The Epistle of Barnabas.
Barnabas
Chapter1
I Bid you greeting, sons and daughters,
in the name of the Lord that loved us, in peace. 2 Seeing that the ordinances
of God are great and rich unto you, I rejoice with an exceeding great and
overflowing joy at your blessed and glorious spirits; so innate is the grace of
the spiritual gift that ye have received. 3 Wherefore also I the more
congratulate myself hoping to be saved, for that I truly see the Spirit poured
out among you from the riches of the fount of the Lord. So greatly did the
much-desired sight of you astonish me respecting you. 4 Being therefore
persuaded of this, and being conscious with myself that having said much among
you I know that the Lord journeyed with me on the way of righteousness, and am
wholly constrained also myself to this, to love you more than my own soul (for
great faith and love dwelleth in you through the hope of the life which is
His)--considering this therefore, that, 5 if it shall be my care to communicate
to you some portion of that which I received, it shall turn to my reward for
having ministered to such spirits, I was eager to send you a trifle, that along
with your faith ye might have your knowledge also perfect. 6 Well then, there
are three ordinances of the Lord; *the hope of life, which is the beginning and
end of our faith; and righteousness, which is the beginning and end of
judgment; love shown in gladness and exultation, the testimony of works of
righteousness.*7 For the Lord made known to us by His prophets things past and
present, giving us likewise the firstfruits of the taste of things future. And
seeing each of these things severally coming to pass, according as He spake, we
ought to offer a richer and higher offering to the fear of Him. But I, not as
though I were a teacher, but as one of yourselves, will show forth a few
things, whereby ye shall be gladdened in the present circumstances.
BarnabasChapter
2
1Seeing then that the days are evil,
and that the Active One himself has the authority, we ought to give heed to
ourselves and to seek out the ordinances of the Lord. 2 The aids of our faith
then are fear and patience, and our allies are long-suffering and
self-restraint. 3 While these abide in a pure spirit in matters relating to the
Lord, wisdom, understanding, science, knowledge rejoice with them. 4 For He
hath made manifest to us by all the prophets that He wanteth neither sacrifices
nor whole burnt offerings nor oblations, saying at one time; 5 What to Me is
the multitude of your sacrifices, saith the Lord I am full of whole
burnt-offerings, and the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and of goats
desire not, not though ye should come to be seen of Me. or who required these
things at your hands? Ye shall continue no more to tread My court. If ye bring
fine flour, it is in vain; incense is an abomination to Me; your new moons and
your Sabbaths I cannot away with. 6 These things therefore He annulled, that
the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, being free from the yoke of constraint,
might have its oblation not made by human hands. 7 And He saith again unto
them; Did command your fathers when they went forth from the land of Egypt to
bring Me whole burnt offerings and sacrifices? 8 Nay, this was My command unto
them, Let none of you bear a grudge of evil against his neighbor in his heart,
and love you not a false oath.9 So we ought to perceive, unless we are without
understanding, the mind of the goodness of our Father; for He speaketh to us,
desiring us not to go astray like them but to seek how we may approach Him. 10
Thus then speaketh He to us; The sacrifice unto God is a broken heart, the
smell of a sweet savor unto the Lord is a heart that glorifies its Maker. We
ought therefore, brethren, to learn accurately concerning our salvation, lest
the Evil One having effected an entrance of error in us should fling us away
from our life.
Barnabas
Chapter3
1He speaketh again therefore to them
concerning these things; Wherefore fast ye for Me, saith the Lord, so that your
voice is heard this day crying aloud? This is not the fast which have chosen,
saith the Lord; not a man abasing his soul; 2 not though ye should bend your
neck as a hoop, and put on sackcloth and make your bed of ashes, not even so
shall ye call a fast that is acceptable. 3 But unto us He saith; Behold, this
is the fast which I have chosen, saith the Lord; loosen every band of
wickedness, untie the tightened cords of forcible contracts, send away the
broken ones released and tear in pieces every unjust bond. Break thy bread to
the hungry, and if thou seest one naked clothe him; bring the shelterless into
thy house, and if thou seest a humble man, thou shalt not despise him, neither
shall any one of thy household and of thine own seed.4 Then shall thy light
break forth in the morning, and thy healing shall arise quickly, and
righteousness shall go forth before thy face, and the glory of God shall
environ thee. 5 Then shalt thou cry out and God shall hear thee; while thou art
still speaking, He shall say 'Lo, I am here'; if thou shalt take away from thee
the yoke and the stretching forth of the finger and the word of murmuring, and
shalt give thy bread to the hungry heartily, and shalt pity the abased soul. 6
To this end therefore, my brethren, He that is long-suffering, foreseeing that
the people whom He had prepared in His well-beloved would believe in
simplicity, manifested to us beforehand concerning all things, that we might
not as novices shipwreck ourselves upon their law.
Barnabas
Chapter4
1It behooves us therefore to
investigate deeply concerning the present, and to search out the things which
have power to save us. Let us therefore flee altogether from all the works of
lawlessness, lest the works of lawlessness overpower us; and let us loathe the
error of the present time, that we may be loved for that which is to come. 2
Let us give no relaxation to our soul that it should have liberty to consort
with sinners and wicked men, lest haply we be made like unto them. 3The last
offence is at hand, concerning which the scripture speaketh, as Enoch saith.
