Epistle of Barnabas 11
The Water and the Cross, Disclosed Beforehand
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The Water and the Cross Foretold
11:1Let us examine whether the Lord took care to disclose beforehand the water and the cross. Concerning the water, it is written about Israel that they would not receive the baptism that brings forgiveness of sins, but would build for themselves.
11:2For the prophet says: “Be astonished, heaven, and let the earth shudder still more at this, because this people has committed two evil deeds: they abandoned Me, the fountain of life, and dug for themselves a pit of death.”
11:3“Is My holy mountain Sinai a desolate rock? For you will be like fledgling birds flying about, deprived of their nest.”
11:4Again the prophet says: “I will go before you and level mountains; I will shatter bronze gates and break iron bars. I will give you dark treasures, hidden, unseen, so that they may know that I am the Lord God.”
11:5And: “You will dwell in a high cave of a strong rock,” and: “Its water is dependable. You will see a king with glory, and your soul will ponder the fear of the Lord.”
The Tree Planted Beside the Waters
11:6Again He says through another prophet: “The one doing these things will be like the tree planted beside channels of water, which will give its fruit in its season, and its leaf will not fall. Whatever that person does will prosper.
11:7“Not so the ungodly, not so! They are like chaff the wind casts from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly will not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the council of the righteous, because the Lord knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly will perish.”
11:8Perceive how He designated the water and the cross together. For this is what He means: blessed are those who, hoping in the cross, went down into the water. He speaks of the reward “in its season”: “Then,” He says, “I will repay.” Now, when He says, “The leaves will not fall,” He means that every word coming from your mouth in faith and love will bring conversion and hope to many.
11:9Again another prophet says: “The land of Jacob was praised above all the earth.” This means that He glorifies the vessel of His Spirit.
The River and the Beautiful Trees
11:10Then what does He say? “There was a river flowing from the right, and beautiful trees grew from it. Whoever eats from them will live forever.”
11:11This means that we go down into the water full of sins and filth, and come up bearing fruit in our heart: fear, and hope in Jesus, which we possess in the Spirit. “Whoever eats from these will live forever” means: “Whoever hears these things spoken and believes,” He says, “will live forever.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.