Chapter 21

1The bishop ought to exercise discernment and distinguish those cases in which it is not fitting to receive offerings. Beware, then, of a seller of strong drink, for his salvation is far removed from sin. Therefore it is said, “Woe to those who mix water with wine.” Let us keep far from drunkenness and fornication, for the Lord God says, “Do not bring an offering from the earnings of fornication.” Beware of extortioners, of those who lend their money at interest, and of those who are defiled in spirit. Those who offer sacrifices in this way are not pleasing to God.

2The bishop must keep far from those who oppress widows and orphans; from those who fill prisons with innocent people who have done no wrong; and from those who lay a grievous burden of service upon their servants and torment them with hunger and thirst. The sacrifice of such people is unclean. Do not receive it from them, for everyone who does evil and speaks iniquity is rejected by God.

3Let us keep far from robbers and tax collectors, from idol-makers and seducers, from those who use false balances, and from wicked soldiers who plunder the houses of the poor and needy and seize their possessions unjustly. Beware, then, of murderers, of those who lie in wait along the road, of the ungodly, of those who pervert good works, of unclean persons, of drunkards, and of blasphemy. Above all, beware of those who exact interest, for such people are the enemies of God. For it is written, “Better is a little with righteousness than the great riches of sinners.” Again it is written, “You have hated, O Lord, all workers of iniquity, and you shall destroy all who speak lies.”

4But anyone who troubles one who feeds the widow and the orphan shall be condemned before God. The deed of Adonias is recorded in the book of Kings: he transgressed against God and ate bread and drank water in the place where the Lord had commanded him not to eat, because of the transgression of Jeroboam son of Nebat. For this reason he was slain. Whatever a person obtains by his own toil for the support of a widow, whether much or little, is acceptable before God, because it was not obtained through iniquity. For it is written, “Better is a little with righteousness than the great riches of sinners.”

5But if a widow eats and is filled from the hands of the ungodly and then prays for them, God will not hear her prayer, for God tests the heart and the inward parts. God says concerning the ungodly and unbelievers, “Though Moses and Samuel stand and pray before me, I will not hear their prayer or pardon their sin.” He did not speak concerning these alone, but also concerning others who have sinned and refused to turn to repentance. When they pray, he will not hear their prayer on behalf of those who do such things. Instead, such people provoke God to anger and do not remember the evil of their deeds.

6Keep far, then, from all such deeds, for all who act in this way are transgressors of the law. Elisha did not receive the offering of Hazael, who reigned over Syria, and Ahijah did not receive the offering of Jeroboam. If the prophets of God did not receive offerings from the ungodly, it is likewise right that bishops should fear to do so.

7Simon the Sorcerer also brought gifts to us—to Peter and John—and sought to obtain the honor that is above every honor. But we did not receive his gifts; instead, we bound him with eternal bonds. He desired to seize an honor that had not been given to him by God. Keep far, then, from the polluted offerings that such people bring into the house of God. Again it is said, “Depart from iniquity in fear and trembling.”

8But if you say, “If we do not receive offerings from the ungodly, what shall we give to the widows, the orphans, and the destitute who have no means of support?”—if you act in this way, it will become a sin for you. For God has appointed for you, as of old for the Levites, that they should receive the offerings of the people. But if everything appointed for the Church is not sufficient for you, you ought to endure patiently and remain in hunger and thirst rather than receive offerings from the enemies of God and become a laughingstock and an object of mockery. Concerning these the prophet says, “But do not let my head be anointed with the oil of sinners.”

9Take care to receive offerings from those who do good, but do not receive them from the ungodly. If you are destitute, tell the faithful brothers who love God, so that they may give you what you need. From what you receive from them, give to the widows and orphans in righteousness. Solomon said to the people, “Give to the Lord from your labor in righteousness, so that he may fill your barns with wheat and make your winepress gush forth.”

10From the labor of the faithful, clothe the naked and give them hospitality from the offerings that people bring to you. Serve them according to the ordinance of the saints. Redeem the captives, visit the prisoners, and deliver those appointed to death, so that you may find life before God.

11Behold, then, we command you not to follow the way of the ungodly and unbelievers, not to accept their offerings, and not to take their money, for they are prepared as fuel for the fire. Do not become partners with them, for the offering of sinners is unclean in the sight of God. We have spoken this to you, brothers, for the benefit of your souls.