The Epistle of Barnabas

IT IS THEREFORE OUR DUTY: as those who inquire much about current events, to diligently seek out the things that can save us. Let us completely avoid all acts of iniquity, so they do not take hold of us; and let us reject the error of this present time, so we can focus our love on the world to come. We should not allow our soul to run freely with sinners and the wicked, lest we become like them. The final stumbling block or source of danger is near, concerning which it is written, as Enoch states, “For this purpose the Lord has shortened the times and the days, so that His Beloved may come quickly; and He will come to the inheritance.” The prophet also speaks as follows: “Ten kingdoms shall rule upon the earth, and a little king shall rise up after them, who shall subdue three of the kings under one.” Similarly, Daniel speaks of this, “And I saw the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all earthly beasts, and how ten horns sprang from it, and from them a small budding horn that subdued three of the great horns under one.” You ought to understand this.

I further ask of you, as one of you and loving you more than my own soul, to take heed now to yourselves, and not be like some, adding greatly to your sins and saying, “The covenant is theirs and ours.” But they ultimately lost it, even after Moses had received it. For the Scripture says, “And Moses was fasting on the mountain forty days and forty nights, and received the covenant from the Lord, stone tablets written with the finger of the Lord;” but by turning to idols, they lost it.

For the Lord said to Moses: “Moses, go down quickly; for the people you brought out of Egypt have transgressed.” And Moses understood, and threw the two tablets from his hands; and their covenant was broken, so that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be sealed upon our hearts, in the hope that comes from believing in Him.

Now, wishing to write many things to you, not as your teacher, but out of love, I have taken care not to fail to write to you from what I possess, for your purification.

We must be careful in these last days; for the entire past time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also resist coming sources of danger, as befits the children of God. To prevent the Black One from entering, let us flee from every vanity, let us completely hate the works of wickedness. Do not live a solitary life, as if already justified; but gathering together, seek what benefits everyone. For the Scripture says, “Woe to those who are wise to themselves, and prudent in their own view!” Let us be spiritually-minded; let us be a perfect temple to God.

As much as possible, let us meditate on the fear of God, and keep His commandments, so we may rejoice in His ordinances. The Lord will judge the world without favoritism. Each will receive according to his deeds: if he is righteous, his righteousness will go before him; if he is wicked, the reward of wickedness is before him. Be careful, lest, resting at ease as those who are called, we fall asleep in our sins, and the wicked prince gains power over us and drives us from the kingdom of the Lord.

Pay more attention to this, my brothers, when you reflect and see, that after such great signs and wonders were done in Israel, they were eventually abandoned. Let us beware lest we be found fulfilling what is written, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”