Early Writings:
THE DIDACHE, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,
Translated by Charles H. Hoole
The Didache is also called
the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles." It was possibly written around 65 - 80
A.D. and is supposed to be what the twelve apostles taught to the Gentiles
concerning life and death, church order, fasting, baptism, prayer, etc. There
is debate as to its authenticity. The work is cited by Eusebius who lived from
260 - 341 and Athanasius (293-373) It seems to be referenced by Origen who lived
from 185-254. In the Didache, 16:2-3 is quoted in the Epistle of Barnabbas in
4:9, or vice versa.1
The Epistle of Barnabbas was written in 130-131 A.D. The Didache is not
inspired, but is valuable as an early church document.
Translated by Charles H.
Hoole. The Didache is in the public domain.
CHAPTER 1
1:1 There are two paths, one of
life and one of death, and the difference is great between the two paths.
1:2 Now the path of life is this
-- first, thou shalt love the God who made thee, thy neighbour as thyself, and
all things that thou wouldest not should be done unto thee, do not thou unto
another.
1:3 And the doctrine of these
maxims is as follows. Bless them that curse you, and pray for your enemies. Fast
on behalf of those that persecute you; for what thank is there if ye love them
that love you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? But do ye love them that
hate you, and ye will not have an enemy.
1:4 Abstain from fleshly and
worldly lusts. If any one give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn unto him the
other also, and thou shalt be perfect; if any one compel thee to go a mile, go
with him two; if a man take away thy cloak, give him thy coat also; if a man
take from thee what is thine, ask not for it again, for neither art thou able to
do so.
1:5 Give to every one that asketh
of thee, and ask not again; for the Father wishes that from his own gifts there
should be given to all. Blessed is he who giveth according to the commandment,
for he is free from guilt; but woe unto him that receiveth. For if a man receive
being in need, he shall be free from guilt; but he who receiveth when not in
need, shall pay a penalty as to why he received and for what purpose; and when
he is in tribulation he shall be examined concerning the things that he has
done, and shall not depart thence until he has paid the last farthing.
1:6 For of a truth it has been said on these
matters, let thy almsgiving abide in thy hands until thou knowest to whom thou
hast given.
2:1 But the second commandment of
the teaching is this.
2:2 Thou shalt not kill; thou
shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not corrupt youth; thou shalt not commit
fornication; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not use soothsaying; thou shalt
not practise sorcery; thou shalt not kill a child by abortion, neither shalt
thou slay it when born; thou shalt not covet the goods of thy neighbour;
2:3 thou shalt not commit
perjury; thou shalt not bear false witness; thou shalt not speak evil; thou
shalt not bear malice;
2:4 thou shalt not be
double-minded or double-tongued, for to be double tongued is the snare of death.
2:5 Thy speech shall not be false
or empty, but concerned with action.
2:6 Thou shalt not be covetous,
or rapacious, or hypocritical, or malicious, or proud; thou shalt not take up an
evil design against thy neighbour;
2:7 thou shalt not hate any man,
but some thou shalt confute, concerning some thou shalt pray, and some thou
shalt love beyond thine own soul.
3:1 My child, fly from everything
that is evil, and from everything that is like to it.
3:2 Be not wrathful, for wrath
leadeth unto slaughter; be not jealous, or contentious, or quarrelsome, for from
all these things slaughter ensues.
3:3 My child, be not lustful, for
lust leadeth unto fornication; be not a filthy talker; be not a lifter up of the
eye, for from all these things come adulteries.
3:4 My child, be not an observer
of omens, since it leadeth to idolatry, nor a user of spells, nor an astrologer,
nor a travelling purifier, nor wish to see these things, for from all these
things idolatry ariseth.
3:5 My child, be not a liar, for
lying leadeth unto theft; be not covetous or conceited, for from all these
things thefts arise.
3:6 My child, be not a murmurer,
since it leadeth unto blasphemy; be not self-willed or evil-minded, for from all
these things blasphemies are produced;
3:7 but be thou meek, for the
meek shall inherit the earth;
3:8 be thou longsuffering, and
compassionate, and harmless, and peaceable, and good, and fearing alway the
words that thou hast heard.
3:9 Thou shalt not exalt thyself,
neither shalt thou put boldness into thy soul. Thy soul shall not be joined unto
the lofty, but thou shalt walk with the just and humble.
3:10 Accept the things that happen to thee as
good, knowing that without God nothing happens.
4:1 My child, thou shalt remember
both night and day him that speaketh unto thee the Word of God; thou shalt
honour him as thou dost the Lord, for where the teaching of the Lord is given,
there is the Lord;
4:2 thou shalt seek out day by
day the favour of the saints, that thou mayest rest in their words;
4:3 thou shalt not desire schism,
but shalt set at peace them that contend; thou shalt judge righteously; thou
shalt not accept the person of any one to convict him of transgression;
4:4 thou shalt not doubt whether
a thing shall be or not.