For to this end the Master hath cut the seasons and the days short, that His
beloved might hasten and come to His inheritance. 4 And the prophet also
speaketh on this wise; Ten reigns shall reign upon the earth, and after them
shall arise another king, who shall bring low three of the kings under one. 5
In like manner Daniel speaketh concerning the same; And I saw the forth beast
to be wicked and strong and more intractable than all the beasts of the earth,
and how there arose from him ten horns, and from these a little horn and
excrescence, and how that it abased under one three of the great horns. 6 Ye
ought therefore to understand. Moreover I ask you this one thing besides, as
being one of yourselves and loving you all in particular more than my own soul,
to give heed to yourselves now, and not to liken yourselves to certain persons
who pile up sin upon sin, saying that our covenant remains to them also. 7 Ours
it is; but they lost it in this way for ever, when Moses had just received it.
For the scripture saith; And Moses was in the mountain fasting forty days and
forty nights, and he received the covenant from the Lord, even tablets of stone
written with the finger of the hand of the Lord. 8 But they lost it by turning
unto idols. For thus saith the Lord; Moses, Moses, come down quickly; for thy
people whom thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt hath done unlawfully. And
Moses understood, and threw the two tables from his hands; and their covenant
was broken in pieces, that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be sealed
unto our hearts in the hope which springeth from faith in Him. 9 But though I
would fain write many things, not as a teacher, but as becometh one who loveth
you not to fall short of that which we possess, I was anxious to write to you,
being your devoted slave. Wherefore let us take heed in these last days. For
the whole time of our faith shall profit us nothing, unless we now, in the
season of lawlessness and in the offenses that shall be, as becometh sons of
God, offer resistance, that the Black One may not effect an entrance. 10 Let us
flee from all vanity, let us entirely hate the works of the evil way. Do not
entering in privily stand apart by yourselves, as if ye were already justified,
but assemble yourselves together and consult concerning the common welfare. 11
For the scripture saith; Woe unto them that are wise for themselves, and
understanding in their own sight. Let us become spiritual, let us become a
temple perfect unto God. As far as in us lies, let us exercise ourselves in the
fear of God, [and] let us strive to keep His commandments, that we may rejoice
in His ordinances. 12 The Lord judgeth the world without respect of persons;
each man shall receive according to his deeds. If he be good, his righteousness
shall go before him in the way; if he be evil, the recompense of his evil-doing
is before him; lest perchance, if we
relax as men that are called, we should slumber over our sins, and the prince
of evil receive power against us and thrust us out from the kingdom of the
Lord. Moreover understand this also, my
brothers. When ye see that after so many signs and wonders wrought in Israel,
even then they were abandoned, let us give heed, lest haply we be found, as the
scripture saith, many are called but few are chosen.
Barnabas
chapter 5
1For to this end the Lord endured to
deliver His flesh unto corruption, that by the remission of sins we might be
cleansed, which cleansing is through the blood of His sprinkling. 2 For the
scripture concerning Him containeth some things relating to Israel, and some
things relating to us. And it speaketh thus; He was wounded for your
transgressions, and He hath been bruised for our sins; by His stripes we were
healed. As a sheep He was led to slaughter, as a lamb is dumb before his
shearer. 3 We ought therefore to be very thankful unto the Lord, for that He
both revealed unto us the past, and made us wise in the present, and as regards
the future we are not without understanding. 4 Now the scripture saith; Not
unjustly is the net spread for the birds. He meaneth this that a man shall
justly perish, who having the knowledge of the way of righteousness forceth himself
into the way of darkness. 5 There is yet this also, my brethren; if the Lord
endured to suffer for our souls, though He was Lord of the whole world, unto
whom God said from the foundation of the world, Let us make man after our image
and likeness, how then did He endure to suffer at the hand of men? 6 Understand
ye. The prophets, receiving grace from Him, prophesied concerning Him. But He
Himself endured that He might destroy death and show forth the resurrection of
the dead, for that He must needs be manifested in the flesh; 7 that at the same
time He might redeem the promise made to the fathers, and by preparing the new
people for Himself might show, while He was on earth, that having brought about
the resurrection He will Himself exercise judgment. 8 Yea and further, He
preached teaching Israel and performing so many wonders and miracles, and He
loved him exceedingly. 9 And when He chose His own apostles who were to
proclaim His Gospel, who that He might show that He came not to call the
righteous but sinners were sinners above every sin, then He manifested Himself
to be the Son of God. 10 For if He had not come in the flesh neither would men
have looked upon Him and been saved, forasmuch as when they look upon the sun
that shall cease to be, which is the work of His own hands, they cannot face
its rays. 11 Therefore the Son of God came in the flesh to this end, that He
might sum up the complete tale of their sins against those who persecuted and
slew His prophets. 12 To this end therefore He endured. For God saith of the
wounds of His flesh that they came from them; When they shall smite their own
shepherd, then shall the sheep of the flock be lost. 13 But He Himself desired
so to suffer; for it was necessary for Him to suffer on a tree. For he that prophesied
said concerning Him, Spare My soul form the sword; and, Pierce My flesh with
nails, for the congregations of evil-doers have risen up against Me. 14 And
again He saith; Behold I have given My back to stripes, and My cheeks to
smitings, and My face did I set as a hard rock.
