Chapter 1 of 16
The Two Ways · The Way of Life
There are two ways: one of life and one of death; and there is a great difference between the two ways. Now the way of life is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, your neighbor as yourself; and whatever you would not have done to yourself, do not do to another. And the teaching of these words is this: Bless those who curse you, pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what credit is it if you love those who love you? Do not even the nations do the same? But you, love those who hate you, and you shall have no enemy. Abstain from fleshly and bodily lusts. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect. If anyone compels you to go one mile, go with him two. If anyone takes your cloak, give him also your tunic. If anyone takes from you what is yours, do not ask for it back, for indeed you cannot. Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not demand it back; for the Father wills that gifts be given to all from his own bounties. Blessed is the one who gives according to the commandment, for he is innocent. Woe to the one who receives; for if anyone receives because he has need, he shall be innocent; but he who has no need shall give an account of why he received and for what purpose; and being put in confinement, he shall be examined concerning the things he has done, and shall not come out from there until he has repaid the last quadrans. But also concerning this it has been said: Let your alms sweat in your hands until you know to whom you should give.Nazarene Note
The Didache opens by holding the Master's words and the Tanakh together as a single fabric of instruction. The Two Ways — life and death — is the framework of , where Moses sets before Israel 'life and death, blessing and curse,' and commands the choice. The Master's teaching is drawn directly from the Sermon on the Mount, with the Shema and standing first. There is no break between Moses and Yeshua in the Didache's framework — there is one Two Ways teaching, given by one Master, in two registers.