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THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT THE BISHOP OUGHT TO EXAMINE AND TRY EVERY MATTER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS, Be ye then pure as the first fathers, good and wise! and prudent?; and put away from you (every) evil habit and wicked custom. Choose rather for yourselves the way of life. The bishop ought to walk in this 8 way, and do as it befitteth,4 and turn aside from § evil- doing, and do good works,® and heal the sick? who desire to repent, and cast forth such as refuse to turn. For there are many who seek pretexts, and lay snares § and accusations through envy, as did the two elders against Susanna in Babylon, and as did the Egyptian woman against Joseph. But do not thou, O man of God, as these do; but be good and merciful, and receive them that repent. And favour not the sinner, neither slay the just. But whoso receiveth. not the repentant, and bringeth not the sinner back is the father of anger, and in him is no peace. For in the place where anger is, there the Lord dwelleth not; but anger is the friend of Satan, who goeth to and fro amongst false brethren—and in him is no peace—and causeth trouble in the Church. Understand, then, and follow not the way of fools who rejoice in evil, neither hearken to their voice,® but beware of them, for there is * no fear of God before their eyes, but rather revenge ““ Ps 81, 3f. fitteth. “ P adds: in righteousness * P— adds: all. and. * P omits: works. *° Cf. Lk 1a, 57. ' P poor. ' P omits: and wise. *P unintelligibly reads: ? P adds: and faithful. practise magic. > P adds: right. * P adds: in evil. “ P omits: and do as it be- ‘° P they have. and envy. For evil men accuse the good who are without sin, and raise against them an evil report, and bring them down into great trouble and affliction. {ii., 38.) But thou, O bishop, understand, and examine those who come unto thee to tell their cause, and judge between them with wisdom, discerning how and what the matter is. And if a man be found to have transgressed, admonish him thyself alone,!! as _ the Lord hath commanded; take him with thee alone, and speak unto him, that he may turn to repentance. And if he reject thee,!? take with thee one or two, and tell him of his sloth and folly, and teach him in meekness and wisdom; and it (that is, wisdom) !8 dwelleth in the heart of the good, and resteth in the mind 1 of teachers. And if he hearken to the word of you three, he hath saved his soul and gained himself !®; but if he refuse to hearken, tell it unto the Church, and if he refuse (to hear) the Church, he shall be unto thee as !6 a heathen and a publican. Receive him not, and permit him not to enter the Church, nor reckon him with the Christians.” But those that repent of their sins, and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 18 God—let us receive !® their repentance. {ii., 39.) Behold I, Matthew, one of the twelve, declare unto you the teaching of this new ™ Didascalia, though before I was a publican. And when I repented and believed in the right faith, 1 became an apostle and a preacher 2! of the holy gospel, for by faith a man is saved. And in like manner Zacchaeus also, though before he was a publican, (yet) when he turned and repented @ and prayed to the Lord, He received his repentance and despised him not. And behold as those soldiers and publicans, who entered into the Church heard the word of repentance from John the Baptist, and that which he said after (their) baptism “Do nothing beyond that which is commanded unto you ie ies (so) lay not ye burdens ™ on the Gentiles who turn unto God, lest they rebel against the faith. And thus we give commandment: Those that turn % ye shall bring into the Church, that they may hear the word of the Scriptures, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, lest they perish.% But do not ye stand together with them in prayer, but let them be put forth after the reading of the Scriptures of the Law and the prophets and the Gospel. Then they shall be ready at all times to serve in the Church, that others, when they see, may fear and be admonished, and learn true godliness, i., 40.] O bishop, help the sinners, and strengthen them by the word of the Lord, and despise them not, and refuse not to eat with them. For our Lord refused not to eat” with publicans and sinners and when the Pharisees said unto His disciples, ‘‘ Wherefore eateth your master with sinners and publicans? he answered and said unto them, The sick have need of the physician, and not the whole. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’’ 28 Where- fore it is right that thou visit them and comfort them, and eat with them in love, and be careful for their salvation, and help them, and say unto them, Be strong, clap your hands and dance (with) your feet. Ye ought then to console the sorrowful of heart, and bear patiently with the angry, lest they turn again unto folly, for the passionate man is ever a fool. {ii., 41.) But if any man turn, and show forth the fruits of repentance, straightway receive him, as the prodigal son who scattered all his father’s substance, “living riotously. And he spent all that he had, and there came a great famine on that land, and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the men of that country, and he sent him to his field to feed swine. And he would fain have filled himself with the berries * that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And he thought in his heart, and said, How many hired servants of my father’s (are there) who have bread enough and to spare, and I die here of hunger.®!_ I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; and am not worthy therefore to be called thy son: make me as (one) of thy servants.*? And he arose, and came to his father. And his father saw him from afar, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And his son said unto him, Father,®3 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy son. And his father said to his servants, Bring quickly choice garments, and put (them) on him; (and) put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet: and bring a fatted calf, and kill (it), and let us eat, and make merry: (for) this my son was dead and lived again; and was lost and is found.” ™ Thus do, O bishop, when ye baptize the catechumens: receive them and lay thy hand ® upon them, for they have been purified by repentance. And after thou hast prayed over them, baptize them and bring them into the good flock. For when thou layest thy hand upon them the Holy Spirit descendeth upon them from our Lord Jesus Christ. And if one of the faithful brethren asketh thee, and saith to thee, Wherefore hast thou (slain 57] ** Eth. berries of tséra. Lk 15, 13ff. This quota- Whether the last word is a tion is much longer in Eth. proper name (=Greece) or the than in AC. the sinner? Oughtest thou not to rejoice with him, and to say to him, Because this thy brother was dead, and lived again; and was lost, and is found? For God is merciful, and forgiveth the sin of him that hath repented and done (that which is) good. Hear what David did when he sinned in the matter of the wife of Uriah. After % his sin he repented, and said, ‘Turn thy face from my sin, and blot out all my trans- gression. Create for me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. And cast me not away from before thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me joy and thy salvation and strengthen me with an excellent‘! spirit.’’42, And thou also, O bishop, heal them as a wise physician, and as a faithful friend, who careth and seeketh for the salvation of his neighbour. Jn like manner do thou help and save, and heal from the wounds of sin those that turn unto God, that they may be saved from condemnation. If their disease be great, give unto them the remedy which blotteth out uncleanness; and anoint them with the oil of life, which destroyeth the poison of the disease, that is, fasting and prayer; and bind up by prayer and supplication #3 the defilement of the limbs of those that are broken. And if, when thou doest all this, thou art not able to heal them, be not against them as a saw which cutteth asunder, or as an axe which breaketh in pieces, but rather as a wise physician who cutteth with a lancet, and removeth the foulness of the disease that is hidden within: and then shall the whole limb become sound. But if thou seest a deceitful‘4 man who refuseth to turn unto repentance, but liveth in folly and error, cut him off from the Church. For it is said, “Remove all 4 evil from you.” “ It is right that thou admonish him, but it is right 47 that thou reckon him not an‘48 enemy, for he is a member of thine. And \ respect not persons in judgment, and favour neither the rich nor the poor. [ii., 42.] And yc, O shepherds of the sheep and deacons, ought not to hearken to words of falsehood and accusation against an innocent man in whom is no sin, that ye should put him forth from the Church, seeking occasions to receive bribes, and to accept persons; for those that do thus are the friends of the devil. Know, then, that ye shall be requited concerning this before the judgment-seat of the Lord, for it is written, saying, ‘Thou shalt not slay the righteous with the sinner, nor take a bribe to destroy life: for a bribe blindeth the ‘eyes of the wise, and perverteth the word of righteousness.’’4® Honour not a_ transgressor because of a bribe, and change not righteousness for falsehood, but take heed to youselves,” and do not any (such) thing. And judge not unrighteously, and be not partakers with evil-doers. For it is said by Isaiah the prophet, ‘“ Woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good; that call light darkness, and darkness light; that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Woe unto them that are wise unto evil, and say, We are as the wise.’’ 5! But if ye pervert judgment by iniquity, know that ye shall bring on yourselves grievous * condemna- tion. For our Lord saith, “Even as ye have judged, ye shall be judged, and with the measure wherewith ye -have measured, men shall measure unto you.”’ But if ye have understanding, and enquire into matters of judgment, ye shall discern the evil, and the false, and the slanderers who would fain slay their neighbours by wrongdoing. [ii., 43-] These are they that cause trouble, and ob- serve words of vanity, and make snares for themselves by the words of their lips. Those that do thus put far away,” lest they destroy © the Church of God. But if they turn and repent, and forsake their wickedness, and ’ do good, let them be received that they ma enter into the Church, for they have received the Body or Christ. If a man be born having in his members aught super- fluous, will he not cut off that which is superfluous in his members, that it be not a shame unto him? In like manner, ye shepherds of the sheep, drive out from the Church of God the ungodly and unbelieving ; for it is a shame if there are ® with you those that believe not in the name of & Jesus Christ. Cut them off entirely from the Church; ye are truly members of Christ and sons of the Church. And if there be found in your midst a superfluous member, who hath thoughts of evil, and goeth to and fro among you with murder,® and slander, and blasphemy—he that doeth thus hath accomplished all the devices of Satan, and hath blasphemed against the Church. Let those that do thus be put © forth from the Church, and be requited according to their works, and entirely cut off from the people of the Lord. Behold © then the Church of the Lord is beautified, for the evil member hath gone forth from her, that dwelt within her, troubling her. These are destroyers, haters of good, and lovers of wealth and vain praise, who are wise unto evil, and scatter the sheep of the flock of Jesus ® Christ. lii., 44.] Bishops and people ought to judge ® in righteousness; for our Lord saith, “If ye walk in a ctooked way, I also will walk with you in a crooked way.’’® And moreover somewhere it is said, ‘“ With a righteous man thou shalt be righteous; and with a pure man thou shalt be pure; and with the elect thou shalt be elect; and with the crooked thou shalt be crooked.” & Walk, then, in the way of purity, that thou mayest find honour and favour with the Lord. Be of one heart and love one another: and let there be peace among you."- And ye, O bishops, feed the people with firmness, with one heart®® and in uprightness ™ and fellowship, that ye may glorify God in one faith. Be, then, one body and one spirit :nd one faith, even as the Lord hath granted unto you, in uprightness.@ Let the deacon tell the bishop of all that is done, even as Christ did nothing without the Father; for there is one will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And when the deacon hath received ordination from the bishop, let him be ® an ear, and an eye, and a mouth to the bishop, and tell (him) the cares of the people as befitteth: even as Jethro told Moses the prophet and he received his word. [ii., 45.] This honour 7 befitteth a Christian people. Let not the layman judge, nor the elders, but rather such as are set in authority in the Church. For Satan bringeth snares on the servants of God from the ungodly, and teacheth them reproaches and blasphemies. Is there not one among us of understanding that is able to judge between us in uprightness? {ii., 46.] Suffer not, then, the heathen to know the mystery of your hidden things, and accept not against yourselves the testimony of those that believe not, but keep that which has been given unto you. For it is said, “Give that which is the King’s unto the King, and that which is God’s unto God.” ” But if thou hast a debt to pay, delay not to give, saying, To my brother a believer I will pay, but to him that believeth not, I will not pay; but do as our Lord when He paid tribute. And ye, O servants of God, keep the commandments of Christ; and if ye see among the brethren a quarrel or dispute, it is right for you to give word concerning them to those that are set in authority. If they are men of ** Pl omits in his transla- sentence; It is right that the tion the words: and let there deacon, etc. be peace among you. evil habits, and causers of trouble, and haters of good, and such as walk not in the right way—them that are such admonish and put to shame; but when they repent, receive them. And if ye act thus, ye have made peace between brethren and saved them from sin. Ye ought to forgive and pardon the trespasses of your neighbours, even as the Lord commanded Peter, when he said unto Him, If my neighbour sin against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times? And Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, seven times, but, seventy times seven. Thus, then, the Lord willeth that His disciples should do, and that they should never let revenge dwell in their hearts, nor envy,” nor anger, nor evil desire, but that they should make peace between brethren that they may live in unity.?8 For our Lord saith, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.’’ 74 [ii., 47-] Ye ought not then on the Christian Sabbath” to cause contention, but rather (to make) peace. Let judgment be given on other days. And it is right, O bishops, that presbyters 76 and deacons should sit with you in judgment. And judge not with partiality or accepting of persons, but judge in righteousness and uprightness as servants of God. And if there be anyone that hath a suit with his fellow, let them come both of them together, and stand in the court, even as it is written in the law. Judge ye” then in righteousness and in uprightness. Take heed and quickly set them at one, and make peace between them, before the judg- ment of death come forth 7 from the bishop on him that hath sinned. For with you in the court of judgment is 7 Christ the Son of God. And if any man say, Such a one hath blasphemed against the name of God, and walketh not in the way of righteousness, let not (your) judgment be given hastily, before his fellow appear. {ii., 49.] And when they have come both of them judge between them. Il or the judgment which pro- ceedeth from you leadeth unto life, and on the other hand it goeth down ® unto eternal condemnation. Tor our Lord saith, ‘Follow righteousness and upright- ness.’’ But he whose sin is manifestly 8! known, and hath been justly brought up to judgment, shall be far from life eternal, and shall not see the glory of God, but shall be put to shame before the saints. But if ye judge wrongfully, ye shall find condemnation and shall be requited ® according to your works, even as God requited the two elders who spake falsely against Susanna. Beware then of speaking falsely, for he that speaketh falsely shall find great condemnation. Be not as the men who were transgressors of the law, who spake falsely against Naboth in Samaria; and as the council of the Jews who spake falsely against ® Stephen the first martyr. They that bear witness must needs be faithful and & meek men, in whom is no anger, pure and good % and faithful, worshippers of God, in whom is no evil. Such men are worthy to bear witness, (being) pure, in whom is no ® blemish, and their testi- mony is sure.8? But receive not the testimony of those that live not thus. And though the testimony of % many false witnesses agree with one consent, hear not their words, for it is said, ‘‘Let me have no fellowship with their assembly of blood.” 8 And moreover it is commanded in the law, ‘‘And hearken not unto a false accusation, nor sit with him that is unjust, lest thou become an unjust witness; nor join thyself with a multitude to do iniquity.’’ [ii., 50.) And if there be one who cometh before you in judgment, examine ®! his life and (see) what his character and habits are; and (if) ye find witnesses concerning him that there is no evil in him, but that he followeth after righteousness, (being) a lover of God, and a receiver of strangers, and a lover of the poor, and a lover of the brethren; who loveth not gain, no extortioner, no drunkard, no sluggard; who putteth not forth ® his hand for oppression—him whose deeds are such judge™ in righteousness. But him that speaketh falsely against his neighbour admonish, for he is his brother’s murderer; that others, when they see, may fear, and not follow his way. And if there be one whose sin becometh manifest in judgment, admonish him and put him to shame. {ii., 51..] As we have said before, if there be one who maketh an accusation, give not judgment for the one until both of them are prcsent together in court. But if ye give judgment for the one wrongfully, before his fellow standeth in the court of judgment, then are ye become speakers of lies, as the priests who spake falsely against Susanna in Babylon, and brought her down to the court ™ unto a judgment of death. Howbeit Daniel the prophet saved Susanna, and brought down to the condemnation of death them that had spoken falsely against her.