The Ethiopic Didascalia 13

1THAT 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.