Didache
The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles
(also known as Didache)
Translated by J.B. Lightfoot.
Adapt. and mod. © 1990. ATHENA DATA PRODUCTSDidache 1:1
There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways.
Didache 1:2
The way of life is this. First of all, thou shalt love the
God that made thee; secondly, Thy neighbor as thyself. And all
things whatsoever thou wouldst not have befall thyself, neither do thou
unto another.
Didache 1:3
Now of these words the doctrine is this. Bless them that curse you, and
pray for your enemies and fast for them that persecute you; for
what thank is it, if ye love them that love you? Do not even the Gentiles
the same? But do ye love them that hate you that hate you, and ye
shall not have an enemy.
Didache 1:4
Abstain thou from fleshly and bodily lusts. If any man give thee a blow
on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also, and thou shalt be
perfect; If a man impress thee to go with him one mile, go with him
twain; if a man take away thy cloak, give him thy coat also; if a man take
away from thee that which is thy own, ask it not back, for neither art
thou able.
Didache 1:5
To every man that asketh of thee give, and ask not back for the
Father desireth that gifts be given to all from His own bounties. Blessed is
he that giveth according to the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to
him that receiveth; for, if a man receiveth having need, he is guiltless; but
he that hath no need shall give satisfaction why and wherefore he received
and being put in confinement he shall be examined concerning the deeds
that he hath done, and he shall not come out thence until he hath
given back the last farthing.
Didache 1:6
Yea, as touching this also it is said; Let thine alms sweat into thine
hands, until thou have learnt to whom to give.
Didache 2:1
And this is the second commandment of the teaching.
Didache 2:2
Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou
shalt not corrupt boys, thou shalt not commit fornication, thou shalt
not steal, thou shalt not deal in magic, thou shalt do no sorcery, thou
shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born, thou
shalt not covet thy neighbors goods,
Didache 2:3
thou shalt not perjure thyself, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not speak evil, thou shalt not cherish a grudge,
Didache 2:4
thou shalt not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for the double
tongue is a snare of death.
Didache 2:5
Thy word shall not be false or empty, but fulfilled by action.
Didache 2:6
Thou shalt not be avaricious nor a plunderer nor a hypocrite nor ill-
tempered nor proud. Thou shalt not entertain an evil design against thy
neighbor.
Didache 2:7
Thou shalt not hate any man but some thou shalt
reprove, and for others thou shalt pray, and others thou shalt
love more than thy life.
Didache 3:1
My child, flee from every evil and everything that resembleth it.
Didache 3:2
Be not angry, for anger leadeth to murder, nor jealous nor contentious nor
wrathful; for of all these things murders are engendered.
Didache 3:3
My child, be not lustful, for lust leadeth to fornication, neither foul-
speaking neither with uplifted eyes; for of all these things adulteries are
engendered.
Didache 3:4
My child, be no dealer in omens, since it leads to idolatry, nor an
enchanter nor an astrologer nor a magician, neither be willing to look at
them; for from all these things idolatry is engendered.
Didache 3:5
My child, be not a liar, since lying leads to theft, neither avaricious neither
vainglorious; for from all these things thefts are engendered.
Didache 3:6
My child, be not a murmurer, since it leadeth to blasphemy, neither self-
willed neither a thinker of evil thoughts; for from all these things
blasphemies are engendered.
Didache 3:7
But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth.
Didache 3:8
Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and quiet and kindly and always fearing the words which thou hast
heard.
Didache 3:9
Thou shalt not exalt thyself, neither shalt thou admit boldness into thy soul.
Thy soul shall not cleave together with the lofty, but with the righteous and
humble shalt thou walk.
Didache 3:10
The accidents that befall thee thou shalt receive as good, knowing that
nothing is done without God.
Didache 4:1
My child, thou shalt remember him that speaketh unto thee the word of God night and day, and shalt honor him as the Lord; for
whencesoever the Lordship speaketh, there is the Lord.
Didache 4:2
Moreover thou shalt seek out day by day the persons of the saints, that
thou mayest find rest in their words.
Didache 4:3
Thou shalt not make a schism, but thou shalt pacify them that contend;
thou shalt judge righteously, thou shalt not make a difference in a person
to reprove him for transgressions.
Didache 4:4
Thou shalt not doubt whether a thing shall be or not be.
Didache 4:5
Be not thou found holding out thy hands to receive, but drawing them
in as to giving.