Barnabas
chapter 6
1When then He gave the commandment,
what saith He? Who is he that disputeth with Me? Let him oppose Me. Or who is
he that goeth to law with Me? Let him draw nigh unto the servant of the Lord,2
Woe unto you, for ye all shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall consume
you. And again the prophet saith, seeing that as a hard stone He was ordained
for crushing; Behold I will put into the fountains of Zion a stone very
precious, elect, a chief corner-stone, honorable. 3Then again what saith He;
And whosoever shall set his hope on Him, shall live forever. Is our hope then
set upon a stone? Far be it. But it is because the Lord hath set His flesh in
strength. For He saith; And He set Me as a hard rock. 4 And the prophet saith
again; The stone which the builders rejected, this became the head and the
corner. And again He saith; This is the great and wonderful day, which the Lord
made. 5 I write to you the more simply, that ye may understand, I who am the
offscouring of your love. 6 What then saith the prophet again? The assembly of
evildoers gathered around Me, they surrounded Me as bees surround a comb; and;
For My garment they cast a lot. 7 Forasmuch then as He was about to be
manifested in the flesh and to suffer, His suffering was manifested beforehand.
For the prophet saith concerning Israel; Woe unto their soul, for they have
counseled evil counsel against themselves saying, Let us bind the righteous
one, for he is unprofitable for us. 8 What sayeth the other prophet Moses unto
them? Behold, these things saith the Lord God; enter into the good land which
the Lord swear unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and inherit it, a land flowing
with milk and honey. 9 But what saith knowledge? Understand ye. Set your hope on
Him who is about to be manifested to you in the flesh, even Jesus. For man is
earth suffering; for from the face of the earth came the creation of Adam. 10
What then saith He? Into the good land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Blessed is our Lord, brethren, who established among us wisdom and
understanding of His secret things. For the prophet speaketh a parable
concerning the Lord. Who shall comprehend, save he that is wise and prudent and
that loveth his Lord? 11 Forasmuch then as He renewed us in the remission of
sins, He made us to be a new type, so that we should have the soul of children,
as if He were recreating us. 12 For the scripture saith concerning us, how He
saith to the Son; Let us make man after our image and after our likeness, and
let them rule over the beasts of the earth and the fowls of the heaven and the
fishes of the sea. And the Lord said when He saw the fair creation of us men;
Increase and multiply and fill the earth. These words refer to the Son. 13
Again I will shew thee how the Lord speaketh concerning us. He made a second
creation at the last; and the Lord saith; Behold I make the last things as the
first. In reference to this then the prophet preached; Enter into a land
flowing with milk and honey, and be lords over it. 14 Behold then we have been
created anew, as He saith again in another prophet; Behold, saith the Lord, I
will take out from these, that is to say, from those whom the Spirit of the
Lord foresaw, their stony hearts, and will put into them hearts of flesh; for He
Himself was to be manifested in the flesh and to dwell in us. 15 For a holy
temple unto the Lord, my brethren, is the abode of our heart. 16 For the Lord
saith again; For wherein shall I appear unto the Lord my God and be glorified?
I will make confession unto Thee in the assembly of my brethren, and I will
sing unto Thee in the midst of the assembly of the saints. We therefore are
they whom He brought into the good land. 17 What then is the milk and the honey
Because the child is first kept alive by honey, and then by milk. So in like
manner we also, being kept alive by our faith in the promise and by the word,
shall live and be lords of the earth. 18 Now we have already said above; And
let them increase and multiply and rule over the fishes. But who is he that is
able [now] to rule over beasts and fishes and fowls of the heaven; for we ought
to perceive that to rule implieth power, so that one should give orders and
have dominion.19 If then this cometh not to pass now, assuredly He spake to us
for the hereafter, when we ourselves shall be made perfect so that we may
become heirs of the covenant of the Lord.
Barnabas
chapter 7
1Understand therefore, children of gladness,
that the good Lord manifested all things to us beforehand, that we might know
to whom we ought in all things to render thanksgiving and praise. 2 If then the
Son of God, being Lord and future Judge of quick and dead, suffered that His
wound might give us life, let us believe that the Son of God could not suffer
except for our sakes. 3 But moreover when crucified He had vinegar and gall
given Him to drink. Hear how on this matter the priests of the temple have
revealed. Seeing that there is a commandment in scripture, Whatsoever shall not
observe the fast shall surely die, the Lord commanded, because He was in His
own person about to offer the vessel of His Spirit a sacrifice for our sins,
that the type also which was given in Isaac who was offered upon the alter
should be fulfilled. 4 What then saith He in the prophet? And let them eat of
the goat that is offered at the fast for all their sins. Attend carefully; And
let all the priests alone eat the entrails unwashed with vinegar. 5 Wherefore?
Since ye are to give Me, who am to offer My flesh for the sins of My new
people, gall with vinegar to drink, eat ye alone, while the people fasteth and
waileth in sackcloth and ashes; that He might shew that He must suffer at their
hands.6 Attend ye to the commandments which He gave. Take two goats, fair and
alike, and offer them, and let the priest take the one for a whole burnt
offering for sins.7 But the other one--what must they do with it? Accursed,
saith He, is the one. Give heed how the type of Jesus is revealed. 8 And do ye
all spit upon it and goad it, and place scarlet wool about its head, and so let
it be cast into the wilderness. And when it is so done, he that taketh the goat
into the wilderness leadeth it, and taketh off the wool, and putteth it upon
the branch which is called Rachia, the same whereof we are wont to eat the
shoots when we find them in the country. Of this briar alone is the fruit thus
sweet. 9 What then meaneth this? Give heed. The one at the alter, and the other
accursed. And moreover the accursed one crowned. For they shall see Him in that
day wearing the long scarlet robe about His flesh, and shall say, Is not this
He, Whom once we crucified and set at nought and spat upon; verily this was He,
Who then said that He was the Son of God. 10 For how is He like the goat? For
this reason it says the goats shall be fair and alike, that, when they shall
see Him coming then, they may be astonished at the likeness of the goat.
