Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 16

III. Concerning the Bishop, the Priest, and the Deacon. Concerning Bishops, we have heard thus from our Lord Jesus Christ : The Shepherd of the sheep who is appointed a Bishop in all the churches, must be without spot, good and pure, one who thinks not on the cares of this world ; who is not younger than fifty years of age, who has passed the strength of his youth ; who speaks not that which is false among the brethren. For He saith in the Gospel, Every word that a man shall speak idly and without thought, by it shall he be condemned in the day of judgment. And again He saith. By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Wherefore it behoveth him to be full of all things that are good ; and if he be not learned, let him be discreet, and understanding, and of middle age. And if the city be small, and there be not found in it such a man fit for the Bishop's office, but of the younger men there be found one who understandeth and is wise, whose years are fewer, and to whom those who know him bear witness that he is worthy to be appointed Bishop ; if he have lived from his youth in the works of the Holy Fathers, perfect and humble, walking in the right way, tried in every work, of whom they witness that he is perfect, let him be appointed in peace. For Solomon also, when he was but twelve years old, 16