Chapter 1:
There are two ways you can live your life. One of life and the other of death and there is a significant difference between the two.
This is the way of life: First Love the Lord your God who made you, second Love your neighbor as yourself, third do nothing to anyone else that you wouldn’t like to happen to you. To keep these teachings, bless people who talk bad about you, pray for your enemies, and fast for people who persecute you. What credit is it to you if you only love people who love you? Sinners can do that, but you have to love people who hate you, and you should never have an enemy.
Never give in to lusts of the flesh, fame, or fortune. If someone hits you on the right cheek, offer to let him hit you on the left one too and you will show you are secure in Christ. If someone forces you to walk a mile with them, then walk two miles with them. If someone steals your coat, give your shirt to him too. If anyone takes something that is yours, don’t ask for it back. In fact, you’re not allowed to.
Give to everyone who asks you and don’t ask for anything in return. God wants us to give from the gifts he has given to us. You will be blessed if you follow this commandment because you are blameless.
Be careful when you receive from others. If you receive, having a need, you will not be guilty, but if you take and don’t have a need, then you will stand trial for what you took and why you took it. You will be arrested and questioned for what you did, and you won’t be let go until you have paid back every cent. Remember this, it has been said that you should let your gift sweat in your hand until you know who to give it to.
Chapter 2:
The second commandment of this teaching is this: You must not murder, you must not commit adultery, don’t have sex with young people nor have sex outside of marriage. Don’t steal, don’t use magic, don’t practice sorcery. Don’t get an abortion or kill a newborn child.
Don’t lust after other people’s possessions, don’t lie, don’t give false testimony, don’t criticize or slander others. Don’t be two-faced or deceitful because deceit is a snare of hell. When you speak, speak the truth and don’t make empty promises. Do what you say. Don’t be covetous or greedy, or a hypocrite or malicious or arrogant. Don’t listen to gossip about your neighbor. Don’t hate anyone but warn some of their sin, pray for others, and some you will love more than yourself.
Chapter 3:
My child, flee from everything that is evil, and everything that looks evil. Don’t give in to anger because anger leads to murder. Don’t be jealous or argumentative or a fanatic for a cause, because these can lead to murder.
Don’t lust after anyone because lust leads to sex outside of marriage. Don’t use foul language or look longingly at the opposite sex because adultery comes from these actions.
My child, don’t try to predict the future because it leads to idolatry. Don’t become a sorcerer or astrologer or a maker of potions. Don’t even desire to see these things because they are a lure to idolatry.
My Child, don’t become a liar because lying will lead you to stealing. Don’t become greedy or vain because these also lead to stealing.
My Child, don’t be a complainer because complaining can lead to blasphemy. Don’t be headstrong or think evil thoughts because these can lead you to blaspheme. Be meek, because the meek will inherit the earth. Become patient, merciful, honest, calm and good tremble with love at the words you have heard. Don’t pump yourself up or be audacious. Don’t be drawn to people who are grandiose but be friends with the lowly and honorable. Accept whatever happens to you as good because only God knows the real outcome.
Chapter 4:
Pray night and day for the men and women who teach God’s word to you. Honor them like you would the Lord because where the Lord’s name is spoken, he is there. Seek out Godly people everyday so their words can refresh you.
Don’t have a desire to divide people, but do all you can to bring peace between people who are fighting. Be a fair judge and don’t show favoritism when you reprimand someone for their behavior.
Don’t have doubt when you pray, wondering if something will be or not.
Don’t become someone happy to receive but unhappy to give. If you have anything to give, give it as a ransom for your sin. Don’t hesitate to give, and when you give, don’t complain, because you will know who the real giver is. Don’t turn away anyone in need but share everything with your brothers and sisters, Claim nothing as your own because if you share in the salvation of Christ how much more you should share earthly things.
Correct your children when they stray, It is up to you to train your children to love God.
Don’t make rules for your servants in anger because their hope is in the same God. You may cause them not to fear God, who is over you both. Remember, God calls men according to their spirit and not their social standing. Servants, listen to your masters with reverence and fear as if they were the Lord.
Hate every type of hypocrisy and anything that is not pleasing to the Lord.
Don’t abandon the Lord’s commandments but guard the teachings you have received and don’t add to or take away anything from them.
Confess your sins in the church and don’t go into prayer thinking you’re not a sinner.
This is the way of life
Chapter 5:
This is the way to death. First, it is full of evil and hardship; murder, adultery, lust, sex outside of marriage, theft, idolatry, witchcraft, sorcery, robbery, lying, hypocrisy, dishonesty, pride, immorality, self-will, covetousness, filthy-speech, arrogance, self-importance, and boastfulness. Persecutors of good men, hating the truth, loving falsehood, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not holding on to the good things or moral judgment, always looking for evil instead of good, meekness and patience are far from them, they love useless things, pursue vengeance and don’t care for the poor, not working for the downtrodden, and not knowing God who made them. Murders of children, destroying the image of God, not helping the needy, abusing the distressed, advocating for the rich, unlawful judge of the poor, all-inclusive sinners. My children, may you be delivered from all of these.
Chapter 6:
Make sure no one leads you away from the way of this teaching because they exclude God when they teach. If you can stick to the whole teaching of the Lord, it will make you perfect. But, If you can’t bear it, do what you can.
Concerning what you eat, do what you are able to do, but be weary of food offered to idols because this is service to lifeless gods.