The Epistle of Barnabas

THE WAY OF LIGHT IS AS FOLLOWS: If anyone desires to travel to the appointed place, they must be zealous in their works. The knowledge given to us for walking this path is as follows. You shall love Him who created you; you shall glorify Him who redeemed you from death. You shall be pure in heart, and rich in spirit. You shall not join yourself to those who walk the path of death. You shall hate doing anything unpleasing to God; you shall hate all hypocrisy.

You shall not forsake the commandments of the Lord. You shall not exalt yourself but shall be humble. You shall not take glory for yourself. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not allow over-boldness into your soul. You shall not commit fornication; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not corrupt youth. You shall not speak the word of God with any impurity. You shall not show favoritism when you reprove someone for transgression. You shall be meek; you shall be peaceable.

You shall tremble at the words you hear. You shall not hold grudges against your brother. You shall not doubt whether something will happen or not. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. You shall love your neighbor more than your own soul. You shall not kill a child by procuring abortion; nor shall you destroy it after it is born. You shall not withhold guidance from your son or daughter, but teach them the fear of the Lord from infancy.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions, nor be greedy. You shall not associate with the haughty, but shall be counted with the righteous and lowly. Accept the trials that come to you as good. You shall not be double-minded or use double-talk, for double-talk is a snare of death. You shall be subject to the Lord and to other masters as the image of God, with modesty and fear. You shall not issue orders bitterly to your servant, who trusts in the same God, lest you fail to show reverence to God who is above both; for He came to call people not by appearance, but as the Spirit prepared them.

Share all things with your neighbor; do not call things your own; for if you are common partakers of things incorruptible, how much more of those which are corruptible! Do not be hasty with your tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as possible, be pure in your soul. Do not be quick to take, while withholding when it comes to giving. Love, as the apple of your eye, everyone who speaks the word of the Lord to you.

Remember the day of judgment, night and day. Seek out every day the company of saints, by speaking to them, exhorting them, and meditating on how to save a soul by the word; or by working with your hands for the redemption of your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you do. “Give to everyone who asks you,” and know who is the good Recompenser of the reward. Preserve what you have received, neither adding to it nor taking from it.

Hate the wicked one to the end. Judge righteously. Do not cause divisions, but bring together those who contend. Confess your sins. Do not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.