The Ethiopic Didascalia

Section 3

II. That it is the duty of Women to obey their Husbands, and to walk in Let the Woman be subject to her Husband; for the head of the woman is the man; and the head of the man, who walketh in the right way, is Christ; and the head of Christ is God the Father, who is above all, who was and is to come, the Creator of all things, together with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom belong majesty and praise and glory. Ye women then be obedient to your husbands, and be subject in humility and in the fear of the Lord. And please your husbands with good service, that ye may find favour with them, as we have said before. For thus saith the wisdom of Solomon, "If any man have found a virtuous woman, she is more precious than a pearl of great price. She that is thus, the heart of her husband trusteth in her: she that is thus, is a good prize of spoil. She ceaseth not to help her husband with good in that which is good, and not evil in that which is evil, through all her life. Spinning wool and flax, she maketh what is good with her hands. She is as a ship which brings merchandise from afar; she gathereth together for herself all riches: she riseth up at night, and giveth food to her house, and their work to her maidens. She seeth a field, and purchaseth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth her possession. Strongly girding up her loins, she putteth forth her hands to work; she tasteth that labour is good, and her lights are not put out. She stretcheth forth her hands to that which is profitable, and strengtheneth her arm to spin; she stretcheth out her hands to the poor, and her hand is open to the needy. Her husband is not troubled about his house, if he tarrieth long any where. All her men are clothed with double cloaks: she maketh for her husband clothing of fine linen and purple; she maketh for herself garments. Her husband is looked upon in the gates, when he sitteth in the council with the elders of the land. She maketh fine Hnens, and selleth them, and girdles for the Canaanites. She openeth her mouth according to the law, and setteth a rule to her tongue: she is clothed with strength and beauty, and rejoiceth in the latter days. Many are they that enter into her house; she eateth not her bread in idleness. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and according to the ordinances of the law of compassion. She bringeth up children, and they become rich; and her husband praiseth her. Many women have done virtuously; but thou excellest, and surpassest them all. Knowledge is deceitful, and beauty is despised; but the wise woman shall be blessed, and she that feareth the Lord shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her lips, and let her husband be praised in the gates," that women may learn wisdom: for the woman that loveth her husband shall find glory and blessing, and mercy from the Lord God. Take heed and understand, O woman that desirest to be faithful and to please the Lord, make no vain show, and deck not thyself out for another man. Put not on ornamented garments; and put not sandals on thy feet for vain glory, as the adulterous women do, to lead astray: but keep thyself from every evil work and adultery, that others may not be offended in thee. And be obedient to thy husband, and carry thyself well towards him. But if thou wilt walk about in the midst of the streets, to entrap the souls of many, then judgment shall come upon thee from the Lord, and thou shalt be as one without hope, as when a wicked man falls into great tribulation and brings upon his head disgrace and sorrow. Even so shall a wicked woman draw down upon her head reproach. And as a lion that lieth in wait and devoureth, so doth she entrap the foolish. As it is written, saying. As a moth to a garment and a canker to a tree, so doth sorrow waste away the heart of a man. And again it is said. It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and babbling and angry woman. And now I say to you too, O Christian people, look not after and follow not adulterous women. But it is right for faithful women to veil their heads with purity, not ornamenting their faces with paints, and adding collyrium and ornaments, which are unprofitable, to the form which God hath created: let them not do thus. But when they walk in the way, let them turn their faces downward, being veiled. Take heed to yourselves, O faithful women, and talk not contentiously with any one, and above all not with your husbands. O ye good and humble and virtuous women, worship the Lord with joy and rejoicing. And you also, our brethren, and our children and kinsmen, and well-beloved, search into that glorious wisdom which directeth our minds aright, and enlighteneth our hearts, and bringeth us near unto the Lord, and giveth us entrance into the kingdom of heaven, into everlasting rest.