The Didache

The Didache (Greek for "Teaching") is among the earliest known Christian writings — a brief church manual commonly dated to the late first or early second century. Lost for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1873 by Metropolitan Philotheos Bryennios in a Constantinople manuscript and first published in 1883. It is an early-church document, a writing of the Apostolic Fathers, not Scripture or deuterocanon; but it gives a remarkably plain window onto the worship and discipline of the first Christians. In sixteen short chapters it sets out the "Two Ways" — one of life and one of death — and then turns to practical instruction on baptism, fasting, prayer, the Eucharist, hospitality, the testing of prophets and teachers, and a closing call to watchfulness for the Lord's return. This is the complete text in the public-domain G. C. Allen (1903) English translation. For how the church received and weighed writings outside the canon, see the Enoch Going Deeper page; for the canonical books themselves, see the Study Bible.

Chapter I↑ top

1 There are Two Ways: one of Life, and one of Death: and there is much difference between the Two Ways. 2 The Way of Life then is this: first, Thou shalt love God who hath made thee; secondly, thy neighbour as thyself; and all things whatsoever thou wouldest not should be done unto thee, do not thou unto another. 3 And of these words the teaching is this: Bless them that curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those that persecute you; for what thank have ye if ye love them that love you? do not even the Gentiles the same? But do ye love them which hate you, and ye shall not have an enemy. 4 Abstain 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 any man shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him twain. If any man shall take thy cloke, give him thy coat also. If any man take from thee that which is thine own, ask it not again, for neither canst thou. 5 Give to every one that asketh of thee and ask not again; for the Father wills that men give to all men out of what they have themselves received. Blessed is he who gives according to the commandment; for he is free of blame. But woe to him that receiveth; for if being in need he receiveth he shall be free of blame; but he that receiveth, not being in need shall be punished. For wherefore received he it, and to what end? But coming under constraint he shall be examined concerning the things which he did; and he shall not come out thence till he have paid the uttermost farthing. 6 But about this also it hath been said, Let thine alms sweat into thy hands until thou discernest unto whom thou givest.

Chapter II↑ top

1 Now the second commandment of the teaching is: 2 Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not corrupt children, thou shalt not commit fornication, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not use magic arts, thou shalt not use sorcery, thou shalt not destroy a child by abortion, neither shalt thou slay him that is born. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods, 3 thou shalt not forswear thyself, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not speak evil, thou shalt not be mindful of evil, 4 thou shalt not be double-minded, neither double-tongued; for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. 5 Thy speech shall not be false; it shall not be empty, or vain, or void, but fulfilled in action. 6 Thou shalt not be avaricious, neither rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor malicious, nor over-weening. Thou shalt not take evil counsel against thy neighbour. 7 Thou shalt not hate any man; but some thou shalt reprove; and for some thou shalt pray; and some thou shalt love more than thy own soul.

Chapter III↑ top

1 My son, flee from all evil and from all that is like unto it; 2 be not inclined to anger, for anger leadeth to murder; neither be a zealot, nor quarrelsome, nor passionate; for of all these things come murders. 3 My son, be not lustful, for lust leadeth unto fornication; neither be of foul speech, nor of lofty eye; for of all these things come adulteries. 4 My son, practise not augury, inasmuch as it leadeth unto idolatry; nor be an user of charms, nor an astrologer, nor an user of purifications, neither desire to look upon them; for of all these things cometh idolatry. 5 My son, be not a liar; inasmuch as lying leadeth unto theft; neither a money-lover, nor vain-glorious; for of all these things come thefts. 6 My son, be not a murmurer, inasmuch as it leadeth unto blasphemy; nor stubborn, nor evil-minded; for of all these things come blasphemies. 7 But be meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth; 8 be long-suffering, and merciful and guileless and peaceable, and good, and always in fear of the words which thou hast heard. 9 Thou shalt not exalt thyself, neither shalt thou give arrogance to thy soul; thy soul shall not be joined with the lofty, but with the just and lowly shalt thou converse. 10 The operations [of God] that befall thee shalt thou accept as good, knowing that without God nothing cometh to pass.

