The Didache
Chapter 1
1. There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but there is
certainly a great difference between these two ways.
2. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love God who made
you; second, your neighbor as yourself; and you should never do to
others, what you yourself would not want done to you by others.
3. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless all those who curse
you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for all those who persecute you.
For what good is it then if you love only those who love you? Do the
gentiles not also do the same? But you should love those who hate you;
and you shall not have an enemy.
4. Abstain from fleshly and worldly desires. If someone strikes your
right cheek, turn to him the other also; this practice shall lead to
perfection. If one asks you to go for one mile, go with him two instead.
If someone takes away your cloak, you should also give him your coat. If
someone takes anything of your own, do not ask to have it back for what
good can you do with it in the first place?
5. Give to every one that asks of you, and do not ask for anything in
return; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own
blessings which are free gifts. Happy is he that gives according to the
Commandment; for he is blameless. Woe to him that receives; for if one
having need receives, he is blameless; but he that receives without
having a genuine 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 until he pays back the
last penny.
6. But also now concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in
the tight grasp of the palm of your hands, until you know to whom you
should give.
Chapter 2
1. The second of the Commandments of the Teaching is this:
2. You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall
not commit paederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not
steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft,
and you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill a child that has
been born. You shall not desire to have the possessions of your neighbor.
3. You shall not perjure yourself, you shall not bear false witness, you
shall not speak evil, and you shall not bear a grudge.
4. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for to be
double-tongued is a trap that will bring you to your demise.
5. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed.
6. You shall not be desirous of the possessions of another, nor greedy,
nor a hypocrite, nor disposed to act in an evil manner, nor conceited.
You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor.
7. You shall not hate any man; but some you should reprove, and
concerning some you should keep them in your prayers, and there are
others whom you shall love more than your very own life.
Chapter 3
1. My child, flee from every evil and everything that resembles evil.
2. Do not always be filled with anger, for anger leads to murder, nor
jealous nor contentious nor wrathful;
3. for of all these things are not becoming of a follower of Messiah.
4. My child, do not be filled with lust, for lust leads to fornication,
neither foul-speaking neither with uplifted eyes;
5. for of all these things lead to unfaithfulness and are not becoming of
a follower of Messiah.
6. My child, do not be one who deals with sorcery because these practices
lead to idolatry, nor a worker of spells nor a worshiper of the stars and
signs nor a magician, and do not even seek after those who do practice
these things;
7. for from all these things lead to idolatry and are not becoming of a
follower of Messiah.
8. My child, do not speak lies, since lying leads to theft, neither
avaricious neither vainglorious;
9. for from all these things lead to theft and are not becoming of a
follower of Messiah.
10. My child, do not go around murmuring, since this leads to blasphemy,
neither self-willed neither a one who thinks evil thoughts;
11. for from all these things blasphemy is developed.
12. But be meek, because it is the meek who shall inherit the earth.
13. Be long-suffering and compassionate and without guile and peaceful
and kind to all, always paying close attention to what you have heard.
14. You shall not exalt yourself, neither shall you permit yourself to be
bold.
15. You shall not walk with the proud, but you should stay in the company
of those who are righteous and humble.
16. Whatever trials and tribulations come upon you, you shall receive
them for your own good, knowing that nothing is done without the
knowledge of God.
Chapter 4
1. My child, you shall remember the one who teaches you the Word of God,
night and day, and shall honor him as the Lord;
2. for whenever and wherever the Word is spoken, there is the Lord.
3. Moreover, everyday you shall seek out the people who are walking as
the saints, so that you may find rest in their words.
4. You shall not cause a schism, but you shall pacify them that contend;
5. you shall judge righteously, and you shall not be partial between
people when reproving them for transgressing the Law.
6. You shall not doubt whether a thing shall be or not be.
7. Do not be found holding out your hands to receive money all the time,
but drawing them in as to giving.
8. If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for
your sins.
9. You shall not hesitate to give, neither shall you murmur when you give;
10. or you shall know who is the good employer.
11. Do not turn away from those who are in need; rather, share everything
with your brother, and do not say that they are your own possessions.
12. 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 deep reverence ((fear)) of God from
their youth.
13. Do not command anything in your bitterness upon your servants, who
have faith in the same God, lest they shall stop reverencing God who is
over both;
14. for he comes not to call according to the outward appearance, but to
all those whom the Spirit has prepared.
15. And you servants shall be subject to your masters as to a type of
God, in modesty and fear. You shall despise all hypocrisy and everything
which is not pleasing to Yahweh.
16. You shall never forsake the commandments of Yahweh;
17. but keep what you have received, neither adding thereto nor taking
away therefrom.
18. In the company of your brethren you shall acknowledge your sins, and
you shall never say a prayer while having an evil conscience.
19. This is the way of life.
Chapter 5
1. And the way of death is this: First of all these things are evil and
accursed: murder, adultery, lust, fornication, theft, idolatry, magical
arts, witchcraft, rape, false witness, hypocrisy, double-heartedness,
deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy speech,
jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness;
2. 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,
3. 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 creation of God,
4. turning away from him who is in need, afflicting him who is
distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utter
sinners.
5. Children, remove yourselves far from all of these things.
Chapter 6
1. See that no one causes you to err from the Way of the Teaching, for
someone who teaches you to err is causing you to distance yourself from
God.
2. For if you are able to bear the entire yoke of Yahweh, you will be
perfect; but if you are not able to do all of what is required, do what
you are able as you learn.
3. 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
deities.
Chapter 7
1. And concerning baptism, baptise in this manner:
2. Having first taught all of these things, baptise in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water.
3. But if you have no living water, baptise in other water; and if you
cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm.