% {ii., 53-] And ye also in like manner, if ye judge not in righteousness and uprightness, shall find con- demnation, and the scourge of God shall come upon you. But if ye judge in righteousness and in upright- ness, ye shall find a good reward and life eternal. Take heed, then, beloved brethren, and do good at all times, that ye may find honour before God with the holy fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven in life eternal; for that is right before God. Judge, then,"” in righteousness and peace without anger, for he that provoketh his neighbour to anger without a cause, his portion shall be in Gehenna. For it is said, “Before the sun set, cool your anger, and give not place to Satan. (lor let him that stole, steal no more.] ’% And again David saith, ‘Be ye angry and sin not.” Love one another, and remove evil from your hearts, and be at peace amongst yourselves. Hear, then, what our Master and our Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ saith! in the}! Gospel, ‘‘When thou bringest thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath wherewith to reproach thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then, returning, offer thy gift." The sacrifice of God is a meek spirit and a humble heart,!3 prayer and thanksgiving; but if thou provokest thy neighbour to anger, and grievest his heart, God will not receive thy sacrifice and thy prayer. Ye, beloved brethren, ought at all times to pray and make supplication, and utter !°4 your supplication to God, that He may remove from yeu indignation and anger. Praise the lord continually at every season, and make mention of His name (which is) Most high, that He may remove from you hatred, and anger, and revenge, that ye may be able to pray with a pure heart wherein is no defilement; for the Lord hath commanded us to love our enemies, and much more our friends. And again it is said, “‘ Hate not any man, but some of them admonish, and some of them teach.” 1% Neither hate thou thy brother with thy whole heart, nor hear an accusation against him, nor find?” occasion of stumbling because of him. And persecute not the stranger that dwelleth with thee, for thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt; and hate not an Edomite, for he is thy brother. And David also saith, “If I have requited them that requited me evil, let mine enemies cause me to fall down naked.’’ 1%

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT EVER! TO FORGIVE THE TRESPASSES OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND NOT LET REVENGE DWELL IN THEIR HEARTS, NOR THINK EVIL. But if ye desire to be Christians indeed, walk in the way of the Lord, and loose every band? of sin; for the Saviour hath commanded you to forgive the trespasses of your neighbour (even unto) seventy times seven. And if ye desire not to forgive them, hear what Jeremiah the prophet saith? . . . But if thou thinkest evil in thy heart, and nursest hatred, and judgest in anger, thy prayer shall not be able to ascend unto God, for thou hast not done the commandments of thy Lord. But if thou hast forgiven‘ the trespass of thy brother four hundred and ninety times, thou art become slow ° of anger and great in mercy, that thou mayest save thyself. And if thou doest thus, thou shalt be a son of thy Father who is in heaven, and when thou makest supplication unto Him, He shall hear thy prayer as a faithful friend. (ii., 54.] Wherefore, O bishops, when ye are gathered together for prayer and praise and worship, and to hear the reading of the word of admonition, read* the Holy Scriptures. Let the deacon stand amongst you, crying with a loud voice, and saying, If there be any man that hath’ in his heart revenge, or envy, or deceit, or any malice against his neighbour,‘ let him speedily be reconciled with him,® and then God will receive their prayer and their supplication.!° And when ye enter into a house, say thus, The peace of God be in this house. And if there be there sons of peace, your peace shall rest upon them. Even as it is written, “He is peace to them that are afar off, and'! to them that are nigh,” 1? even to the people that believe in Christ. All who enter into the Church of God ought to pray unto Him to send peace '? upon His ** people.

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO BE PEACEMAKERS, MEN OP MERCY, WHO PARDON HIM THAT HATH TRESPASSED AGAINST THEM, AND RECEIVE 1 THE REPENTANCE OF THOSE THAT TURN TO GOD; AND IF THEY DO NOT THUS THEY SHALL NOT BE CALLED BISHOPS, BUT EVIL. . a But if the bishop pray for peace upon others, shall he not much more then be peaceable himself that he be not a son of darkness, and* that he may be called a son of light?‘ And if in himself there be no peace, how then can he give (peace) to others? Wherefore the beginning of all his work must needs be peace,® without evil or hatred; but in love and in peace let him* feed the sheep of Christ. Especially let him guard them as a faithful friend, that they may be saved together and become one flock. But let evil men, who work iniquity and (cause) hatred and trouble, be far from God. [ii., 55-] For the Lord the God of mercy desired to bring back all generations to repentance by the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, and the righteous, and the prophets.’ For before the flood the people lived accord- ing to the teaching of Abel and the admonition of Abel,*® and Seth, and Enoch, who ascended to heaven; and those that were after the flood, Noah taught; and those of Sodom, Lot the lover of strangers taught. And after Lot (men were taught) by Melchizedek, and the patriarchs,” and Job the lover of God; and the Egyptians and the children of Israel by the command- ments of Moses, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and Phinehas, and those (that were) after them; and after the law by the admonition of angels and prophets; and after these (came) our Lord, who became incarnate and '® was made man of our Lady '' the Holy Virgin Mary; and, after John the Baptist was cast into prison, He preached, saying, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And after He had suffered on the Cross, He commanded us, even us His !? twelve apostles to preach along with our good brother Paul. We are they to whom He hath granted" that we should be witnesses concerning His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And moreover (there are) with us James, the brother of our Lord, and the seven deacons. We have heard from His mouth ™ the word of life, and have believed and known that He is Jesus Christ, in whom the Lord'® the Father is well pleased. We declare unto you perfectly that which we have heard '* from Him that none that believeth in Him’? shall perish. To Him let us offer up praise with one voice that we may obtain life eternal. ' P bring back (men) to re- "PP omits: our Lady. pentance by the teaching of the ” P the. righteous even of all the genera- ' P who have been granted. tions of the prophets. 1 P the mouth of our Lord. * P lived walking according 5 P omits: the Lord. to the admonition of Abel. ‘SA omits: that which we * Lit. first fathers, have heard. '© P omits: became incarnate ’ P omits: that believeth in and. Him, ayeiysies a ee [ii., 56.) Thus our Lord hath commanded us, When we pray to the Father, saying, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth; that as ** the hosts of heavenly and spiritual ones glorify (Him), so every creature on carth t may glorify t'® the One God by His only- begotten Son our Lord and our God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This, then, is His good pleasure that we should glorify Him and bless Him with one mind, and worship Him with one spirit. This is the good pleasure of Christ, that those that are saved should be many, and that not one of them should perish, nor the Church be diminished. Slay not the soul which hath been made alive through repentance, for it hath been saved from indignation and anger. But do ye in the beauty of your patience fulfil every word of the Scriptures. But if ye scatter the sheep of His flock, ye shall be enemies of God.?