Epistle of Barnabas 4

The Last Stumbling Block Is Near — Do Not Sit at Ease

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We Must Therefore Examine the Present

4:1We must therefore examine present circumstances closely and seek out the things able to save us. Let us flee entirely from all works of lawlessness, lest works of lawlessness overtake us; and let us hate the deception of the present time, so that we may be loved in the time to come.

4:2Let us give our own soul no license to run together with sinners and evil people, lest we become like them.

4:3The final stumbling block has drawn near, concerning which it is written, as Enoch says. For this reason the Master has shortened the times and days, so that His Beloved may hasten and come to His inheritance.

4:4The prophet also speaks in this way: “Ten kingdoms will reign upon the earth, and afterward a little king will arise who will bring down three of the kings together.”

4:5Daniel speaks similarly about the same thing: “I saw the fourth beast, evil and strong and fiercer than all the beasts of the sea, and how ten horns sprang from it, and from them a little horn, an offshoot, and how it brought down three of the great horns together.”

4:6You therefore ought to understand. I ask this also of you, as one of you and as one who loves each and every one of you more than my own life: attend to yourselves now, and do not become like certain people, adding to your sins by saying that the covenant belongs both to them and to us.

4:7It belongs to us indeed; but they lost it completely in this way, when Moses had already received it. For Scripture says: “Moses was on the mountain, fasting forty days and forty nights, and received the covenant from the Lord: stone tablets written with the finger of the Lord’s hand.”

4:8But by turning toward idols they lost it. For the Lord speaks in this way: “Moses, Moses, come down quickly, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted lawlessly.” Moses understood and threw the two tablets from his hands; and their covenant was shattered, so that the covenant of the Beloved Jesus might be sealed into our heart in the hope of faith in Him.

Watchfulness in the Last Days

4:9Though I wished to write much, I have been eager to write as one who loves you should, falling short in none of what we possess, rather than as a teacher—I, your humble offscouring. Therefore let us attend to these last days. The whole time of our faith will profit us nothing unless now, in this lawless time and amid coming stumbling blocks, we resist as befits children of God, so that the dark one may gain no entrance.

4:10Let us flee all futility and hate utterly the works of the evil way. Do not withdraw into yourselves and live alone as though already justified; instead, gather in one place and seek together what benefits everyone.

4:11For Scripture says: “Woe to those who are understanding in their own estimation and learned in their own eyes!” Let us become spiritual; let us become a complete temple for God. As far as lies within us, let us ponder the fear of God and struggle to keep His commandments, so that we may rejoice in His righteous ordinances.

4:12The Lord will judge the world without partiality. Each will receive according to what each has done. If someone is good, that person’s righteousness will go ahead; if someone is evil, the reward of wickedness stands before that person.

4:13Let us not, resting easy as people who are called, fall asleep over our sins, lest the evil ruler gain authority against us and thrust us away from the Lord’s kingdom.

Many Called, Few Chosen

4:14Consider this also, my brothers and sisters: when you see that, even after such great signs and wonders happened in Israel, they were nevertheless abandoned, let us take heed lest, as it is written, we be found among many called but few chosen.

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