The Two Ways: Life and Death
There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways.
Love God who created you, love your neighbor as yourself, and treat others as you wish to be treated. Loving those who love you brings no reward, as even the Gentiles do the same. Instead, love those who hate you to avoid having enemies.
Abstain from worldly desires. If someone strikes your cheek, turn the other cheek; if someone asks you to go one mile, go two; if someone takes your cloak, give your coat as well. Give freely to everyone who asks you, without expecting anything in return, as the Father desires generosity. Blessed is the one who gives, for he is guiltless, while the one who receives without need will face consequences. Lastly, let your alms sweat in your hands until you know to whom you should give.
The Second Commandment of the Teaching
What You Shall Not Do
- You shall not commit murder
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not commit pederasty
- You shall not commit fornication
- You shall not steal
- You shall not practice magic
- You shall not practice witchcraft
- You shall not murder a child by abortion
- You shall not kill that which is born
- You shall not covet the things of your neighbor
- You shall not swear
- You shall not bear false witness
- You shall not speak evil
- You shall bear no grudge
On Integrity and Speech
- You shall not be double-minded
- You shall not be double-tongued — for to be double-tongued is a snare of death
- Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed
On Character and Conduct
- You shall not be covetous
- You shall not be rapacious
- You shall not be a hypocrite
- You shall not be evil disposed
- You shall not be haughty
- You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor
On Love and Correction
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: Warnings and Wisdom
My child, avoid all evil and anything resembling it. Do not be quick to anger, as it can lead to violence. Steer clear of jealousy, arguing, and lust, which can lead to fornication and adultery.
Do not observe omens or engage in practices like astrology, as they lead to idolatry. Avoid lying, greed, and vanity, as these behaviors can result in theft.
Do not complain, as it can lead to blasphemy. Instead, be meek, patient, compassionate, and respectful of the teachings you have received.
Do not exalt yourself; associate with the just and humble. Accept whatever happens to you as good, for nothing occurs without God's purpose.
Various Precepts
My child, remember night and day him who speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as you do the Lord. For wherever the lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord.
Spiritual Devotion
- Seek out day by day the faces of the saints, that you may rest upon their words.
- Do not long for division, but rather bring those who contend to peace.
- Judge righteously; do not show favoritism when reproving sin.
- You shall not be undecided whether or not it shall be.
Generosity and Giving
- Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and a drawer of them back to give.
- If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for your sins.
- Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you give — for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire.
- Do not turn away from him who is in want; share all things with your brother, and do not say that they are your own.
For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal?
Teaching and Authority
- Do not remove your hand from your son or daughter; teach them the fear of God from their youth.
- Do not enjoin anything in bitterness upon your bondman or maidservant who hope in the same God.
Lest they cease to fear the God who is over both; for He comes not to call according to outward appearance, but to those whom the Spirit has prepared.
Servants and Masters
- You bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God — in modesty and fear.
Conduct and Commandments
- You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord.
- Do not forsake the commandments of the Lord.
- Keep what you have received, neither adding thereto nor taking away therefrom.
In the Church
- Acknowledge your transgressions in the church.
- Do not come near for prayer with an evil conscience.
This is the way of life.
The Way of Death
And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and accursed.
Practices and Dispositions
- Murders
- Adultery
- Lust
- Fornication
- Thefts
- Idolatries
- Magic arts
- Witchcrafts
- Rape
- False witness
- Hypocrisy
- Double-heartedness
- Deceit
- Haughtiness
- Depravity
- Self-will
- Greediness
- Filthy talking
- Jealousy
- Over-confidence
- Loftiness
- Boastfulness
Corruption of Character
- Persecutors of the good
- Hating truth
- Loving a lie
- Not knowing a reward for righteousness
- Not cleaving to good or to righteous judgment
- Watching not for what is good, but for what is evil
Absence of Virtue
- From whom meekness and endurance are far
- Loving vanities
- Pursuing revenge
- Not pitying a poor man
- Not laboring for the afflicted
- Not knowing Him who made them
Injustice and Sin
- Murderers of children
- Destroyers of the handiwork of God
- Turning away from him who is in want
- Afflicting him who is distressed
- Advocates of the rich
- Lawless judges of the poor
- Utter sinners
Be delivered, children, from all these.
