Didascalia Apostolorum

Historical source scan page 37

DIDASCALIA. 9 her husband shall call her blessed. The multitude of her daughters possess great riches. She doeth great things and is exalted above all women, for the woman who feareth the Lord shall be blessed. The fear of the 29 Lord is (her) glory. Give her of her fruits that are worthy of her lips, so She shall be honoured in the gates, and in every place her husband shall be honoured. Again, a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband." Ye si have learnt therefore what praises a chaste woman who loveth her husband receiveth from the Lord God, she who is found faithful and desirous of Prov.xii. 4 pleasing God. Therefore, thou, O chaste woman, do not adorn thyself so as to please other men, and do not plait the plaits of harlotry, nor wear f. 7 a the garments of lasciviousness, nor put on golden shoes, that thou mayest be like those that are such, that thou attract not to thyself those that are captivated by such things. Even if thou sinnest not by this act of abomination, nevertheless in this thou sinnest, that thou obligest and makest him to lust after thee; and if thou sinnest, thou also hast destroyed thy life from God, and thou art guilty also concerning the soul of that [man]. For again, as thou hast sinned with one, thou hast enervated thy soul, and thou wilt be going also after another, as it is said in Wisdom, " When the wicked hath gone into the depths of evil, he despiseth and ener- Pr°v- vateth his soul ; ignominy and disgrace shall come upon him." She therefore that is thus, whose soul is completely wounded and is possessed by lust, taketh captive the souls of those who are void of understanding. But let us learn also about these things as the Holy Word unfolds them in Wisdom, for it speaks thus: "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is Prov. xi. 22 beauty to a woman who doeth evil ": and again, "As a worm in wood, so an 4to evil woman destroyeth a man": and again, "A woman void of understand- Prov.ix.i3 ing and boastful shall be in want of bread and shall not know shame. For i* she sitteth in the market-place, at the door of her house on a high seat, and she calleth to those who pass on the road and to those who walk in her ways, is and saith, Whoso among you is simple, let him come near to me, and he is who is void of understanding, and she saith to him, Come near lovingly to 17 hidden bread and to stolen waters which are sweet ; and he knoweth not is that strong men have perished with her and have been brought to the depths of Sheol. But flee, and tarry not in that place ; do not lift thine eyes to look at her." And again, " It is better to sit upon a turret of the Prov. xxv. roof rather than to dwell with a woman who is garrulous and quarrelsome in the middle of the house." Thou therefore who art a Christian, do not be like such women, but if thou wishest to be faithful, please thy husband only, and when thou walkest in the market-place, cover thy head with thy f- 7k D. B