Epistle of Barnabas
The greeting and the opening on the typology of the covenant — the things foretold and fulfilled, the abolition of the old offerings, and the threefold doctrines of the way of light.
1All hail, ye sons and daughters, in the name of the Lord that loved us, in peace. 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.
2Wherefore I the more congratulate myself, hoping to be saved; for I see in you that the Spirit hath been poured out from the riches of the Lord upon you. So greatly did the much-desired sight of you astonish me concerning you. Being persuaded therefore of this, and being conscious within myself that, having said much among you, I know that the Lord journeyed with me in the way of righteousness — I am wholly compelled myself also to love you above mine own soul.
3There are then three doctrines of the Lord: the hope of life is the beginning and the end of our faith; the righteousness which is the beginning and the end of judgment; and love showed in gladness and exultation, the witness of the works of righteousness. For the Master made known unto us, by the prophets, the things that have been, and the things that are; and He hath given unto us the firstfruits of the taste of the things which shall be.
4And we, beholding these things in detail coming to pass, even as He spake, ought to advance the more richly and the more loftily in the fear of Him. I, no master, but as one of yourselves, will show forth a few things — whereby ye may be the more gladdened in the present circumstances.
5Seeing then that the days are evil, and that the active power itself is in possession, we ought to give heed unto our own selves and to seek out the ordinances of the Lord. The fear, then, and the patient endurance are the helpers of our faith; long-suffering and self-restraint are our allies. While these things abide in their pure state in matters relating unto the Lord, wisdom, prudence, understanding, and knowledge rejoice with them.
6For He hath made manifest unto us by all the prophets that He desireth neither sacrifice nor whole burnt offering nor oblation, saying at one time: What is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord. I am full of whole burnt offerings, and the fat of lambs, and the blood of bulls and of goats I delight not. When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand?
7These things therefore He abolished, that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ — being free from the yoke of constraint — might have its oblation made not of human hands. He saith again: I will set My Spirit upon them. And again: Such is the fast that I have chosen, saith the Lord. Loose every band of wickedness; undo the knots of contracts made by force; let the broken go free, and tear in pieces every unjust bond. Break thy bread unto the hungry; and if thou seest a naked man clothe him; bring the homeless into thine house. If thou seest a humble man, thou shalt not despise him; nor shalt thou turn aside from thine own kindred.
8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning; and thy garments shall rise speedily; and righteousness shall go forth before thee, and the glory of God shall encompass thee. Then shalt thou cry aloud, and God shall hear thee; while thou art yet speaking, He shall say: Behold, here am I — if thou take away from thee the bond, and the threatening word, and the murmuring, and shalt give thy bread unto the hungry from thy soul, and shalt have pity upon the soul that is humbled.
