The Two Ways and the Way of Life

¹There are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death; but there is a great difference between the two Ways.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 7:13-14. The two ways.

²Now the Way of Life is this: First, Thou shalt love God who made thee; secondly, thy neighbor as thyself; and all things whatsoever thou wouldst not have done to thee, neither do thou to another.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 7:12.

³Now the teaching of these [two] words [of the Lord] is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you; for what thank is there if ye love those who love you? Do not even the Gentiles the same? But love ye those who hate you, and ye shall not have an enemy.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:44-47; Luke 6:27-28, 32-35. Love for enemies.

⁴Abstain from fleshly and bodily [worldly] lusts. If any one give thee a blow on the right cheek turn to him the other also, and thou shalt be perfect. If any one press thee to go with him one mile, go with him two; if any one take away thy cloak, give him also thy tunic; if any one take from thee what is thine, ask it not back, as indeed thou canst not.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:39-41; Luke 6:29-30. Nonretaliation and generosity.

⁵Give to every one that asketh thee, and ask not back, for the Father wills that from his own blessings we should give to all. Blessed is he that gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receives; for if any one receives, having need, he shall be guiltless, but he that has not need shall give account, why he received and for what purpose, and coming into distress he shall be strictly examined concerning his deeds, and he shall not come out thence till he have paid the last farthing.

Scripture parallels: Luke 6:30; Matthew 5:25-26. The opening command and final warning.

⁶But concerning this also it hath been said, "Let thine alms sweat (drop like sweat) into thy hands till thou know to whom thou shouldst give."

The Second Commandment

¹And the second commandment of the Teaching is:

²Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not corrupt boys; thou shalt not commit fornication. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not use witchcraft; thou shalt not practice sorcery. Thou shalt not procure abortion, nor shalt thou kill the new-born child. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.

Scripture parallels: Exodus 20:13-17. The commandments against murder, adultery, theft, and coveting.
1 Corinthians 6:9. The broader prohibition of male same-sex acts, relevant to the sexual corruption of boys.
1 Thessalonians 4:3. Fornication and sexual immorality.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Witchcraft and sorcery.
Psalm 139:13. God’s formation of life in the womb, relevant to the prohibition of abortion rather than an explicit command about it.
Exodus 1:17. Preserving the lives of newborn children.

³Thou shalt not forswear thyself. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not speak evil; thou shalt not bear malice.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:33; Exodus 20:16. False oaths and false witness.

⁴Thou shalt not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for duplicity of tongue is a snare of death.

Scripture parallels: 1 Timothy 3:8. Double-tongued speech.

⁵Thy speech shall not be false, nor vain, but fulfilled by deed.

⁶Thou shalt not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor malignant, nor haughty. Thou shalt not take evil counsel against thy neighbor.

⁷Thou shalt not hate any one, but some thou shalt rebuke and for some thou shalt pray, and some thou shalt love above thine own soul (or, life).

Flee from Evil

¹My child, flee from every evil, and from every thing that is like unto it.

²Be not prone to anger, for anger leadeth to murder; nor given to party spirit, nor contentious, nor quick-tempered (or, passionate); for from all these things murders are generated.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:21-22. Anger and murder.

³My child, be not lustful, for lust leadeth to fornication; neither be a filthy talker, nor an eager gazer, for from all these are generated adulteries.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:27-28. Lust and adultery.

⁴My child, be not an observer of birds [for divination] for it leads to idolatry; nor a charmer (enchanter), nor an astrologer, nor a purifier (a user of purifications or expiations), nor be thou willing to look on those things; for from all these is generated idolatry.

Scripture parallels: Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Divination and sorcery.

⁵My child, be not a liar, for lying leads to theft; nor avaricious, nor vainglorious, for from all these things are generated thefts.

⁶My child, be not a murmurer, for it leads to blasphemy; neither self-willed (presumptuous), nor evil-minded, for from all these things are generated blasphemies.

⁷But be thou meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:5.

