The Didache

The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles

Chapter 1

There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this: first, you shall love the God who made you; secondly, your neighbor as yourself; and all things whatsoever you would not have done to you, do not do to another.

Now of these words the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what credit is it if you love those who love you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you will not have an enemy.

Abstain from fleshly and bodily lusts. If any man give you a blow on your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you will be perfect. If any man impress you to go with him one mile, go with him two. If any man take away your cloak, give him your coat also. If any man take from you what is yours, do not ask it back, for you cannot.

Give to everyone that asks you, and do not ask it back; for the Father desires that gifts be given to all from his own bounties. Blessed is he that gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receives. For if a man receive having need, he is guiltless; but he that has no need shall give satisfaction why and wherefore he received; and being put in confinement he shall be examined concerning the deeds that he has done, and he shall not come out thence until he has given back the last farthing.

Yes, as touching this also it is said: Let your alms sweat into your hands, until you know to whom you are giving.

Chapter 2

And this is the second commandment of the teaching. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not corrupt boys. You shall not commit fornication. You shall not steal. You shall not deal in magic. You shall not practice sorcery. You shall not murder a child by abortion, nor kill it when born. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. You shall not perjure yourself. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not speak evil. You shall not bear a grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for a double tongue is a snare of death. Your word shall not be false or empty, but fulfilled by action. You shall not be covetous, nor a plunderer, nor a hypocrite, nor ill-tempered, nor proud. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man, but some you shall reprove, and for some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life.

Chapter 3

My child, flee from every evil thing, and from everything like it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads to murder; nor a zealot, nor contentious, nor quick-tempered; for from all these things murders are generated. My child, be not lustful, for lust leads to fornication; nor a filthy talker, nor one of lofty eyes; for from all these things adulteries are generated. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leads to idolatry; nor a user of spells, nor an astrologer, nor a magician, nor wish to see these things; for from all these things idolatry is generated. My child, be not a liar, since lying leads to theft; nor a lover of money, nor vainglorious. My child, be not a murmurer, since it leads to blasphemy; nor self-willed, nor evil-minded; for from all these things blasphemies are generated.

But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering, and pitiful, and guileless, and quiet, and good, and trembling continually at the words which you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, nor give over-confidence to your soul. Your soul shall not be joined with the lofty, but with the just and lowly you shall walk. The events that befall you, you shall accept as good, knowing that nothing is done without God.

Chapter 4

My child, you shall remember night and day him that speaks to you the word of God, and you shall honor him as the Lord; for from where the dominion is spoken of, there is the Lord. And you shall seek out daily the faces of the saints, that you may rest upon their words. You shall not make a schism, but you shall pacify those that contend. You shall judge righteously. You shall not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. You shall not hesitate whether it shall be or not.

Do not be one who stretches out his hands to receive, but shuts them when it comes to giving. If you have anything at your hands, give a ransom for your sins. You shall not hesitate to give, nor shall you murmur when you give; for you shall know who is the good paymaster of your reward. You shall not turn away from him that is in want, but you shall share all things with your brother, and shall not say that they are your own; for if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal?

You shall not remove your hand from your son or from your daughter, but from their youth you shall teach them the fear of God. You shall not command in your bitterness your bondservant or your handmaid, who hope in the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over you both; for he comes not to call with respect of persons, but to those whom the Spirit has prepared. And you servants shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in shame and fear.

You shall hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. You shall never forsake the commandments of the Lord, but you shall keep those things which you have received, neither adding to them nor taking away from them. In church you shall confess your transgressions, and you shall not betake yourself to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

Chapter 5

But the way of death is this. First of all, it is evil and full of curse: murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, sorceries, robberies, false witnessings, hypocrisies, doubleness of heart, treachery, pride, malice, stubbornness, covetousness, filthy talking, jealousy, presumption, haughtiness, boastfulness. Persecutors of the good, haters of truth, lovers of a lie, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to the good nor to righteous judgment, wakeful not for that which is good but for that which is evil; from whom meekness is far, and patience; lovers of vanity, following after reward, not pitying the poor man, not toiling for him that is oppressed with toil, not recognizing him that made them, murderers of children, corrupters of the creatures of God, turning away from him that is in want, oppressing him that is afflicted, advocates of the wealthy, unjust judges of the poor, altogether sinful. May you be delivered, my children, from all these.

Chapter 6

See that no one lead you astray from this way of the teaching, since he teaches you apart from God. For if you are able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you are not able, do that which you are able.

And concerning food, bear that which you are able; but from that which is strangled and from idol-offerings keep strictly away, for it is the worship of dead gods.