° Destroy not the lambs that Christ hath fed. Be of good understanding, then, O bishop, lest by thine occasion the sheep of Christ’s flock be scattered, whom we have gathered by the preaching of tongues from every quarter, by toil, and by weariness, and by sorrow, and by watching, and by hunger, and by thirst and labour (and) journeyings, and by persecu- tions, and by affliction, and by imprisonment. And behold 2! we have done the yood pleasure of God, and have filled with plants 2? the house which is the holy congregation, the Church of God. Those that are called thereinto rejoice and are glad, glorifying and blessing God, even those that have been called by you unto life eternal. And ye also, O people, work amongst you (the works of) love and peace, that ye may walk in the Church 2* of God with one heart. And for this ye shall obtain a good reward from God. [ii., 57-] But be thou, O bishop, holy,?4 without blemish, and do not that which is unseemly, nor be Passionate, nor deceitful, nor of evil-disposition, but be a teacher and helper of those that perish, and a counsellor of good; and confirm the people as a man of God. And when ye are gathered together in the church, command them to walk in the good way as a wise ship-master. And command the deacons to be as the sailors, that they may make the brethren to sit down each one in his own place, as befitteth in righteousness and purity, for they are together with you in one ship. Let the length, then, of the church be towards the East; and (let there be) two porches in its sides after the likeness of a ship; and let the throne of the bishop be set in the midst. Then let the presbyters 7* sit on his right hand and on his left: and let the deacons also stand ready to serve with their garments girt up like sailors. But let the people sit in their places in fear and trembling; and in like manner let the women sit by themselves in silence. And let the reader also stand in (his) place,?* and read the books of Moses, and of Joshua the son of Nun, and of the Judges, and the Kings, and the Chronicles, and the books after the captivity (and) return from Babylon, (and) Job and Solomon, and the fifteen prophets. And t after they have read t ?” from the books two at a time, one shall rise up and sing praises in the words of David, and the people shall answer with praises. Then they shall read the Acts of the Apostles and the - Epistles of our brother Paul, our beloved fellow- labourer, which he wrote, and sent to all the churches by the help of the Holy Spirit. And after this let the presbyters or the deacons ®* read the Gospel which we have given unto you, even I Matthew and John, and which Luke and Mark, the fellow-labourers of the renowned Paul, have proclaimed, (and) which they have appointed for you. And when ® fhe Gospel is read, let the presbyters and the deacons and all the people stand in great fear; for it is written, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and hearken.” Then let the presbyters stand 5! one by one, and confirm the people; and afterwards the bishop that he may save them by (his) admonition. And next let the doorkeepers stand where the men come in, and set them in their places: let the deaconess in like manner make the women stand in their places. If any man *? be found standing in a place which is not his, let the deacons put him to shame, and then bring him back to his own place; for the deacons are like the sailors, and the church like a ship. Howbeit it is not a ship, but a flock of sheep. Now shepherds separate the sheep from the goats, and place them according to their kinds and according to their divisions; and in like manner let the people be found together in the church according to their classes. Let the young men stand by themselves; but if there be no place to contain them, let them stand with (the rest of) the people, And let the old men sit °° by themselves, and let the children sit in front of their fathers, these taking care of them. And let the maidens sit by themselves; but if there be no place, let them stand behind the married women. And let the virgins and the widows and the elder women stand before all the (other) women.** And let those that have husbands and children sit by themselves. The deacons should arrange them one by one; and let no one pass over into his neighbour’s seat. And let him mark the conduct and behaviour of the people in church, lest they sleep or be slothful in prayer; but let him watch them, and if any be found laughing or talking foolishly, let him admonish them and cause them to be silent. We ought, then, to stand in the church in fear and trembling, and to set our thoughts to hearken to the word of the Scriptures. tt And when the catechumens and those that are under penance have departed t °° let all the people rise up and look towards the East, and pray unto God, who is in every place. to bring them back to their former place, unto the garden of joy, from which the first man went forth, when he consented to the counsel of the Serpent, and transgressed the commandment of God. And after this let the presbyters** rise up and offer the sacrifice to God with fear and trembling. Then let the ministers rise and command them to keep silence; and let the deacon who standeth at the right hand *” of the bishop say thus to the people, Let no man harbour in his heart revenge, or hatred,** or envy against his neighbour. Then let the men ** salute one another with a holy kiss; and in like manner let the women salute one another. Howbeit salute not one another with guile like Judas Iscariot, who kissed our Lord and betrayed Him wickedly.*° And after this let the deacon pray, and make supplication for the whole world, and 4! all that is therein, for the fruits of the ground, for the king, for the priests, for the rulers, for the chief priests, for the peace of the holy Apostolic Church. And after this let the chief priest make supplication and entreaty that peace may be upon the people. Then let him bless them, as Moses cémmanded the priests to bless the people, saying thus, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and make his face to shine on thee, and have mercy upon thee,‘? and give thee peace.” 49 And after this let the bishop make supplication, and say, Save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage; feed them and lift them up for ever. Thou hast purchased and redeemed by Thy precious Blood Thy Holy Church *4 through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath called her to be a congregation of kings and priests, a pure family, a holy people. And after that the priests have taken up the mysteries, let them take heed lest (any) enter who are not of the faithful. And then let the men *® stand up, and the women also,‘*® veiling their heads, (and) let them put forth their hands, and pray for pardon, (and) receive His holy ‘’ Flesh and precious ood. [ii., 58.) And if any brethren or sisters come from a distant place, let the deacon enquire into their lives, and get knowledge of their faith. And if they have the tokens of the right faith,** let him permit ¢* them to enter the church; but if they are unbelievers, let him not permit them to enter. And if a presbyter come from a distant place, let the presbyters receive him; and in like manner the deacons.*® And if a bishop come, a stranger, let the bishop, who is like unto him, receive him, and let him sit with him, and let (the bishop) show him honour. Then let him ask him to teach and admonish*! the people; ** for it is said, “A prophet is not had in honour in his own city.” °° Entreat him** to offer up the sacrifice. But if, by reason of fear, he refuseth,®® let them all the more entreat him to bestow a blessing on the people. And if there be one that cometh to thee, a stranger, or one of the men of the place, clothed in goodly apparel, full of grace, do thou, O bishop, declare unto him the word of God. And when thou hearest them teaching °* or reading the Scriptures, cease not the work of thy ministry.°7 The brethren ought to receive strangers,°* and magnify and honour them. But if there be one (who is) haughty, and (who) honoureth not a stranger, let the deacon coming admonish him, and set him behind (the rest of) the people, that others, when they see, may fear. And if there come unto you poor men, whether young or old,** let the deacon receive them with a glad heart, and set them each one in his place, as befitteth, without respect of persons, but (so) that your service be that which is well pleasing to God. And let the deaconess also do in like manner with the women, whether rich or poor. {ii., 59.] Admonish, then, O bishop, thy people, and bid them come to the church day and night, and never absent themselves from it, that the congregation therein be not diminished, for they are members of Christ. And we say this not concerning the priests alone, but concerning all the people, that each one may understand the word of the Lord. For our Lord saith, “But he that is not with me is mine adversary, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” *° Be not slothful, then, for ye are members of Christ; separate not yourselves from His Body and His Blood; *' nor choose the cares of this world before the command- ments of God. Gather yourselves together in the church in the evening and in the morning; glorify God,*? and sing, and read the Psalms of David, the sixty-second, and the hundred and fortieth as well. And especially on the Christian Sabbath.