Chapter IV↑ top

1 My son, night and day shalt thou remember him that speaketh unto thee the word of God; and thou shalt honour him as God, for where the power of the Lord is proclaimed there is the Lord. 2 And thou shalt seek out day by day the faces of the saints that thou mayest rest upon their words. 3 Thou shalt not desire division, but thou shalt make peace between them that are at strife: thou shalt judge righteously, thou shalt not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. 4 Thou shalt not waver in spirit whether it shall be yea or no. 5 Be not one that stretcheth forth his hands to receive, but withholdeth them for giving. 6 If thou hast aught in thy hands thou shalt give a ransom for thy sins. 7 Thou shalt not hesitate to give, neither when thou givest shalt thou murmur; for thou shalt know who is the fair recompenser of the reward. 8 Thou shalt not turn away from him that is in need, but thou shalt share all things with thy brother and shalt not call anything thine own; for if ye are sharers in that which is incorruptible, how much more in the things which are corruptible? 9 Thou shalt not take away thy hand from thy son or from thy daughter, but from their youth up thou shalt teach them the fear of God. 10 Thou shalt not in thy bitterness lay commands upon thy bondman or thy maidservant who hope in the same God; lest at any time they may cease to fear Him who is the God over both. For He cometh not to call men according to outward appearance, but to those whom the Spirit hath made ready for Him. 11 And ye servants be subject unto your masters, as unto an image of God in shamefastness and fear. 12 Thou shalt hate all hypocrisy and all that is not pleasing unto the Lord. 13 Thou shalt not forsake the commandments of the Lord, but thou shalt keep what thereto thou hast received, neither adding nor taking away. 14 Thou shalt confess thy sins in the congregation, and thou shalt not come to thy prayer with an evil conscience. This is the Way of life.

Chapter V↑ top

1 But the Way of Death is this: first of all it is evil and full of cursing, murders, adulteries, covetous desires, fornications, thefts, idolatries, witchcrafts, sorceries, plunderings, false witnessings, hypocrisies, duplicity, guile, arrogance, malice, stubbornness, greed, foulness of speech, envy, insolence, pride, boasting; 2 persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving falsehood; not acknowledging the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to that which is good neither to righteous judgment; watchful not toward good but toward evil; from whom meekness and patience are far removed; loving vain things, seeking after recompense, not pitying the poor, not sorrowing with the sorrow-laden, not acknowledging their Maker; murderers of children, destroyers of the image of God, turning away from the needy, grieving the afflicted; advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor; wholly given to sin. May ye be delivered, my children, from all these.

Chapter VI↑ top

1 See that no man lead thee astray from this Way of the Teaching; since he teacheth thee apart from God. 2 For if thou canst bear all the yoke of the Lord thou shalt be perfect; but if thou canst not, do that which thou canst. 3 Now concerning food, bear what thou canst; but refrain utterly from meat offered to idols, for it is a service of dead gods.

Chapter VII↑ top

1 And concerning baptism, baptize after this manner: Having first recited all these precepts, baptize into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost in living water; 2 but if thou hast not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold water then baptize in warm. 3 But if thou hast neither, pour out water upon the head thrice, into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. 4 And before the baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and any others that are able; but thou shalt order the baptized to fast one or two days beforehand.

Chapter VIII↑ top

1 And let not your fastings be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week; but do ye fast on the fourth day and on the preparation. 2 Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, even so pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, as in heaven so also upon earth; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debt as we also forgive our debtors; and bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the power and the glory for ever. 3 Thrice a day thus pray ye.

Chapter IX↑ top

1 And concerning the Service of Thanksgiving give ye thanks after this manner: 2 First concerning the Cup: We thank Thee, our Father, for the holy Vine of David Thy Servant, which Thou didst make known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. 3 And concerning the bread that is broken: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou didst make known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. 4 Even as this bread that is broken was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together was made one, so let 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. 5 And let none eat or drink of your Thanksgiving but those that have been baptized into the Name of the Lord; for indeed the Lord hath said concerning this, give not that which is holy unto the dogs.

Chapter X↑ top

1 And after that ye have been filled, give ye thanks after this manner: 2 We thank Thee, Holy Father, for Thy Holy Name which Thou hast made to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and for faith and immortality which Thou didst make known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. 3 Thou, Almighty Ruler, didst create all things for Thy Name's sake; Thou didst give both food and drink unto men for enjoyment, that they may give thanks unto Thee. But to us Thou didst freely grant spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. 4 We give thanks to Thee before all things that Thou art mighty. 5 Thine is the glory for ever. Remember, O Lord, Thy Church to deliver it from all evil, and perfect it in Thy Love; and gather it from the four winds, even Thy Church which hath been sanctified, into Thy Kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever. 6 Let Thy grace come and let this world pass away; Hosanna to the God of David. Whosoever is holy, let him come, and whosoever is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen. 7 But suffer the prophets to give thanks as they desire.

