The Didache
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
About
The Didache (meaning ‘The Teaching’) is not a Bible book. It’s an anonymously-written and very ancient Christian text. It’s a manual containing instructions on ethics, immersion, and how to perform the Lord’s Supper.
It’s important because it helps us understand the earliest form of Christianity, which is very different from what is practiced today.
Dating
By examining the contents, spelling, grammar, and writing style, experts estimate that its oldest parts may date back to the late 1st or early 2nd century AD.
However, it could easily be a ‘living document’ that was updated over time, with some elements potentially added as late as the 4th century (the 300s AD). This makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact origin or date for every part of the text.
Our oldest copy dates to the 11th century AD, the Codex Hierosolymitanus.
Baptism formula?
Unfortunately, certain people hide the above facts for sectarian reasons, and try to use the earliest 1st century AD dating as ‘proof’ that certain teachings go back to the earliest Christians. This misleading tactic is mostly used by those trying to defend the authenticity of the triune baptism formula in Matthew, which also appears here in the Didache at 7:3, but in slightly different wording.
However, if the Didache was a living document (as it is believed to be), then it could easily be a later addition, just as it may be a later addition to Matthew.
Author(s)
The authors are unknown. While traditionally attributed to the Twelve Apostles, this could be symbolic rather than literal. The text’s composite nature makes it more likely to be the work of multiple people over time, rather than a single individual at one time.
It’s possible that the text originated from Jewish Christians due to its strong Jewish character, and certain wording in the text is similar to the Gospel of Matthew.
God’s Name
The text includes exactly the same circumlocutions for God’s Name found in the Greek Septuagint and the Greek New Testament. This is the title ‘Lord’ appearing without the word ‘the’ beforehand. It replaces YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah).
We have translated this circumlocution to simply say what it meant: '[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”' in square brackets to show that it’s a circumlocution. You can change the spelling or instead see the original circumlocution (‘LORD’) by using the settings panel.
Many readers who are unaware of these historical facts will likely be shocked to see God’s Name in the Didache. However, 1st and 2nd century Christians were very familiar with these circumlocutions for God’s Name as they had been in customary use for several centuries, being present everywhere in their Greek Septuagint Bibles.
Further, the places where it appears are mostly phrases that are common to the Hebrew Old Testament, where YHWH can be seen today.
The circumlocution for God’s Name was eventually forgotten, and since this text may have been edited by the 4th century Church, it’s possible that later editors had no idea when they were adding God’s Name as a circumlocution. When using ‘Lord’ without ‘the’, they may have had Lord JesusYeshuaIshoa in mind, rather than his father; they may have misunderstood the missing ‘the’ as some kind of tradition or stylistic choice. Since we don’t know when each part was written, we don’t know where this may have happened.
Therefore, some of these may not be circumlocutions at all, but rather just customary ways of saying certain phrases. It’s hard to say for sure, since we don’t know when each part was written.
Unscriptural parts
- 1:2 presents the ‘Golden Rule’ in a negative form (‘Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you’). While common in some Jewish traditions, this differs from Jesus’Yeshua’sIshoa’s positive command to proactively do good to others (Matthew 7:12).
- 4:1 instructs believers to honor the one teaching them God’s word ‘like [the] Lord’ (possibly a circumlocution for ‘like Jehovah/Yahweh’). While the New Testament encourages respect for teachers (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13), it reserves worship and the highest honor for God alone (Matthew 4:10; Acts 10:25-26).
- 4:6 suggests that charity can ‘pay off’ sins, contrasting with the New Testament teaching that forgiveness comes through faith in Jesus’Yeshua’sIshoa’ss sacrifice, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- The text tells people to fast on Wednesday and Friday (8:1). This specific schedule is not found in the New Testament.
- It prescribes specific prayers for the Lord’s Supper (9:1-5, 10:1-6) and a specific prayer to be said three times daily (8:2-3). JesusYeshuaIshoa warned against repetitive, formulaic prayer (Matthew 6:7), and the New Testament doesn’t prescribe fixed liturgical prayers for the Supper.