4. But if you have neither, pour water three times upon the head in the
name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
5. But before the baptism let the baptiser fast, and the one desiring to
be baptised, and whoever else is in the company of the one to be baptised
if possible; but you shall at least order the one who desires to be
baptised to fast one or two days before their baptism.
Chapter 8
1. But do not let your fasting be with the hypocrites, for they fast on
the second and fifth day of the week. Rather, fast on the fourth day and
the eve of Sabbath.
2. Do not pray like the hypocrites, but rather as Yeshua commanded in His
Gospel, like this:
3. Our Father in heaven, may your name be sanctified. Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us the bread of our
need this day. Forgive us our offences, as we have forgiven those who
have offended us. And do not permit us to be brought into trial, but
deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and
the glory forever and ever. Amen.
4. You should pray this three times as the Lord has taught.
Chapter 9
1. Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks in this manner. First,
concerning the cup:
2. We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant,
which you made known to us through Yeshua your Servant; to you be the
glory for ever and ever.
3. And concerning the broken bread:
4. We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made
known to us through Yeshua your Servant; to you be the glory for ever and
ever.
5. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was
gathered together and became one, so let your Holy Assembly be gathered
together from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom; for yours is the
glory and the power through Yeshua the Messiah for ever and ever.
6. But do not permit anyone to eat or drink of the Eucharist, unless they
have been baptised in the name of the Lord; for concerning this also
Yeshua has said, "Do not hang sacred ornaments on dogs."
Chapter 10
1. But after the Eucharistic meal, give thanks to the Father in heaven in
this manner:
2. We thank you, holy and heavenly Father, for your Holy Name which you
caused to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and
immortality, which you made known to us through your servant Yeshua; to
you be the glory for ever and ever.
3. You, Master Almighty, created all things for your name's sake; you
gave food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to
you; but to us you freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal
through your Servant.
4. Before all things we thank you and acknowledge you as the Almighty; to
you be the glory for ever and ever.
5. Remember, Yahweh, your Assembly, to deliver it from all evil and to
perfect it in your love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified
for your Kingdom which you have prepared for it; for yours is the power
and the glory for ever and ever.
6. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of
David!
7. If any one is holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him
repent. Maranatha. Amen.
8. But permit the prophets to make thanksgiving as much as they desire.
Chapter 11
1. Whoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things in which we
have written you that have been said before to others, receive him.
2. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine which is
contrary to this, do not even listen to him.
3. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of
the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
4. But concerning the Apostles and prophets, act according to the decree
of the Gospel.
5. Let every Apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord.
6. But he shall not remain within your home more than one or two days if
there is a need. But if he remains three days, he may be a false prophet.
7. And when the Apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until
he lodges. If he asks for money, he may be a false prophet.
8. 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.
9. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if
he holds the Way of Messiah.
10. Therefore the false prophet and the prophet shall be known by their
ways.
11. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it,
unless he is indeed a false prophet.
12. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not walk according
to what he teaches, is a false prophet.
13. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the
Assembly 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.
14. But whoever says, while prophesying or speaking in the Spirit, "Give
me money", or asks for something else, you shall not listen to him. But
if he tells you to give for the sake of others who are in need, let no
one judge him.
Chapter 12
1. You shall receive everyone who comes in the name of the Lord, and
prove and know him afterward; for you shall have understanding right and
left.
2. 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.
3. But if he wants to stay with you, and has a skill, let him work to
earn his food and shelter. But if he has no skills, according to your
understanding, see to it that, as a Believer, he shall not live with you
without working. He does not have to be paid in money, but his food and
shelter shall be proficient for him.
4. But if he refuses to do his part and complains that he is not
receiving money, he is taking advantage of Messiah. Observe carefully
that you keep away from such ones.
Chapter 13
1. But every true Apostle or prophet who wants to live with you or in
your community is worthy of his support. The teachings of the true
Apostle or prophet shall be their labor if they have no specific skill.
2. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support.
3. 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 under Messiah.
4. But if you have no prophet, give what you are able to the poor.
5. If you make a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according
to the Commandment.
6. Likewise when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit
and give it to the prophets; and of money and clothing and every
possession you have, take the first-fruit, as you are able, and give
according to the Commandment.
Chapter 14
1. But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and
give thanksgiving after having confessed your sins, that your sacrifice
may be pure.
2. But let no one who is holds a grudge against his brother or who is
angry with his brother come together to dine with you, until they have
been reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be profaned.
3. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord:
4. "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
1. Appoint, therefore, for yourselves, Bishops and deacons worthy of the
Lord, men who are meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful and proven;
for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers.
2. 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.
3. But to all those who act in an unrighteous manner against each other,
do not permit them to speak, nor let them hear anything from you until
they have had sufficient time to repent.
4. You should do all of your prayers and alms and all of your deeds, as
you know it is instructed in the Gospel of our Lord Yeshua.
Chapter 16
1. Be observant for the sake of your own life.
2. Do no permit your lamps to be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but
be ready, for you do not know the hour in which our Lord will come.
3. But you shall assemble yourselves as often as possible, seeking all
the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your
faith will not be of benefit to you if you are not perfected in The Way
by the last day.
4. For in the last days many false prophets and many who are causing
corruption shall be multiplied, and some of the sheep shall be turned
into wolves, and the love of some shall be turned into hate;
5. for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and
betray one another, and then shall appear the evil one and claim to be
the "Son of God", and he shall perform signs and wonders,
6. and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do
unlawful things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning.
7. Then all humankind shall come into the fire of trial, and many shall
be made to stumble and shall perish;
8. but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the
curse itself.
9. 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.
10. And third, the resurrection of the dead, yet not of all, but as it is
said:
11. "The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him."
12. Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.
