Original - The Coptic Orthodox Church

chose not the holy for the priesthood, by reason of their
poverty, and (rather) they chose the rich that (live) without
law, 40 to entrust them with the Lord s flock, though they
be not faithful unto themselves; 41 of whom the Lord saith, 42
I have given mine inheritance into their hands, yet have
they done unto me no good, but have laid a heavy burden
upon the aged , h Woe unto him that * draweth nigh unto R f.
the altar being unclean. They
have entrusted unto thee
these men and have set thee over these offerings, as one in
trust and as one that doth set in order, O levitical priest,
that many may seek help
thou mayest
of thee at God s service and that
win the souls of them for whom thou shalt be
answerable, as it is said, 43 He is answerable for all the flock.
Wherefore God hath placed the people under your feet, ye
priests, ye great men in God s house, as he saith unto the
people, 44
Obey your chief men and submit yourselves unto
them, i for they it is that pray day and night for your
souls . If thou dost keep watch for the people and prayest
for them, thou shalt surely redeem the souls of them whose
offerings thou eatest. But if not and thou art slothful, how
and in what way wilt thou give account of them? If thou
be not found the intercessor for them in their troubles, then
is it not meet thou shouldst eat their offerings.
( 5)./ The bishop 45 must be in all thing blameless, married
to one wife, seeking his profit rightly, humble of heart, sound /
in faith, in love and in patience, 4G not money loving, no
drunkard, a lover of strangers, apt to teach, perfect.
h R. but have burdened me with too much.
i RMp. and gather yourselves unto them.
k R. Contents: Of the bishop and his keeping watch for the people.
/ M. sound in heart and in faith.
40 Zvopot.
41 AC. XX. 28. 42 i s . XLVII. 6.
43 ?Ac. XX. 28, ?Ezek. XXXIV. 10. 44 H ebr. XIII. 17.
45 i Tim. III. 2, Tit. I. 79. 46 Tit. II. 2.
If thou