Epistle of Barnabas

The typology of the temple, the scapegoat, the red heifer, and the cross — and the closing exhortation to walk in the way of light, not the way of darkness.

1Concerning the temple, I shall show you how the wretched men erred by setting their hope on the building, and not on the God that made them, and is the true house of God. For almost as the gentiles consecrated Him in the temple. But how saith the Lord — abolishing the temple? Heaven is My throne, and the earth the footstool of My feet. What manner of house shall ye build for Me? Or what shall be the place of My rest? Ye know that their hope was vain.

2There is yet this also, brethren — there is yet a temple. How then shall it be built in the name of the Lord? Hear ye. By receiving remission of our sins, and by 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 the door of the temple unto us — that is, the mouth — and bestowing repentance, He leadeth us, the slaves of corruption, into the imperishable temple.

3Now the type of Jesus is shown forth therein. The fast is for me — saith the Lord. Behold, this is the fast which I chose. Take two goats, fair and matched, and offer them as a sacrifice; and let the priest take the one as a whole burnt offering for sins. But the other one, what shall they do with it? Accursed — saith He — is the one. Mark how the type of Jesus is revealed: spit upon ye it, and prick ye it, and place around its head the scarlet wool — and so let it be cast into the wilderness. When this is so done, he that taketh the goat unto the wilderness leadeth it, and removeth the wool, and placeth it upon the bramble, the shoots whereof we are wont to gather in the field — for the fruit of the bramble alone is sweet.

4Why is this also? Mark ye well — the one upon the altar, and the other accursed; and why the one that is accursed is crowned. Because they shall behold Him then in that day, having a scarlet robe about His flesh; and they shall say: Is not this He whom once we crucified, having scorned and pierced and spit upon? Of a truth this is He that then said that He was the Son of God.

5But how is He like the goat? For this purpose are the goats matched, fair and equal — that when they shall behold Him then coming, they may be astonished at the likeness of the goat. Behold then the type of Jesus that was destined to suffer.

6But what meaneth it that they place the wool upon the thorns? It is a type of Jesus set forth for the Church; for whosoever desireth to take away the scarlet wool must suffer many things, because that thorn is dread; and only by enduring shall he secure it. So He saith — they that desire to behold me, and to lay hold of my kingdom, must lay hold of me through afflictions and sufferings.

7Now what type, suppose ye, was intended in the precept which He gave unto Israel that the men in whom sins are come unto perfection should offer an heifer, and after slaying it should burn it; and then that the children should take the ashes, and put them into vessels, and tie scarlet wool on a stick — behold the type again of the cross, and the scarlet wool — and hyssop; and that thus the children should sprinkle the people one by one, that they might be purified from their sins?

8Understand ye how unto us in plainness it is spoken. The calf is Jesus; the men, sinners, that offer Him for slaughter are the men that brought Him unto the slaughter. After this the children sprinkle, who, having received remission of sins through Him, sprinkle others. They that preached the gospel unto us are twelve, as a witness of the tribes — for there are twelve tribes of Israel. But why are the children that sprinkle three? — for a witness of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. These are great in the presence of God.

9Now then we shall pass on unto another knowledge and teaching. There are two ways of doctrine and authority: the way of light and the way of darkness. The difference between the two ways is great. Over the one are placed the angels of God, the bringers of light; over the other are angels of Satan.

10Now the way of light is this. If any man desireth to walk that way unto the appointed place, let him hasten by his works. The knowledge then which is given unto us, that we may walk therein, is this: thou shalt love Him that made thee; thou shalt fear Him that created thee; thou shalt glorify Him that ransomed thee from death; thou shalt be lowly in heart, and quiet in spirit; thou shalt remember the day of judgment night and day; thou shalt seek out daily the persons of the saints, either labouring by word and going to exhort and meditating to save a soul by thy word, or by thy hands thou shalt work for a ransom for thy sins. Thou shalt not hesitate to give, neither shalt thou murmur when giving. Thou shalt confess thy sins. Thou shalt be guileless in heart and rich in spirit. Thou shalt love thy neighbour more than thine own soul.

11Thou shalt not slay any child by abortion, neither shalt thou destroy a babe newly born. Thou shalt not refrain thy hand from thy son, nor from thy daughter; rather, from their youth thou shalt teach them the fear of God. Thou shalt judge righteously, knowing that thou shalt be judged thyself. Thou shalt make thy neighbour partaker in all things, and shalt not say that things are thine own; for if ye are fellow-partakers in that which is imperishable, how much more shall ye be in the things which are perishable.

12Thou shalt not be hasty with thy tongue, for the mouth is the snare of death. So far as thou art able, thou shalt be pure for thy soul's sake. This is the way of light.

13Now the way of darkness is crooked and altogether laden with cursing — for it is the way of eternal death with punishment, wherein are them that destroy their soul: idolatry, presumption, exalting of power, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, adultery, murder, plundering, pride, transgression, fraud, malice, presumption, sorcery, wickedness, ambition, fear of no God; persecutors of the good, hating the truth, loving lies, knowing not the reward of righteousness — they cleave not unto good, nor to righteous judgment; not regarding the widow and the orphan; watching not for the fear of God, but for the evil; from whom meekness and patience are far off — loving vain things, pursuing rewards, having no pity for the poor, not toiling for the afflicted, ready unto evil-speaking, not knowing Him that made them. Slayers of children, corrupters of God's handiwork, turning away from the needy, oppressing the afflicted; advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor — utter sinners. Be ye delivered, my children, from all such.

14It is good therefore, having learned the ordinances of the Lord, as many as have been written, to walk in them. He that doeth these things shall be glorified in the kingdom of God. He that chooseth their opposites shall perish together with his works. For this cause is the resurrection; for this cause the recompense.

15I beseech them that are in the higher station — if so be ye take any counsel of mine — have among yourselves them whom ye shall instruct. Spare not. The day is at hand in which everything shall perish together with the evil one. The Lord is at hand, and His reward.

16Yet again and yet again I beseech you. Be ye good lawgivers one unto another; remain ye faithful counsellors of one another; take away from your midst all hypocrisy. May God who is the Lord of the whole world give unto you wisdom, judgment, learning, knowledge of His ordinances, patient endurance. Be ye taught of God — seeking out what the Lord requireth of you, and acting that ye may be found in the day of judgment. If there be any remembrance of good, meditate upon these things; remember me, that my desire and my watchfulness may issue in some good. I beseech you, asking for it as a favour.

17While the good vessel is yet with you, fail not in any of these things, but be earnest in seeking them out. Wherefore the more on that account I was eager to write unto you of as much as I was able, that I might give you joy. Fare ye well, children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of all grace be with your spirit. Amen.