The Epistle of Barnabas

Hail, sons and daughters, in the name of the[*](Greeting and introduction) Lord who loved us, in peace.

Exceedingly and abundantly do I rejoice over your blessed and glorious spirit for the greatness and richness of God’s ordinances towards you; so innate a grace of the gift of the spirit have you received.

Wherefore I congratulate myself the more in my hope of salvation, because I truly see in you that the Spirit has been poured out upon you from the Lord, who is rich in his bounty;[*](Literally spring.) so that the sight of you, for which I longed, amazed me.

Being persuaded then of this, and being conscious that since I spoke among you I have much understanding because the Lord has travelled with me in the way of righteousness, I am above all constrained to this, to love you above my own life, because great faith and love dwell in you in the hope of his life.

I have therefore reckoned that, if I make it my care in your behalf to communicate somewhat of that which I received, it shall bring me the reward of having ministered to such spirits, and I hasten to send you a short letter in order that

There are then three doctrines [*](Or possibly ordinances or decrees.) of the Lord:[*](The three doctrines) the hope of life is the beginning and end of our faith; and righteousness is the beginning and end of judgment; love of joy and of gladness is the testimony of the works of righteousness.

For the Lord[*](Prophecy) made known to us through the prophets things past and things present and has given us the firstfruits of the taste of things to come; and when we see these things coming to pass one by one, as he said, we ought to make a richer and deeper offering for fear of him.

But I will show you a few things, not as a teacher but as one of yourselves, in which you shall rejoice at this present time.

Seeing then that the days are evil, and that[*](The need of virtue) the worker of evil himself is in power, we ought to give heed to ourselves, and seek out the ordinances of the Lord.

Fear then, and patience are the helpers of our faith, and long-suffering and continence are our allies.