Didache 4:6
If thou hast ought passing through thy hands, thou shalt give a ransom for
thy sins.
Didache 4:7
Thou shalt not hesitate to give, neither shalt thou murmur when giving; for
thou shalt know who is the good paymaster of thy reward.
Didache 4:8
Thou shalt not turn away from him that is in want, but shalt make thy
brother partaker in all things, and shalt not say that anything is thy
own. For if ye are fellow-partakers in that which is imperishable, how
much rather in the things which are perishable?
Didache 4:9
Thou shalt not withhold thy hand from thy son or from thy daughter, but
from their youth thou shalt teach them the fear of God.
Didache 4:10
Thou shalt not command thy bondservant or thine handmaid in thy
bitterness who trust in the same God as thyself, lest haply they should cease
to fear the God who is over both of you; for He cometh, not to call men
with respect of persons, but He cometh to those whom the Spirit hath
prepared.
Didache 4:11
But ye, servants, shall be subject unto your masters, as to a type of God, in
shame and fear.
Didache 4:12
Thou shalt hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to the
Lord.
Didache 4:13
Thou shalt never forsake the commandments of the Lord but shalt keep
those things which thou hast received, neither adding to them nor taking
away from them.
Didache 4:14
In church thou shalt confess thy transgressions, and shalt not betake thyself
to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.
Didache 5:1
But the way of death is this. First of all, it is evil and full of a curse;
murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magical arts,
witchcrafts, plunderings, false witnessings, hypocrisies, doubleness of heart,
treachery, pride, malice, stubbornness, covetousness, foul—speaking,
jealousy, boldness, exaltation, boastfulness;
Didache 5:2
persecutors of good men, hating truth, loving a lie, not perceiving 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 gentleness and forbearance stand aloof; loving vain things, pursuing
a recompense, 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 ye be delivered, my children,
from all these things.
Didache 6:1
See lest any man lead you astray from this way of righteousness, for he
teacheth thee apart from God.
Didache 6:2
For if thou art able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, thou shalt be
perfect; but if thou art not able, do that which thou art able.
Didache 6:3
But concerning eating, bear that which thou art able; yet abstain by all
means from meat sacrificed to idols; for it is the worship of dead gods.
Didache 7:1
But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Having first recited all these
things, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit in living (running) water.
Didache 7:2
But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou
art not able in cold, then in warm.
Didache 7:3
But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Didache 7:4
But before the baptism let him that baptizeth and him that is baptized fast,
and any others also who are able; and thou shalt order him that is baptized
to fast a day or two before.
Didache 8:1
And let not your fastings be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second
and the fifth day of the week; but do ye keep your fast on the fourth and
on the preparation (the sixth) day.
Didache 8:2
Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in
His Gospel, thus pray ye:
Our Father, which 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 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 and ever.
Didache 8:3
Three times in the day pray ye so.
Didache 9:1
But as touching the eucharistic thanksgiving give ye thanks thus.
Didache 9:2
First, as regards the cup:
We give Thee thanks, O our Father,
for the holy vine of Thy son David,
which Thou madest known unto us
through Thy Son Jesus;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 9:3
Then as regarding the broken bread:
We give Thee thanks, O our Father,
for the life and knowledge
which Thou didst make known unto us
through Thy Son Jesus;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 9:4
As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains
and being gathered together became one,
so may Thy Church be gathered together
from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom;
for Thine is the glory and the power
through Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
Didache 9:5
But let no one eat or drink of this eucharistic thanksgiving, but they that
have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the
Lord hath said: Give not that which is holy to the dogs.
Didache 10:1
And after ye are satisfied thus give ye thanks:
Didache 10:2
We give Thee thanks, Holy Father,
for Thy holy name,
which Thou hast made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the
knowledge and faith and immortality,
which Thou hast made known unto us
through Thy Son Jesus;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 10:3
Thou, Almighty Master,
didst create all things for Thy name's sake,
and didst give food and drink unto men for enjoyment, that they might
render thanks to Thee;
but didst bestow upon us spiritual food and drink and eternal life
through Thy Son.
Didache 10:4
Before all things we give Thee thanks
that Thou art powerful;
Thine is the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 10:5
Remember, Lord, Thy Church
to deliver it from all evil
and to perfect it in Thy love;
and gather it together from the four winds- even the
Church which has been sanctified-
into Thy kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it; for Thine is the
power and the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 10:6
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.
