Original - The Coptic Orthodox Church

127
choose him being [God-]fearing [ ], whether (xav) B. V.
it be a poor man [that asketh?] him, or (x&v) [a rich], without
it be one that [looketh?] with an evil (vovypoc) eye, desiring
to seize the chattels of the church (ex.). For (ydp) it may
befall that a rich man be in want (xvayxy) and fall into
distress (dtf^ig); thou must needs have compassion upon him
also, for (eirstiy) he is a son of the church (ex.). But (5f) as
for the steward (olx.), the account (hoyoc) of all things is in
his hand, the tributes (Qdpo$) and the seedcorn of the church
(ex.). Unto the orphans (opQavd?) and widows (%ypu) he is a
father. He taketh counsel with the bishop (STT.) concerning
every thing that is pleasing unto God and they conclude
them !
one with another, in one mind. For (y#p) [Peter the
apostle] saith, 2
[ ] give an artob [ unto]
any man [without the] bishop (sir.) ; but (#AA#) from [one
artob\ downwards [on behalf of a] poor man much in need.
But (5f)
all them that have need (-%pi&), he shall write their
names and give them unto the bishop (fiV.). And ($e)
if the
bishop (sir.) bid (xshsva) give ten artob or less or more, he
shall give them unto each one of those written down 3 and
shall not add thereto. But fis) from the summer onward f
when any one beg him for a half (artob) of corn, he hath
authority (0w/) up to five oipe. All great benefactions
(ay Miry) shall go before the bishop (fV.); but fie) the small,
he it is shall give them (in charity). And the account
(koyog) [
*
] of the church (ex.) shall be in the hands B. VI.
of them both. But ($s) every thing wherein the bishop (fV.)
shall give him (sc. the steward) authority (f?.), to give them
in chanty, he shall not be able to judge (xpi vu) him therein,
but (<AA^) he shall render account (*.dyog) of them to God,
whether he hath distributed them aright (xxkus), according
1 Ar. renders jok ebol l
wholly .
2 [i Pet. III. 8]; v. Arab.
3 Ar. mistranslates this.