The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles through the Twelve Apostles

Chapter 1

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

The path of life is this: First, you shall love God who created you; second, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, and whatever you do not wish to be done to you, do not do to another.

The teaching of these words is as follows: Bless them that curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what thanks is there if you love those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But you, love those who hate you, and you shall have no enemy.

Abstain from fleshly and worldly desires. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect. If someone compels you to go one mile, go with him two. If someone takes your cloak, give him your tunic also. If someone takes what is yours, do not demand it back, for you are not able.

Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not demand it back, for the Father desires that gifts be given from His bounty. Blessed is the one who gives according to the commandment, for he is blameless. Woe to the one who receives; for if one receives having need, he is blameless, but if one receives without need, he shall give an account of why he took and for what purpose. Being put in prison, he shall be examined concerning what he has done, and he shall not escape until he repays the last penny.

Yet it has also been said concerning this: Let thine alms sweat in thine hands, until thou knowest to whom thou shouldest give.

Chapter 2

The second commandment of the teaching is this:

Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not corrupt children, do not fornicate, do not steal, do not practice sorcery, do not use poisons, do not kill a child in the womb or one that is born, and do not covet your neighbor’s possessions.

Do not swear falsely, do not bear false witness, do not speak evil, do not hold grudges.

Do not be double-minded or double-tongued, for double-tonguedness is a snare of death.

Let your word be neither false nor empty, but fulfilled by action.

Do not be greedy, nor a thief, nor a hypocrite, nor malicious, nor arrogant. Do not devise evil plans against your neighbor.

Do not hate any person, but reprove some, pray for others, and love some more than your own soul.

Chapter 3

My child, flee from all evil and everything like it.

Do not be prone to anger, for anger leads to murder, nor be jealous, nor contentious, nor hot-tempered, for from all these things murders arise.

My child, do not be lustful, for lust leads to fornication, nor be foul-mouthed, nor bold-eyed, for from all these things adulteries arise.

My child, do not be a diviner by omens, since it leads to idolatry, nor an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a magician, nor desire to look upon such things, for from all these things idolatry arises.

My child, do not be a liar, since lying leads to theft, nor love money, nor be vain, for from all these things thefts arise.

My child, do not be a grumbler, since grumbling leads to blasphemy, nor be self-willed, nor evil-minded, for from all these things blasphemies arise.
But be meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth.

Be patient, merciful, harmless, humble, and good, and always trembling at the words you have heard.

Do not exalt yourself or allow boldness in your soul. Let not your soul cleave to the proud, but associate with the righteous and humble.

Accept whatever happens to you as good, knowing that nothing occurs apart from God.

Chapter 4

My child, remember day and night the one who speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as the Lord, for where His lordship is proclaimed, there the Lord is.

Seek daily the company of the saints, that you may find rest in their words.

Do not cause division, but reconcile those who quarrel. Judge justly, and do not show partiality when reproving transgressions.

Do not be double-minded, wondering whether a thing should be or not.

Do not stretch out your hands to receive but close them when giving.

If you have something through the work of your hands, give it as a ransom for your sins.

Do not hesitate to give, nor grumble when giving, for you shall know who is the good Rewarder.

Do not turn away from the needy, but share all things with your brother and do not say they are your own, for if you are sharers in what is imperishable, how much more in what is perishable?

Do not withhold your hand from your son or daughter, but from their youth teach them the fear of God.

In your anger, do not give commands to your slave or maidservant who hope in the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over you both. For He comes to call, not according to outward appearance, but those whom the Spirit has prepared.

And you, slaves, submit to your masters as to the image of God, with reverence and fear.

Hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord.

Do not forsake the commandments of the Lord, but keep what you have received, neither adding nor taking away.

In the congregation, confess your transgressions, and do not approach your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the path of life.

Chapter 5

The path of death is this: First of all, it is evil and full of cursing. On it are murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, sorceries, poisonings, robberies, false testimonies, hypocrisies, double-mindedness, deceit, pride, malice, self-will, greed, foul speech, envy, boldness, arrogance, and vanity.

On this path are those who persecute the good, hate the truth, love lies, do not know the reward of righteousness, do not cling to what is good nor to just judgment, who watch not for good but for evil, from whom meekness and patience are far removed, who love vain things, pursue reward, show no mercy to the poor, do not labor for the oppressed, do not know their Creator, murder children, destroy God’s creation, turn away from the needy, oppress the afflicted, defend the rich, unjustly judge the poor, and are sinners in every way. Flee, children, from all such people.

Chapter 6

See that no one leads you astray from this path of teaching, for such a one teaches you apart from God.

If you are able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you cannot, do what you can.

Concerning food, bear what you are able, but strictly abstain from what is offered to idols, for it is the worship of dead gods.

Chapter 7

Concerning baptism, baptize thus: Having first taught all the foregoing, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water.

If you have no living water, baptize in other water; if you cannot in cold, then in warm.

