The Didache

There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways.

Ch. 1 (¶1)

The way of life, then, is this: First, thou shalt love God who made thee; second, thy neighbour as thyself; and all things whatsoever thou wouldst should not occur to thee, thou also to another do not do.

Ch. 1 (¶2)

And of these words the doctrine is this: Bless them that curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for them that persecute you. For what thank is it, if ye love them that love you?

Ch. 1 (¶3)

Abstain thou from fleshly and worldly lusts. If one give thee a blow upon thy right cheek, turn to him the other also, and thou shalt be perfect. If one impress thee for one mile, go with him two.

Ch. 1 (¶4)

Give to every one that asketh thee, and ask it not back; for the Father willeth that to all should be given of our own blessings. Happy is he that giveth according to the commandment, for he is guiltless.

Ch. 1 (¶5)

But also now concerning this, it hath been said, Let thine alms sweat in thy hands, until thou know to whom thou shouldst give.

Ch. 1 (¶6)

And the second commandment of the Teaching; Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not make use of magic, thou shalt not use witchcraft, thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill…

Ch. 2 (¶7)

Thou shalt not forswear thyself, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not speak evil, thou shalt bear no grudge.

Ch. 2 (¶8)

Thou shalt not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death.

Ch. 2 (¶9)

Thy speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed.

Ch. 2 (¶10)

Thou shalt not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil-disposed, nor haughty. Thou shalt not take evil counsel against thy neighbour.

Ch. 2 (¶11)

Thou shalt not hate any man; but some thou shalt reprove, and concerning some thou shalt pray, and some thou shalt love more than thy own life.

Ch. 2 (¶12)

My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every likeness of it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leadeth the way to murder; neither jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper; for out of all these murders are…

Ch. 3 (¶13)

My child, be not a lustful one; for lust leadeth the way to fornication; neither a filthy talker, nor of lofty eye; for out of all these adulteries are engendered.

Ch. 3 (¶14)

My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leadeth the way to idolatry; neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier, nor be willing to look at these things; for out of all these idolatry is engendered.

Ch. 3 (¶15)

My child, be not a liar, since a lie leadeth the way to theft; neither money-loving, nor vainglorious, for out of all these thefts are engendered.

Ch. 3 (¶16)

My child, be not a murmurer, since it leadeth the way to blasphemy; neither self-willed nor evil-minded, for out of all these blasphemies are engendered.

Ch. 3 (¶17)

But be thou 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 thou hast heard.

Ch. 3 (¶18)

Thou shalt not exalt thyself, nor give over-confidence to thy soul. Thy soul shall not be joined with lofty ones, but with just and lowly ones shalt thou walk.

Ch. 3 (¶19)

The workings that befall thee receive as good, knowing that apart from God nothing cometh to pass.

Ch. 3 (¶20)

My child, remember him who speaketh to thee the word of God night and day, and honour him as thou dost the Lord. For where the lordly nature is discoursed of, there is He present.

Ch. 4 (¶21)

And thou shalt seek out day by day the faces of the saints, in order that thou mayest rest upon their words. Thou shalt not long for division, but shalt bring those who contend to peace.

Ch. 4 (¶22)

Thou shalt not be double-minded whether it shall be or no.

Ch. 4 (¶23)

Be not one that stretcheth out his hands to receive, or draweth them back to give.

Ch. 4 (¶24)

If thou hast aught, through thy hands thou shalt give ransom for thy sins. Thou shalt not hesitate to give, nor murmur when thou givest; for thou shalt know who is the good repayer of the hire.

Ch. 4 (¶25)

Thou shalt not turn away from him that is in want; but thou shalt share all things with thy brother, and shalt not say that they are thine own; for if ye are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things…

Ch. 4 (¶26)

Thou shalt not remove thy hand from thy son or from thy daughter; but from their youth shalt thou teach them the fear of God.

Ch. 4 (¶27)

Thou shalt not enjoin aught in thy bitterness upon thy bondman or maidservant, who hope in the same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is over both; for he cometh not to call according to the outward appearance,…

Ch. 4 (¶28)

And ye bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear.

Ch. 4 (¶29)

Thou shalt hate all hypocrisy and everything which is not pleasing to the Lord. Do thou in no wise forsake the commandments of the Lord; but thou shalt keep what thou hast received, neither adding thereto nor taking…

Ch. 4 (¶30)

In the church thou shalt acknowledge thy transgressions, and thou shalt not come near for thy prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

Ch. 4 (¶31)

And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and full of curse: murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, rapines, false witnessings, hypocrisies,…

Ch. 5 (¶32)

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…

Ch. 5 (¶33)

See that no one cause thee to err from this way of the Teaching, since apart from God it teacheth thee.