Chapter XI↑ top

1 Whosoever then shall come and teach you all these things that have been aforesaid, receive him; 2 but if the teacher himself be prevented and teach another doctrine so as to overthrow it, hearken not to him; but if he so teach as to increase righteousness and knowledge of the Lord receive him as the Lord. 3 And concerning the apostles and prophets, according to the decree of the Gospel so do ye; 4 but let any apostle that cometh unto you be received as the Lord, 5 howbeit he shall abide but one day; but if there be need, the next day also; but if he abide three days he is a false prophet. 6 And let not the apostle when he goeth forth take anything save bread to last until the place where he next sojourneth. But if he ask for money he is a false prophet. 7 And ye shall not try nor judge any prophet that speaketh in the spirit; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. 8 Howbeit not everyone that speaketh in the spirit is a prophet, except he have the ways of the Lord. Therefore by their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. 9 And every prophet that appointeth a table in the spirit shall not eat thereof, otherwise he is a false prophet. 10 And if any prophet that teacheth the truth doeth not the things that he teacheth he is a false prophet. 11 And any prophet approved and true, that doeth things for a worldly mystery of the church but teacheth not men to do as he himself doeth, he shall not be judged among you: for he hath his judgment with God. For in like manner did also the prophets of old time. 12 But whosoever shall say in the spirit, give me moneys or any other things, ye shall not hearken unto him; but if he bid you give concerning others that are in need let no man judge him.

Chapter XII↑ top

1 Let everyone that cometh in the name of the Lord be received; and then after ye have tested him ye shall know him; for ye shall have understanding of right and left. 2 If he that cometh is a wayfarer, give him aid as much as ye are able; but he shall not abide with you save for two or three days if need be. 3 But if he be willing to settle among you as being a craftsman let him labour and eat; 4 but if he have no craft, provide according to your discretion that he shall not live idle amongst you as a Christian. 5 But if he will not do thus he is a trafficker in Christ: of such men beware.

Chapter XIII↑ top

1 But every prophet that is willing to settle among you is worthy of his food. 2 In like manner a true teacher is himself also worthy, even as the labourer, of his food. 3 All the first-fruits then of the produce of wine-fat and threshing floor, oxen and sheep, shalt thou take and give, even the first-fruits, unto the prophets, for they are your high priests; 4 but if ye have no prophet, give them unto the poor. 5 If thou makest a baking of loaves, take the first-fruits and give according to the commandment; 6 and in like manner when thou openest a jar of wine or oil, take the first-fruits and give unto the prophets. 7 And of money and raiment and every possession take the first-fruits and give as seemeth good unto thee according to the commandment.

Chapter XIV↑ top

1 And on the Lord's day of the Lord assemble yourselves together and break bread; and give thanks, having first confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. 2 And let not any man that is at variance with his fellow come together with you until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice be not polluted. 3 For this is that which was spoken of by the Lord: In every place and time offer unto me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the Lord; and My Name is wonderful among the Gentiles.

Chapter XV↑ top

1 Elect therefore for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men that are meek, and not lovers of money, and true and approved. For they themselves also minister unto you the ministry of prophets and teachers, 2 therefore disregard them not; for it is they that are the honoured ones among you with the prophets and teachers. 3 And reprove one another, not in wrath but in peace, as ye have it in the Gospel; and to any man that wrongs his neighbour, let no one speak, neither let him hear aught from you until he repent. 4 And your prayers, and your alms, and all your actions, so perform ye them as ye have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Chapter XVI↑ top

1 Watch for your life. Let not your lamps be quenched, and let not your loins be ungirded; but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour in which our Lord cometh. 2 And be frequently gathered together seeking the things which concern your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you except ye be made perfect in the last season. 3 For in the last days the false prophets and the corrupters shall be multiplied; and the sheep shall be turned into wolves and love shall be turned into hatred; 4 for when lawlessness waxeth great, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another; and then shall appear the deceiver of the world as the Son of God; and he shall work signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall work iniquities such as have never been from everlasting. 5 Then shall the work of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be offended, and shall perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved by the curse itself. 6 And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first the sign of a spreading out in heaven; next the sign of the sound of a trumpet; 7 and the third a resurrection of the dead; howbeit not of all, but as it was said, the Lord shall come and all His Saints with him; 8 then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

Text: the G. C. Allen translation of the Didache, 1903, public domain. Read further: the Book of Tobit, the Book of Enoch, and the Sources page.