1There are two Ways: one of Life and one of Death, and there is a significant difference between the two Ways.[1] 2 The way of life is as follows: First, you should love the God who created you; secondly, love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others as you would want to be treated.[2] 3 Now, the teaching behind these words is this: Bless those who curse you, pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. What credit is it to you if you love only those who love you back? Don't even the non-believers do the same? Instead, love those who hate you, and you will have no enemies. 4 Refrain from indulging in carnal and bodily desires. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also, and you will be perfect. If someone compels you to go one mile, go two. If someone takes your coat, offer them your shirt as well. If someone takes from you what belongs to you, do not refuse, even if you can.[3] 5 Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not refuse, for the Father's will is that we give to all from the gifts we have received. Blessed is the one who gives according to the mandate, for they are innocent; but those who receive without need shall be questioned as to why they took and for what purpose. They shall be examined for their deeds while in prison, and they shall not be released until they pay the last farthing. 6 Regarding this matter, it was also said, let your alms sweat into your hands until you know to whom you are giving.[4]
2But the second commandment of the teaching is: 2 You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not engage in sodomy; you shall not commit fornication; you shall not steal; you shall not practice magic; you shall not use love potions; you shall not cause abortion, nor kill newborns; you shall not desire your neighbor's possessions. 3 You shall not commit perjury; you shall not lie; you shall not speak ill; you shall not bear grudges. 4 You shall not be double-minded or speak with a double-tongue, for to do so leads to death.[5] 5 Your words shall not be false or meaningless but followed by actions. 6 You shall not be greedy or exploitative, nor a hypocrite, nor evil-minded, nor arrogant, you shall not plan evil against your neighbor. 7 You shall not hate anyone; some you will correct, some you will pray for, and some you will love more than your own life.[6]
3My child, avoid every evil person and all those like him. 2 Don't be proud, as pride can lead to murder. Don't be jealous, argumentative, or overly passionate, as these can lead to acts of murder. 3 My child, don't be driven by lust, as lust leads to fornication. Avoid using vulgar language or suggestive glances, as these actions can lead to adultery. 4 My child, don't believe in omens, as this can lead to idol worship. Don't be a spell caster, astrologer, or magician, and don't seek to witness these acts, as they can lead to idolatry. 5 My child, don't lie, as lying leads to theft. Don't be obsessed with money or seek vain glory, as these things can lead to stealing. 6 My child, don't complain, as this can lead to disrespecting what is sacred. Don't be stubborn or think evil thoughts, as these can lead to blasphemy. 7 But be humble, for the humble will inherit the earth. 8 Be patient, merciful, honest, calm, and good, always mindful of the teachings you have heard. 9 Don't be arrogant or let yourself become presumptuous. Don't associate with arrogant people, but walk with those who are righteous and humble. 10 Accept accidents as positive, knowing that nothing happens without God's involvement.[7]
4My child, remember day and night the one who teaches you God's word, and honor him as you would the Lord, for where God's nature is spoken of, He is present.[8] 2 Seek the company of holy people every day so you may find comfort in their words. 3 Don't seek division but reconcile those in conflict. Make fair judgments; don't show favoritism when correcting wrongs. 4 Don't be double-minded about whether something should be or not.[9] 5 Don't be someone who is eager to receive but reluctant to give.[10] 6 Give a portion of what you've earned with your hands as a ransom for your sins.[11] 7 Don't hesitate to give, nor complain when you do, for you'll know who rewards you well. 8 Don't turn away those in need, but share everything with your family, and don't claim it as your own. If you share in what is eternal, how much more should you share in what is perishable?[12] 9 Don't withhold correction from your son or daughter, but teach them to respect God from a young age. 10 Don't treat your slaves harshly out of anger, especially if they believe in the same God, lest they lose fear of the God who oversees you both. God doesn't show favoritism, but calls those prepared by the Spirit. 11 If you are a slave, obey your master as you would God's representative, with respect and fear. 12 Hate all hypocrisy and everything displeasing to the Lord. 13 Don't abandon God's commandments, but keep what you've received, without adding to it or taking anything away. 14 Confess your sins in the congregation, and don't pray with a guilty conscience. This is the way of life.
5The Way of Death includes wickedness, cursing, murder, adultery, lust, sexual immorality, theft, idol worship, witchcraft, charms, robbery, false witness, hypocrisy, deceit, fraud, pride, malice, stubbornness, greed, vulgar language, jealousy, rudeness, arrogance, boasting. 2 It includes persecuting the good, hating the truth, loving lies, ignoring the rewards of righteousness, not adhering to goodness or fair judgment, staying awake for wickedness instead of good, being distant from meekness and patience, loving vanity, seeking rewards, being unmerciful to the poor, ignoring the overworked, denying the Creator, murdering children, corrupting what God has made, turning away those in need, oppressing the troubled, favoring the rich, unjustly judging the poor, and living in complete sin. May you, my children, be delivered from all these.
6Be careful that no one leads you astray from this Way of teaching, for those who do so are teaching you without God. 2 If you can bear the full burden of the Lord's requirements, you will be perfect; but if you cannot, do what you can.[13] 3 Regarding food, eat what you can tolerate, but always avoid food that has been offered to idols, as it represents the worship of lifeless gods.
7Regarding baptism, perform it like this: After explaining all these things, baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, using running water.[14] 2 If you don't have running water, use any other water, and if you can't use cold water, then use warm. 3 If you don't have either, pour water three times over the head in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 4 Before the baptism, both the person conducting the baptism and the one being baptized should fast, along with anyone else who can. Also, instruct the person being baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.