Ch. 6 (¶34)

For if thou art able to bear all the yoke of the Lord, thou wilt be perfect; but if thou art not able, what thou art able that do.

Ch. 6 (¶35)

And concerning food, bear what thou art able; but against that which is offered to idols be exceedingly on thy guard; for it is the service of dead gods.

Ch. 6 (¶36)

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 water.

Ch. 7 (¶37)

But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

Ch. 7 (¶38)

But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whatever others can; but thou shalt order the baptized to fast one or two days before.

Ch. 7 (¶39)

But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday).

Ch. 8 (¶40)

Neither pray as the hypocrites; but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, thus pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Ch. 8 (¶41)

Thrice in the day thus pray.

Ch. 8 (¶42)

Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way.

Ch. 9 (¶43)

First, concerning the cup: We thank Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever.

Ch. 9 (¶44)

And concerning the broken bread: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever.

Ch. 9 (¶45)

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 hath said, Give not that which is holy to the dogs.

Ch. 9 (¶46)

But after ye are filled, give thanks thus: We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name which Thou didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which Thou madest known to us…

Ch. 10 (¶47)

Thou, Master almighty, didst create 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…

Ch. 10 (¶48)

Before all things we thank Thee that Thou art 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,…

Ch. 10 (¶49)

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.

Ch. 10 (¶50)

But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.

Ch. 10 (¶51)

Whosoever, therefore, cometh and teacheth you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turn and teach another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not; but if he…

Ch. 11 (¶52)

And concerning the apostles and prophets, according to the decree of the Gospel, thus do. Let every apostle that cometh to you be received as the Lord.

Ch. 11 (¶53)

And when the apostle goeth away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodgeth. If he ask money, he is a false prophet.

Ch. 11 (¶54)

And every prophet that speaketh in the Spirit ye shall not try neither discern; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.

Ch. 11 (¶55)

And every prophet who ordereth a meal in the Spirit eateth not from it, except indeed he be a false prophet; and every prophet who teacheth the truth, if he do not what he teacheth, is a false prophet.

Ch. 11 (¶56)

And every prophet, approved and true, who acteth for the worldly mystery of the Church, but teacheth not others to do what he himself doeth, shall not be judged among you, for with God he hath his judgment; for so did…

Ch. 11 (¶57)

But whoever saith in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, ye shall not listen to him; but if he saith to you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.

Ch. 11 (¶58)

Let every one that cometh in the name of the Lord be received, and afterward ye shall prove and know him; for ye shall have understanding right and left.

Ch. 12 (¶59)

If he who cometh is a wayfarer, assist him as far as ye are able; but he shall not remain with you, except for two or three days, if need be.

Ch. 12 (¶60)

But if he will stay among you, and is an artisan, let him work and eat. But if he hath no trade, according to your understanding see to it that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle.

Ch. 12 (¶61)

But if he willeth not so to do, he is a Christ-monger. Watch that ye keep aloof from such.

Ch. 12 (¶62)

But every true prophet that willeth to abide among you is worthy of his support. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support.

Ch. 13 (¶63)

Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, thou shalt take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests.

Ch. 13 (¶64)

But if ye have not a prophet, give it to the poor.

Ch. 13 (¶65)

If thou shouldest make a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to the commandment. So also when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets; and of money…

Ch. 13 (¶66)

But every Lord's day do ye gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.

Ch. 14 (¶67)

But let not any one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned.

Ch. 14 (¶68)

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, saith the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.

Ch. 14 (¶69)

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.

Ch. 15 (¶70)

Despise them not therefore, for they are your honoured ones, together with the prophets and teachers.

Ch. 15 (¶71)

And reprove one another, not in anger, but in peace, as ye have it in the Gospel. But to every one that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear anything from you until he repent.

Ch. 15 (¶72)

But your prayers and your alms and all your deeds so do, as ye have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Ch. 15 (¶73)

Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour in which our Lord cometh.

Ch. 16 (¶74)

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 ye be not made perfect in the last time.

Ch. 16 (¶75)

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 increaseth, they shall hate and persecute and…

Ch. 16 (¶76)

Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself.

Ch. 16 (¶77)

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 the third, the resurrection of the dead; yet not of all, but as it is said: The…

Ch. 16 (¶78)

Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

Ch. 16 (¶79)