Maran Atha. Amen.
Didache 10:7
But permit the prophets to offer thanksgiving as much as they desire.
Didache 11:1
Whosoever therefore shall come and teach you all these things that have
been said before, receive him;
Didache 11:2
but if the teacher himself be perverted and teach a different doctrine to the
destruction thereof, hear him not; but if to the increase of righteousness
and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
Didache 11:3
But concerning the apostles and prophets, so do ye according to the
ordinance of the Gospel.
Didache 11:4
Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received as the Lord;
Didache 11:5
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.
Didache 11:6
And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he
findeth shelter; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.
Didache 11:7
And any prophet speaking in the Spirit ye shall not try neither discern; for
every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
Didache 11:8
Yet not every one that speaketh 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.
Didache 11:9
And no prophet when he ordereth a table in the Spirit shall eat of it;
otherwise he is a false prophet.
Didache 11:10
And every prophet teaching the truth, if he doeth not what he teacheth, is
a false prophet.
Didache 11:11
And every prophet approved and found true, if he doeth ought as an
outward mystery typical of the Church, and yet teacheth you not to do all
that he himself doeth, shall not be judged before you; he hath his judgment
in the presence of God; for in like manner also did the prophets of old
time.
Didache 11:12
And whosoever shall say in the Spirit, Give me silver or anything else, ye
shall not listen to him; but if he tell you to give on behalf of others that are
in want, let no man judge him.
Didache 12:1
But let every one that cometh in the name of the Lord be
received; and then when ye have tested him ye shall know him, for ye shall
have understanding on the right hand and on the left.
Didache 12:2
If the comer is a traveler, assist him, so far as ye are able; but he shall not
stay with you more than two or three days, if it be necessary.
Didache 12:3
But if he wishes to settle with you, being a craftsman, let him work for and
eat his bread.
Didache 12:4
But if he has no craft, according to your wisdom provide how he shall live
as a Christian among you, but not in idleness.
Didache 12:5
If he will not do this, he is trafficking upon Christ. Beware of such
men.
Didache 13:1
But every time prophet desiring to settle among you is worthy of his
food.
Didache 13:2
In like manner a true teacher is also worthy, like the workman, of his food.
Didache 13:3
Every firstfruit then of the produce of the wine-vat and of the threshing-
floor, of thy oxen and of thy sheep, thou shalt take and give as the firstfruit
to the prophets; for they are your chief-priests.
Didache 13:4
But if ye have not a prophet, give them to the poor.
Didache 13:5
If thou makest bread, take the firstfruit and give according to the
commandment.
Didache 13:6
In like manner, when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the firstfruit
and give to the prophets;
Didache 13:7
yea and of money and raiment and every possession take the firstfruit, as
shall seem good to thee, and give according to the commandment.
Didache 14:1
And on the Lord's own day gather yourselves together and break bread and
give thanks, first confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be
pure.
Didache 14:2
And let no man, having his dispute with his fellow, join your assembly until
they have been reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be defiled;
Didache 14:3
for this sacrifice it is that was spoken of by the Lord; In every place
and at every time offer me a pure sacrifice; for I ama a great king, saith the
Lord, and My name is wonderful among the nations.
Didache 15:1
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
unto you they also perform the service of the prophets and teachers.
Didache 15:2
Therefore despise them not; for they are your honorable men along with
the prophets and teachers.
Didache 15:3
And reprove one another, not in anger but in peace, as ye find in the
Gospel; and let no one speak to any that has gone wrong towards his
neighbor, neither let him hear a word from you, until he repent.
Didache 15:4
But your prayers and your almsgiving and all your deeds so do ye as ye find
it in the Gospel of our Lord.
Didache 16:1
Be watchful for your life; let your lamps not be quenched and
your loins not ungirdled, but be ye ready; for ye know not the hour the
hour in which our Lord cometh.
Didache 16:2
And ye shall gather yourselves together frequently, seeking what is fitting
for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you, if ye be
not perfected at the last season.
Didache 16:3
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.
Didache 16:4
For as lawlessness increaseth, they shall hate one another and shall
persecute and betray. 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.
Didache 16:5
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 by the Curse Himself.
Didache 16:6
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;
Didache 16:7
yet not of all, but as it was said The Lord shall come and all His saints
with Him.
Didache 16:8
Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of
heaven.