- 11:7 forbids testing or judging any prophet speaking ‘by holy breath’, which contradicts New Testament instructions to test spirits and prophecies (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
- 13:3 refers to prophets as the congregation’s ‘high priests’ who should receive firstfruit offerings. The New Testament identifies JesusYeshuaIshoa as the sole High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and all believers as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
Interesting parts
If you’re not inclined to read the whole text, here are parts of most interest to a modern reader:
- 2:2 explicitly forbids abortion.
- 2:2 also specifically forbids what it calls ‘corrupting children,’ which, in its context, is very likely referring to pedophilia.
- 10:1 refers to people having been filled or satisfied (ἐμπλησθησαι) at the Lord’s Supper, suggesting that it was a full communal meal, not just a ceremony with blessings over bread and wine.
- 14:1 refers to the Sabbath as the ‘day of the Lord and of Lord.’ This is a circumlocution for saying ‘the day of the Lord and of Jehovah/Yahweh.’ This reflects the early Church’s pre-trinitarian understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.
- 15:1 describes Christian congregations as appointing their own leaders, it does not describe appointments by a distant hierarchy.
- 16:2 encourages them to meeting often to ‘focus on what truly matters for your lives.’ There is no mention of hearing a sermon or performing a ritual (other than the Lord’s Supper).
- 16:3-8 describes what they believed will happen when JesusYeshuaIshoa returns. It’s rather different from what most Churches teach today.
- 16:6-7 describes the resurrection of the dead only when JesusYeshuaIshoa returns.
The most interesting parts are what is not mentioned:
- There is no mention of a Pope, or any other kind of hierarchy.
- There are no references to other basic Catholic teachings, such as adoration of Mary, intercession of saints, purgatory, indulgences, the rosary, festivals, monks and nuns, monasteries, holy relics, or holy water. These things came much later.
- It is also too early to read about the baptism of infants or using the cross as a symbol of Christianity (even the very early Chi Rho symbol is not mentioned).
- There is no mention of more widespread Church teachings, such as prayer to JesusYeshuaIshoa, JesusYeshuaIshoa being equal to God, the ‘Personhood’ of the Holy Spirit, the immortal soul, eternal punishment in hellfire, a rapture, door-to-door preaching, or ‘good people’ going to heaven upon death. Again, all of these things came much later.
Indeed, the text says things that would contradict the later teachings of many Churches and would be called heretical by many modern Christians. The text (with only a few exceptions) reflects the earliest form of Christianity, which is very different from what is practiced today.
Approval
This translated text has been proofread against our original Greek source manuscript. It was approved by the editor on April 5, 2025.
1
The Teaching of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations
1There are two paths: One of life, and one of death.
And the difference between these two paths?
{Look!} It’s huge!
2Here’s what the path of life looks like:
- First, love The God who made you with everything you’ve got.
- Second, love your neighbor as yourself.
And here’s the golden rule:
‘Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you.’
3Now, here’s how to put these words into practice:
- Bless those who curse you!
- Pray for your enemies!
- Fast for those who persecute you!
What’s so special about loving people who love you?
Even pagans do that!
But you – love those who hate you…
Do this, and you’ll have no enemies left.
4Stay away from fleshly desires.
If someone slaps your right cheek?
Turn the other cheek to him as well.
If you’re forced to walk [a] mile?
Walk two instead.
If someone takes your coat?
Give them your shirt too.
If someone seizes your property?
Don’t demand it back –
You couldn’t stop them anyway.
5Give to everyone who asks you –
Never hold back.
After all, the Father wants his gifts shared freely.
Happy is the giver who follows this command –
They’re guiltless!
But trouble awaits the taker:
If someone takes what they don’t need,
They’ll have to answer for it.
Why did they take it?
What’s their plan?
When judgment comes,
They’ll be grilled about their actions –
And won’t get off the hook
Until they’ve paid back every last small coin.
6Oh, and about giving?
Here’s [a] proverb to remember:
‘Let your charity sit in your hands
Until you know exactly who needs it.’
2
1Now, here’s the second commandment of the Teaching:
- 2Don’t murder
- Don’t commit adultery
- Don’t corrupt children
- Don’t engage in prostitution
- Don’t steal
- Don’t practice magic
- Don’t murder [a] child through abortion
- Don’t kill [a] newborn
- Don’t crave your neighbor’s stuff
- 3Don’t swear falsely
- Don’t lie under oath
- Don’t speak evil of others
- Don’t hold grudges
- 4Don’t be two-faced or double-tongued – that two-tongued stuff is [a] deadly trap!
