Epistle of Barnabas 13

The Younger Received the Blessing, and the Hands Were Crossed

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Let Us See Whether This People Is the Heir

13:1Let us see whether this people or the former people inherits, and whether the covenant is directed to us or to them.

13:2Hear, then, what Scripture says concerning the people: “Isaac prayed concerning Rebekah his wife, because she was barren, and she conceived. Then Rebekah went out to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb and two peoples in your belly. One people will surpass another, and the greater will serve the lesser.”

13:3You ought to perceive who Isaac and Rebekah are, and through whom He has shown that this people is greater than that one.

Jacob Blesses the Younger Son

13:4In another prophecy Jacob speaks more plainly to his son Joseph: “Look, the Lord has not deprived me of seeing your face. Bring your sons to me, so that I may bless them.”

13:5He brought Ephraim and Manasseh, wishing Manasseh to be blessed because he was older; for Joseph brought him to the right hand of his father Jacob. But Jacob saw in the Spirit a figure of the people to come afterward. What does it say? “Jacob crossed his hands and placed his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, the second and younger, and blessed him. Joseph said to Jacob: Move your right hand to Manasseh’s head, because he is my firstborn son. Jacob said to Joseph: I know, child, I know; but the greater will serve the lesser, though this one too will be blessed.”

13:6See through whom He established that this people should be first and heir of the covenant.

13:7If, then, He also recalled it through Abraham, we have the fullness of our knowledge. What does He say to Abraham when, believing alone, he was appointed to righteousness? “Look, Abraham, I have made you father of nations who believe in God while uncircumcised.”

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.