Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 101

Their shepherds have led them into the mountains, and driven them away ; and they have caused them to wander among the hills. What excuse can they make, who delay to go into the church, and go out of it at the time of prayer ? When can they hear of the salvation of their souls ? and what will they answer unto the Lord ? Understand, then, that the employment of the faithful which abideth with them, and their work in truth and substance, is this, the worship of the Lord. Let not your work and labour be for the cares of this passing world, which waxeth old and vanisheth away, and its pleasures remain not ; but let your thoughts be towards the Lord : as our Lord saith. Take no thought for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat that abideth unto everlasting life. And moreover he saith. The work that pleaseth the Lord is, that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent unto you. Take heed, therefore, that ye leave not the Church of the Lord ; neither follow the steps of transgressors and unbelievers and worshippers of idols, nor the assem- bhes of the Jews ; neither go to the house of devils, nor have fellowship with the murderers of Christ, nor enter into the assembly of the transgressors. Hast thou not heard what he saith, I sat not in the assembly of vanity, and went not in with the workers of iniquity ; I have hated the congregation of evil men, and will not sit with the deceivers ? And again he saith. Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat 101