- 5Your words shouldn’t be false or empty – make sure they’re backed up by action!
- 6Don’t be greedy
- Don’t extort people
- Don’t be [a] hypocrite
- Don’t scheme against others
- Don’t be arrogant
- Never plot evil against your neighbor
- 7Don’t hate anyone.
- But correct some,
- pray for others,
- and love some more than your own soul.
3
1My child, run away from every evil thing and anything like it.
2Don’t be quick-tempered;
Anger leads to murder.
Don’t be jealous, argumentative, or hot-headed;
All these breed killing!
3My child, don’t lust;
Desire leads to sexual sin.
Don’t be crude in speech or [a] leering eye;
These breed adultery!
4My child, don’t practice divination;
Omens lead to idol worship.
Don’t chant spells, study star signs,
Or obsess over ritual cleansings;
Don’t even look at these things!
They all breed idolatry.
5My child, don’t lie;
Falsehoods lead to theft.
Don’t love money or chase fame;
These all breed stealing.
6My child, don’t grumble;
Complaining leads to blasphemy.
Don’t be stubborn or mean-spirited;
These all breed slander.
7Stay gentle, because:
'{Look!} the gentle will inherit the earth.’
8Be:
- Patient,
- Merciful,
- Innocent,
- Calm,
- Good,
- Always holding in awe the words you’ve heard.
9Don’t put yourself on [a] pedestal or let your soul grow bold.
Don’t chase after high society;
Instead, walk with the righteous and lowly.
10Accept life’s events as good things;
After all, nothing happens without God’s involvement.
4
1My child, never forget the person teaching you God’s word—day or night. Honor them like [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, because where his authority flows from, he’s right there!
2Seek out the holy ones every day. Why? So you can find comfort in their teachings.
3Don’t stir up divisions! Instead, make peace between fighters. Judge fairly, [show] no favoritism when calling out wrongs.
4No waffling—don’t debate whether something ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ happen.
5Don’t be [a] beggar with open palms while clenching your fists when it’s time to give.
6If your hands have earned it, use it to ‘pay off’ your wrongs. {Look!} That’s how you clean your slate!
7Don’t hesitate to give, and when you do, don’t grumble about it. After all, you know who is the generous one paying you back!
8Don’t turn your back on someone in need. Instead, share everything with your brother and don’t say, ‘This is mine!’ If you’re partners in things that last forever, shouldn’t you share even more in things that don’t?
9Don’t hold back discipline from your son or daughter. Instead, from their earliest years, teach them to respect The God.
10Don’t boss around your male or female slaves (who trust the same God as you) with bitterness. Otherwise, they might stop fearing both you and The God. For he doesn’t pick favorites when he calls; he goes to those his holy breath has prepared.
11As for you slaves: Submit to your masters like you’re obeying God’s example—with respect and awe.
12Hate all hypocrisy and anything that doesn’t please [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
13Don’t ever abandon [Jehovah’s][Yahweh’s]“Lord’s” commands;
Guard what you’ve received without compromise.
Don’t add to them or take anything away—
Just keep it simple, straight, and wise.
14In the congregation, confess your wrongs aloud;
Don’t pray with a bad conscience!
This is the way of life.
5
1But the way of death is this:
- Firstly, it’s evil and full of curses,
- Murders,
- Adulteries,
- Immoral desires,
- Fornications,
- Thieving,
- Idol worshipping,
- Sorcerery,
- Drug-induced chanting,
- Robbing,
- False oaths,
- Hypocrisy,
- Two-faced scheming,
- Deceiving,
- Arrogance,
- Wicked plotting,
- Stubborness,
- Greed,
- Obscene talking,
- Envy,
- Being a bully,
- Being proud,
- And bragging.
2They chase after good people,
Hate truth while loving lies,
Don’t know the reward of justice,
Or cling to what’s good.
They stay awake plotting evil,
Not justice. Gentleness? Patience?
They’re strangers to these.
They love worthless things,
Chase payback, show no mercy,
Ignore the oppressed,
And forget The God who made them.
[They are] child-killers, ignoring who made them,
Child-killers, corrupting God’s creation.