4:5 Be not a stretcher out of thy
hand to receive, and a drawer of it back in giving.
4:6 If thou hast, give by means
of thy hands a redemption for thy sins.
4:7 Thou shalt not doubt to give,
neither shalt thou murmur when giving; for thou shouldest know who is the fair
recompenser of the reward.
4:8 Thou shalt not turn away from
him that is in need, but shalt share with thy brother in all things, and shalt
not say that things are thine own; for if ye are partners in what is immortal,
how much more in what is mortal?
4:9 Thou shalt not remove thine
heart from thy son or from thy daughter, but from their youth shalt teach them
the fear of God.
4:10 Thou shalt not command with
bitterness thy servant or thy handmaid, who hope in the same God as thyself,
lest they fear not in consequence the God who is over both; for he cometh not to
call with respect of persons, but those whom the Spirit hath prepared.
4:11 And do ye servants submit yourselves to
your masters with reverence and fear, as being the type of God.
4:12 Thou shalt hate all hypocrisy and
everything that is not pleasing to God;
4:13 thou shalt not abandon the commandments of
the Lord, but shalt guard that which thou hast received, neither adding thereto
nor taking therefrom;
4:14 thou shalt confess thy transgressions in
the Church, and shalt not come unto prayer with an evil conscience. This is the
path of life.
5:1 But the path of death is
this. First of all, it is evil, and full of cursing; there are found murders,
adulteries, lusts, fornication, thefts, idolatries, soothsaying, sorceries,
robberies, false witnessings, hypocrisies, double-mindedness, craft, pride,
malice, self-will, covetousness, filthy talking, jealousy, audacity, pride,
arrogance;
5:2 there are they who persecute
the good -- lovers of a lie, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not
cleaving to the good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for the good but
for the bad, from whom meekness and patience are afar off, loving things that
are vain, following after recompense, having no compassion on the needy, nor
labouring for him that is in trouble, not knowing him that made them, murderers
of children, corrupters of the image of God, who turn away from him that is in
need, who oppress him that is in trouble, unjust judges of the poor, erring in
all things. From all these, children, may ye be delivered.
6:1 See that no one make thee to
err from this path of doctrine, since he who doeth so teacheth thee apart from
God.
6:2 If thou art able to bear the
whole yoke of the Lord, thou wilt be perfect; but if thou art not able, what
thou art able, that do.
6:3 But concerning meat, bear
that which thou art able to do. But keep with care from things sacrificed to
idols, for it is the worship of the infernal deities.
7:1 But concerning baptism, thus
baptize ye: having first recited all these precepts, baptize in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water;
7:2 but if thou hast not running
water, baptize in some other water, and if thou canst not baptize in cold, in
warm water;
7:3 but if thou hast neither,
pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
7:4 But before the baptism, let
him who baptizeth and him who is baptized fast previously, and any others who
may be able. And thou shalt command him who is baptized to fast one or two days
before.
8:1 But as for your fasts, let
them not be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days of
the week, but do ye fast on the fourth and sixth days.
8:2 Neither pray ye as the
hypocrites, but as the Lord hath commanded in his gospel so pray ye: Our Father
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 bread. And forgive us our debt, as we
also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil: for thine is the power, and the glory, for ever.
8:3 Thrice a day pray ye in this
fashion.
9:1 But concerning the Eucharist,
after this fashion give ye thanks.
9:2 First, concerning the cup. We
thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine, David thy Son, which thou hast made
known unto us through Jesus Christ thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.
9:3 And concerning the broken
bread. We thank thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou hast
made known unto us through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.
9:4 As this broken bread was once
scattered on the mountains, and after it had been brought together became one,
so may thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth unto thy
kingdom; for thine is the glory, and the power, through Jesus Christ, for ever.
9:5 And let none eat or drink of
your Eucharist but such as have been baptized into the name of the Lord, for of
a truth the Lord hath said concerning this, Give not that which is holy unto
dogs.
10:1 But after it has been
completed, so pray ye.
10:2 We thank thee, holy Father,
for thy holy name, which thou hast caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the
knowledge and faith and immortality which thou hast made known unto us through
Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.
10:3 Thou, Almighty Master,
didst create all things for the sake of thy name, and hast given both meat and
drink, for men to enjoy, that we might give thanks unto thee, but to us thou
hast given spiritual meat and drink, and life everlasting, through thy Son.
10:4 Above all, we thank thee
that thou art able to save; to thee be the glory for ever.
10:5 Remember, Lord, thy Church,
to redeem it from every evil, and to perfect it in thy love, and gather it
together from the four winds, even that which has been sanctified for thy
kingdom which thou hast prepared for it; for thine is the kingdom and the glory
for ever.
10:6 Let grace come, and let
this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David. If any one is holy let him
come (to the Eucharist); if any one is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.
10:7 But charge the prophets to
give thanks, so far as they are willing to do so.