⁸Be thou long-suffering, and merciful, and harmless, and quiet, and good, and trembling continually at the words which thou hast heard.

Scripture parallels: Isaiah 66:2. Trembling at God’s word.

⁹Thou shalt not exalt thyself, nor shalt thou give audacity (presumption) to thy soul. Thy soul shall not be joined with the lofty, but with the just and lowly shalt thou converse.

Scripture parallels: Romans 12:16.

¹⁰The events that befall thee thou shalt accept as good, knowing that nothing happens without God.

Scripture parallels: Romans 8:28. God working all things for the good of those who love him.

Life in the Community

¹My child, thou shalt remember night and day him that speaks to thee the word of God, and thou shalt honor him as the Lord, for where the Lordship is spoken of, there is the Lord.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 10:40. Receiving Christ’s messenger.

²And thou shalt seek out day by day the faces of the saints, that thou mayest rest upon their words.

³Thou shalt not desire (make) division, but shalt make peace between those at strife. Thou shalt judge justly; thou shalt not respect a person (or, show partiality) in rebuking for transgressions.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:9; James 2:1. Peacemaking and impartiality.

⁴Thou shalt not be double-minded (doubtful in thy mind) whether it shall be or not.

Scripture parallels: James 1:6-8. Double-mindedness and doubt.

⁵Be not one that stretches out his hands for receiving, but draws them in for giving.

Scripture parallels: Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Acts 20:35. Openhanded generosity and giving rather than merely receiving.

⁶If thou hast [anything], thou shalt give with thy hands a ransom for thy sins.

Scripture comparison: Daniel 4:27; 1 Peter 1:18-19. Daniel connects turning from sin with showing mercy; Peter identifies Christ’s blood, not money, as our ransom. These passages do not teach that almsgiving purchases forgiveness.

⁷Thou shalt not hesitate to give, nor in giving shalt thou murmur, for thou shalt know who is the good recompenser of the reward.

Scripture parallels: 2 Corinthians 9:7. Giving without reluctance.

⁸Thou shalt not turn away him that needeth, but shalt share all things with thy brother, and shalt not say that they are thine own; for if you are fellow-sharers in that which is imperishable (immortal), how much more in perishable (mortal) things?

Scripture parallels: Acts 4:32. Sharing possessions.

⁹Thou shalt not take away thy hand from thy son or from thy daughter, but from [their] youth up thou shalt teach [them] the fear of God.

Scripture parallels: Ephesians 6:4.

¹⁰Thou shalt not in thy bitterness lay commands on thy man-servant (bondman), or thy maid-servant (bondwoman), who hope in the same God, lest they should not fear Him who is God over [you] both; for He comes not to call [men] according to the outward appearance (condition), but [he comes] on those whom the Spirit has prepared.

Scripture parallels: Ephesians 6:9.

¹¹But ye, bondmen, shall be subject to our (your) masters as to the image of God in reverence (modesty) and fear.

Scripture parallels: Ephesians 6:5.

¹²Thou shalt hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord.

¹³Thou shalt not forsake the commandments of the Lord, but thou shalt keep what thou hast received, neither adding [thereto] nor taking away [therefrom].

Scripture parallels: Deuteronomy 4:2.

¹⁴In the congregation (in church) thou shalt confess thy transgressions, and thou shalt not come to thy prayer (or, place of prayer) with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

The Way of Death

¹But the way of death is this. First of all it is evil and full of curse; murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, witchcrafts, sorceries, robberies, false-witnessings, hypocrisies, double-heartedness, deceit, pride, wickedness, self-will, covetousness, filthy-talking, jealousy, presumption, haughtiness, boastfulness.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 15:19. The list of sins.

²Persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to that which is good nor to righteous judgment, watchful not for that which is good but for that which is evil; far from whom is meekness and endurance, loving vanity, seeking revenge, not pitying the poor, not toiling with him who is vexed with toil, not knowing Him that made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away from the needy, vexing the afflicted, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, wholly sinful. May ye, children, be delivered from all these.

