The Epistle of Barnabas

GREETINGS: you sons and daughters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us in peace.

SEEING THAT THE DIVINE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ABOUND AMONG YOU: I rejoice exceedingly and beyond measure in your happy and honored spirits, because you have so effectively received the implanted spiritual gift.

Therefore, I also inwardly rejoice even more, hoping to be saved, because I truly perceive in you the Spirit poured forth from the rich Lord of love. Your greatly desired presence has thus filled me with astonishment over you. I am therefore persuaded of this and fully convinced in my own mind that since I began to speak among you, I understand many things, because the Lord has accompanied me on the path of righteousness.

I am also on this account bound by the strictest obligation to love you above my own soul, because great are the faith and love dwelling in you, while you hope for the life He has promised. Considering this, therefore, if I should take the trouble to communicate to you some portion of what I have myself received, it will prove a sufficient reward for me to serve such spirits. I have hastened to write briefly to you, so that, along with your faith, you might have perfect knowledge.

The doctrines of the Lord, then, are three: the hope of life, its beginning, and its completion. For the Lord has made known to us by the prophets both past and present things, giving us also the first-fruits of the knowledge of things to come, which as we see accomplished, one by one, we should, with greater richness of faith and elevation of spirit, draw near to Him with reverence. I then, not as your teacher, but as one of you, will set forth a few things by which, in present circumstances, you may be rendered more joyful.

SINCE THE DAYS ARE EVIL AND SATAN HOLDS POWER IN THIS WORLD: we must pay attention to ourselves and carefully seek understanding of the ordinances of the Lord. Fear and patience support our faith, and endurance and self-control are our allies. When these remain pure concerning the Lord, Wisdom, Understanding, Science, and Knowledge find joy with them. For He has revealed through all the prophets that He does not need sacrifices, burnt offerings, or oblations, saying, “What is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me, says the Lord? I am full of burnt offerings and do not desire the fat of lambs, the blood of bulls, or goats even when you come before Me.

Who has required these things from you? Do not tread My courts anymore, even if you bring fine flour with you. Incense is a pointless abomination to Me, and I cannot endure your new moons and sabbaths.” He has therefore abolished these things so that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without the burden of necessity, might have a human offering. And again He says to them, “Did I command your fathers to offer Me burnt offerings and sacrifices when they left Egypt? Rather, I commanded this: Let none of you harbor evil in his heart against his neighbor, and love not a false oath.” Therefore, we, possessing understanding, should perceive the gracious intention of our Father.

He speaks to us, wishing that we, not going astray like them, should ask how we may approach Him. To us, He declares, “A sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit; a sweet-smelling offering to the Lord is a heart that glorifies Him that made it.” Therefore, brethren, we should carefully inquire about our salvation, lest the wicked one, having entered through deceit, should cast us away from our true life.

HE THEN SPEAKS TO THEM AGAIN ABOUT THESE MATTERS: “Why do you fast to Me like this day, says the Lord, so that your voice is heard with a cry? I have not chosen this fast, says the Lord, for a man to humble his soul. Nor, even if you bow your neck like a ring and dress in sackcloth and ashes, will you call it an acceptable fast.” To us He says, “Behold, this is the fast that I have chosen, says the Lord, not for a man to humble his soul, but to break every chain of iniquity, untie the fastenings of harsh agreements, free those who are bruised, tear apart every unjust deal, share your bread with the hungry, clothe the naked when you see them, bring the homeless into your house, not look down on the humble if you see them, and not turn away from your own family.

Then your dawn shall break forth, and your healing shall quickly spring up, and righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you; and then you shall call, and God shall hear you; while you are still speaking, He shall say, Here I am with you; if you remove from yourself the chain binding others, and the spreading of hands to swear falsely, and words of murmuring, and willingly give your bread to the hungry, and show compassion to the soul that has been humbled.” Therefore, brothers, He is patient, knowing how the people He has prepared will sincerely believe in His Beloved.

For He revealed all these things to us beforehand, so that we should not rush forward as reckless acceptors of their laws.

IT IS THEREFORE OUR DUTY: as those who inquire much about current events, to diligently seek out the things that can save us. Let us completely avoid all acts of iniquity, so they do not take hold of us; and let us reject the error of this present time, so we can focus our love on the world to come. We should not allow our soul to run freely with sinners and the wicked, lest we become like them. The final stumbling block or source of danger is near, concerning which it is written, as Enoch states, “For this purpose the Lord has shortened the times and the days, so that His Beloved may come quickly; and He will come to the inheritance.” The prophet also speaks as follows: “Ten kingdoms shall rule upon the earth, and a little king shall rise up after them, who shall subdue three of the kings under one.” Similarly, Daniel speaks of this, “And I saw the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all earthly beasts, and how ten horns sprang from it, and from them a small budding horn that subdued three of the great horns under one.” You ought to understand this.

I further ask of you, as one of you and loving you more than my own soul, to take heed now to yourselves, and not be like some, adding greatly to your sins and saying, “The covenant is theirs and ours.” But they ultimately lost it, even after Moses had received it. For the Scripture says, “And Moses was fasting on the mountain forty days and forty nights, and received the covenant from the Lord, stone tablets written with the finger of the Lord;” but by turning to idols, they lost it.

For the Lord said to Moses: “Moses, go down quickly; for the people you brought out of Egypt have transgressed.” And Moses understood, and threw the two tablets from his hands; and their covenant was broken, so that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be sealed upon our hearts, in the hope that comes from believing in Him.

Now, wishing to write many things to you, not as your teacher, but out of love, I have taken care not to fail to write to you from what I possess, for your purification.