Therefore behold the type of Jesus that was to suffer. 11 But what meaneth it,
that they place the wool in the midst of the thorns? It is a type of Jesus set
forth for the Church, since whosoever should desire to take away the scarlet
wool it behoved him to suffer many things owing to the terrible nature of the
thorn, and through affliction to win the mastery over it. Thus, He saith, they
that desire to see Me, and to attain unto My kingdom, must lay hold on Me
through tribulation and affliction.
Barnabas
chpater8
1But what think ye meaneth the type,
where the commandment is given to Israel that those men, whose sins are full
grown, offer an heifer and slaughter and burn it, and then that the children
take up the ashes, and cast them into vessels, and twist the scarlet wool on a
tree (see here again is the type of the cross and the scarlet wool), and the
hyssop, and that this done the children should sprinkle the people one by one,
that they may be purified from their sins? 2 Understand ye how in all plainness
it is spoken unto you; the calf is Jesus, the men that offer it, being sinners,
are they that offered Him for the slaughter. After this it is no more men (who
offer); the glory is no more for sinners. 3 The children who sprinkle are they
that preached unto us the forgiveness of sins and the purification of our
heart, they to whom, being twelve in number for a testimony unto the tribes
(for there are twelve tribes of Israel), He gave authority over the Gospel,
that they should preach it. 4 But wherefore are the children that sprinkle
three in number? For a testimony unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because these
are mighty before God. 5Then there is the placing the wool on the tree. This
means that the kingdom of Jesus is on the cross, and that they who set their
hope on Him shall live for ever. 6 And why is there the wool and the hyssop at
the same time? Because in His kingdom there shall be evil and foul days, in
which we shall be saved; for he who suffers pain in the flesh is healed through
the foulness of the hyssop. 7 Now to us indeed it is manifest that these things
so befell for this reason, but to them they were dark, because they heard not
the voice of the Lord.
Barbabas
chapter 9
1 Furthermore He saith concerning the
ears, how that it is our heart which He circumcised. The Lord saith in the
prophet; With the hearing of the ears they listened to Me. And again He saith;
They that are afar off shall hear with their ears, and shall perceive what I
have done. And; Be ye circumcised in your hearts, saith the Lord. 2 And again
He saith; Hear, O Israel, for thus saith the Lord thy God. Who is he that
desireth to live forever, let him hear with his ears the voice of My servant.
~y And again He saith; Hear, O heaven, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath
spoken these things for a testimony. And again He saith; Hear the words of the
Lord, ye rulers of this people. And again He saith; Hear, O my children, the voice
of one crying in the wilderness. Therefore He circumcised our ears, that
hearing the word we might believe. 3 But moreover the circumcision, in which
they have confidence, is abolished; for He hath said that a circumcision not of
the flesh should be practiced. But they transgressed, for an evil angel taught
them cleverness. 4 He saith unto them; Thus saith the Lord your God (so I find
the commandment); sow not upon thorns, be ye circumcised in to your Lord. And
what saith He? Be ye circumcised in the hardness of your heart; and then ye
will not harden your neck. Take this again; Behold, sayith the Lord, all the
Gentiles are uncircumcised in their foreskin, but this people is uncircumcised
in their hearts. 5 But thou wilt say; In truth the people hath been circumcised
for a seal. Nay, but so likewise is every Syrian and Arabian and all the
priests of the idols. Do all those then too belong to their covenant? Moreover
the Egyptians also are included among the circumcised. 6 Learn therefore,
children of love, concerning all things abundantly, that Abraham, who first
appointed circumcision, looked forward in the spirit unto Jesus, when he
circumcised having received the ordinances of three letters. 7 For the
scripture saith; And Abraham circumcised of his household eighteen males and
three hundred. What then was the knowledge given unto him? Understand ye that
He saith the eighteen first, and then after an interval three hundred In the
eighteen 'I' stands for ten, 'H' for eight. Here thou hast JESUS (IHSOYS). And
because the cross in the 'T' was to have grace, He saith also three hundred. So
He revealeth Jesus in the two letters, and in the remaining one the cross. 8 He
who placed within us the innate gift of His covenant knoweth; no man hath ever
learnt from me a more genuine word; but I know that ye are worthy.
Barnabas
chapter 10
1 But forasmuch as Moses said; Ye shall
not eat seine nor eagle nor falcon nor crow nor any fish which hath no scale
upon it, he received in his understanding three ordinances. 2 Yea and further
He saith unto them in Deuteronomy; And I will lay as a covenant upon this
people My ordinances. So then it is not a commandment of God that they should
not bite with their teeth, but Moses spake it in spirit. 3 Accordingly he
mentioned the swine with this intent. Thou shalt not cleave, saith he, to such
men who are like unto swine; that is, when they are in luxury they forget the
Lord, but when they are in want they recognize the Lord, just as the swine when
it eateth knoweth not his lord, but when it is hungry it crieth out, and when
it has received food again it is silent. 4 Neither shalt thou eat eagle nor
falcon nor kite nor crow. Thou shalt not, He saith, cleave unto, or be likened
to, such men who now not how to provide food for themselves by toil and sweat,
but in their lawlessness seize what belongeth to others, and as if they were
walking in guilelessness watch and search about for some one to rob in their
rapacity, just as these birds alone do not provide food for themselves, but sit
idle and seek how they may eat the meat that belongeth to others, being
pestilent in their evil-doings. 5 And thou shalt not eat, saith He, lamprey nor
polypus nor cuttle fish . Thou shalt not, He meaneth, become like unto such
men, who are desperately wicked, and are already condemned to death, just as
these fishes alone are accursed and swim in the depths, not swimming on the
surface like the rest, but dwell on the ground beneath the deep sea. 6 Moreover
thou shalt not eat the hare. Why so? Thou shalt not be found a corrupter of
boys, nor shalt thou become like such persons; for the hare gaineth one passage
in the body every year; for according to the number of years it lives it has
just so many orifices. 7 Again, neither shalt thou eat the hyena; thou shalt
not, saith He, become an adulterer or a fornicator, neither shalt thou resemble
such persons. Why so? Because this animal changeth its nature year by year, and
becometh at one time male and at another female. 8 Moreover He hath hated the
weasel also and with good reason. Thou shalt not, saith He, become such as
those men of whom we hear as working iniquity with their mouth for uncleanness,
neither shalt thou cleave unto impure women who work iniquity with their mouth.
