give. If you have anything, through your
hands you shall give ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor
complain when you give; for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire.
Do not turn away from him who is in want; rather, share all things with your
brother, and do not say that they are your own. For if you are partakers in
that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal? Do not remove
your hand from your son or daughter; rather, teach them the fear of God from their
youth. Do not enjoin anything in your bitterness upon your bondman or
maidservant, who hope in the same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is
over both; for he comes not to call according to the outward appearance, but to
them whom the Spirit has prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your
masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear. You shall hate all hypocrisy
and everything which is not pleasing to the Lord. Do not in any way forsake the
commandments of the Lord; but keep what you have received, neither adding
thereto nor taking away therefrom. In the church you shall acknowledge your
transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil
conscience. This is the way of life.
Chapter 5. The Way of Death. And the way of death is this: First of
all it is evil and accursed: murders, adultery, lust, fornication, thefts,
idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, rape, false witness, hypocrisy,
double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness,
filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; persecutors
of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing a reward for
righteousness, not cleaving to good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for
that which is good, but for that which is evil; from whom meekness and
endurance are far, loving vanities, pursuing revenge, not pitying a poor man,
not laboring for the afflicted, not knowing Him Who made them, murderers of
children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away from him who is in
want, afflicting him who is distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges
of the poor, utter sinners. Be delivered, children, from all these.
Chapter 6. Against False Teachers, and Food Offered to Idols. See
that no one causes you to err from this way of the Teaching, since apart from
God it teaches you. For if you are able to bear the entire yoke of the Lord,
you will be perfect; but if you are not able to do this, do what you are able.
And concerning food, bear what you are able; but against that which is
sacrificed to idols be exceedingly careful; for it is the service of dead gods.
Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism. And concerning baptism, baptize this
way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living (
running) water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other
water; and if you cannot do so in cold water (
springs), do so in warm (
stale).
But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name
of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer
fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized
to fast one or two days before.
Chapter 8. Fasting and Prayer (the Lord's Prayer). But let not your
fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the
week. Rather, fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday). Do not pray
like the hypocrites, but rather as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, like this:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed
be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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, evil); for Thine is the power and the glory for ever..
Pray this three times each day.
Chapter 9. The Eucharist. Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks
this way. First, concerning the cup:
We thank thee, our Father, for the holy
vine of David Thy servant, which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy
Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever..
And concerning the broken bread:
We thank Thee, our Father, for the life
and knowledge which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee
be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was (once grain) scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and
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..
But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been
baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said,
"Give not that which is holy to the dogs."
Chapter 10. Prayer after Communion. But after you are filled, give
thanks this way:
We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy
name which You didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge
and faith and immortality, which You modest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant;
to Thee be the glory for ever. Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things
for Thy name's sake; You gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they
might give thanks to Thee; but to us You didst freely give spiritual food and
drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. Before all things we thank Thee
that You are mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever. Remember, Lord, Thy Church,
to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and gather it
from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou have prepared for
it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever. Let grace come, and let this
world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David! If any one is holy, let him
come; if any one is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.
But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.
Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever,
therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before,
receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to
the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase
righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But
concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the
Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he
shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he
remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let
him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false
prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor
judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But
not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the
ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the
prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not
eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the
truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet,
proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not
teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with
God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says
in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him.
But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge
him.
Chapter 12. Reception of Christians. But receive everyone who comes
in the name of the Lord, and prove and know him afterward; for you shall have
understanding right and left. If he who comes is a wayfarer, assist him as far
as you are able; but he shall not remain with you more than two or three days,
if need be. But if he wants to stay with you, and is an artisan, let him work
and eat. But if he has no trade, according to your understanding, see to it
that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he wills not to
do, he is a Christ-monger. Watch that you keep away from such.
Chapter 13. Support of Prophets. But every true prophet who wants to
live among you is worthy of his support. So also a true teacher is himself
worthy, as the workman, of his support. Every first-fruit, therefore, of the
products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, you shall
take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you have
no prophet, give it to the poor. If you make a batch of dough, take the
first-fruit and give according to the commandment. So also when you open a jar
of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets; and of
money (silver) and clothing and every possession, take the first-fruit, as it
may seem good to you, and give according to the commandment.
Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord's Day. But every Lord's
day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after
having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let
no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be
reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was
spoken by the Lord: "In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice;
for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the
nations."
Chapter 15. Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof. Appoint,
therefore, for yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek,
and not lovers of money, and truthful and proved; for they also render to you
the service of prophets and teachers. Therefore do not despise them, for they
are your honored ones, together with the prophets and teachers. And reprove one
another, not in anger, but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel. But to
anyone that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear
anything from you until he repents. But your prayers and alms and all your
deeds so do, as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.
Chapter 16. Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord. Watch for your
life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be
ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together
often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time
of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last
time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied,
and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate;
for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray 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 do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the
beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many
shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but those who endure in their faith
shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of
the truth: first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the
sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead -- yet not of
all, but as it is said: "The Lord shall come and all His saints with
Him." Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.
