Chapter 1

1In the name of God the Father Almighty, of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. We, the Twelve Apostles, ministers of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, were gathered together in one place in Jerusalem, the city of the great King. With us were our good and holy brother Paul, the Apostle of all the Gentiles, and James, the brother of our Lord, who is bishop of this city, Jerusalem. We have ordained this right doctrine and established ranks of office for the Church according to the pattern of what is in heaven. We charge each of you individually, giving thanks that our Lord Jesus has called us to his glory. The bishop is like a shepherd of the sheep, the presbyter like a teacher, the deacon like a minister, and likewise the subdeacon. There are also the reader and the skilled singers ... and the rest of the people are like those who listen to the word of the Gospel and also understand the word of admonition.

2Thus we have ordained the law for the Church: this book of admonition, which we have written and sent into the world with Clement, our brother and fellow minister, so that people may walk according to the commandment of the Churches under heaven and may have perfect understanding. When they have heard the commandments written in it, they may find eternal life, honor, and glory from our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us this mystery that comes from himself. But those who do not keep his law shall be cast into the unquenchable fire, and their dwelling shall be in the fire of Gehenna forever, as it is written. Apostles, presbyters, and all the people who have believed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and practice righteousness and peace shall receive compassion and mercy from God the Father, the Ruler of the whole world, and from his Son Jesus Christ; and they shall come to know him in the Holy Church of God. Those who serve him shall be a pure and chosen vineyard. Through this faith they shall find eternal life, and through the Holy Spirit, victory. They shall be strengthened by the power of Jesus Christ and by faith in him who redeemed them through the sprinkling of his holy and precious blood. He has granted them the privilege of calling upon the Almighty, that he might be their Father, their God, and their Friend, and that they might be fellow heirs and joint partakers with his Holy Son.

3Listen to the holy admonition, you who, at the command of our Savior, receive the words of the Gospel and his glad tidings, which are full of glory. Children of God, keep his commandments and do his will. But if anyone seeks to follow sin and does everything that is displeasing to God, that person shall be numbered with those who transgress his law and his commandment. Now I say to you: keep far from injustice and oppression. Do not desire to take the larger portion for yourselves and leave the smaller portion to your neighbor. For it is written in the law: “You shall not desire your neighbor’s wife, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything among your brother’s possessions.” Anything like this is adultery. If anyone desires to act in this way through the lust of his heart, he shall be far from God, even from our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory with his Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

4For he teaches us, gives us understanding, and strengthens us through the Holy Spirit, so that he may fulfill the law in which it is written: “You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who has looked at a woman and lusted after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Anyone who desires to act in this way shall also be condemned with the adulterers. Behold, anyone who thinks in his heart and desires to take his neighbor’s ox, donkey, or field unjustly, and persists in doing so, shall be numbered with the adulterers. For the prophet says, “Woe to those who join house to house and unite field with field and hedge with hedge, so that they may take what is not theirs.” Again it is said, “Know, you who dwell upon the earth, that this word was heard in the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” In another place it is also said, “Cursed is everyone who steals his neighbor’s landmark, and the people shall say, ‘So be it.’” Therefore Moses says, “Do not desire your neighbor’s landmark, and do not take away the law that your fathers ordained.” Because of these things come fear, death, and trouble; and judgment from God shall overtake those who act in this way. But those who listen to the word of God and faithfully keep his glorious law shall receive compassion and mercy.

5For it is said, “What you hate for yourself, do not do to your neighbor.” Just as you do not want anyone else to look at your wife and lead her astray into sin, so you must not look at another man’s wife with evil thoughts. Just as you do not want another person to take your garment, so you must not take another person’s garment. Just as you do not desire cursing, reproach, or beating for yourself, so you must not do these things to your neighbor. If anyone curses you, bless him, for it is written in the Book of Numbers, “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” Moreover, it is written in the Gospel, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who oppress you, and do good to those who hate you. Do not repay with evil those who oppress you, but bear with them patiently.” For Scripture says, “Do not take vengeance on your enemy for the evil he has done against you; for this reason the Lord will help you and bring judgment upon your enemy.” It is said in the Gospel, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain upon the just and the unjust.” Beloved, let us understand these commandments so that we may be children of light.

6Bear patiently with one another, children of God. Let a husband also bear patiently with his wife and not be haughty or false. Let him be merciful and upright, and let him cherish her alone with love and humility. He must not take pleasure in or desire another woman, lest she lead him astray into evil. But if you commit adultery and act in this way, you shall surely die, and the wrath of God shall come upon you; you shall be condemned with a bitter condemnation. Even if you think evil in your heart but do not commit adultery with her, it shall be counted as sin against you. If you have prepared and adorned yourself so that your neighbor’s wife may love you, you have gone astray, become a stumbling block to her, and caused her to commit adultery. For this reason condemnation shall come upon you, for God says, “You shall not desire,” and, “You shall not commit adultery.” You have led her astray to love you through the beauty of your youth and the charm of your face. For this reason you have shared with her in the work of sin and in your curse. Therefore you should pray to the Lord your God that all this sin may not find you out. You ought instead to please God in purity, so that you may find rest and eternal life before God.

7For it is said: Do not let the hair of your head grow long, but cut it and purify yourself, so that you may serve God and not be separated from him. Do not anoint yourself with perfumed ointment or clothe yourself in splendid apparel in order to lead women astray. Do not vaunt yourself or become an occasion of sin, but seek purity and good conduct. You, man of God, must not let the hair of your head grow long. Do not braid or curl it, for all this is a sign of impurity and adultery. For it is written in Deuteronomy, “You shall not put on a garment woven from wool and flax; you shall make a twisted fringe for your garment.” But we must not shave our beards or change the nature of man into another form. If you do this, you are a transgressor of the law and are far from God, who created you in his image and likeness. If you desire to please God, do no evil, and put far from yourself everything your God hates.

8Do not be a drunkard, and do not walk the streets with adulterers, without wisdom and knowledge. Instead, labor and live by the work of your hands. Seek to do everything pleasing to God, remember the word of our Lord Jesus, and follow him at all times. For Scripture says, “And whoever reads his law day and night; whether on the road, in the house, or while you sleep, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength,” so that you may receive compassion and mercy from him.