The Yoke of the Lord

¹Take heed that no one lead thee astray from this way of teaching, since he teacheth thee apart from God.

²For if indeed thou art able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord thou wilt be perfect; but if thou art not able, do what thou canst.

³And as regards food, bear what thou canst, but against idol-offerings be exceedingly on thy guard, for it is a service of dead gods.

Scripture parallels: 1 Corinthians 10:19-21. Participation in idolatrous worship.

Baptism

¹Now concerning baptism, baptize thus: Having first taught all these things, baptize ye into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in living water.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 28:19. The baptismal name.

²And if thou hast not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm (water).

³But if thou hast neither, pour [water] thrice upon the head into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 28:19. The baptismal name, not the instructions about pouring.

⁴But before Baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and any others who can; but thou shalt command the baptized to fast for one or two days before.

Fasting and Prayer

¹Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but ye shall fast on the fourth day, and the preparation day (Friday).

Scripture parallels: Matthew 6:16-18. Fasting without hypocrisy, not the specified weekdays.

²Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, so pray ye: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily (needful) bread. And forgive us our debt as we also forgive our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (or, from evil). For Thine is the power and the glory for ever."

Scripture parallels: Matthew 6:5, 9-13. The warning about hypocritical prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.

³Pray thus thrice a day.

Thanksgiving at the Table

¹Now as regards the Eucharist (the Thank-offering), give thanks after this manner:

²First for the cup: "We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever."

³And for the broken bread: "We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever.

⁴"As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and gathered together became one, so let Thy church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom, for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever."

⁵But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, except those baptized into the name of the Lord; for as regards this also the Lord has said: "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."

Scripture parallels: Matthew 7:6. The quoted saying about what is holy.

Thanksgiving after the Meal

¹Now after being filled, give thanks after this manner:

²"We thank Thee, Holy Father, for Thy holy Name, which Thou hast caused to dwell (tabernacle) in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant, to Thee be the glory for ever.

³"Thou, O, Almighty Sovereign, didst make all things for Thy Name's sake; Thou gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou didst freely give spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Thy servant.

⁴"Before all things we give thanks to Thee that Thou art mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever.

⁵"Remember, O Lord, Thy Church to deliver her from all evil and to perfect her in Thy love; and gather her together from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou didst prepare for her; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 24:31. Gathering from the four winds.

⁶"Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David. If any one is holy let him come, if any one is not holy let him repent. Maranatha. Amen."

Scripture parallels: 1 Corinthians 16:22. Maranatha.

⁷But permit the Prophets to give thanks as much as [in what words] they wish.

Apostles and Prophets

¹Whosoever then comes and teaches you all the things aforesaid, receive him.

²But if the teacher himself being perverted teaches another teaching to the destruction [of this], hear him not, but if [he teach] to the increase of righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.

³Now with regard to the Apostles and Prophets, according to the decree (command) of the gospel, so do ye.

⁴Let every Apostle that cometh to you be received as the Lord.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 10:40.

⁵But he shall not remain [longer than] one day; and, if need be, another [day] also; but if he remain three [days] he is a false prophet.

⁶And when the Apostle departeth, let him take nothing except bread [enough] till he reach his lodging (night-quarters). But if he ask for money, he is a false prophet.

⁷And every prophet who speaks in the spirit ye shall not try or prove; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 12:31-32. The saying about forgiveness and blasphemy, not the prohibition on testing prophets.

⁸Not every one that speaks in the spirit is a Prophet, but only if he has the behavior (the ways) of the Lord. By their behavior then shall the false prophet and the [true] Prophet be known.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 7:15-20.

⁹And no Prophet that orders a table in the spirit eats of it [himself], unless he is a false prophet.

¹⁰And every Prophet who teaches the truth if he does not practice what he teaches, is a false prophet.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 23:3. Teaching without practicing.