[They] turn away the needy,
Crush the suffering,
Side with the rich against the poor,
Lawless judges drowning in sin…
Children, may you all be delivered from all these [people]!
6
1Watch out that nobody leads you away from the teaching of The Way. Anyone who does is not from God.
2If you are really able to bare [our] Lord’s ‘yoke’, you’ll be complete! But if you aren’t able to do it, just do what you can.
3About food:
Only eat what you can handle.
But beware of meat offered to idols –
That’s worship for dead ‘gods’!
7
1Concerning immersion, here’s how to do it:
After explaining all these things, immerse them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy breath (using flowing water).
2Now, if you don’t have access to flowing water, use another kind of water. If you can’t use cold, then use warm. 3But if you can’t do either, pour water three times over the head in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy breath.
4Before immersion, both the one doing the immersing and the one being immersed should fast – along with any others who can manage it. Also, make sure the person being immersed fasts for one or two days beforehand.
8
1When you fast, don’t do it like the hypocrites! They fast on:
- Monday
- Thursday
But you should fast on:
- Wednesday
- Friday
2Don’t pray like the hypocrites either! Instead, pray exactly as the Lord taught in his Gospel:
Our Father in the heavens…
Let your name be held holy…
Your kingdom, let it come…
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the bread we need,
And forgive what we owe, as we’ve forgiven others.
Don’t bring us into testing,
But save us from the evil one.
For the power and glory are Yours,
Now and through the ages!
3[Yes,] pray like this three times each day.
9
1Now, concerning the thanksgiving meal, give thanks like this. 2First, concerning the cup:
We thank You, our Father,
For the holy vine of David Your servant…
To You be the glory forever!
3Now, about the broken bread:
We thank You, our Father,
For the life and knowledge
You’ve revealed to us through JesusYeshuaIshoa, your child.
To You be the glory forever!
4Just as this broken bread
Was scattered across hills
Then gathered to become one –
So gather Your congregation
From earth’s farthest reaches
Into Your Kingdom.
For Yours is the glory and power
Through JesusYeshuaIshoa, into the ages!
5Don’t let anyone eat or drink from your thanksgiving meal except those immersed in [our] Lord’s name… For about this, the Lord said:
‘Don’t give what’s holy to dogs!’
10
1Once you’ve eaten your fill, give thanks like this:
2We thank You, holy Father,
For Your sacred name
That You’ve settled in our hearts,
And for the knowledge, faith, and immortality
You’ve given us through JesusYeshuaIshoa, Your child.
Glory to You, forever!
3Master Almighty,
You created everything
To honor Your name;
You gave humans food and drink
To enjoy and thank You.
But to us, through Your child,
You’ve granted spiritual nourishment
And life that’s eternal.
4Above all, we thank You,
Because You’re mighty!
To You be the glory forever!
5Our Lord, remember Your congregation—
Rescue her in Your love;
Gather her from the four winds,
The sanctified, into Your kingdom
Which You’ve prepared for her.
For Yours is the power
And glory forever!
6Let loving kindness come,
And let this world pass away!
Hosanna to The God of David!
If you’re holy, come forward;
If you’re not, repent!
Marán athá [Our Lord, come!]
May it be so!
7But allow the prophets to give thanks however they want.
11
1So, if anyone comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, welcome him. 2But if the teacher himself turns around and teaches another doctrine to tear down [what’s established], don’t listen to him! However, if he’s adding to righteousness and the knowledge of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, welcome him as [you would] [a] lord.
3Now when it comes to [the] apostles and prophets, follow the guidelines of the good news. 4So, every missionary who comes to you should be welcomed like [you would] [a] lord. 5However, they shouldn’t stay more than one day. If needed, maybe [a] second. But if they stay three days, they’re [a] false prophet!
6When a missionary arrives, he shouldn’t take anything except bread until he’s stayed overnight. If he asks for money, he’s [a] false prophet.
7Don’t test any prophet who speaks by holy breath, and don’t judge them either. Because while every sin can be forgiven, this sin never will! 8Not everyone who speaks by holy breath is [a] prophet. Only those who have the ways of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” are genuine. So by their actions, you’ll recognize both the false prophet and the true one.
