Didache

Didache

This is the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

to the nations —

for those who would walk in the Way of Life.

1. The Way of Life

There are two ways:

one of life, and one of death.

And there is a great difference between the two.

The Way of Life is this:

First, love the God who made you.

Second, love your neighbor as yourself.

And do not do to others

what you would not want done to you.

The teaching of this way is this:

Bless those who curse you.

Pray for your enemies.

Fast for those who harm you.

What credit is it to love only those who love you?

Even the nations do that.

But love those who hate you —

and you will have no enemies.

Hold nothing back.

Share all you have

as though it were not your own.

Do not demand it back —

for the Father wills that all be shared.

Let your “yes” be yes,

and your “no,” no.

Anything more comes from the evil one.

2. The Commandments of the Way

Do not murder.

Do not commit adultery.

Do not seduce or corrupt youth.

Do not steal.

Do not practice witchcraft or sorcery.

Do not abort a child,

or kill a newborn.

Do not be greedy or arrogant.

Do not speak evil or hold grudges.

Do not be double-tongued or deceitful.

Let your word be truth —

not empty promises.

Do not love money.

Do not seek praise.

Be humble and quiet —

revering the words you have heard.

3. Guarding the Heart

Do not desire another’s spouse.

Do not swear oaths falsely or carelessly.

Do not speak empty words.

Do not grumble or be quick to anger.

Be gentle,

since the meek shall inherit the earth.

Do not associate with the arrogant.

But cling to those who are poor and humble.

Whatever happens to you — receive it as good,

knowing it could not happen without God.

4. The Way of the Disciple

Remember your teachers —

and honor them as the Lord.

Honor those who speak the word of God to you.

Honor them as you would the Master.

Seek the face of the set-apart ones each day,

that you may be filled by their breath.

Do not cause division.

Make peace with those who offend you,

before the sun goes down.

Do not act as one who judges.

Let your generosity cover a multitude of sins.

Train your children in the Way,

and do not provoke them in anger.

Do not withhold discipline from your soul.

Let your soul not be prideful.

5. The Way of Death

The Way of Death is this:

It is filled with curses and bitterness,

murder, adultery, lust,

idolatry, sorcery, theft, lying,

arrogance, and lawlessness.

Those who walk in this way

pursue the things that perish,

and they are far from compassion and truth.

They love empty things,

and hate what is good.

They are strangers to mercy,

and they do not know the One who made them.

Beware of walking this path.

6. Freedom and Caution

If you are able to bear the full yoke of the Lord,

you will be perfect.

But if you cannot bear all,

do what you can.

Do not eat what is offered to idols.

For this is the food of the dead.

7. Concerning Immersion (Baptism)

Baptize in this way:

Having first taught all things,

immerse them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Set-Apart Breath

—in living (flowing) water.

If there is no living water, use other water.

Cold if possible — warm if not.

If none is available,

pour water three times over the head.

Before baptism,

let the one baptizing and the one receiving fast,

and any others who can.

Baptism is sacred —

prepare with reverence.

8. Fasting and Prayer

Do not fast as the hypocrites do —

on the second or fifth day of the week.

Fast instead on the fourth day

and the day of preparation (Friday).

Do not pray as the hypocrites do.

Rather, pray like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

Set-apart be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

Do not lead us into trial,

but rescue us from the evil one.”

Pray this three times each day.

9. The Sacred Meal (Eucharist)

Concerning the meal of thanksgiving,

give thanks in this way:

First, over the cup:

“We thank You, our Father,

for the Set-Apart Vine of David,

revealed through Your Servant.

Yours is the glory forever.”

Then over the bread:

“We thank You, our Father,

for the life and knowledge

revealed through Your Servant.

You have made all things through Him.

Yours is the glory forever.”

Let no one eat or drink of this meal

unless they have been baptized

in the name of the Lord.

For He said:

“Do not give what is holy to dogs.”

10. After the Meal — Thanksgiving

After the meal, give thanks again:

“We thank You, holy Father,

for Your sacred name

which You have made dwell in our hearts.

For the knowledge, faith, and eternal life

revealed through Your Servant —

glory be to You forever.

Remember Your people, O Lord,

and gather us from the ends of the earth

into Your kingdom.

Yours is the glory and the power

through Yeshua the Anointed.”

Let grace come, and this world pass away.

Hosanna to the Son of David!

If anyone is holy, let them come.

If not, let them turn back.

Maranatha — Come, Lord!

Amen.

11. Receiving Teachers and Travelers

If someone comes teaching

all that you have heard —

receive them as the Lord.

But if a teacher turns aside

and teaches something different,

do not listen.

If they teach for the sake of money —

they are false.

Let every apostle who comes be received as the Lord.

But he must not stay more than one or two days —

unless there is need.

If he stays three days, he is a false prophet.

If he asks for money,

he is not a true apostle.

12. Concerning Brothers Who Come and Stay

If a brother comes,

receive him.

But examine him —

for you will know false from true.

Let him work for his bread.

If he refuses —

he is a peddler of the Anointed.

Avoid such people.

13. Supporting True Prophets

Every true prophet

deserves your support.

Share your firstfruits,

your bread, your wine, your oil, your silver —

with those who labor in truth.

They are your high priests,

your elders in the Spirit.

Give freely,

as the Lord has given you.

14. The Gathering on the Lord’s Day

On the Lord’s Day,

gather,

break bread,

and give thanks —

having confessed your sins

so your offering may be pure.

Let no one with conflict

approach the gathering

until they are reconciled.

For this is the true sacrifice —

a pure heart and a forgiven soul.

15. Appointing Leaders

Appoint for yourselves

elders and servants who are worthy —

gentle, truthful, tested.

Do not show favoritism.

Honor those who correct you in truth —

for they protect your soul as shepherds.

Do not hate one who speaks the truth,

even if it wounds you.

Love them more.

16. Watchfulness and the End

Be watchful for your life.

Let your lamps not go out.

Let your robes not be stained.

Be ready —

for you do not know the hour

when the Lord comes.

Gather often.

Bless one another.

Strengthen the faithful.

False messiahs will arise.

Wolves will come dressed as sheep.

But you will know them by their fruit.

The world will pass away —

and then the sign of the Son will appear.

The trumpet will sound.

The dead will rise.

And all will see the Lord coming in the clouds.

Then the world will see the truth:

every word has been fulfilled.