Against False Teachers and Food Offered to Idols
See that no one causes you to err from this way of the Teaching, since apart from God it teaches you.
On the Yoke of the Lord
For if you are able to bear the entire yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you are not able to do this, do what you are able.
Concerning Food and Idols
- Bear what you are able regarding food.
- Be exceedingly careful against that which is sacrificed to idols — for it is the service of dead gods.
Concerning Baptism
And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water.
Water for Baptism
- If you have no living water, baptize into other water.
- If you cannot use cold water, use warm.
- If neither is available, pour water three times upon the head into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Fasting Before Baptism
- Let the baptizer fast.
- Let the baptized fast.
- Let others who are able also fast.
- You shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.
Fasting and Prayer
On Fasting
- Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week.
- Rather, fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday).
On Prayer
Do not pray like the hypocrites, but rather as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily (needful) bread,
and forgive us our debt as we also forgive our debtors.
And bring us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one (or, evil);
for Thine is the power and the glory for ever.
Frequency of Prayer
Pray this three times each day.
The Eucharist
Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way.
Concerning the Cup
We thank Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever.
Concerning the Broken Bread
We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever.
Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became 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.
Instruction on Worthy Participation
But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized into the name of the Lord;
For concerning this also the Lord has said, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."
Prayer After Communion
But after you are filled, give thanks this way:
We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name which You didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever.
Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things for Thy name's sake; You gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us You didst freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant.
Before all things we thank Thee that You are mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever.
Remember, Lord, Thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou have prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever.
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. Maranatha. Amen.
Concerning Prophets
But permit the prophets to make thanksgiving as much as they desire.
Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets
Whoever teaches you the previously stated truths should be received, but if he teaches a different doctrine that contradicts this, do not listen to him. If his teachings promote righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, welcome him as you would welcome the Lord.
Apostles and prophets should be treated according to the Gospel. Receive every apostle as you would the Lord, but he should not stay more than one or two days, as staying three means he is a false prophet. When he leaves, he should only take bread for his journey; if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
Every prophet speaking in the Spirit should not be tested, for all sins can be forgiven except this one. Only those who follow the Lord's ways are true prophets. A prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit should not eat it unless he is a false prophet. A true prophet may not always teach others to do what he himself does, and he should not be judged by you, as his judgment belongs to God.
If someone in the Spirit asks for money, do not listen; however, if he encourages you to give to those in need, no one should judge him.
Reception of Christians
Welcome everyone who comes in the name of the Lord and get to know them. If a traveler arrives, help him, but he should not stay longer than two or three days unless necessary. If he wants to stay and has a trade, let him work and eat. If he is idle and refuses to work, be cautious of him and avoid such individuals.
Support of Prophets
Every true prophet among you deserves your support, as does a worthy teacher. Take the first fruits of your wine, grain, oxen, and sheep and give them to the prophets, who serve as your high priests. If there is no prophet, donate to the poor.
When preparing dough, set aside the first fruits to give according to the commandment. This also applies to wine, oil, money, clothing, and other possessions—give as you see fit, following the commandment.
Christian Assembly on the Lord's Day
On every Lord's Day, gather together, break bread, and give thanks after confessing your transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure. However, let no one who is at odds with another person join you until they have reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is what the Lord has spoken:
"In every place and at all times, offer to Me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King," says the Lord, "and My name is wonderful among the nations."
Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof
Appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons who are humble, not greedy, and proven in character. They serve as your respected leaders, alongside the prophets and teachers.
Reprove one another in peace, as taught in the Gospel. If someone wrongs another, allow them no communication until they repent. In all your actions—prayers, almsgiving, and deeds—follow the teachings of the Gospel of our Lord.
Watchfulness; The Coming of the Lord
Be watchful for your life. Stay prepared, you do not know when our Lord will come. Gather often and seek what is good for your souls; your faith will not benefit you if you are not perfected in the end times.
In the last days, false prophets will arise, and love will turn to hatred. As lawlessness grows, people will betray one another. The deceiver will appear as the Son of God, performing wonders, and will commit unprecedented acts of iniquity.
Humanity will face trials, and many will stumble. Yet those who stand firm in faith will be saved. The signs of truth will appear: an outpouring in heaven, the sound of a trumpet, and the resurrection of the dead—not of all, but as it is written: "The Lord shall come, and all His saints with Him." The world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.