The "Epistle of Barnabas"
| The way of light |
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The
Way of Light is this: if any man wants to journey to his appointed home
then he must put his whole heart into his work. To aid our steps on the
road, illumination has been given to us as follows — love your Maker,
fear your Creator, glorify him who redeemed you from death. Be simple in
heart, and rich in spirit. Shun the company of those who walk in the
way of death. Hate all that is not pleasing to God, hate all hypocrisy,
and never desert the commandments of the Lord. Do not proclaim your own
importance but keep a modest and humble mind. Do not seek to cover
yourself in glory. Make no evil plans against your neighbor. Keep away
from the sin of presumption.
Love your neighbor more than your own life. Do not
procure abortion, do not commit infanticide. Do not withhold your
discipline from your son or your daughter but teach them the fear of God
from their childhood onwards. Do not covet your neighbors goods or
avariciously hold on to your own. Do not cultivate intimacy with the
great but keep company with humble and virtuous men. When tribulations
come upon you, receive them as you would receive good things, seeing
that nothing happens without God. Do not equivocate or speak in double
meanings.
Share your goods with your neighbor and do not insist
that they are yours alone — for if you are sharers in that which is
incorruptible, how much more must you be sharers in that which is
corruptible. Do not be in a hurry to speak, for the tongue is a deadly
snare. Keep your soul as pure as you can. Do not be someone who
stretches out his hands to take, and but keeps them tight shut when it
comes to giving. If anyone expounds the word of the Lord to you, love
them as the apple of your eye.
Keep the day of judgement in mind, day and night. Seek
the daily company of the people of God, either laboring by word of
mouth — by going among them, exhorting them and striving to save souls
by the word — or laboring with your hands, earning a ransom for your
sins.
Do not hesitate to give, and give without grumbling:
you will discover who can be generous with his rewards. Keep the
commandments you have received, adding nothing and taking nothing away.
Hold evil in detestation. Make your decisions fairly and uprightly. Do
not cause quarrels, but rather bring together those who are in dispute
and reconcile them. Confess your own sins. Do not set about prayer when
you have a bad conscience. This is the Way of Light.
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