Chapter 40

1Let a widow be appointed after being chosen, if she has remained without a husband for a long time, and if, though often pressed by men to marry, she has not married because of the faith. But if not, it is not yet right for her to be chosen. Let her first be tested for a time: whether she is pious; whether, if she has children, she has brought them up in holiness; whether she has not taught them worldly wisdom; whether she has made them examples of the holy law and of the Church; whether she has loved and honored strangers; whether she has been constant in prayer; whether she has lived meekly; whether she has cheerfully aided the afflicted; whether a revelation concerning her has been given to the saints; whether she has not neglected the saints; whether she has ministered with all her power; and whether she is fit to bear and endure the burden.

2Let her pray without ceasing and be perfect in everything, fervent in spirit, with the eyes of her heart opened in everything, always kind, loving innocence, possessing nothing in this world, but always taking up and carrying the cross, crucifying every evil, remaining by the altar night and day, and working cheerfully and secretly.

3If she has one, two, or three who are like-minded in my name, I am among them. Let her be perfect in the Lord, as one visited by the Spirit. Let her do the things made known to her with fear and earnestness.

4Let her instruct women who do not obey. Let her teach those who have not learned. Let her convert those who are foolish. Let her instruct them to be serious. Let her examine the deaconesses. Let her make those who enter understand what kind of people they are and who they are, and let her instruct them to remain.

5Let her patiently counsel those who listen concerning the things that are proper. After three instructions, let her say nothing more to those who are disobedient. Let her love those who desire to remain in virginity or purity. Let her correct those who oppose themselves modestly and quietly. Let her be peaceful with everyone.

6Let her privately silence those who talk excessively and idly. But if they do not listen, let her take an elderly woman with her or report the matter to the bishop. In the church, let her be silent. In prayer, let her be persistent.

7Let her visit women who are sick. On every first day of the week, let her take one or two deacons with her and help them. If she possesses anything, let her give it to the poor and the faithful. But if she has nothing, let the Church support her.

8Let her do no secular work, even as a trial. Instead, let her perform these works of the Spirit. Let her continue in prayer and fasting. Let her ask for nothing deep. Let her receive what the Lord gives. Let her not be anxious for her children, but entrust them to the Church, so that by living in the house of God they may become fit for the service of the priesthood.

9Her requests to God will be acceptable; they are the sacrifice and altar of God. Those who have ministered well shall be praised by the archangels.

10But as for those who are dissolute, raging, drunken, babblers, meddlesome, and evil—that is, those who greatly love pleasures—the figures of their souls, which stand before the Father of light, perish and are carried away to dwell in darkness. Or their visible deeds, rising before the Most High, easily drag them down to the pit, so that after this world is changed and passes away, the figures of their souls may stand against them as witnesses and not permit them to look up. For the figure and pattern of every soul has stood before God from the foundation of the world.

11Therefore, let her who can go to meet the holy bowls be chosen. Among them are the twelve presbyters who praise my Father in heaven. Those who receive the prayers of every holy soul offer them to the Most High as a sweet fragrance.