The Epistle of Barnabas

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.

While then these things remain in holiness towards the Lord, wisdom, prudence, understanding, and knowledge rejoice

For he has made plain to us through[*](The abolition of Jewish sacrifices) all the Prophets that he needs neither sacrifices nor burnt-offerings nor oblations, saying in one place,

What is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of burnt offerings and desire not the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and goats, not even when ye come to appear before me. For who has required these things at your hands? Henceforth shall ye tread my court no more. If ye bring flour, it is vain. Incense is an abomination to me. I cannot away with your new moons and sabbaths.

These things then he abolished in order that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without the yoke of necessity, might have its oblation not made by man.

And again he says to them, Did I command your fathers when they came out of the land of Egypt to offer me burnt offerings and sacrifices?

Nay, but rather did I command them this: Let none of you cherish any evil in his heart against his neighbour, and love not a false oath.

We ought then to understand, if we are not foolish, the loving intention of our Father, for he speaks to us, wishing that we should not err like them, but seek how we may make our offering to him.

To us then he speaks thus: Sacrifice for the Lord is a broken heart, a smell of sweet savour to the Lord is a heart that glorifieth him that made it.[*](The first part of this quotation is Ps. 51, 19; the second part according to a note in C is from the Apocalypse of Adam, which is no longer extant.) We ought, therefore, brethren, carefully to enquire concerning our salvation, in