Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 109

even to all the needy do good. For our Lord hath commanded in the Scrip- tures, that we should have compassion upon the poor : for he saith, by the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah, Break thy bread to the hungry ; and bring in the poor, and cause him to dwell under the shadow of thine house. And when thou seest the naked, clothe him, and hide not thine eyes from the seed of thine house. And Daniel also saith. Wherefore let my counsel please thee, O King, and by almsgiving in righteousness thou shalt be saved ; and purge out thy sin also by shewing pity unto the poor, until the Lord pardon thy transgression. And again he saith. For by mercy and faith shall sin be blotted out. And again he saith. Blessed be he that considereth the poor and needy : the Lord shall deliver him from the day of evil. And again he saith. He hath scattered abroad, and given to the poor, and his righteousness endureth for ever and ever. And moreover Solomon saith again. He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and he shall be recompensed according as he hath given. For he that stoppeth his ears, that he hear not the cry of the poor, against him the Lord also will stop his ears. And he that shutteth his eyes, that he see not the oppressed, unto him also the Lord will stop His ears, and will not hear him. It behoveth the widows to be meek and quiet, no talkers, without malice or anger ; but pure and humble, and worshipping the Lord in righteousness. 109