Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 7

nor curl it, for all these things are the arts of impurity and fornication. For it is written in the Book of Deuteronomy, saying, Put not on a garment that is woven with wool and with flax ; and thou shalt make for thyself a spun fringe. Moreover, it is not lawful for us to shave our beard, nor to change the nature of man into another form. And if thou doest thus, thou art become cast out from the Law, and far from God, who created thee in His image and in His likeness. But, if thou desirest to please the Lord, do not that which is bad ; and put far from thee evil, and all that thy God hateth. And be not a drunkard, and walk not in the streets with the adulterers, without wisdom and understanding ; but be thou obedient, and hve by the work of thine hands, and seek to do every thing that is pleasing to God, and remember the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, and follow him at all times. For the Scripture speaketh of him who meditates in His Law day and night, whether on the way or in the house, and even when thou sleepest, love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, that thou mayest find from Him mercy and compassion.