¹¹And every approved, genuine Prophet, who makes assemblies for a worldly mystery [?], but does not teach [others] to do what he himself does, shall not be judged by you; for he has his judgment with God (or, his judgment is in the hands of God); for so did also the ancient Prophets.

¹²But whosoever says in the spirit: Give me money or any other thing, ye shall not listen to him; but if he bid you to give for others that lack, let no one judge him.

Receiving Travelers

¹Let every one that comes in the name of the Lord be received, and then proving him ye shall know him; for ye shall have understanding right and left.

²If indeed he who comes is a wayfarer, help him as much as ye can; but he shall not remain with you longer than two or three days, unless there be necessity.

³If he wishes to settle among you, being a craftsman (artisan), let him work and eat (earn his living by work).

Scripture parallels: 2 Thessalonians 3:12.

⁴But if he has not handicraft (trade), provide according to your understanding that no Christian shall live idle among you.

Scripture parallels: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.

⁵And if he will not act thus he is a Christ-trafficker. Beware of such.

Supporting Prophets and Teachers

¹But every true Prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food (or, support).

Scripture parallels: Matthew 10:10. A minister’s support.

²Likewise a true Teacher is himself worthy, like the workman, of his food.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 10:10.

³Therefore thou shalt take and give all the first-fruit of the produce of the wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and sheep, to the Prophets; for they are your chief-priests.

⁴But if ye have no Prophet, give to the poor.

⁵If thou preparest bread, take the first fruit and give according to the commandment.

⁶Likewise when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give to the Prophets.

⁷And of silver, and raiment, and every possession, take the first-fruit, as may seem good to thee, and give according to the commandment.

The Lord’s Day

¹And on the Lord's Day of the Lord come together, and break bread, and give thanks, having before confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.

²Let no one who has a dispute with his fellow come together with you until they are reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be defiled.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 5:23-24. Reconciliation before worship.

³For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: "In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the Gentiles."

Scripture parallels: Malachi 1:11, 14. The quoted prophetic words.

Bishops and Deacons

¹Elect therefore for yourselves Bishops and Deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful, and approved; for they too minister to you the ministry of the Prophets and Teachers.

Scripture parallels: 1 Timothy 3:2-3, 8-10. The qualifications for church officers.

²Therefore despise them not, for they are those that are the honored [men] among you with the Prophets and Teachers.

Scripture parallels: 1 Timothy 5:17. Honoring church officers.

³And reprove one another not in wrath, but in peace, as ye have [it] in the gospel; and with every one that transgresses against another let no one speak, nor let him hear [a word] from you until he repents.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 18:15-17. Correction and church discipline.

⁴But so do your prayers and alms and all your actions as ye have [it] in the gospel of our Lord.

Watchfulness and the Lord’s Coming

¹Watch over your life; let not your lamps be quenched and let not your loins be unloosed, but be ye ready; for ye know not the hour in which our Lord comes.

Scripture parallels: Luke 12:35-40; Matthew 24:42-44.

²But be ye frequently gathered together, seeking the things that are profitable for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you except in the last season ye be found perfect.

Scripture parallels: Hebrews 10:25. The call to gather together.

³For in the last days the false prophets and destroyers shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 24:10-12. False prophets and the failure of love.

⁴For when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute, and deliver up one another; and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall commit iniquities which have never yet come to pass from the beginning of the world.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 24:10-12, 24. Betrayal, lawlessness, and deceptive signs.

⁵And then shall the race of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be offended and shall perish; but they who endure in their faith shall be saved under the curse itself [?].

Scripture parallels: Matthew 24:13. Endurance, not the uncertain phrase about the curse.

⁶And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first the sign of expansion in heaven; then the sign of the voice of the trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of the dead.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The heavenly sign, trumpet, and resurrection.

⁷Not, however, of all, but as was said, "The Lord shall come, and all the saints with him."

Scripture parallels: Zechariah 14:5. The quoted words about the Lord’s coming with his saints.

⁸Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

Scripture parallels: Matthew 24:30.