For this animal conceiveth with its mouth.
9 Concerning meats then Moses received three decrees to this effect and
uttered them in a spiritual sense; but they accepted them according to the lust
of the flesh, as though they referred to eating. 10 And David also receiveth knowledge of the same
three decrees, and saith; Blessed is the man who hath not gone in the council
of the ungodly--even as the fishes go in darkness into the depths; and hath not
stood in the path of sinners--just as they who pretend to fear the Lord sin
like swine; and hath not sat on the seat of the destroyers--as the birds that
are seated for prey. Ye have now the complete lesson concerning eating. 11
Again Moses saith; Ye shall everything that divideth the hoof and cheweth the
cud. What meaneth he? He that receiveth the food knoweth Him that giveth him
the food, and being refreshed appeareth to rejoice in him. Well said he, having
regard to the commandment. What then meaneth he? Cleave unto those that fear
the Lord, with those who meditate in their heart on the distinction of the word
which they have received, with those who tell of the ordinances of the Lord and
keep them, with those who know that meditation is a work of gladness and who
chew the cud of the word of the Lord. But why that which divideth the hoof?
Because the righteous man both walketh in this world, and at the same time
looketh for the holy world to come. Ye see how wise a lawgiver Moses was. 12
But whence should they perceive or understand these things? Howbeit we having
justly perceived the commandments tell them as the Lord willed. To this end He
circumcised our ears and hearts, that we might understand these things.
Barnabas
chapter 11
1 But let us enquire whether the Lord
took care to signify before hand concerning the water and the cross. Now concerning
the water it is written in reference to Israel, how that they would not receive
the baptism which bringeth remission of sins, but would build for themselves. 2
For the prophet saith; Be astonished, O heaven, and let the earth shudder the
more at this, for this people hath done two evil things; they abandoned Me the
fountain of life, and they digged for themselves a pit of death. 3 Is My holy
mountain of Sinai a desert rock? for ye shall be as the fledglings of a bird,
which flutter aloft when deprived of their nest. 4 And again the prophet saith;
I will go before thee, and level mountains and crush gates of brass and break
in pieces bolts of iron, and I will give thee treasures dark, concealed,
unseen, that they may know that I am the Lord God. 5 And; Thou shalt dwell in a
lofty cave of a strong rock. And; His water shall be sure; ye shall see the
King in glory, and your soul shall meditate on the fear of the Lord. 6And again
He saith in another prophet; And He that doeth these things shall be as the tree
that is planted by the parting streams of waters, which shall yield his fruit
at his proper season, and his leaf shall not fall off, and all things
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 7 Not so are the ungodly, not so, but are as
the dust which the wind scattereth from the face of the earth. Therefore
ungodly men shall not stand in judgment, neither sinners in the council of the
righteous; for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the
ungodly shall perish. 8 Ye perceive how He pointed out the water and the cross
at the same time. For this is the meaning; Blessed are they that set their hope
on the cross, and go down into the water; for He speaketh of the reward at his
proper season; then, saith He, I will repay. But now what saith He? His leaves
shall not fall off; He meaneth by this that every word, which shall come forth
from you through your mouth in faith and love, shall be for the conversion and
hope of many. 9 And again another prophet saith; And the land of Jacob was
praised above the whole earth. He meaneth this; He glorifieth the vessel of His
Spirit. 10 Next what saith He? And there was a river streaming from the right
hand, and beautiful trees rose up from it; and whosoever shall eat of them
shall live forever. 11 This He saith, because we go down into the water laden
with sins and filth, and rise up from it bearing fruit in the heart, resting
our fear and hope on Jesus in the spirit. And whosoever shall eat of these
shall live forever; He meaneth this; whosoever, saith He, shall hear these
things spoken and shall believe, shall live forever.
