The Ethiopic Didascalia

Section 15

XVI. That it is not lawful that ye should do evil against your Neighbours. In like manner ye also, as ye have done unto others, so shall ye be recompensed. For he saith. He hath digged a pit, and hollowed it out, and he shall fall into the pit that he hath made; and his labour shall return upon his own head, and his wickedness shall come down upon his own pate. For he that diggeth a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it himself. What he hateth for himself, let him not do against his neighbour. And for this cause, do thou also, O Bishop, teach and exhort them that despise the widows; and be patient with the angry, and visit the sick, and rejoice over the chosen ones, who bless and curse not; and command them not that which is evil, but that they do good, and make peace. And whether it be a Bishop, or Priest, or Deacon, or whosoever it be of them that are ordained, let there not come forth from the mouth of such an one cursing instead of blessing. It is fit that the Bishop should teach and reprove and command the people, and that there go not out of his mouth the voice of cursing, but that he be careful for them, both over the Priests, and the Deacons who minister, and the virgins and widows, and the people. And for this cause, O Bishop, try and examine the Deacons, who minister with thee; and help them in doing good, that they may be prepared to minister unto the people. And let a chosen and pure woman also, without spot, be appointed a Deaconess, to minister unto the women. For it is not lawful for a Deacon to minister to the women, lest there arise a reproach among them that believe not. Wherefore let there be a Deaconess to minister unto the women; and let her for the sake of the Lord, that ye may receive the reward of your labour from him in the Last Day. It is right that the Deacons should seek to accomplish the desires of the poor, even before they ask them. And moreover let them minister unto the Bishop, and be one soul with him, and make him their father, and teacher, and reprover. And behold, we command that a Bishop be ordained by three Bishops; or at the least, by two. But from one Bishop he cannot receive ordination: for by the testimony of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. And the Priests and Deacons, and other persons ordained in the Church, shall be ordained by one Bishop. And unto the Priests and Deacons it is not given that they should ordain one who is of the people; but let the Priest teach and baptize and bless the people, and burn incense and offer oblations: and the Deacon must do nothing without the authority of the Bishop, and he is for the Priest also, to minister unto him; and let him perform it with a good ministry. It behoveth Christian people who have not children to take up the children of the departed, whether youths or virgins, and to make them as their own children, and love them yet more. And if any man have a son that is come to the ripe age of youth, let him marry the orphan virgin. And if ye do after this manner, ye shall perform a great work, and shall become fathers of the fatherless, and shall find a reward, in recompence for this your service, from the Lord God. But if any man be lifted up, and despise the fatherless, and say, I indeed will not marry the poor orphan; let him understand who it is that is the Father of the fatherless and the Avenger of the widow. For he who thinketh to do thus, shall scatter his wealth to another; and the Scripture shall be fulfilled against him, which saith. That which the Saints have not eaten, the Pharisees shall eat: as Isaiah saith. Your land, strangers and enemies shall devour it before your face.