Epistle of Barnabas 19

The Way of Light, Walked Out in Deeds

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The Way of Light

19:1This, then, is the way of light: if anyone wishes to travel the road to the appointed place, let that person hasten through deeds. The knowledge given to us for walking in it is as follows.

19:2You shall love the One who made you, fear the One who formed you and glorify the One who redeemed you from death. You shall be single-hearted and rich in spirit. You shall not attach yourself to those walking in the way of death. You shall hate everything displeasing to God and all hypocrisy. You shall certainly not abandon the Lord’s commandments.

19:3You shall not exalt yourself, but be humble-minded in everything. You shall not claim glory for yourself. You shall not devise an evil plan against your neighbor or give your soul over to recklessness.

19:4You shall not commit sexual immorality or adultery, or sexually corrupt children. The word of God shall certainly not go out from you amid anyone’s impurity. You shall show no partiality when reproving someone for a transgression. You shall be gentle and quiet, trembling at the words you have heard. You shall not harbor a grudge against your brother or sister.

19:5You shall not be double-minded about whether it will be or not. You shall certainly not take the Lord’s name in vain. You shall love your neighbor more than your own life. You shall not kill a child by abortion, nor kill it after it has been born. You shall not withhold your hand from your son or daughter, but from youth you shall teach them the fear of God.

19:6You shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions or become greedy. You shall not attach yourself in your soul to the lofty, but associate with the humble and righteous. You shall receive the things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing happens apart from God.

19:7You shall not be of two minds or given to excessive speech. You shall submit to masters with respect and fear, as to a figure of God. You shall not command your male or female slave with bitterness, since they hope in the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over both of you. For He did not come to call people according to outward status, but those whom the Spirit prepared.

Share Everything with Your Neighbor

19:8You shall share everything with your neighbor and not call things your own. For if you share in what is incorruptible, how much more in corruptible things? You shall not be hasty with your tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as you can, you shall keep yourself pure for your soul’s sake.

19:9Do not stretch out your hands to receive but draw them back when it is time to give. You shall love everyone who speaks the Lord’s word to you as the pupil of your eye.

19:10Night and day you shall remember the day of judgment. Each day you shall seek out the faces of the holy ones, either laboring in speech, going to encourage them and taking thought to save a soul through the word, or working with your hands toward the ransom of your sins.

19:11You shall not hesitate to give or grumble when giving; you shall know who is the good Repayer of the reward. You shall guard what you received, neither adding nor removing anything. You shall hate evil completely. You shall judge justly.

19:12You shall not cause division, but make peace by bringing those who fight together. You shall confess your sins. You shall not approach prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.

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