Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 112

saith. Hearing they shall hear and not understand, and seeing they shall see and not perceive : for the heart of this people is darkened. Unto such widows as these show thou not the sacrifice of Christ. But let her, who desireth to please the Lord, dwell in her house quietly, and praise him day and night, with a mouth that keepeth not silence ; and let her pray unto the Lord with a pure heart, like wise Judith, who prayed to the Lord for Israel, day and night. So will the com- passionate widow pray unto the Lord, neglecting not to go to the church ; for all her thoughts are ever ready for His service, neither doth she turn to the desire of worldly pleasures. Her eyes are pure, and her ears holy ; neither doth she stretch out her hand unto violence. Her feet run in the way of peace ; neither doth her mouth speak falsely ; and her manner of living is with moderation. Now as for her who doeth thus, the Lord will hear her prayer and supplication : for he saith. In the day when I call upon thee, hear me speedily. Let such a widow as this be appointed of the number, one who loveth not money, who hath no vanity nor wantonness, who is not a lover of gain, but is well-pleasing and pru- dent, and sitteth in her house, praising and singing, and reading the Scriptures, and observeth the times of the hours day and night, and fasteth and prayeth unto the Lord at all times, and giveth from the labour of her hands unto the 112