** which is (the day of) His holy resurrection, offer praise and thanksgiving and honour to God, who created all things by His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent unto us; who was well pleased to suffer according to His will, and was buried in the earth,** and rose again from the dead. But if ye come not to the church, what excuse, or what answer will ye make to God? For on this day, the Christian Sabbath, we ought to hear the preaching of His holy resurrection, and remember His sufferings, and make remembrance of Him, and read the Scriptures of the prophets, and the *> Gospel ; and (celebrate) the eucharist, the sacrifice, and ** oblation, (our) spiritual food. [ii., Go.] But if ye watch not day and night,*’ and do not according as we say, ye are transgressors against God, and enemjes unto Him,** for ye have chosen pleasure, eating and drinking, and delights, that wax old and perish, and ye have forsaken that which waxeth not old, nor perisheth.*® And to them that do such things God saith, “The foolish people ’° are better than you”; as He reproached” Jerusalem, and said unto her, “Sodom is better than thou.” 7? Behold, then, let us look at the foolish Gentiles. Every day, when they awake and rise from sleep, they betake them forthwith to those gods that ’* profit not, and they worship them, and make supplication to them concerning their needs ; and they gather themselves together, great and small, on their feast-days, and not these alone, but others also come from distant places, and worship and serve them. And the foolish Jews, though ungodly (and) unbelieving, yet work six days, and rest on the seventh day. Then they gather themselves together in the synagogues, and keep a feast to idols, and magnify them, and honour them that have no life, nor spirit, and (that) profit not at all. Howbeit they vaunt them- selves, and say, We are Jews. But if these " do thus, and gather themselves together at all times, and in ’° folly serve those in whom is no profit, how is it then that ye who have received grace from the Lord God, are slothful, and neglect the service of the church? If ye keep far from the church, ye shall lose your hope, and abandon your salvation, and become ungodly, + ye who f 7° turn aside from that which is good, and become ™ evil. Behold the Lord said by 7 Jeremiah the prophet, “I‘or my people have forsaken my law which I set before their face, and have not heard my- voice, but have gone and have followed the desire 7° of their own hearts, and have followed idols, as their fathers taught them.” *° And moreover it is said, “Rebellious Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah,” *! and, ‘“ Their shepherds have led them to the mountains, and driven them away; and they wander on the hills.” 2 What excuse do they make who are slothful ** to go to the church, and go out therefrom at the time of prayer? At what time shall they hear of the salvation of their souls? and what answer shall they give to God? Understand, then, that the service of the faithful (which) abideth with them ** in truth, is this, the worship of God. Let not your work and your toil be of ** the cares of this transitory world, which waxeth old and perisheth,** but let your thoughts be toward God. Even as our Lord saith, “Take no thought for transitory meat that waxeth old and perisheth,*’ but for the meat that endureth unto life eternal.” ** And moreover He saith, ‘‘The work which pleaseth God is this that ye believe in him whom he hath sent unto you.” °° (ii., 61.] Take heed, then, that ye keep not far from the church of God, nor follow the steps of the ungodly and unbelievers, and the worshippers of idols, and the congregation of the Jews. And go not toa temple of devils, nor have fellowship with Christ’s murderers, nor ™ This is merely a conjec- " Jer so, 6. ture. The text as it stands " P who delay. ‘ aa " | Ak seems meaningless. P adds: and their work. ™ P do. *> P for. ™ P adds: the mouth of. ** P adds: and its pleasure ™ P way. remaineth not. °° Jer 9, 13f. *' P omits: that waxeth old "' Jer 3, 11. A reads differ- and perisheth. ently: The rebellion of I. hath au Jn 6, 27. justified itself more than the Cf. Jn 6, 29. shame (?) of J. enter into a congregation of the ungodly. Have ye *° not heard that which is said, “I have not sat in the assembly of vanity, nor have I gone in with evil-doers : I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and I will not sit with the deceitful and evil-doers ’’? ®! And again it is said, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and that hath not stood in the way of sinners, and that hath not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law he meditated day and night.” *? But behold thou hast left the congregation of the faithful, and hast despised the Church of God, and hast not kept His law and His ordinance; but hast followed the way of robbers, and hast counted the unclean as clean, and hast become a companion of those that were separated from thee, and hast made thy dwelling with ** the heathen, and hast inclined thine ear unto the words of the theatre, which are full of all uncleanness and vanity, wherein is no profit. And thou hast refused to hearken to the words of Jeremiah the prophet,** who saith, ‘‘O Lord, I have not sat on the seat of judgment with injustice, but I am afraid before thy face.”** Wherefore desirest thou to hear the words of the dead heathen, who were wounded through sin, by the works of the devil, (and) slay the man who followeth them, and draw him away from the right faith, and make him to serve many gods? But do not ye thus, but keep the commandments of God, and choose for yourselves life. And above all seek after the law of the Church of the Lord, which Christ, His beloved Son, who was before the world was created, hath purchased with His °* Blood. For His *? Church is the Daughter of the Most High, she who strengtheneth our hearts, and bringeth us near to God, that we may find a place with Him; for we are His members and His friends. Let us, then, be good and pure, without uncleanness, and perfect*® in the right faith and in every good work.®*

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT TO ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE HEATHEN, NOR BE SPECTATORS IN THE THEATRE, NOR LISTEN TO (THEIR) SONGS. (ii., 62.] Beware, then, of deeds such as these, and take no part in the assembly of the Gentiles, and keep far from the devices of Satan, for the devil hath no love toward God. For he who hath fellowship with a singer to do the will of the enemy, shall be reckoned with the devil, and shall inherit a curse. Keep far then from evil deeds, wherein is no good thing, such are, play-acting, and worshipping of idols, and (consulting of) seers,’ and diviners, and augurs, and necromancers. Even as it is written, ‘And let there be no wickedness in Jacob, nor evil in Israel.”"? Depart then from such works * as these which idolaters do to lead men astray : they * are the works of Satan. The faithful ought to separate themselves from the congregation of the ungodly,® and not join in keeping a feast with them. And in like manner let us keep far from them, and not enter into their houses, nor eat with them, nor drink; for they are full of * the deeds of Satan. Let us turn aside from worshipping of idols and from error, and their salutations’ and (their) vows to their gods. [ii., 63.] Ye also, young men, perform without sloth for the Holy Church every duty that is fitting, and support yourselves by the fruit of your toil in purity, that ye may need nothing, nor be a burden on the Church of God: * so that we may be without care. But in ® the preaching of the holy Gospel let us not neglect 1° the labour of our hands, nor be slothful. For some of us are fishermen, and some of us tent-makers, and some tillers of the ground. Solomon saith, “Turn to the ant, thou sluggard, and when thou seest her way,'? imitate her, and become wiser than she. For she, having no field, nor any that oonstraineth her, and having no master, prepareth in summer her food, and laboureth much in the time of harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how laborious she is, and how she maketh her work good; !? of whose labour kings and people take for health; who is desired of all and had in honour, yet in strength is she weak; honouring wisdom she is advanced (?).'* How long, thou sluggard, wilt thou sit and sleep? ?5 When wilt thou awake from !* sleep? A while thou sleepest, and a while thou sittest, and a while thou slumberest, and a while thou foldest thy hands on the breast: and then poverty shall come on thee as an evil messenger, and want as a swift courier. But if thou be not slothful, thy harvest shall come?” as a fountain of water,'® and poverty as a slow courier shall be far from thee. A foolish and lawless man walketh in ways that are not good.” ?* And again he saith, “He that tilleth the ground shall be filled with bread.” 7° And moreover he saith, “The sluggard hideth his hand in his bosom, and it troubleth him to bring it to his mouth.”® “He appeared wise unto himself."’??_ “A foolish sluggard foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh” ;7° for the doings * I follow the punctuation in the LXX TpohxOn. of a sluggard are without remedy. Whosoever will not work, let him not eat, and let him not sit idly with you. Fear Him,?' then, at all times, and keep far from sloth,?* for the Lord our ?* God hateth all the slothful. Let not the slothful man sit with those that are obedient to God the Father, to whom be honour and glory 27 for ever and ever. Amen.