9Any prophet who requests [a] meal [to be served] through holy breath won’t then eat from it [himself], unless he’s a false prophet. 10Every prophet teaching the truth must live by it! If he doesn’t practice what he preaches, he’s [a] fraud.
11Now, [a] proven, genuine prophet acting out [a] ‘mystery’ of the worldly congregation shouldn’t be condemned if he doesn’t teach others to copy his actions. Why? Because his judgment rests with The God – just like it did for the prophets of old! 12But if someone claims to be speaking by [the] spirit and says:
‘Give me money!’
…or asks for other stuff, don’t listen to them!
13However, if they tell you to give to others who are lacking, don’t judge them for it.
12
1Everyone who comes in the name of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” should be welcomed. Then after testing them, you’ll know [what’s what].
After all, you’ll have the sense to tell right from wrong. 2Well, if the visitor is just passing through, help them as much as you can.
But they shouldn’t stay with you for more than two or three days—unless it’s really necessary.
3Well, if [a] visitor wants to stay with you and has [a] trade, let them work for their food. 4But if they don’t have [a] skill, use your best judgment to provide for them. After all, no Christian should live among you without doing anything!
5{Look!} If they refuse to follow these rules, they’re just trying to profit off the Anointed One! Stay far away from people like that.
13
1Every true prophet who wants to stay with you is worthy to receive their food. 2The same goes for [a] true teacher – they’re just as worthy as [a] worker is of their food.
3So when you take the first portion from your wine vat, threshing floor, cattle, or sheep, give it to the prophets. After all, they’re your ‘high priests’! 4If you don’t have [a] prophet in your area, give these things to the poor instead.
5When you make bread dough, take the first portion and give it as the Law [in the Old Testament] requires [through offerings to priests]. 6Likewise, when you open [a] jar of wine or olive oil, take the first portion and give it to the prophets [as their share]. 7When you take the first portion of your money, clothing, — or any possession — give as [it] seems right to you, following the Commandment.
14
1On the day of the Lord and of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, when you meet together, break bread and give thanks. But first, confess your sins so your sacrifice will stay pure. 2So if someone’s in [a] dispute with their friend, they must not join your gathering until they’ve made peace. Otherwise, your sacrifice could become defiled.
3{Look!} This fulfills what was spoken by [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” through scripture:
‘In every place and time,
Offer Me [a] pure sacrifice.
For I am [a] great king,
Says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
And My Name is wondrous among [the] nations.’
[Malachi 1:11]
15
1So appoint overseers and servants who are worthy of the Lord – men who are gentle, not lovers of money, truthful, and thoroughly tested. These are the ones who fulfill the service of prophets and teachers among you.
2So don’t look down on them – they’re the ones being honored among you, along with the prophets and teachers.
3So when you correct each other, don’t do it angrily – keep it peaceful, like you’ve learned from the gospel. And if someone wrongs another person, don’t let them speak or be listened to by anyone in your group until they’ve changed their ways.
4Make sure your prayers, charitable deeds, and everything else you do follow what’s written in the good news of our Lord.
16
1Keep watch over your lives;
Don’t let your lamps go out,
And don’t let your waists stay loose.
Instead, be ready –
You never know when our Lord will arrive!
2Meet together often to focus on what truly matters for your lives. Because, even if you’ve spent all this time in faith, it won’t help you unless you’re made complete in these final days.
3Here’s why:
In the last days, false prophets and corrupters will multiply. Sheep will turn into wolves, and love will twist into hatred. 4As lawlessness grows, people will hate each other, persecute one another, and betray their own.
Then the cosmic deceiver will appear as [a] son of God [or possibly, as God’s Son]! He’ll perform shocking signs and wonders, the earth will fall into his hands, and he’ll do unlawful things never seen before!
5Then all humanity will face [a] fiery test of trial. Many will stumble and be lost, but those who hold firm to their faith will be rescued from the Accursed One by [the Lord].
6{Look!} Then signs of the truth will appear:
- First – [a] banner will be spread wide across the sky’s expanse,
- Then – [the] ringing blast of [a] trumpet’s call,
- And third – the dead rising to life again!
7But this resurrection won’t include everyone – just as the prophecy says:
‘The Lord will come with all his holy ones!’ [Zechariah 14:5]
8Then the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of the sky.
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