11:1 Whosoever, therefore, shall
come and teach you all these things aforesaid, him do ye receive;
11:2 but if the teacher himself
turn and teach another doctrine with a view to subvert you, hearken not to him;
but if he come to add to your righteousness, and the knowledge of the Lord,
receive him as the Lord.
11:3 But concerning the apostles
and prophets, thus do ye according to the doctrine of the Gospel.
11:4 Let every apostle who
cometh unto you be received as the Lord.
11:5 He will remain one day, and
if it be necessary, a second; but if he remain three days, he is a false
prophet.
11:6 And let the apostle when
departing take nothing but bread until he arrive at his resting-place; but if he
ask for money, he is a false prophet.
11:7 And ye shall not tempt or
dispute with any prophet who speaketh in the spirit; for every sin shall be
forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
11:8 But not every one who
speaketh in the spirit is a prophet, but he is so who hath the disposition of
the Lord; by their dispositions they therefore shall be known, the false prophet
and the prophet.
11:9 And every prophet who
ordereth in the spirit that a table shall be laid, shall not eat of it himself,
but if he do otherwise, he is a false prophet;
11:10 and every prophet who teacheth the truth,
if he do not what he teacheth is a false prophet;
11:11 and every prophet who is
approved and true, and ministering in the visible mystery of the Church, but who
teacheth not others to do the things that he doth himself, shall not be judged
of you, for with God lieth his judgment, for in this manner also did the ancient
prophets.
11:12 But whoever shall say in
the spirit, Give me money, or things of that kind, listen not to him; but if he
tell you concerning others that are in need that ye should give unto them, let
no one judge him.
12:1 Let every one that cometh
in the name of the Lord be received, but afterwards ye shall examine him and
know his character, for ye have knowledge both of good and evil.
12:2 If the person who cometh be
a wayfarer, assist him so far as ye are able; but he will not remain with you
more than two or three days, unless there be a necessity.
12:3 But if he wish to settle
with you, being a craftsman, let him work, and so eat;
12:4 but if he know not any
craft, provide ye according to you own discretion, that a Christian may not live
idle among you;
12:5 but if he be not willing to
do so, he is a trafficker in Christ. From such keep aloof.
13:1 But every true prophet who
is willing to dwell among you is worthy of his meat,
13:2 likewise a true teacher is
himself worthy of his meat, even as is a labourer.
13:3 Thou shalt, therefore, take
the firstfruits of every produce of the wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen
and sheep, and shalt give it to the prophets, for they are your chief priests;
13:4 but if ye have not a
prophet, give it unto the poor.
13:5 If thou makest a feast,
take and give the firstfruits according to the commandment;
13:6 in like manner when thou
openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the firstfruits and give it to the
prophets;
13:7 take also the firstfruits
of money, of clothes, and of every possession, as it shall seem good unto thee,
and give it according to the commandment.
14:1 But on the Lord's day,
after that ye have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in
addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure.
14:2 But let not any one who
hath a quarrel with his companion join with you, until they be reconciled, that
your sacrifice may not be polluted,
14:3 for it is that which is
spoken of by the Lord. In every place and time offer unto me a pure sacrifice,
for I am a great King, saith the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the
Gentiles.
CHAPTER 15
15:1 Elect, therefore, for
yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not
covetous, and true and approved, for they perform for you the service of
prophets and teachers.
15:2 Do not, therefore, despise
them, for they are those who are honoured among you, together with the prophets
and teachers.
15:3 Rebuke one another, not in
wrath but peaceably, as ye have commandment in the Gospel; and, but let no one
speak to any one who walketh disorderly with regard to his neighbour, neither
let him be heard by you until he repent.
15:4 But your prayers and your
almsgivings and all your deeds so do, as ye have commandment in the Gospel of
our Lord.
CHAPTER 16
16:1 Watch concerning your life;
let not your lamps be quenched or your loins be loosed, but be ye ready, for ye
know not the hour at which our Lord cometh.
16:2 But be ye gathered together
frequently, seeking what is suitable for your souls; for the whole time of your
faith shall profit you not, unless ye be found perfect in the last time.
16:3 For in the last days false
prophets and seducers shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into
wolves, and love shall be turned into hate;
16:4 and because iniquity
aboundeth they shall hate each other, and persecute each other, and deliver each
other up; and then shall the Deceiver of the world appear as the Son of God, and
shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands; and
he shall do unlawful things, such as have never happened since the beginning of
the world.
16:5 Then shall the creation of
man come to the fiery trial of proof, and many shall be offended and shall
perish; but they who remain in their faith shall be saved by the rock of offence
itself.
16:6 And then shall appear the
signs of the truth; first the sign of the appearance in heaven, then the sign of
the sound of the trumpet, and thirdly the resurrection of the dead
16:7 -- not of all, but as it
has been said, The Lord shall come and all his saints with him;
16:8 then shall the world behold
the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.