OF WIDOWS. {iii., 1.] (A wipow) ought to be # appointed at sixty years of age, in whom are good works, and (who is) elect and pure, and desireth not another husband. Younger widows are not worthy of the office. But if ye ® appoint a young widow, as she is® not able to have continency as the elder widows, but desireth to marry again, trust her not, for she will bring a shameful report, and dishonour, and reproach on the Church, and shall be condemned before God, for she hath married a second husband, and hath not kept the command of the Scriptures. Wherefore they ought not to appoint (them) hastily, until they make enquiry as to their lives, and prove them (to see) if they have (the gift of) continence. But if they cannot have continency it is better not to appoint (?)®! them, for they keep not that which they have promised. But if there be a young widow, who hath lived for a little while 82 with her husband, and been separated from him by death, and then hath lived alone, and observeth the duties of the wigows, she who doeth thus is blessed: for she is like unto the widow "The word is unusual. I follow the meaning given by Dillmann, who refers (sth voce) to the present passage. who was in Sarepta of Sidon unto whom Elijah the holy prophet of God came, and she received him, and unto the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, who lived day and night in the house of God, ready con- tinually for prayer and supplication, though her years were sO many. Scven_ years f she lived with her husband, and then ¢ % entered into the temple, and remained fifty-seven years as a virgin, hoping for the coming of Christ, and giving thanks to the Lord, and speaking of Him to all who were hoping for the coming of the salvation of Israel. The widow who doeth thus findeth honour and favour ™ and praise in this world, and also in the next before God in the Kingdom of heaven. {iii., 2.] And let not younger widows be appointed to the order (of widows) of the Church, for they cannot have continency while they are in the vigour of their youth; and they will marry a second husband. And as for such as these their youth is (given over) to Satan; but let them take heed for their own salvation that they marry not a second husband. And as for such as these 8 ye must needs understand this, that a first marriage is pure before God; but those that marry a second time are transgressors of the law; yet it is not on account of their union, but (because) they have proved false against God the Creator. And those that marry a third time shall not be reckoned with the flock of the Lord *® Christ; and those that marry a fourth time, their wantonness is still more abundantly mani- fested, and they shall find shame and dishonour. For in the first creation God gave one woman to one man, and for this cause they two are one flesh. Thus we command the younger women; if their first husbands die, let them marry a second husband,® if they cannot have continency, lest they fall again ® into the snare and devices of Satan, and into evil desires that destroy souls, and go down themselves into the eternal con- demnation of Gehenna, where is no “ rest. [iii., 3.] But widows who are known for righteous- ness, women who have married one man, and concern- ing whom many bear witness that they have lived in purity, let such be reckoned with the faithful widows, and (those who) bring up their children without blame.*! Those that are such ye ought to help, and give them what they need, for their trust is in God. And now also ® stretch forth thy hand to give, and remember the poor,’ and give to each one according to his need, and visit the widows and the orphans and the afflicted. {iii., 4.] The bishop, then, ought to help and save and supply the need of all the destitute and troubled, and help them,*4 and feed in his good pasture all the people, who bring their offering of alms. From what they have brought to thee, give what they have given to thee,“ to each one, as is fitting, as a good and merciful steward, for this is well-pleasing before God. Everyone that giveth to the destitute shall find a good reward; and thou, who hast toiled for God, shalt obtain a recompense. And say thus unto those to whom thou hast given, (It is) such a one who hath offered (this), and I have given (it) to you, that ye 4 may pray for him,‘? and entreat on his behalf. Ye ‘8 ought to do good unto all men, and not say, To this man will I give, and the other I will refuse. Do thou make no distinction between any. For our.Lord saith, “Give to everyone that hath asked of thee,” * that is, either thy friend, or thine enemy, or thy kinsman, or a stranger, or one that is married, or one that hath no wife, or a widow, or an orphan—even to every one that is 5! destitute do thou good. For our Lord hath com- ’ ful din the Scriptures that we should be mercifu Cane poor, for He saith by the mouth of Tale a prophet, “ Break thy bread to the hungry, an Ake iv poor to eat," and make him to dwell in the ae oe thy house. And if thou scest one that Is naked, ats him; and shut not thine eyes (to him that ot sced of thy house." & And Daniel also ou ise fore let my counsel be pleasing unto thee, . Oe cd by almsgiving in righteousness thou shalt . sie and (atone for) thy sin by shewing mercy 7 a P ee until, God pardon thine iniquity. iy ; et Solomon ®5 saith, “By faith and by mercy eee be blotted out.’’ & And moreover David saith, incre is he that considereth the poor and pe ae ss shall deliver him from the day of evil. An ae he saith, “‘He hath scattered abroad, and ee A the poor: and his righteousness remaineth a ae And again ee prec eee) : a : eal mercy to the poor lendeth unto : ee aa mpensed even as he hath given. ° aes! his ear, lest he hear the cry of the poor, a he that covereth Res be Sn pee the oppressed, i hall the Lord be deal. ™ ; 2 ae a * Widows ought to be patient, not Luerpie (women) in whom is no evil nor anger, but ae es worshipping God in righteousness. And w ses a they see evil deeds, or hear ® evil words, oe eae silent, as if they saw and heard not. Let Maca have no care aes to es “ne ck ae ae aiean weet ba offerings to the : } them not answer him, but let them recei seek words of faith and deeds of soe an Mgr good hope before God. But let those (widows) that desire to learn that which is appointed,® go to those in authority to learn and © hear the word of admonition: and let them not hearken to slander, nor follow after other gods, but worship the One God who created all things. For the Lord hath likened the Kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed, which is smaller than all seeds, and when a man tastes it, it burneth him. And so the word of the doctrine of the faith burneth Satan. We ought not to transgress the words of the prophets, nor reveal mysteries to unbelievers but we (ought) to be firm in faith. For our Lord hath commanded us, saying, “Cast not your pearls before swine, nor give your holy things to the dogs,® lest they trample your pearls with their feet, and turn and rend you.’’ _ For when the ungodly know the word of the mysteries, they despise (it), and in their foll a (it) i dishonour and a shame. : i., 6.) But teach them rather ® the words of t Law, and the prophets who prophesied of the ae of Christ. For our Master 7 Jesus Christ sent us the Twelve to teach all nations; but He commanded not women to teach, nor to speak in the Church to the people. But let them rather receive admonition and (keep) from deeds of fornication, and be obedient in fasting and prayer and in hearing”! the words of the Scriptures. For there abode with us72 Mary Magde- lene, and the sisters 73 of Lazarus, Mary and Martha and Salome, and others also with them”: (and) since He commanded not them to teach along with us neither is it right for other women to teach. For 75 the man is the head of the woman, so it is not right that the member should be greater than the head.”6 Widows and virgins ought not to walk about in the streets, nor enter men’s houses 77, but they who do thus are not widows nor virgins, but rather become a stumbling-block to men. And if 78 they cleave not to the Church, they become slothful and insatiate, and covetous of the goods of others, and they lead men captive, and become seducers of others, and cause souls to fall; and they that follow them are far from the Lord. But as for those that enter the Church and understand not 7 that which is in ® the Scriptures, and hearken not to the word of the book 8! of admonition, concerning them that do thus Isaiah the prophet saith, “Hearing they shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing they shall see, and shall not perceive: for the heart of this people is darkened.” © [iii.,°7-] And to widows such as these show thou not the sacrifice of Christ. But let her that desireth to please Christ 8 dwell in her house in quietness, and glorify Him by day and by night with a mouth that keepeth not silence, and let her pray to God with a pure heart like wise Judith who prayed to God for Israel day and night. In like manner the merciful widow will pray to God, ceasing not to resort to the church every day,*! for all her thoughts are ready con- tinually for (His) service, and she turneth not to® pleasure; but her eyes are pure, and her ears holy, and she stretcheth not out her hands to covetousness, and her feet run in the way of peace, and her mouth speaketh not lies, and her food is in moderation. As for her whose works are such, the Lord will hear her prayer and her supplication, for it ts said, ‘‘ When ® 1 call upon thee, hear me speedily."’®7 Let such a But let him turn them to repentance; and those that convert not’ the evil-doers and liars! and sinners are partakers with them in the evil of their deeds.