Barnabas
chapter 12
1 In like manner again He defineth
concerning the cross in another prophet, who saith; And when shall these things
be accomplished? saith the Lord. Whenever a tree shall be bended and stand
upright, and whensoever blood shall drop from a tree. Again thou art taught
concerning the cross, and Him that was to be crucified. 2 And He saith again in
Moses, when war was waged against Israel by men of another nation, and that He
might remind them when the war was waged against them that for their sins they
were delivered unto death; the Spirit saith to the heart of Moses, that he
should make a type of the cross and of Him that was to suffer, that unless,
saith He, they shall set their hope on Him, war shall be waged against them for
ever. Moses therefore pileth arms one upon another in the midst of the
encounter, and standing on higher ground than any he stretched out his hands,
and so Israel was again victorious. Then, whenever he lowered them, they were
slain with the sword. 3 Wherefore was this? That they might learn that they
cannot be saved, unless they should set their hope on Him. 4 And again in
another prophet He saith; The whole day long have I stretched out My hands to a
disobedient people that did gainsay My righteous way. 5 Again Moses maketh a type of Jesus, how
that He must suffer, and that He Himself whom they shall think to have
destroyed shall make alive in an emblem when Israel was falling. For the Lord
caused all manner of serpents to bite them, and they died (forasmuch as the
transgression was wrought in Eve through the serpent), that He might convince
them that by reason of their transgression they should be delivered over to the
affliction of death. 6 Yea and further
though Moses gave the commandment; Ye shall not have a molten or a carved image
for your God, yet he himself made one that he might show them a type of Jesus.
So Moses maketh a brazen serpent, and setteth it up conspicuously, and
summoneth the people by proclamation. 7
When therefore they were assembled together they entreated Moses that he should
offer up intercession for them that they might be healed. And Moses said unto
them; Whensoever, said he, one of you shall be bitten, let him come to the
serpent which is placed on the tree, and let him believe and hope that the
serpent being himself dead can make alive; and forthwith he shall be saved. And
so they did. Here again thou hast in these things also the glory of Jesus, how
that in Him and unto Him are all things.
8 What again saith Moses unto Jesus (Joshua) the son of Nun, when he
giveth him this name, as being a prophet, that all the people might give ear to
him alone, because the Father revealeth all things concerning His Son Jesus?
9Moses therefore saith to Jesus the son of Nun, giving him this name, when he
sent him as a spy on the land; Take a book in thy hands, and write what the
Lord saith, how the Son of God shall cut up by the roots all the house of
Amalek in the last days. 10 Behold again it is Jesus, not a son of man, but the
Son of God, and He was revealed in the flesh in a figure. Since then men will
say that Christ is the son of David, David himself prophesieth being afraid and
understanding the error of sinners; The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on My
right hand until I set thine enemies for a footstool under Thy feet. 11 And
again thus sayith Isaiah; The Lord said unto my Christ the Lord, of whose right
hand I laid hold, that the nations should give ear before Him, and I will break
down the strength of kings. See how David calleth Him Lord, and calleth Him not
Son.
Barnabas
Chapter 13
1 Now let us see whether this people or
the first people hath the inheritance, and whether the covenant had reference
to us or to them. 2 Hear then what the scripture saith concerning the people;
And Isaac prayed concerning Rebecca his wife, for she was barren. And she
conceived. Then Rebecca went out to enquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto
her; Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples in thy belly, and one people
shall vanquish another people, and the greater shall serve the less. 3 Ye ought
to understand who Isaac is, and who Rebecca is, and in whose case He hath shown
that the one people is greater than the other.
4 And in another prophecy Jacob speaketh more plainly to Joseph his son,
saying; Behold, the Lord hath not bereft me of thy face; bring me thy sons,
that I may bless them. 5 And he brought
Ephraim and Manasseh, desiring that Manasseh should be blessed, because he was
the elder; for Joseph led him by the right hand of his father Jacob. But Jacob
saw in the spirit a type of the people that should come afterwards. And what
saith He? And Jacob crossed his hands, and placed his right hand on the head of
Ephraim, the second and younger, and blessed him. And Joseph said unto Jacob,
Transfer thy right hand to the head of Manasseh, for he is my first born son.
And Jacob said to Joseph, I know it, my son, I know it; but the greater shall
serve the less. Yet this one also shall be blessed. 6 Mark in whose cases He
ordained that this people should be first and heir of the covenant. 7 If then
besides this He also recorded it through Abraham, we attain the completion of
our knowledge. What then saith he to Abraham when he alone believed, and was
ascribed for righteousness? Behold I have made thee, Abraham, a father of
nations that believe in God in uncircumcision.
Barnabas
chapter 14
1 Yea verily, but as regards the
covenant which He swear to the fathers to give it to the people let us see
whether He hath actually given it. He hath given it, but they themselves were
not found worthy to receive it by reason of their sins. 2 For the prophet saith; And Moses was
fasting in Mount Sinai forty days and forty nights, that he might receive the
covenant of the Lord to give to the people. And [Moses] received from the Lord
the two tables which were written by the finger of the hand of the Lord in the
spirit. And Moses took them, and brought them down to give them to the people.
3 And the Lord said unto Moses; Moses, Moses, come down quickly; for thy
people, whom thou leddest forth from the land of Egypt, hath done wickedly. And
Moses perceived that they had made for themselves again molten images, and he
cast them out of his hands and the tables of the covenant of the Lord were
broken in pieces. 4 Moses received them, but they themselves were not found
worthy. But how did we receive them? Mark this. Moses received them being a
servant, but the Lord himself gave them to us to be the people of His
inheritance, having endured patiently for our sakes. 5 But He was made manifest, in order that at
the same time they might be perfected in their sins, and we might receive the
covenant through Him who inherited it, even the Lord Jesus, who was prepared
beforehand hereunto, that appearing in person He might redeem out of darkness
our hearts which had already been paid over unto death and delivered up to the
iniquity of error, and thus establish the covenant in us through the word. 6 For it is written how the Father chargeth
Him to deliver us from darkness, and to prepare a holy people for Himself. 7
Therefore saith the prophet; I the Lord thy God called thee in righteousness,
and I will lay hold of thy hand and will strengthen thee, and I have given thee
to be a covenant of the race, a light to the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the
blind, and to bring forth them that are bound from their fetters, and them that
sit in darkness from their prison house. We perceive then whence we were
ransomed. 8 Again the prophet saith; Behold I have set Thee to be a light unto
the Gentiles, that Thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth;
thus saith the Lord that ransomed thee, even God. 9 Again the prophet saith;
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, wherefore He anointed Me to preach good
tidings to the humble; He hath sent Me to heal them that are broken-hearted, to
preach release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to proclaim
the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of recompense, to comfort all that
mourn.