Chapter 7

And concerning baptism, baptize thus: having first recited all these things, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. But if you have no running water, baptize in other water; and if you cannot in cold, then in warm. But if you have neither, pour water three times on the head in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and any others who can; but you shall command the baptized to fast for one or two days before.

Chapter 8

And let not your fastings be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but you shall fast on the fourth day and on the preparation. Neither pray as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in his gospel, so pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also 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 one. For thine is the power and the glory for ever.

Pray thus three times a day.

Chapter 9

And concerning the Eucharist, give thanks thus. First, concerning the cup: We give thanks to you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant, which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory for ever.

And concerning the broken bread: We give thanks to you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory for ever. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one, so may your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom; for yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever.

But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord. For concerning this also the Lord has said, Give not that which is holy to the dogs.

Chapter 10

And after you are satisfied, give thanks thus: We give thanks to you, holy Father, for your holy name, which you have made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory for ever. You, Lord Almighty, created all things for your name's sake, and gave food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you; but to us you have graciously given spiritual food and drink and life eternal through your servant. Before all things we give thanks to you that you are mighty; to you be the glory for ever. Remember, Lord, your church, to deliver it from all evil and to perfect it in your love, and gather it together from the four winds, even the church which has been sanctified, into your kingdom which you have prepared for it; for yours is the power and the glory for ever. May grace come and may this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If any man is holy, let him come; if any man is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.

But permit the prophets to give thanks as much as they will.

Chapter 11

Whosoever then comes and teaches you all these things aforesaid, receive him. But if the teacher himself be perverted and teach another teaching to destroy these things, do not listen to him; but if he teach to the increase of righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.

And concerning the apostles and prophets, according to the ordinance of the gospel, so do. Let every apostle, when he comes to you, be received as the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, a second likewise; but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes forth, let him take nothing except bread, until he finds shelter; but if he ask for money, he is a false prophet.

And you shall not attempt to try or judge any prophet who speaks in the spirit; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. Yet not everyone who speaks in the spirit is a prophet, but only if he have the ways of the Lord. From his ways therefore the false prophet and the prophet shall be recognized. And no prophet who orders a table in the spirit shall eat of it, otherwise he is a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, if he does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved and true, who works for a worldly mystery of the church, but does not teach others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged by you; for he has his judgment with God; for so also did the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the spirit, Give me money, or any other things, you shall not listen to him; but if he tell you to give for others that are in need, let no one judge him.

Chapter 12

And let everyone who comes in the name of the Lord be received; and then, when you have proved him, you shall know him, for you shall have understanding on the right hand and on the left. If the comer is a traveller, assist him as you are able; but he shall not stay with you more than two or three days, if it be necessary. But if he wishes to settle with you, being a craftsman, let him work for and eat his bread. But if he has no craft, according to your wisdom provide how he shall live as a Christian among you, but not in idleness. If he will not do this, he is trafficking upon Christ. Beware of such.

Chapter 13

But every true prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food. Likewise a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his food. Every firstfruit then of the produce of the wine-vat and of the threshing-floor, of your oxen and of your sheep, you shall take and give as the firstfruit to the prophets; for they are your high priests. But if you have not a prophet, give them to the poor. If you make bread, take the firstfruit and give according to the commandment. Likewise when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the firstfruit and give to the prophets. Yes and of money and raiment and every possession take the firstfruit, as shall seem good to you, and give according to the commandment.

Chapter 14

And on the Lord's day of the Lord, come together and break bread and give thanks, after confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who has a dispute with his fellow come together with you until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be defiled. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great king, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.

Chapter 15

Appoint for yourselves therefore bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, and true and approved; for they also perform for you the service of the prophets and teachers. 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; and let no one speak to anyone who wrongs his neighbor, neither let him hear a word from you, until he repent. But your prayers and your alms and all your deeds so do, as you have it in the gospel of our Lord.

Chapter 16

Be watchful for your life; do not let your lamps be quenched or your loins ungirded, but be ready; for you do not know the hour in which our Lord comes. And you shall gather yourselves together frequently, seeking what is fitting for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you, if you be not perfected at the last season.

For in the last days the false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate. For as lawlessness increases, they shall hate one another and persecute and deliver up, and then the world-deceiver shall appear as a son of God, and shall work signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands; and he shall do unholy things which have never been since the world began. Then all created mankind shall come to the fire of testing, and many shall be offended and perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself.

And then shall the signs of the truth appear: first a sign of a rift in the heaven, then a sign of a voice of a trumpet, and thirdly a resurrection of the dead; yet not of all, but as it was said: The Lord shall come and all his saints with him. Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.