8Don't fast like the hypocrites, who fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Instead, you should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. 2 Also, don't pray like the hypocrites. Instead, pray as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, saying: 'Our Father in Heaven, may your name be honored; may your kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the power and the glory forever.' 3 Pray in this way three times a day.
9Regarding the Eucharist, conduct the Eucharist in this way: 2 First, concerning the Cup, say: 'We thank You, our Father, for the Holy Vine of David Your servant, which You revealed to us through Jesus Your Son; may You be glorified forever.' 3 Concerning the broken Bread, say: 'We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge that You revealed to us through Jesus Your Son. May You be glorified forever.' 4 Just as this broken bread was scattered over the hills and then gathered together and became one, so let Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom. Yours is the glory and power through Jesus Christ forever.' 5 Only those who have been baptized in the Lord's Name may eat or drink of your Eucharist. For the Lord also said, 'Do not give what is holy to dogs.'[15]
10After you are satisfied with food, give thanks in this way: 2 'We thank You, Holy Father, for Your Holy Name that You have allowed to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge, faith, and immortality that You revealed to us through Jesus Your Child. May You be glorified forever.' 3 'You, Lord Almighty, created all things for the sake of Your Name and provided food and drink for people to enjoy, so they might thank You. But You have blessed us with spiritual food and drink and eternal light through Your Child.' 4 'Above all, we thank You for Your mightiness. May You be glorified forever.' 5 'Remember, Lord, Your Church, and protect it from all evil. Perfect it in Your love, and gather it together in holiness from the four winds into Your kingdom that You have prepared. Yours is the power and the glory forever.' 6 'Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Praise to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not, let him repent. Our Lord, Come! Amen.' 7 'Allow the prophets to conduct the Eucharist as they choose.'
11If anyone comes and teaches you all the things mentioned before, accept him. 2 But if the teacher himself is corrupt and teaches a different doctrine that undermines these truths, do not listen to him. However, if his teaching promotes righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, receive him as you would the Lord. 3 Regarding the Apostles and Prophets, act in accordance with the guidelines of the Gospel. 4 Receive every Apostle who comes to you as if he were the Lord. 5 But do not let him stay more than one day, or two if necessary. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet. 6 When an Apostle departs, let him take only bread until he reaches his lodging for the night. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. 7 Do not test or judge any prophet who is speaking under inspiration, for every sin may be forgiven, but this sin will not. 8 Not everyone who speaks under inspiration is a prophet, only if he exhibits the Lord's behavior. You can distinguish a false prophet from a true one by his actions. 9 No prophet who orders a meal while in a state of inspiration should eat of it, or else he is a false prophet. 10 Any prophet who teaches the truth but does not practice what he preaches is a false prophet. 11 But do not judge a tested and genuine prophet who may enact a symbolic ritual of the Church but doesn't teach others to do the same. He will be judged by God, just like the prophets of old. 12 If anyone requests money or something else while claiming to be inspired, do not listen to him. But if he asks you to give to others in need, do not judge him.
12Welcome anyone who comes in the Name of the Lord. Once you have tested him, you will recognize him, and you will be able to discern between the true and false. 2 If the one who comes is a traveler, assist him as much as possible. However, he should not stay with you for more than two or three days, if necessary. 3 If he wishes to settle among you and has a trade, let him work to earn his bread. 4 If he has no trade, provide for him according to your understanding, so that no one lives in idleness among you simply because he is a Christian. 5 If he refuses to do so, he is exploiting Christ's name. Be cautious of such individuals.
13Every true prophet who wishes to settle among you deserves to be provided for with food. 2 Similarly, a genuine teacher is worthy of sustenance, just like any other worker.[16] 3 Therefore, you should offer the first fruits of your wine, grain, oxen, and sheep to the prophets, for they serve as your high priests.[17] 4 If you have no prophets, then give to those in need. 5 When you bake bread, take the first portion and give it in accordance with the commandment. 6 Likewise, when you open a jar of wine or oil, give the first portion to the prophets. 7 With money, clothes, and all your other possessions, take the first portion, and give it as you see fit, in accordance with the commandment.
14On the Lord's Day, gather together, break bread, and hold the Eucharist, after confessing your sins, so that your offering may be pure. 2 But let no one who is in conflict with another person join your gathering until they are reconciled, so that your sacrifice is not tainted.[18] 3 For this is what the Lord said: 'In every place and time, offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great king, and my name is held in awe among the nations.'
15Choose bishops and deacons who are worthy of the Lord for yourselves. Look for humble men who are not greedy, but truthful and proven, for they also carry out the duties of the prophets and teachers. 2 Do not look down on them, for they are honorable men, alongside the prophets and teachers. 3 Correct one another, not in anger but in peace, as you find in the Gospel. Do not speak with anyone who has wronged his neighbor, nor let him hear a word from you until he repents. 4 Carry out your prayers, charitable giving, and all your actions as instructed in the Gospel of our Lord.
16Be vigilant with your life, keep your lamps burning, and always be ready. You do not know when the Lord will come. 2 Frequently gather together and seek what benefits your souls. The entirety of your faith won't be of value unless you're found perfect at the end. 3 In the last days, false prophets and corruptors will increase, the faithful will be led astray, and love will turn into hate. 4 As lawlessness grows, people will hate, persecute, and betray each other. The world's deceiver will appear as the Son of God, performing miracles, and unprecedented iniquities will be committed. 5 Humanity will face a fiery trial, and many will fall away. But those who remain steadfast in faith will be saved from under the curse.[19] 6 Then, the signs of truth will appear: the sign in Heaven, the sound of the trumpet, and the resurrection of the dead. 7 However, not all the dead will rise, as it was said, 'The Lord shall come, and all His saints with Him.' 8 Then, the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of Heaven.