Barnabas
chapte r15
1 Moreover concerning the Sabbath
likewise it is written in the Ten Words, in which He spake to Moses face to
face on Mount Sinai; And ye shall hallow the Sabbath of the Lord with pure
hands and with a pure heart. 2 And in another place He saith; If my sons
observe the Sabbath then I will bestow My mercy upon them. 3 Of the Sabbath He
speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And God made the works of His hands in
six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed
it. 4 Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He meaneth
this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for
the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me
witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years.
Therefore, children, in si x days, that is in six thousand years, everything
shall come to an end. 5 And He rested on
the seventh day. this He meaneth; when His Son shall come, and shall abolish
the time of the Lawless One, and shall judge the ungodly, and shall change the
sun and the moon and the stars, then shall he truly rest on the seventh day. 6
Yea and furthermore He saith; Thou shalt hallow it with pure hands and with a
pure heart. If therefore a man is able now to hallow the day which God
hallowed, though he be pure in heart, we have gone utterly astray. 7 But if
after all then and not till then shall we truly rest and hallow it, when we
shall ourselves be able to do so after being justified and receiving the
promise, when iniquity is no more and all things have been made new by the
Lord, we shall be able to hallow it then, because we ourselves shall have been
hallowed first. 8 Finally He saith to them; Your new moons and your Sabbaths I
cannot away with. Ye see what is His meaning ; it is not your present Sabbaths
that are acceptable [unto Me], but the Sabbath which I have made, in the which,
when I have set all things at rest, I will make the beginning of the eighth day
which is the beginning of another world. 9 Wherefore also we keep the eighth
day for rejoicing, in the which also Jesus rose from the dead, and having been
manifested ascended into the heavens.
Barnabas
chapter 16
1 Moreover I will tell you likewise
concerning the temple, how these wretched men being led astray set their hope
on the building, and not on their God that made them, as being a house of God.
2 For like the Gentiles almost they consecrated Him in the temple. But what
saith the Lord abolishing the temple? Learn ye. Who hath measured the heaven
with a span, or hath measured the earth with his hand? Have not I, saith the
Lord? The heaven is My throne and the earth the footstool of My feet. What
manner of house will ye build for Me? Or what shall be my resting place? Ye
perceive that their hope is vain. 3 Furthermore He saith again; Behold they
that pulled down this temple themselves shall build it. 4 So it cometh to pass; for because they went
to war it was pulled down by their enemies. Now also the very servants of their
enemies shall build it up. 5 Again, it was revealed how the city and the temple
and the people of Israel should be betrayed. For the scripture saith; And it
shall be in the last days, that the Lord shall deliver up the sheep of the
pasture and the fold and the tower thereof to destruction. And it came to pass
as the Lord spake. 6 But let us enquire whether there be any temple of God.
There is; in the place where he himself undertakes to make and finish it. For
it is written And it shall come to pass, when the week is being accomplished,
the temple of God shall be built gloriously in the name of the Lord. 7 I find then that there is a temple, How
then shall it be built in the name of the Lord? Understand ye. Before we
believed on God, the abode of our heart was corrupt and weak, a temple truly
built by hands; for it was full of idolatry and was a house of demons, because
we did whatsoever was contrary to God. 8 But it shall be built in the name of
the Lord. Give heed then that the temple of the Lord may be built
gloriously. 9 How? Understand ye. By
receiving the remission of our sins and hoping on the Name we became new,
created afresh from the beginning. Wherefore God dwelleth truly in our
habitation within us. How? The word of his faith, the calling of his promise,
the wisdom of the ordinances, the commandments of the teaching, He Himself
prophesying in us, He Himself dwelling in us, opening for us who had been in
bondage unto death the door of the temple, which is the mouth, and giving us
repentance leadeth us to the incorruptible temple. 10 For he that desireth to be saved looketh
not to the man, but to Him that dwelleth and speaketh in him, being amazed at
this that he has never at any time heard these words from the mouth of the
speaker, nor himself ever desired to hear them. This is the spiritual temple
built up to the Lord.
Barnabas
chapter 17
1 So far as it was possible with all
simplicity to declare it unto you, my soul hopeth that I have not omitted
anything [of the matters pertaining unto salvation and so failed in my desire].
2 For if I should write to you concerning things immediate or future, ye would
not understand them, because they are put in parables. So much then for this.
Barnabas
chapter 18
1 But let us pass on to another lesson
and teaching. There are two ways of teaching and of power, the one of light and
the other of darkness; and there is a great difference between the two ways.
For on the one are stationed the light giving angels of God, on the other the
angels of Satan. 2 And the one is the Lord from all eternity and unto all
eternity, whereas the other is Lord of the season of iniquity that now is.
