# Didache 4.5

- Author: Anonymous
- Work: [Didache](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/didache/) (*Doctrina duodecim apostolorum*)
- Date: ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:314; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 308–333 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/didache/4/5/

Summary: Do not be eager to take but slow to give.

## Greek text

Μὴ γίνου πρὸς μὲν τὸ λαβεῖν ἐκτείνων τὰς χεῖρας, πρὸς δὲ τὸ δοῦναι συσπῶν.

## English translation (Claude)

Do not be one who stretches out his hands to receive but draws them back when it comes to giving.

## Extrabiblical texts

- Sir 4:31 (Sirach): allusion, high confidence

## Citation (SBL)

Did. 4.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/didache/4/5/).