First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

until he pays back the last penny. Also concerning this, it has been said, “Let your donations sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give.” 1 And this is the second commandment of the teaching: You will not commit murder, you will not commit adultery, you will not exploit children, you will not commit sexual immorality, you will not steal, you will not practice magic, you will not practice witchcraft, you will not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born. You will not covet the things of your neighbor, you will not swear, you will not bear false witness, you will not speak evil, you will bear no grudge. You will not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech will not be false, nor empty, but accompanied by action. You will not be envious, nor greedy, nor a hypocrite, nor spiteful, nor haughty. You will not plot evil against your neighbor. You will not hate any man. Some you will reprove, and concerning some you will pray, and for some you will love more than your own life. My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every likeness of it. Do not be inclined to anger, for anger leads to murder. Be neither jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper, for out of all these murders are born. My child, be not a lustful one. For lust leads to fornication. Be neither a filthy talker, nor of wandering eyes. For out of all these adulteries are born. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leads to idolatry. Be neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a magician, nor be willing to see or hear these things. For out of all these

1 Source unknown.