Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 58

that it is a light burden which the Bishops bear. As they bear a heavy burden, so shall they receive the first-fruits ; and let them give thereof to the needy. For He will call you to account, with whom ye cannot strive nor contend. It is right, then, that they who serve the Holy Church should obtain their due care, and receive the offerings, even as the Priests and Levites, the ministers ; as it is written in the Book of Numbers concerning the Priests : And the Lord said unto Aaron, Behold I have given unto you to keep all the first-fruits that they shall offer of all that is sanctified unto me by the Children of Israel ; unto thee have I given it, until thou growest old ; and after thee to thy children, by an ordinance for ever. And this shall be yours of their holy things which are sanc- tified, of the sacrifices, of all their offerings, and of all their sacrifices, and of their offerings of repentance, and of all their sin-offerings, and of all that they shall bring unto me of all their holy things, unto thee shall it be, and to thy children. In the most holy place eat ye it, let every male eat of it, thou and thy children ; for it is holy unto thee. And this shall be yours of their first gifts, and of all that the Children of Israel shall offer ; unto thee have I given it, and unto thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by an ordinance for ever. Every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it. And the first-fruits of oil, 58