OF WIDOWS. {iii., 1.] (A wipow) ought to be # appointed at sixty years of age, in whom are good works, and (who is) elect and pure, and desireth not another husband. Younger widows are not worthy of the office. But if ye ® appoint a young widow, as she is® not able to have continency as the elder widows, but desireth to marry again, trust her not, for she will bring a shameful report, and dishonour, and reproach on the Church, and shall be condemned before God, for she hath married a second husband, and hath not kept the command of the Scriptures. Wherefore they ought not to appoint (them) hastily, until they make enquiry as to their lives, and prove them (to see) if they have (the gift of) continence. But if they cannot have continency it is better not to appoint (?)®! them, for they keep not that which they have promised. But if there be a young widow, who hath lived for a little while 82 with her husband, and been separated from him by death, and then hath lived alone, and observeth the duties of the wigows, she who doeth thus is blessed: for she is like unto the widow "The word is unusual. I follow the meaning given by Dillmann, who refers (sth voce) to the present passage. who was in Sarepta of Sidon unto whom Elijah the holy prophet of God came, and she received him, and unto the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, who lived day and night in the house of God, ready con- tinually for prayer and supplication, though her years were sO many. Scven_ years f she lived with her husband, and then ¢ % entered into the temple, and remained fifty-seven years as a virgin, hoping for the coming of Christ, and giving thanks to the Lord, and speaking of Him to all who were hoping for the coming of the salvation of Israel. The widow who doeth thus findeth honour and favour ™ and praise in this world, and also in the next before God in the Kingdom of heaven. {iii., 2.] And let not younger widows be appointed to the order (of widows) of the Church, for they cannot have continency while they are in the vigour of their youth; and they will marry a second husband. And as for such as these their youth is (given over) to Satan; but let them take heed for their own salvation that they marry not a second husband. And as for such as these 8 ye must needs understand this, that a first marriage is pure before God; but those that marry a second time are transgressors of the law; yet it is not on account of their union, but (because) they have proved false against God the Creator. And those that marry a third time shall not be reckoned with the flock of the Lord *® Christ; and those that marry a fourth time, their wantonness is still more abundantly mani- fested, and they shall find shame and dishonour. For in the first creation God gave one woman to one man, and for this cause they two are one flesh. Thus we command the younger women; if their first husbands die, let them marry a second husband,® if they cannot have continency, lest they fall again ® into the snare and devices of Satan, and into evil desires that destroy souls, and go down themselves into the eternal con- demnation of Gehenna, where is no “ rest. [iii., 3.] But widows who are known for righteous- ness, women who have married one man, and concern- ing whom many bear witness that they have lived in purity, let such be reckoned with the faithful widows, and (those who) bring up their children without blame.*! Those that are such ye ought to help, and give them what they need, for their trust is in God. And now also ® stretch forth thy hand to give, and remember the poor,’ and give to each one according to his need, and visit the widows and the orphans and the afflicted. {iii., 4.] The bishop, then, ought to help and save and supply the need of all the destitute and troubled, and help them,*4 and feed in his good pasture all the people, who bring their offering of alms. From what they have brought to thee, give what they have given to thee,“ to each one, as is fitting, as a good and merciful steward, for this is well-pleasing before God. Everyone that giveth to the destitute shall find a good reward; and thou, who hast toiled for God, shalt obtain a recompense. And say thus unto those to whom thou hast given, (It is) such a one who hath offered (this), and I have given (it) to you, that ye 4 may pray for him,‘? and entreat on his behalf. Ye ‘8 ought to do good unto all men, and not say, To this man will I give, and the other I will refuse. Do thou make no distinction between any. For our.Lord saith, “Give to everyone that hath asked of thee,” * that is, either thy friend, or thine enemy, or thy kinsman, or a stranger, or one that is married, or one that hath no wife, or a widow, or an orphan—even to every one that is 5! destitute do thou good. For our Lord hath com- ’ ful din the Scriptures that we should be mercifu Cane poor, for He saith by the mouth of Tale a prophet, “ Break thy bread to the hungry, an Ake iv poor to eat," and make him to dwell in the ae oe thy house. And if thou scest one that Is naked, ats him; and shut not thine eyes (to him that ot sced of thy house." & And Daniel also ou ise fore let my counsel be pleasing unto thee, . Oe cd by almsgiving in righteousness thou shalt . sie and (atone for) thy sin by shewing mercy 7 a P ee until, God pardon thine iniquity. iy ; et Solomon ®5 saith, “By faith and by mercy eee be blotted out.’’ & And moreover David saith, incre is he that considereth the poor and pe ae ss shall deliver him from the day of evil. An ae he saith, “‘He hath scattered abroad, and ee A the poor: and his righteousness remaineth a ae And again ee prec eee) : a : eal mercy to the poor lendeth unto : ee aa mpensed even as he hath given. ° aes! his ear, lest he hear the cry of the poor, a he that covereth Res be Sn pee the oppressed, i hall the Lord be deal. ™ ; 2 ae a * Widows ought to be patient, not Luerpie (women) in whom is no evil nor anger, but ae es worshipping God in righteousness. And w ses a they see evil deeds, or hear ® evil words, oe eae silent, as if they saw and heard not. Let Maca have no care aes to es “ne ck ae ae aiean weet ba offerings to the : } them not answer him, but let them recei seek words of faith and deeds of soe an Mgr good hope before God. But let those (widows) that desire to learn that which is appointed,® go to those in authority to learn and © hear the word of admonition: and let them not hearken to slander, nor follow after other gods, but worship the One God who created all things. For the Lord hath likened the Kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed, which is smaller than all seeds, and when a man tastes it, it burneth him. And so the word of the doctrine of the faith burneth Satan. We ought not to transgress the words of the prophets, nor reveal mysteries to unbelievers but we (ought) to be firm in faith. For our Lord hath commanded us, saying, “Cast not your pearls before swine, nor give your holy things to the dogs,® lest they trample your pearls with their feet, and turn and rend you.’’ _ For when the ungodly know the word of the mysteries, they despise (it), and in their foll a (it) i dishonour and a shame. : i., 6.) But teach them rather ® the words of t Law, and the prophets who prophesied of the ae of Christ. For our Master 7 Jesus Christ sent us the Twelve to teach all nations; but He commanded not women to teach, nor to speak in the Church to the people. But let them rather receive admonition and (keep) from deeds of fornication, and be obedient in fasting and prayer and in hearing”! the words of the Scriptures. For there abode with us72 Mary Magde- lene, and the sisters 73 of Lazarus, Mary and Martha and Salome, and others also with them”: (and) since He commanded not them to teach along with us neither is it right for other women to teach. For 75 the man is the head of the woman, so it is not right that the member should be greater than the head.”6 Widows and virgins ought not to walk about in the streets, nor enter men’s houses 77, but they who do thus are not widows nor virgins, but rather become a stumbling-block to men. And if 78 they cleave not to the Church, they become slothful and insatiate, and covetous of the goods of others, and they lead men captive, and become seducers of others, and cause souls to fall; and they that follow them are far from the Lord. But as for those that enter the Church and understand not 7 that which is in ® the Scriptures, and hearken not to the word of the book 8! of admonition, concerning them that do thus Isaiah the prophet saith, “Hearing they shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing they shall see, and shall not perceive: for the heart of this people is darkened.” © [iii.,°7-] And to widows such as these show thou not the sacrifice of Christ. But let her that desireth to please Christ 8 dwell in her house in quietness, and glorify Him by day and by night with a mouth that keepeth not silence, and let her pray to God with a pure heart like wise Judith who prayed to God for Israel day and night. In like manner the merciful widow will pray to God, ceasing not to resort to the church every day,*! for all her thoughts are ready con- tinually for (His) service, and she turneth not to® pleasure; but her eyes are pure, and her ears holy, and she stretcheth not out her hands to covetousness, and her feet run in the way of peace, and her mouth speaketh not lies, and her food is in moderation. As for her whose works are such, the Lord will hear her prayer and her supplication, for it ts said, ‘‘ When ® 1 call upon thee, hear me speedily."’®7 Let such a But let him turn them to repentance; and those that convert not’ the evil-doers and liars! and sinners are partakers with them in the evil of their deeds.

