The Didache
Alternate title: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
c. 60-100 AD
The Didache (prounced “dih-dah-KAY” or sometimes “dih-dah-KEY”) is 
probably
the oldest surviving extant piece of Christian literature that did not make it
into the canon. It is a handbook of sorts for new Christian converts, packed
with instructions derived directly from the teachings of Jesus that were
practiced in the early church. There seem to be three sections—the first six
chapters are catechetical lessons that were probably orally recited by a
“membership Mentor” to a candidate for baptism/membership in the church.
Chapters 7-10 give the richest descriptions of the first century church’s
liturgy, including baptism, fasting and communion. The final six chapters
outline the church organization including how to treat wandering prophets. In a sense the Didache is like finding a
first century denominational Manual or Discipline –it has less
authority than the Bible but more authority than Rick Warren or James Dobson.
At least it is important to anyone who believes the early church “had it right”
or was in some ways a model church.
The alternate title of the Didache (Greek for “Teaching”) is The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles and some believe this; others say it might be the result of the first Apostolic Council, about. 50AD—the one recorded in Acts 15. Still others say it arose in one section of the church (like the Purpose Driven Life) and spread everywhere due to its reasonable approach. Whatever many early churches gave it apostolic authority though it did not make it into the Cannon. The strongest scholarship now believes the work in its earliest form may have circulated as early as the 60's AD though additions and modifications may have taken place even into the third century. The work was never officially rejected by the Church, but was excluded from the canon. After reading it ask yourself why you think it was now adopted into the Cannon when so many churches used it and even listed it is their own canon.
The complete text of the Didache was discovered in the Codex Hierosolymitanus, though a number of other fragments exist, most notably in the Oxyrhynchus Papyri. It was originally composed in Greek. The following text is not the best and most recent text (that can be found in Aaron Milavec’s recent text including the Greek original text, a translation to English and a short commentary all for about ten dollars US). While the following text may not be translated as well and smells of KJV style translations—it is at least in public domain and thus can be copied freely.
The Didache
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
Didache 1
Didache 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. .
Keith Drury
This page is take from http://www.DruryWriting.com/keith/Didache.htm