Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 36

Jeremiah the prophet, saying. Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard and polluted my portion ; and have made my portion, which I love, a desola- tion, and it is become a ruin and destruction : through me all the land is destroyed, through me it hath perished. And thou, when thou seest a man who sinneth, command the deacons to take him away, and put him forth without, and instruct him, and reprove him, that others, seeing him, may fear. But if he turn and repent, let them ask and entreat for him with the Bishop, that he may teach and instruct him : for the Saviour prayed to His Father for sinners ; as it is written in the Gospel, Father, forgive them this, and lay not this sin to their charge ; for they know not what they do. And then let them examine him that hath sinned, whether he leaveth his evil way : and if he confess his sins and turn unto repentance, let them bring him in, and give him power to enter the Church ; and let them command him to fast, according to the sin that he hath done, two weeks, or three weeks, or five weeks, or seven. It is right to teach the sinner and instruct him, and reprove him, without anger or partiality, that he may humble himself, and pray unto the Lord, that he may find mercy and compassion when he standeth before the Lord. For he saith. If Thou, O Lord, shouldst strictly observe sin, O Lord, who should 36