Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 37

stand before Thee ! for forgiveness is from Thee, and mercy is in Thine hand. Thus then do, and make a difference. For the Lord said to Cain, Thou hast sinned : be silent therefore, and lift not up thy hand. But it is right that the sinner should sorrow and grieve, and abhor himself. Let us understand the word which the Lord spake to Moses, concerning Miriam : If her father had spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days ? Let her remove without from the camp seven days, and then let her enter in. And Miriam removed without from the camp seven days. And the people moved not forward, until Miriam was cleansed. And after this the people moved. Let us speak thus, therefore, unto those who desire to repent for their sins. Let us appoint unto them a set time of days, according to their sin, in which they may repent ; and when they have repented, let us receive them, as fathers have compassion upon their children. But if Bishops, and other ordained persons, have a stain or spot upon them, and are brought to shame on account of it, and judge not what is right for the poor and the orphan and the widow, but judge with partiality, that they may get lucre and gifts, these shall perish with the hypocrites. As it is written in the Gospel, saying. Why dost thou regard the mote that is in thy neighbour's eye, and seest not the beam that is in thine own eye ? Let the Bishops, therefore, and Priests, take heed that there be not found with them deeds of this sort, lest 37