The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

The Didache

The Lord's teaching to the nations through the twelve apostles.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS: one of life and one of death. There is a great difference between these two ways. The way of life is this. First, you shall love God who made you. Second, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. And whatever you would not want to happen to you, do not do to another. And the teaching of these words is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there 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. Keep away from fleshly and worldly desires. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also, and you will be perfect. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. If someone takes away your cloak, give him your coat also. If someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back, for you are not able to do so. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for it back. For the Father wills that everyone should be given something from our own free gifts. Happy is the one who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to the one who receives. If a person receives because he has need, he is guiltless. But the one who receives without need will pay the penalty for why he received and for what purpose. And when he comes into straits, that is, confinement, he will be examined about the things he has done, and he will not escape from there until he pays back the last farthing. Matthew 5:26 But also concerning this, it has now been said, "Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give."

AND THE SECOND COMMANDMENT OF THE TEACHING IS THIS: You shall not commit murder. You shall not commit adultery, Exodus 20:13-14. You shall not commit pederasty. You shall not commit fornication. You shall not steal, Exodus 20:15. You shall not practice magic. You shall not practice witchcraft. You shall not murder a child by abortion, nor kill the child that has been conceived. You shall not covet the things of your neighbor, Exodus 20:17. You shall not forswear yourself, Matthew 5:34. You shall not bear false witness, Exodus 20:16. You shall not speak evil. You shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded or double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false or empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man. But some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life.

MY CHILD: run away from every evil thing, and from everything like it. Do not be quick to anger, because anger leads to murder. Do not be jealous, quarrelsome, or hot-tempered, because murders come from all these things. My child, do not be lustful, because lust leads to sexual immorality. Do not use filthy speech or have proud eyes, because adulteries come from all these things. My child, do not observe omens, since that leads to idolatry. Do not be an enchanter, an astrologer, or a purifier, and do not even be willing to look at these things, because idolatry comes from all these things. My child, do not be a liar, since a lie leads to theft. Do not love money or be vainglorious, because thefts come from all these things. My child, do not be a murmurer, since that leads to blasphemy. Do not be self-willed or evil-minded, because blasphemies come from all these things. But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Be patient, compassionate, innocent, gentle, and good, and always tremble at the words you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, Luke 18:14 or give your soul too much confidence. Your soul shall not be joined to the proud, but it shall keep company with the just and lowly. Receive the things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing comes to pass apart from God.

MY CHILD: remember night and day the one who speaks the word of God to you. And you shall honor him as the Lord. For where lordly rule is spoken, there is the Lord. And day by day you shall seek out the faces of the saints, so that you may rest upon their words. You shall not desire division, but shall bring to peace those who contend. You shall judge righteously. You shall not show partiality when reproving transgressions. You shall not waver about whether it shall be so or not. Do not stretch out your hands to receive and draw them back from giving. If you have anything, you shall give through your hands as a ransom for your sins. You shall not hesitate to give, nor murmur when you give. For you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire. You shall not turn away from him who 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 that 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. Ephesians 6:4 You shall not command anything in your bitterness to your bondman or maidservant, who hope in the same God, lest they should no longer fear God, who is over both. Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1 For he comes not to call according to outward appearance, but to those whom the Spirit has prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear. Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22 You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. In no way forsake the commandments of the Lord, but keep what you have received, neither adding to it nor taking away from it. Deuteronomy 12:32 In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

AND THIS IS THE WAY OF DEATH: first of all, it is evil and full of curse. It includes murders, adulteries, lusts, sexual immorality, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, acts of robbery, false testimonies, hypocrisies, double-heartedness, deceit, pride, depravity, self-will, greed, filthy speech, jealousy, overconfidence, arrogance, and boastfulness. These are people who persecute the good, hate truth, and love a lie. They do not know the reward for righteousness. They do not hold fast to what is good or to righteous judgment. They do not watch for what is good, but for what is evil. Meekness and endurance are far from them. They love empty things and pursue payback. They do not pity a poor man or work for the afflicted. They do not know Him who made them. They are murderers of children and destroyers of the handiwork of God. They turn away from one who is in need and afflict one who is distressed. They defend the rich and judge the poor without justice. They are utter sinners. Children, be delivered from all these.

SEE THAT NO ONE LEADS YOU ASTRAY FROM THIS WAY OF THE TEACHING: since apart from God it teaches you. For if you are able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect. But if you are not able, do what you are able. And concerning food, bear what you are able. But be exceedingly on your guard against what is sacrificed to idols, for it is the service of dead gods.

