Chapter 17

1For Satan seeks an opportunity to ensnare, as he did long ago in the case of Cain. Some say, “We are widows,” but do not perform the works fitting for widows, just as Cain did to his brother what was not fitting. These are people without knowledge. They will not enter the Kingdom of heaven merely by being called widows, but by right faith and good works. A woman who takes the name of widow but does the work of Satan gives the name the lie, so that she will receive eternal condemnation. We hear that among the widows there are some who are evil, envious, slanderous, and causes of strife among the brethren. These do not belong to Christ, for they have not kept the word of admonition.

2If there is one among the sisters, and the others see people give her alms—whether money, clothing, food, or drink—and she rejoices and finds relief, they ought to say, “Blessed be the Lord our God, who has granted relief and joy to the widow, our beloved sister. O Lord, send blessing and honor upon the one who has given to this widow. Increase his possessions in righteousness and purity, and remember him in your goodness, according to the greatness of your compassion and mercy. Give double honor also to this bishop, who has taught and exhorted those who have given to us. Give him the crown of glory when he departs this life.” In the same way, let this widow join them in praying and making entreaty for those who have shown mercy toward her.

3Now let her also give to the destitute from what she has received. For this reason her works will be pleasing before God, as it is written: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, and let your alms be secret.” Thus let the widow receive what comes to her and is bestowed upon her. [The text is damaged here.] “Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.” But a widow who begs [acts against] the commandment of God. When someone gives alms to their sister, they ask, “Who was it that gave to her?” Then, when they find out, they go to the person who gave to their sister, trouble him, and say, “Why did you give to her first, when we are far [more in need] than she is?” Those who speak this way are foolish, thinking that it is a gift from a human being, whereas the gracious gift comes from God. But if that sister was plainly in need, they ought not to trouble the one who showed mercy. Instead, they should remain at home, fall on their faces, repent, and pray to God. For God shows mercy to those who proclaim his goodness.

4Our Lord says, “When you enter a house, say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon it; but if not, your peace will return to you.” If peace finds no place where it may rest, it does not remain but returns to the one who sent it. In the same way, an unrighteous curse will not come upon one who has not sinned, but will return upon the one who uttered it. Whoever curses another without cause curses himself, as Solomon says. In the same way, you will be repaid according to what you have done to others. For it is said, “He dug a pit and hollowed it out, and he will fall into the pit he made. His toil will return upon his own head, and his wickedness will descend upon his own pate.” Whoever digs a pit for his neighbor will fall into it. Let anyone who fears a curse not curse another, and let him not do to his neighbor what he hates for himself.

5Therefore, bishop, admonish as a master those women who despise widows. Bear patiently with the angry, visit the sick, rejoice with the elect who bless and do not curse, and command them not to do evil but to make peace. Whether he is a bishop, a presbyter, a deacon, or anyone else set in authority, no curse must proceed from his mouth, lest he inherit a curse instead of a blessing. The bishop ought to admonish, teach, and command the people so that no word of cursing proceeds from their mouths. Let him care for the priests, deacons, virgins, widows, and the people.

6Therefore, bishop, test the deacons who serve with you, and help them in doing good, so that they may be ready to minister to the people. Let a deaconess also be appointed to minister to the women—an elect, pure, and blameless woman. A deacon ought not to minister to the women, lest an evil report arise among unbelievers. Therefore, let there be a deaconess as a minister to the women. Let her anoint them with oil and clothe them after baptism. You, bishop, are to anoint the foreheads of those who are baptized, both men and women, with holy oil according to the ordinance of holy baptism. After this, bishops and presbyters, [instruct] and admonish them to do good and make peace.

7The oil of balsam is the strength of faith, for when a person comes up out of the water, he is in the likeness of Christ, whom the Father raised from the dead. He is the one who is over all. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son, the Lord of life, and the Paraclete is the Spirit of truth, who was sent by the Father to teach all things. Let those who are baptized keep far from transgression and be pure from sin. Let them be friends of God and enemies of the devil, fellow heirs of Christ and adversaries of Satan and his devices. They shall be pure and unstained, and shall be called the sons of Christ.

8Moreover, let them pray and entreat the Father that they may be one congregation together with the faithful, saying: “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses and our iniquities, as we also forgive the one who has trespassed against us. Do not bring us into temptation, but save us and deliver us from all evil. For yours are the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

9The deacons, then, must be pure, good, and blameless, as the bishop is. They must serve continually in the Holy Church, minister to God with a good ministry, and fulfill their office wisely, with one heart and one spirit. They must understand the reward of their service and not become puffed up while ministering to the destitute. Our Lord Jesus Christ came not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom for many. Moreover, he did not refuse to give his life in place of his friends. If the Lord of glory and the Lord of heaven and earth patiently endured all this for our sake, how can you become puffed up while ministering to the poor and needy? In everything you ought to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ, who endured becoming a servant, accepted poverty and need, humbled himself, and bore the sufferings of the cross for our sake.

10In the same way, serve the poor, your brethren, and imitate Christ. Let whoever among you desires to be chief become your servant. Thus our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled in word and deed everything that was written, and became the servant of many. He took a towel, poured water into a basin, first washed his disciples’ feet, and then wiped them with the towel tied around his waist. He did this so that we might love one another, and he taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If our Lord and Savior humbled himself and did this, how can you be puffed up and slow to do good to the destitute and afflicted? Serve, then, in perfect love, without grumbling or partiality. Do not do this for outward appearance, but for God’s sake, so that on the last day you may receive from him the reward of your labor.

11The deacons ought to seek to meet the needs of the poor before they ask. Moreover, they must serve the bishop, be of one mind with him, and regard him as a father, teacher, and admonisher. We command that a bishop be ordained by three bishops, or, if not, by two. It is not possible for one bishop alone to confer ordination, for every word is to be established by the testimony of three or two witnesses. Presbyters, deacons, and others set in authority in the Church shall be ordained by one bishop. Presbyters and deacons are not permitted to ordain a layman. Let the presbyter teach, baptize, bless the people, burn incense, and offer up the sacrifice. As for the deacon, he may do nothing except minister to the bishop and the presbyters; let him fulfill his ministry rightly.