The Ethiopic Didascalia

Section 16

XVIII. That it is required of Bishops to provide for Widows and Orphans. Ye also, O Bishops, provide for the sustenance of the poor, and take care for the orphans, and give them the substance of their fathers for an inheritance; and to the widows also, the substance of their husbands: and for the young men and virgins provide marriages, as it is fitting: and to them that work give their recompence; and find a dwelling for the poor stranger; and atisfy the hungry, and give drink to the thirsty, and clothe the naked, and visit the sick, and help the prisoners. Think on these things, and do thus for the fatherless and widows, day and night. For he that can do thus, blessed is he! Behold, he hath saved himself, for he hath received the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger. Wherefore also our Lord saith. It is better to give than to receive. They that oppress the poor shall receive condemnation for that which they have done, before the Lord, in the Last Day. If a man bestow alms of that which he hath received, and give to the fatherless, and to the old man, or to the poor, or to the sick, or whether it be to the poor man that hath children, him that doeth thus reproach not, but commend him; for he is an altar unto the Lord. It is right that a man should pray at all times for them that have given him alms. But he that receiveth alms while he possesseth any thing, with him the Lord shall reckon; for he hath snatched away the bread of the poor; and he hath not done that which is good toward himself and toward others. And he who hath substance, and giveth not to the poor, is like the rich man who gathered and filled his barns in vain, and he shall be destroyed from before the Lord; for his substance shall not profit him, in the day of the wrath of the Lord. For he that doeth thus, believeth not in the Lord, but maketh a God of his substance, and trusteth in it, and seeketh not after that which is right: he hath no mercy, neither setteth he the fear of the Lord before his eyes; he is without love, he is his own enemy, and hath no friend. Now as for him who doeth thus, his substance shall perish; and an enemy and stranger shall devour it, either while he is living, or after that he is dead. For he saith. He that gathereth riches by violence, they shall be