First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 1: The Study of Scripture

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He came to call people not according to their outward appearance, but according to the Spirit who prepared them. You will share in all things with your neighbor and do not call things your own. For if you are partners in things which are incorruptible, how much more in those things which are corruptible! You will not be hasty with your tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as possible, you will be pure in your soul. Do not be ready to stretch out your hands to take while you withdraw them from giving. You will love as the apple of your eye everyone who speaks to you the word of the Lord. Night and day you will remember the day of judgment. Every day you will seek out the presence of the saints, either by working together in the word and going to encourage them while considering how to save a soul by the word, or by work with your hands for the redemption of your sins. You will not hesitate to give, nor grumble when you give. “Give to everyone who begs from you” (Luke 6:30), and you will know who is the good Paymaster of the reward. You will guard what you have received, neither adding to it nor taking from it. To the end you will hate the wicked. You will judge righteously. You will not make a division, but you will pacify those that are contentious by bringing them together. You will confess your sins. You will not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light. True Knowledge T o D iognetus 12: When you have read and carefully listened to these things, you will know what God grants to those who rightly love Him. They become a paradise of delight, presenting in themselves a tree bearing all kinds