AND CONCERNING BAPTISM: baptize in this way: After you have first said all these things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19, in living water. But if you do not have living water, baptize in other water. And if you cannot do it in cold water, then do it in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times on the head in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism, let the one who baptizes fast, and the one being baptized, and any others who can. And you shall instruct the one being baptized to fast one or two days beforehand.

DO NOT LET YOUR FASTS BE LIKE THOSE OF THE HYPOCRITES: For they fast on the second and fifth days of the week. But you should fast on the fourth day and on the Preparation (Friday). Do not pray like the hypocrites. Instead, as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, pray like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (or, evil); for Yours is the power and the glory forever." Pray like this three times a day.

NOW ABOUT THE THANKSGIVING: or Eucharist, give thanks in this way. First, about the cup: "We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your Servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant. To You be the glory forever." And about the broken bread: "We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge that You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant. To You be the glory forever." Just as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and then was gathered together and became one, so let 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 forever. But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving, or Eucharist, except those who have been baptized into the name of the Lord. For about this also the Lord has said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs." Matthew 7:6

BUT AFTER YOU ARE FILLED: give thanks in this way: We thank You, holy 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 Jesus Your Servant. To You be the glory forever. You, almighty Master, created all things for Your name's sake. You gave food and drink to men for enjoyment, so that they might give thanks to You. But to us You freely gave spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Your Servant. Before all things, we thank You that You are mighty. To You be the glory forever. Remember, Lord, Your Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect 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 forever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David! If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not so, let him repent. Maran atha. Amen. But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.

THEREFORE: whoever comes and teaches you all these things that were said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns away and teaches another doctrine that destroys this teaching, do not listen to him. But if he teaches in a way that increases righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act in this way, according to the rule of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he must not stay more than one day, or, if necessary, also the next day. But if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle leaves, let him take nothing except bread, until he finds lodging. But if he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you must neither test nor judge, for every sin will be forgiven, but this sin will not be forgiven. But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet. Only the one who has the ways of the Lord is a prophet. Therefore, the false prophet and the true prophet will be known by their ways. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat from it, unless indeed 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 to be true, who works toward the mystery of the Church in the world, yet does not teach others to do what he himself does, must not be judged among you, for God is his judge. For the ancient prophets did the same. But whoever says in the Spirit, "Give me money," or asks for something else, you must 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.

BUT LET EVERYONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD BE RECEIVED: Afterward, you shall test and know him, for you shall have understanding right and left. If the one who comes is a traveler, help him as far as you are able. But he shall not remain with you except for two or three days, if needed. But if he wants to stay with you, being an artisan, let him work and eat. But if he has no trade, according to your understanding see to it that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he does not want to do so, he is a Christ-monger. Watch that you keep away from such.

BUT EVERY TRUE PROPHET WHO WANTS TO STAY AMONG YOU IS WORTHY OF HIS SUPPORT: In the same way, a true teacher is also worthy of his support, like the worker. Matthew 10:10; compare Luke 10:7. Therefore, from the first-fruits of the products of the winepress and threshing floor, and of oxen and sheep, you shall take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you do not have a prophet, give it to the poor. If you make a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to the commandment. In the same way, when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets. And of money, silver, clothing, and every possession, take the first-fruit, as seems good to you, and give according to the commandment.

But on every Lord's Day, gather together, break bread, and give thanks after you have confessed your sins, so that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who is in conflict with a fellow believer come together with you until they are reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be defiled. For this is what 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."

THEREFORE: appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons who are worthy of the Lord: men who are gentle, not lovers of money, truthful, and proven. For they also carry out for you the service of prophets and teachers. So do not despise them, because they are your honored ones, along with the prophets and teachers. And correct one another, not in anger but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel, Matthew 18:15-17. But if anyone acts wrongly against another, let no one speak to him, and let him hear nothing from you until he repents. And do your prayers and alms and all your deeds as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

WATCH OVER YOUR LIFE: Do not let your lamps go out, and do not let your belts be loosened. Instead, be ready, because you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42 Come together often, and seek the things that are fitting for your souls. For all the time of your faith will not benefit you if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days, false prophets and corrupters will increase. The sheep will be turned into wolves, and love will be turned into hate. Matthew 24:11-12 For when lawlessness increases, people will hate and persecute and betray one another. Matthew 24:10 Then the deceiver of the world will appear as the Son of God, and he will do signs and wonders, and the earth will be handed over into his hands. He will do wicked things such as have never happened since the beginning. Then humanity will come into the fire of testing, and many will be caused to stumble and will perish. But those who endure in their faith will be saved from the curse itself. Then the signs of the truth will appear. First, the sign of an outspreading in heaven. Then, the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead. Yet not of all, but as it is said: "The Lord will come and all His saints with Him." Then the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.