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Apocrypha · Chapter 1 of 16

Didache 1

Doctrine of the Apostles

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There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways.

2The 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.

3Now 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, and ye shall not have an enemy.

4Abstain 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.

5To 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.

6Yea, as touching this also it is said; Let thine alms sweat into thine hands, until thou have learnt to whom to give.

Words in this chapter

What these words meant in the original — and where else they appear.

About Didache

A handbook of the Christian community from the end of the 1st century: the two ways, how to baptise, how to pray, how to celebrate the eucharist and how to spot a prophet who is in it for himself. English text: The Apostolic Fathers, Didache, J. B. Lightfoot, 1891 (public domain). Portuguese and Spanish: Lux Veritas translations from this edition.

Source: The Apostolic Fathers, Didache, J. B. Lightfoot (1891) · public domain