Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 54

being pierced unto death ; who being God the Word, the Angel of the great and fearful counsel, took upon him our sicknesses and bare our sorrows, and by his wounds our wounds are healed : so let us also endure sorrow and affliction, and let us receive the repentance of those who have sinned. See now the mercy of the Lord toward Matthew, who was a publican ; but when he turned unto Him, he made him an Evangelist. And Peter too, who denied him three times through fear, when he repented and wept bitterly. He received his repentance, and made him a shepherd of his sheep. And Paul our brother, who was before a persecutor, who blasphemed against the Holy Ghost, when he turned unto him. He made him an apostle. Unto the woman who was a sinner, who gave of her substance unto many, he said. Thy sins are forgiven thee. The other also, the adulteress, whom the priests placed before him, that they might try Jesus, He saved, and said unto her. Go, and henceforth sin not again. It is right that ye, O Bishops, should put your trust and hope in the Lord, our Lord and our Saviour, our God, and our King, even Jesus Christ, the Saviour of your souls. Draw near unto him in humility and gentleness; make peace without contention and anger ; convert the sinners, raise the fallen ; and return not evil for evil. And, moreover, be not railers, nor angry, nor blasphemous, 54