The Ten Commandments
- I am the LORD your God
1. You shall
have no other gods before me.
2. You shall
not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on
the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or
worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the
children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those
who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me
and keep my commandments.
3. You shall
not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone
guiltless who misuses his name.
4. Remember
the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your
father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God
is giving you.
6. You shall
not murder.
7. You shall
not commit adultery.
8. You shall
not steal.
9. You shall
not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall
not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or
his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your
neighbor.
THE
WAY OF LIFE
There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. Therefore, the way of life is this; first, to love GOD who made you; second, your neighbor as yourself; and whatever you would wish not to happen to you, then you do not do this to others. Now, the teaching of these words is this: bless those who curse you and pray for your enemies and fast for those who persecute you. For what is the benefit if we love those who love us? Do not even the Gentiles do this? But you, you love those who hate you and you will not have an enemy. Refrain from fleshy and bodily desires. If someone gives you a blow on the right cheek, turn the other to him also and you will be perfect. If someone compels you to go one mile, go with him for two. If someone takes away your cloak, also give him your shirt. If someone takes away from you what is yours, do not demand for you are not able. To all who ask of you give and do not demand repayment. For the FATHER desires to give gifts to everyone from his own gracious gifts. Blessed is the one who gives according to the command, for he is without guilt. Woe to the one who receives, for if anyone having need receives, he is innocent. But the one who not having need will give an account: why has he received, and for what purpose? Having been out into prison he will be interrogated concerning what he did, and he will not be set free from there until he has paid back the last cent. Surely, concerning this also it has been said your charitable gift must sweat in your hands until you come to know to whom you should give it.
THE
COMMANDMENTS
And the second commandment of the teaching is this: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not sodomize, do not commit sexual immorality, do not steal, do not practice magic, do not use potions, do not murder a child by abortion, do not kill the just born one, do not yearn after the things of your neighbor. Do not commit perjury, do not bear false witness, do not speak evil of anyone, do not bear a grudge. You will be neither double-minded nor double-tongued; for being double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech should not be false or empty but filled with action. Do be not greedy, or vicious, or a hypocrite, or spiteful, or proud. Do not take up an evil plan against your neighbor. Do not hate any person, but some you should correct, others you should pray for, and others you should love even more than your own life.
FLEE
FROM EVIL
My child, flee from every evil and from everything like it. Do not be inclined to anger, for anger leads to murder; neither zealous, nor quarrelsome, nor easily stoked to anger, for from all of these, murder is born. My child do not be lustful, for lust leads to sexual immorality; neither be filthy-mouthed, nor have eyes prone to desire, for from all of these adultery is born. My child do not be a soothsayer, because it leads to idolatry; neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a magician, nor desire to see the same, for from all of these idolatry is born. My child do not be a liar, because lying leads to theft; neither a lover of money, nor conceited, for from all of these theft is born. My child do not be a grumbler because it leads to blasphemy; neither be arrogant, nor evil-minded, for from all of these blasphemy is born. But be gentle because the gentle ones will inherit the earth. Be even-tempered and merciful and innocent and quiet and good, always trembling at the words which you have heard. Do not exalt yourself, neither grant arrogance to your soul. Do not let your soul be joined with the haughty but be associated with the just and humble ones. Whatever happens to you, accept it as good knowing that nothing takes place apart from GOD.
SEEK
PEACE AND SERVE OTHERS
My child, the one who speaks the word of GOD to you, remember him night and day, and honor him as the Lord: for where the Lord’s nature is discussed, there the Lord is. But seek out each day the presence of the saints, so that you may find comfort in their words. Do not strive after division, but bring peace to the ones who fight. Judge justly, do not show favoritism when bringing sins to light. Do not be of two minds, whether it will occur or not. Do not first reach out your hands to receive, only to pull back from giving. If you have something because of your hands, offer it as a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give nor grumble while giving, for you will come to know who the good paymaster of the reward is. Do not reject the needy ones, but share everything with your brother and do not say it was your own, for if you are a sharer in the immortal, how much more in the mortal? Do not withhold your hand from your son from your daughter, but from their youth teach them the fear of GOD. Do not command your male slave or female slave who are hoping in the same GOD in your bitterness, lest they cease to fear the GOD over you both, for he does not come to call with partiality but to whom the spirit prepares. And slaves, you shall be subject to your master as to a copy of GOD, in modesty and fear. Hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the LORD. Do not ever forsake the commandments of the LORD, but guard what you have received, neither adding to nor taking away from. In church you shall confess your sin and you shall not enter into your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.
THE
WAY OF DEATH
But the way of death is this: First of all, it is filled with evil and cursing, murders, adulteries, expressions of lust, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, idolatries, acts of magic, use of potions, robberies, false witnessing, acts of hypocrisy, acts of duplicity, deceit, pride, malice, stubbornness, greediness, abusive language, jealousy, arrogance, haughtiness, and boastfulness. Persecutors of the good, hating the truth, loving the lie, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not joining the good or the righteous judgment, not caring for the good but for evil, from whom gentleness and patience are far removed, loving what is worthless, pursuing reward, not having mercy on the poor, not toiling for the downtrodden, not knowing the one who made them, murderers of children, corrupters of the creatures of GOD, rejectors of the needy ones, oppressors of the afflicted, defenders of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, people steeped in sin. Be delivered, children, from all such as these.
DO
WHAT YOU ARE ABLE
See to it that no one leads you astray from this way of the teaching, since he teaches you apart from GOD. For if you are able to bare the whole yoke of the LORD, you will be perfect. But if you are not able, whatever able, this you must do. And concerning food, you bear what you are able, but regarding food sacrificed to idols be scrupulously on your guard for it is worship of dead gods.