If you have neither, pour water three times on the head in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Before baptism, let the baptizer and the one to be baptized fast, and, if possible, others as well. Command the one to be baptized to fast beforehand for one or two days.

Chapter 8

Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week. But you, fast on the fourth and sixth days.

Do not pray as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, pray thus: Our Father in heaven, hallowed may Thy name be; may Thy kingdom come; may Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth; give us this day our needful bread; and forgive us our debt, even 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 forever.

Pray this three times a day.

Chapter 9

Concerning the Eucharist, perform it thus:

First, regarding the cup: We thank Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant. To Thee be glory forever!

And concerning the broken bread: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant. To Thee be glory forever.

As this broken bread was scattered upon the hills and, being gathered together, became one, so let Thy Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom, for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.

Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in the name of the Lord, for concerning this the Lord has said: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs.

Chapter 10

After you are filled, give thanks thus: We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name, which Thou hast caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant. To Thee be glory forever!

Thou, Almighty Master, didst create all things for Thy name’s sake, and gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou hast granted spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Thy Servant.

Above all, we thank Thee because Thou art mighty. To Thee be glory forever!

Remember, Lord, Thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to perfect it in Thy love, and gather it, sanctified, from the four winds into Thy kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it, for Thine is the power and the glory forever.

Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David! If any is holy, let him come; if any is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.
But permit the prophets to offer the Eucharist according to their discretion.

Chapter 11

Whoever comes and teaches you all that has been said before, receive him.

But if the teacher himself, having turned aside, teaches another doctrine to destroy this, do not listen to him. But if he teaches to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.

Concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel.

Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord.

But he shall not remain more than one day, or if necessary, a second day; but if he stays three days, he is a false prophet.

When the apostle departs, let him take nothing except bread sufficient until he reaches his lodging; but if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

Do not test or judge any prophet speaking in the Spirit, for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.

Yet not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet, but only he who walks in the ways of the Lord. Thus, the false prophet and the true prophet shall be known by their ways.

No prophet who, in the Spirit, appoints a table shall eat from it, unless he is a false prophet.

Every prophet teaching the truth, if he does not practice what he teaches, is a false prophet.

But every prophet proven true, who acts for the worldly mystery of the Church but does not teach others to do as he does, shall not be judged by you, for he has his judgment with God; for so did the ancient prophets.

If anyone says in the Spirit, “Give me money or anything else,” do not listen to him. But if he bids you give for others who are in need, let no one judge him.

Chapter 12

Let everyone who comes in the name of the Lord be received, and then, having tested him, you shall know what to do, for you will have discernment of what is true and false.

If the one who comes is a traveler, help him as much as you can, but he shall not stay with you more than two or three days, even if necessary.

If he wishes to settle among you and is a craftsman, let him work and eat.

But if he has no trade, provide for him according to your discretion, but so that no Christian lives among you idle.

If he is unwilling to act thus, he is a Christ-monger. Beware of such people!

Chapter 13

Every true prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food.

Likewise, a true teacher is worthy, like the laborer, of his food.

Therefore, take the firstfruits of the produce of the winepress and threshing floor, of oxen and sheep, and give these firstfruits to the prophets, for they are your high priests.

If you have no prophet, give them to the poor.

If you prepare food, take the firstfruits and give them according to the commandment.

Likewise, when you open a jar of wine or oil, take the firstfruits and give them to the prophets.

And of money, clothing, and every possession, take the firstfruits as seems good to you and give according to the commandment.

Chapter 14

On the Lord’s day, gather together, break bread, and give thanks, having first confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure.

Let no one who has a dispute with his friend join you until they are reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be defiled.

For this is what the Lord has said: In every place and time offer Me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the Lord, and My name is wonderful among the nations.

Chapter 15

Appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek, not lovers of money, truthful, and tested, for they also perform for you the service of prophets and teachers.

Therefore, do not despise them, for they are your honored ones alongside the prophets and apostles.

Correct one another not in anger but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel, and let no one speak with or listen to anyone who acts offensively toward another until he repents.

Perform your prayers, almsgiving, and all your deeds as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Chapter 16

Watch over your life; let your lamps not be quenched, and let your loins not be ungirded, but be ready, for you know not the hour in which your Lord comes.

You must gather together often, seeking what is fitting for your souls, for the whole time of your faith will not profit you unless you are made perfect in the last hour.

For in the last days, false prophets and corrupters will increase, and the sheep will turn into wolves, and love will turn into hatred.

For as lawlessness increases, men will hate and persecute one another, and then the world-deceiver will appear as if he were the Son of God, performing signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands, and he will commit lawless acts such as have never been done since the beginning.

Then humanity will come into the fire of testing, and many will stumble and perish, but those who endure in their faith will be saved from his curse.

And then the sign of truth will appear: first, the sign of an opening in heaven; then, the sign of the trumpet’s sound; and third, the resurrection of the dead.
Yet not of all, but as it is said: The Lord shall come, and all His saints with Him.

Then the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.