OF WIDOWS. {iii., 1.] (A wipow) ought to be # appointed at sixty years of age, in whom are good works, and (who is) elect and pure, and desireth not another husband. Younger widows are not worthy of the office. But if ye ® appoint a young widow, as she is® not able to have continency as the elder widows, but desireth to marry again, trust her not, for she will bring a shameful report, and dishonour, and reproach on the Church, and shall be condemned before God, for she hath married a second husband, and hath not kept the command of the Scriptures. Wherefore they ought not to appoint (them) hastily, until they make enquiry as to their lives, and prove them (to see) if they have (the gift of) continence. But if they cannot have continency it is better not to appoint (?)®! them, for they keep not that which they have promised. But if there be a young widow, who hath lived for a little while 82 with her husband, and been separated from him by death, and then hath lived alone, and observeth the duties of the wigows, she who doeth thus is blessed: for she is like unto the widow "The word is unusual. I follow the meaning given by Dillmann, who refers (sth voce) to the present passage. who was in Sarepta of Sidon unto whom Elijah the holy prophet of God came, and she received him, and unto the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, who lived day and night in the house of God, ready con- tinually for prayer and supplication, though her years were sO many. Scven_ years f she lived with her husband, and then ¢ % entered into the temple, and remained fifty-seven years as a virgin, hoping for the coming of Christ, and giving thanks to the Lord, and speaking of Him to all who were hoping for the coming of the salvation of Israel. The widow who doeth thus findeth honour and favour ™ and praise in this world, and also in the next before God in the Kingdom of heaven. {iii., 2.] And let not younger widows be appointed to the order (of widows) of the Church, for they cannot have continency while they are in the vigour of their youth; and they will marry a second husband. And as for such as these their youth is (given over) to Satan; but let them take heed for their own salvation that they marry not a second husband. And as for such as these 8 ye must needs understand this, that a first marriage is pure before God; but those that marry a second time are transgressors of the law; yet it is not on account of their union, but (because) they have proved false against God the Creator. And those that marry a third time shall not be reckoned with the flock of the Lord *® Christ; and those that marry a fourth time, their wantonness is still more abundantly mani- fested, and they shall find shame and dishonour. For in the first creation God gave one woman to one man, and for this cause they two are one flesh. Thus we command the younger women; if their first husbands die, let them marry a second husband,® if they cannot have continency, lest they fall again ® into the snare and devices of Satan, and into evil desires that destroy souls, and go down themselves into the eternal con- demnation of Gehenna, where is no “ rest. [iii., 3.] But widows who are known for righteous- ness, women who have married one man, and concern- ing whom many bear witness that they have lived in purity, let such be reckoned with the faithful widows, and (those who) bring up their children without blame.*! Those that are such ye ought to help, and give them what they need, for their trust is in God. And now also ® stretch forth thy hand to give, and remember the poor,’ and give to each one according to his need, and visit the widows and the orphans and the afflicted. {iii., 4.] The bishop, then, ought to help and save and supply the need of all the destitute and troubled, and help them,*4 and feed in his good pasture all the people, who bring their offering of alms. From what they have brought to thee, give what they have given to thee,“ to each one, as is fitting, as a good and merciful steward, for this is well-pleasing before God. Everyone that giveth to the destitute shall find a good reward; and thou, who hast toiled for God, shalt obtain a recompense. And say thus unto those to whom thou hast given, (It is) such a one who hath offered (this), and I have given (it) to you, that ye 4 may pray for him,‘? and entreat on his behalf. Ye ‘8 ought to do good unto all men, and not say, To this man will I give, and the other I will refuse. Do thou make no distinction between any. For our.Lord saith, “Give to everyone that hath asked of thee,” * that is, either thy friend, or thine enemy, or thy kinsman, or a stranger, or one that is married, or one that hath no wife, or a widow, or an orphan—even to every one that is 5! destitute do thou good. For our Lord hath com- ’ ful din the Scriptures that we should be mercifu Cane poor, for He saith by the mouth of Tale a prophet, “ Break thy bread to the hungry, an Ake iv poor to eat," and make him to dwell in the ae oe thy house. And if thou scest one that Is naked, ats him; and shut not thine eyes (to him that ot sced of thy house." & And Daniel also ou ise fore let my counsel be pleasing unto thee, . Oe cd by almsgiving in righteousness thou shalt . sie and (atone for) thy sin by shewing mercy 7 a P ee until, God pardon thine iniquity. iy ; et Solomon ®5 saith, “By faith and by mercy eee be blotted out.’’ & And moreover David saith, incre is he that considereth the poor and pe ae ss shall deliver him from the day of evil. An ae he saith, “‘He hath scattered abroad, and ee A the poor: and his righteousness remaineth a ae And again ee prec eee) : a : eal mercy to the poor lendeth unto : ee aa mpensed even as he hath given. ° aes! his ear, lest he hear the cry of the poor, a he that covereth Res be Sn pee the oppressed, i hall the Lord be deal. ™ ; 2 ae a * Widows ought to be patient, not Luerpie (women) in whom is no evil nor anger, but ae es worshipping God in righteousness. And w ses a they see evil deeds, or hear ® evil words, oe eae silent, as if they saw and heard not. Let Maca have no care aes to es “ne ck ae ae aiean weet ba offerings to the : } them not answer him, but let them recei seek words of faith and deeds of soe an Mgr good hope before God. But let those (widows) that desire to learn that which is appointed,® go to those in authority to learn and © hear the word of admonition: and let them not hearken to slander, nor follow after other gods, but worship the One God who created all things. For the Lord hath likened the Kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed, which is smaller than all seeds, and when a man tastes it, it burneth him. And so the word of the doctrine of the faith burneth Satan. We ought not to transgress the words of the prophets, nor reveal mysteries to unbelievers but we (ought) to be firm in faith. For our Lord hath commanded us, saying, “Cast not your pearls before swine, nor give your holy things to the dogs,® lest they trample your pearls with their feet, and turn and rend you.’’ _ For when the ungodly know the word of the mysteries, they despise (it), and in their foll a (it) i dishonour and a shame. : i., 6.) But teach them rather ® the words of t Law, and the prophets who prophesied of the ae of Christ. For our Master 7 Jesus Christ sent us the Twelve to teach all nations; but He commanded not women to teach, nor to speak in the Church to the people. But let them rather receive admonition and (keep) from deeds of fornication, and be obedient in fasting and prayer and in hearing”! the words of the Scriptures. For there abode with us72 Mary Magde- lene, and the sisters 73 of Lazarus, Mary and Martha and Salome, and others also with them”: (and) since He commanded not them to teach along with us neither is it right for other women to teach. For 75 the man is the head of the woman, so it is not right that the member should be greater than the head.”6 Widows and virgins ought not to walk about in the streets, nor enter men’s houses 77, but they who do thus are not widows nor virgins, but rather become a stumbling-block to men. And if 78 they cleave not to the Church, they become slothful and insatiate, and covetous of the goods of others, and they lead men captive, and become seducers of others, and cause souls to fall; and they that follow them are far from the Lord. But as for those that enter the Church and understand not 7 that which is in ® the Scriptures, and hearken not to the word of the book 8! of admonition, concerning them that do thus Isaiah the prophet saith, “Hearing they shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing they shall see, and shall not perceive: for the heart of this people is darkened.” © [iii.,°7-] And to widows such as these show thou not the sacrifice of Christ. But let her that desireth to please Christ 8 dwell in her house in quietness, and glorify Him by day and by night with a mouth that keepeth not silence, and let her pray to God with a pure heart like wise Judith who prayed to God for Israel day and night. In like manner the merciful widow will pray to God, ceasing not to resort to the church every day,*! for all her thoughts are ready con- tinually for (His) service, and she turneth not to® pleasure; but her eyes are pure, and her ears holy, and she stretcheth not out her hands to covetousness, and her feet run in the way of peace, and her mouth speaketh not lies, and her food is in moderation. As for her whose works are such, the Lord will hear her prayer and her supplication, for it ts said, ‘‘ When ® 1 call upon thee, hear me speedily."’®7 Let such a But let him turn them to repentance; and those that convert not’ the evil-doers and liars! and sinners are partakers with them in the evil of their deeds.