Barnabas
chapter 19
1 This then is the way of light, if
anyone desiring to travel on the way to his appointed place would be zealous in
his works. The knowledge then which is given to us whereby we may walk therein
is as follows. 2 Thou shalt love Him that made thee, thou shalt fear Him that
created thee, thou shalt glorify Him that redeemed thee from death; thou shalt
be simple in heart and rich in spirit; thou shalt not cleave to those who walk
the way of death; thou shalt hate everything that is not pleasing to God; thou
shalt hate all hypocrisy; thou shalt never forsake the commandments of the
Lord. 3 Thou shalt not exalt thyself,
but shalt be lowly minded in all things. Thou shalt not assume glory to
thyself. Thou shalt not entertain a wicked design against thy neighbor; thou
shalt not admit boldness into thy soul.
4 Thou shalt not commit fornication, thou shalt not commit adultery,
thou shalt not corrupt boys. The word of God shall not come forth from thee
where any are unclean. Thou shalt not make a difference in a person to reprove
him for a transgression. Thou shalt be meek, thou shalt be quiet, thou shalt be
fearing the words which thou hast heard. Thou shalt not bear a grudge against
thy brother. 5 Thou shalt not doubt whether a thing shall be or not be. Thou
shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain. Thou shalt love thy neighbor more
than thine own soul. Thou shalt not murder a child by abortion, nor again shalt
thou kill it when it is born. Thou shalt not withhold thy hand from thy son or
daughter, but from their youth thou shalt teach them the fear of God. 6 Thou
shalt not be found coveting thy neighbors goods; thou shalt not be found greedy
of gain. Neither shalt thou cleave with thy soul to the lofty, but shalt walk
with the humble and righteous. The accidents that befall thee thou shalt
receive as good, knowing that nothing is done without God. Thou shalt not be
double minded nor double tongued. 7 Thou shalt be subject unto thy masters as
to a type of God in shame and fear. Thou shalt not command in bitterness thy
bondservant or thine handmaid who set their hope on the same God, lest haply,
they should cease to fear the God who is over both of you; for He came not to
call with respect of persons, but to call those whom the Spirit hath prepared.
8 Thou shalt make thy neighbor partake in all things, and shalt not say that
anything is thine own. For if ye are fellow partakers in that which is
imperishable, how much rather shall ye be in the things which are perishable.
Thou shalt not be hasty with thine own tongue, for the mouth is the snare of
death. So far as thou art able, thou shalt be pure for thy soul's sake. 9 Be
not thou found holding out thy hands to receive, and drawing them in to give.
Thou shalt love as the apple of thine eye every one that speaketh unto thee the
word of the Lord. 10 Thou shalt remember the day of judgment night and day, and
thou shalt seek out day by day the persons of the saints, either laboring by
word and going to exhort them and meditating how thou mayest save souls by thy
word, or thou shalt work with thy hands for a ransom for thy sins. 11 Thou shall not hesitate to give, neither
shalt thou murmur when giving, but thou shalt know who is the good paymaster of
thy reward. Thou shalt keep those things which thou hast received, neither adding
to them nor taking away from them. Thou shalt utterly hate the Evil One. Thou
shalt judge righteously. 12 Thou shalt not make a schism, but thou shalt pacify
them that contend by bringing them together. Thou shalt confess thy sins. Thou
shalt not betake thyself to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of
light.
Barnabas
chapter 20
1 But the way of the Black One is
crooked and full of a curse. For it is a way of eternal death with punishment
wherein are the things that destroy men's souls--idolatry, boldness, exhalation
of power, hypocrisy, doubleness of heart, adultery, murder, plundering, pride,
transgression, treachery, malice, stubbornness, witchcraft, magic,
covetousness, absence of the fear of God; 2 persecutors of good men, hating the
truth, loving lies, not perceiving the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to
the good nor to the righteous judgment, paying no heed to the widow and the
orphan, wakeful not for the fear of God but for that which is evil; men from
whom gentleness and forbearance stand aloof and far off; loving vain things,
pursuing a recompense, not pitying the poor man, not toiling for him that is
oppressed with toil, ready to slander, not recognizing Him that made them
murderers of children, corrupters of the creatures of God, turning away from
him that is in want, oppressing him that is afflicted, advocates of the
wealthy, unjust judges of the poor, sinful in all things.
Barnabas
chapter 21
1 It is good therefore to learn the
ordinances of the Lord, as many as have been written above, and to walk in
them. For he that doeth these things shall be glorified in the kingdom of God;
whereas he that chooseth their opposites shall perish together with his works.
For this cause is the resurrection, for this the recompense. 2 I entreat those
of you who are in a higher station, if ye will receive any counsel of good
advice from me, keep amongst you those to whom ye may do good. Fail not. 3 The
day is at hand, in which everything shall be destroyed together with the Evil
One. The Lord is at hand and his reward.
4 Again and again I entreat you; be good lawgivers one to another;
continue faithful councilors to yourselves; take away from you all hypocrisy. 5
And may God, who is Lord of the whole world, give you wisdom, judgment, learning,
knowledge of His ordinances, patience. 6
And be ye taught of God, seeking diligently what the Lord requireth of you, and
act that ye may be found in the day of judgment. 7 But if you have any remembrance of good,
call me to mind when ye practice these things these things, that both my desire
and my watchfulness may lead to some good result. I entreat you asking it as a
favor. 8 So long as the good vessel (of the body) is with you, be lacking in
none of these things, but search them out constantly, and fulfill every
commandment; for they deserve it. 9 For
this reason I was the more eager to write to you so far as I was able, that I
might give you joy. Fare ye well, children of love and peace. The Lord of glory
and of every grace be with your spirit.