BAPTISM
And concerning baptism, baptize in this way; having reviewed all of these things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. But if you do not have access to running water, baptize in other water. And if you are not able to baptize with cold water, then baptize with warm water. But if you possess neither, pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism the baptizer should fast beforehand, and the one being baptized and any others who are able. Call upon the one being baptized to fast beforehand for one or two days.
FASTING
AND PRAYING
Do not have your fasts with the hypocrites. For they fast on Mondays and Thursdays; but you should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. Neither are you to pray as the hypocrites, but as the LORD commanded in His gospel, “Pray in this way:
THE
LORD’S SUPPER
Now, concerning the Eucharist, practice as follows. First, concerning the cup:
THANKSGIVING
We give thanks to you, O HOLY FATHER, for your holy name which you caused to dwell in our hearts and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you made known to us through Yeshua your child; to you be the glory forever. You, All-Powerful Master, you created all things for the sake of your name. Both food and drink you have given to the people for enjoyment, so that they might give thanks to you. But to us you have graciously given spiritual food and drink and life eternal through your son. Above all, we give thanks to you because you are powerful. To you be the glory forever. Remember Lord, your church, to deliver her from evil and to perfect her in your love and gather her from the four winds (she that has been sanctified) into your Kingdom, which you prepared for her, for yours is the power and glory forever. Come, grace, and let this world pass away. Hosana to the GOD of David! If anyone is Holy let him come. If anyone is not, they must first repent. Maranatha! Amen.
TRUE
AND FALSE PROPHETS
Therefore, whoever comes and teaches you all these things which were mentioned before, welcome him. But if one teaching is himself turning away from so that he may teach different doctrine leading to destruction, do not listen to him. But if his teaching is for the increase of righteousness and knowledge of the LORD, welcome him as the LORD. Now, concerning the apostles and prophets, act in this way, according to the ordinance of the gospel: Every apostle coming to you, let him be welcomed as the Lord. He will not stay more than one day, if it is necessary, another. But if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. When going out, the apostle is to receive nothing except bread until his lodging is located. And if he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And any prophet speaking in the Spirit, do not test or judge, for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet, only if he has the manner of the Lord. Therefore, from his manner you shall distinguish between the false prophet and the prophet. And any prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit will not eat from it, and if he does otherwise, he is a false prophet. But any prophet teaching the truth, if he does not do what he teaches, he is a false prophet. But any prophet having been proven genuine who is making the church into a worldly mystery, but not teaching them to do whatever he himself does, he shall not be judged by you. For with GOD he has his judgment, for even the ancient prophets acted in the same way. But whoever should say in spirit, “Give me money” or something else, do not listen to him. But if, concerning others being in need, he should say to give, no one should judge him.
WELCOME EVERYONE
But everyone who comes in the name of the LORD, let him be welcomed. And then, having tested him you will know him. Then you will be able to distinguish whether he is true or false. If the one coming is a traveler help him as much as you are able. But he shall remain not among you more than two or three days if he has need. And if he desires to stay with you, being an artisan, let him work and let him earn his keep. And if he has no craft, take this into consideration according to your understanding how he shall live among you as a Christian without being idle. And if he does not want to act in this way, he is a Christmonger. Beware of such as these.
HONOR
TRUE PHROPHETS AS HIGH PRIESTS
But every true prophet wishing to reside among you is worthy of his food. Similarly, a true teacher is himself also worthy, just as the worker, of his food. Therefore, collecting all of the first fruits of the produce of the winepress and threshing floor, both of cattle and sheep, you shall give the first fruits to the prophets, for they are your high priests. And if you do not have a prophet, give your first fruits to the poor. If you make bread, collecting up your first fruits give them according to the commandment. Likewise, upon opening a jar of wine or olive oil, collecting up your first fruits give them to the prophets. And of money and clothing and of every possession, collecting up your first fruits as seems proper to you, give them according to the commandment.
CONFESS
AND FORGIVE
And coming together on the Lord’s Day, break bread and give thanks, confessing beforehand your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. And everyone having a quarrel with his fellow member, do not let them gather with you until they have reconciled so that your sacrifice may not be defiled. For this is what was said by the Lord:
APPOINT
OVERSEERS AND DEACONS
Therefore, appoint for yourselves overseers and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are gentle and not lovers of money and truthful and well-proven, for to you they themselves also minister the ministry of the prophets and teachers. Therefore, you must not disregard them, for they are your honorable ones, along with the prophets and teachers. And correct one another not in anger but in peace, as you find in the gospel. And anyone committing a wrong against another, let no one speak to him neither let him hear from you until he repents. But your prayers and your charitable giving and all of your actions, do as follows: as you find in the gospel of our Lord.
SIGNS
OF THE LORD’S RETURN
Be on alert for your life, do not let your lamps be extinguished and do not be unprepared but be ready, for you do not know the hour in which our Lord comes. And be assembled together frequently, seeking what is fitting for your souls. For the full time of your faith will be of no benefit to you unless you are found perfect at the final moment. For in the final days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep will be turned into wolves and love will be turned to hate. For as lawlessness increases, they will hate, and they will persecute, and they will betray one another. And then the deceiver of the world shall appear as a son of God and he will perform signs and wonders, and earth will be handed over into his hands and he will do incessantly vile things which have never happened before since time began. Then the creation of mankind shall come to the burning ordeal of testing. And many will be led astray and will be destroyed, but the ones enduring in their faith will be saved by the accursed one himself. And then the signs of truth shall appear: first, a sign of an opening of heaven; then, a sign of the sound of a trumpet; and the third sign, the resurrection of the dead. Now, not all of the dead but as was said, the Lord shall come and all the holy ones with him. Then the world will see the lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.