Didache

Contents

1. 0The title of the work.
2. 1.1There are two ways, of life and of death.
3. 1.2The way of life: love God and neighbor, and do not do to others what you would not want done to you.
4. 1.3Bless and pray for enemies, and love those who hate you.
5. 1.4Turn the other cheek, go the second mile, and do not demand back what is taken.
6. 1.5Give freely; those who receive without need will answer for it.
7. 1.6Give with care, knowing to whom you give.
8. 2.1The second commandment begins.
9. 2.2Commandments against murder, adultery, abuse of boys, sexual immorality, theft, magic, abortion, and infanticide.
10. 2.3No perjury, false witness, slander, or grudges.
11. 2.4Do not be double-minded or two-faced in speech.
12. 2.5Let your words be true and matched by deeds.
13. 2.6Do not be greedy, hypocritical, or arrogant, or plot against your neighbor.
14. 2.7Hate no one; reprove some, pray for others, and love some more than your own life.
15. 3.1Flee evil and all that resembles it.
16. 3.2Anger and jealousy lead to murder.
17. 3.3Lust, foul talk, and roving eyes lead to sexual sin.
18. 3.4Omens, spells, astrology, and magical purifications lead to idolatry.
19. 3.5Lying and love of money lead to theft.
20. 3.6Grumbling leads to blasphemy.
21. 3.7Be meek, for the meek will inherit the earth.
22. 3.8Be patient, merciful, and gentle, and revere God's words.
23. 3.9Be humble and keep company with the humble.
24. 3.10Accept what happens as good, since nothing happens without God.
25. 4.1Honor the one who teaches you God's word as you would the Lord.
26. 4.2Seek the company of fellow believers daily.
27. 4.3Make peace and judge fairly.
28. 4.4Do not waver in doubt.
29. 4.5Do not be eager to take but slow to give.
30. 4.6Give from your earnings as a ransom for your sins.
31. 4.7Give without hesitation or grumbling; God will repay.
32. 4.8Share everything with fellow believers, as you share in immortal things.
33. 4.9Discipline your children and teach them the fear of God from youth.
34. 4.10Do not treat slaves harshly, since God is over both master and slave.
35. 4.11Slaves are to obey their masters with reverence.
36. 4.12Hate hypocrisy and all that displeases the Lord.
37. 4.13Keep the Lord's commandments without adding or subtracting.
38. 4.14Confess your sins in the assembly and pray with a clean conscience.
39. 5.1The way of death: a catalogue of sins.
40. 5.2Those on the way of death oppress the poor and kill children.
41. 6.1Let no one lead you away from this teaching.
42. 6.2Bear the Lord's whole yoke if you can; otherwise do what you can.
43. 6.3Keep food rules as you can, but never eat food offered to idols.
44. 7.1Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in running water.
45. 7.2Other water may be used if running water is not available.
46. 7.3If there is not enough water, pour water on the head three times.
47. 7.4Fast before baptism.
48. 8.1Fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, not on the days the hypocrites fast.
49. 8.2Pray the Lord's Prayer.
50. 8.3Pray the Lord's Prayer three times a day.
51. 9.1Instructions for the Eucharist begin.
52. 9.2The thanksgiving over the cup.
53. 9.3The thanksgiving over the bread.
54. 9.4A prayer that the church be gathered into one, like grain into bread.
55. 9.5Only the baptized may share in the Eucharist.
56. 10.1The thanksgiving after the meal begins.
57. 10.2Thanks for God's name, knowledge, faith, and immortality.
58. 10.3Thanks for daily food and for spiritual food and eternal life.
59. 10.4Thanks for God's power.
60. 10.5A prayer for the church to be kept, perfected, and gathered into God's kingdom.
61. 10.6A closing prayer for Christ's coming: “Maranatha.”
62. 10.7Prophets may give thanks freely.
63. 11.1Welcome teachers who teach these things.
64. 11.2Reject teachers who undermine this teaching; welcome those who build it up.
65. 11.3Instructions on traveling apostles and prophets.
66. 11.4Receive every apostle as the Lord.
67. 11.5An apostle who stays three days is a false prophet.
68. 11.6An apostle who asks for money is a false prophet.
69. 11.7Do not judge a prophet speaking in the Spirit; that sin is unforgivable.
70. 11.8True and false prophets are known by their conduct.
71. 11.9A prophet who orders a meal “in the Spirit” and eats it is false.
72. 11.10A prophet who does not practice what he teaches is false.
73. 11.11A proven prophet who performs symbolic acts is left to God's judgment.
74. 11.12Ignore a prophet who asks for money for himself.
75. 12.1Welcome travelers in the Lord's name, but test them.
76. 12.2Help travelers, but only for two or three days.
77. 12.3Settlers with a trade must work for their food.
78. 12.4Find work for settlers without a trade.
79. 12.5Those unwilling to work are exploiting Christ.
80. 13.1A true prophet who settles among you deserves support.
81. 13.2True teachers also deserve support.
82. 13.3Give the firstfruits of produce and flocks to the prophets.
83. 13.4Without a prophet, give the firstfruits to the poor.
84. 13.5Give the firstfruit of your baking.
85. 13.6Give the firstfruit of wine and oil to the prophets.
86. 13.7Give a firstfruit of money, clothing, and all possessions.
87. 14.1On the Lord's day, gather to break bread and give thanks after confessing your sins.
88. 14.2Be reconciled before joining the gathering.
89. 14.3Malachi's prophecy of a pure sacrifice among the nations.
90. 15.1Choose worthy bishops and deacons, who also serve as prophets and teachers.
91. 15.2Honor your bishops and deacons.
92. 15.3Correct one another peacefully; shun the unrepentant.
93. 15.4Pray, give, and act as the gospel teaches.
94. 16.1Be ready, for the Lord's coming is unknown.
95. 16.2Meet often; faith must endure to the end.
96. 16.3In the last days false prophets will multiply and love will turn to hate.
97. 16.4The world-deceiver will appear as a son of God, doing signs and wonders.
98. 16.5Many will fall away in the final testing, but those who endure will be saved.
99. 16.6The signs of the end: an opening in heaven, a trumpet, and the resurrection.
100. 16.7The resurrection is of the saints, who come with the Lord.
101. 16.8The world will see the Lord coming on the clouds.