We must be careful in these last days; for the entire past time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also resist coming sources of danger, as befits the children of God. To prevent the Black One from entering, let us flee from every vanity, let us completely hate the works of wickedness. Do not live a solitary life, as if already justified; but gathering together, seek what benefits everyone. For the Scripture says, “Woe to those who are wise to themselves, and prudent in their own view!” Let us be spiritually-minded; let us be a perfect temple to God.

As much as possible, let us meditate on the fear of God, and keep His commandments, so we may rejoice in His ordinances. The Lord will judge the world without favoritism. Each will receive according to his deeds: if he is righteous, his righteousness will go before him; if he is wicked, the reward of wickedness is before him. Be careful, lest, resting at ease as those who are called, we fall asleep in our sins, and the wicked prince gains power over us and drives us from the kingdom of the Lord.

Pay more attention to this, my brothers, when you reflect and see, that after such great signs and wonders were done in Israel, they were eventually abandoned. Let us beware lest we be found fulfilling what is written, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

TO THIS END: the Lord endured to offer His flesh to corruption, so that we might be sanctified through the forgiveness of sins, achieved by His blood of sprinkling. It is written about Him, partly regarding Israel and partly about us, and the Scripture says: “He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities: with His stripes we are healed. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a silent lamb before its shearer.” Therefore, we ought to be deeply grateful to the Lord, because He has revealed past events to us, given us wisdom concerning the present, and not left us without understanding about what is to come.

The Scripture says, “Not unjustly are nets spread out for birds.” This means that a person perishes justly if, knowing the way of righteousness, they rush into the way of darkness.

Furthermore, my brethren: if the Lord endured suffering for our souls, He being Lord of all the world, to whom God said at the creation of the world, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” understand why He endured suffering at the hands of men. The prophets, having received grace from Him, prophesied about Him.

And He (since it was necessary for Him to appear in flesh) endured what He did to abolish death and reveal the resurrection from the dead, to fulfill the promise made to the fathers, and by preparing a new people for Himself, to show, while He dwelt on earth, that He, when He has raised mankind, will also judge them.

Moreover, in teaching Israel and performing great miracles and signs, He preached the truth to them and greatly loved them.

But when He chose His apostles to preach His Gospel, He chose them from among those who were sinners above all sinners to show He came “not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Then He revealed Himself to be the Son of God. For if He had not come in the flesh, how could men have been saved by seeing Him? Considering that looking upon the sun, which will cease to exist and is the work of His hands, their eyes are unable to bear its rays.

Therefore, the Son of God came in the flesh for this reason: to bring together the sins of those who had persecuted His prophets to death. For this purpose, then, He endured. For God says, “The stroke of his flesh is from them;” and “when I strike the Shepherd, then the flock's sheep shall be scattered.” He chose to suffer this way, for it was necessary that He suffer on the tree. For the one who prophesies about Him says, “Spare my soul from the sword, fasten my flesh with nails; for the assemblies of the wicked have risen against me.” And again, he says, “Behold, I have given my back to lashes, and my cheeks to blows, and I have set my face firm as a rock.”

WHEN: therefore, He has fulfilled the commandment, what does He say? “Who will contend with Me? Let him oppose Me: or who will enter into judgment with Me? Let him approach the servant of the Lord.” “Woe to you, for you will all grow old like a garment, and the moth will eat you up.” And again the prophet says, “Since as a mighty stone He is laid for crushing, behold I lay down for the foundations of Zion a stone, precious, chosen, a cornerstone, honorable.” Next, what does He say? “And he who will trust in it will live forever.” Is our hope, then, upon a stone? Not at all.

But the language is used because He laid his flesh as a foundation with power; for He says, “And He made me a firm rock.” And the prophet says again, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” And again he says, “This is the great and wonderful day which the Lord has made.” I write more simply to you, so you may understand. I am the off-scouring of your love. What, then, again does the prophet say? “The assembly of the wicked surrounded me; they encompassed me like bees a honeycomb,” and “they cast lots for my garment.” Since, therefore, He was about to be revealed and to suffer in the flesh, His suffering was foretold.

For the prophet speaks against Israel: “Woe to their soul, because they have devised an evil plan against themselves, saying, Let us bind the just one, because he is displeasing to us.” And Moses also says to them, “Behold these things, says the Lord God: Enter into the good land which the Lord swore to give to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and inherit it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” What, then, does Knowledge say? Learn: “Trust,” she says, “in Him who is to be revealed to you in the flesh—that is, Jesus.” For man is earth in a suffering state, for Adam was formed from the face of the earth.

What, then, does “enter into the good land, a land flowing with milk and honey” mean? Blessed be our Lord, who has given us wisdom and understanding of secret things. For the prophet says, “Who will understand the parable of the Lord, except him who is wise and prudent, and who loves his Lord?” Since, therefore, by forgiving our sins, He has renewed us in a new form, [it is His purpose] that we should have the soul of children, inasmuch as He has created us anew by His Spirit.

For the Scripture says about us, while He speaks to the Son, “Let Us make man in Our image, and after Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the beasts of the earth, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea.” And the Lord said, upon seeing the beautiful creature man, “Increase, and multiply, and fill the earth.” These words [were spoken] to the Son. Again, I will show you how, in regards to us, He has accomplished a second creation in these last days.

The Lord says, “Behold, I will make the last like the first.” In reference to this, then, the prophet proclaimed, “Enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, and have dominion over it.” Behold, therefore, we have been reshaped, as again He says in another prophet, “Behold, says the Lord, I will remove from them, that is, from those whom the Spirit of the Lord foresaw, their stony hearts, and I will put within them hearts of flesh,” because He was to be revealed in flesh, and to live among us.

For, my brothers, the dwelling of our heart is a holy temple to the Lord. For again the Lord says, “And with what shall I appear before the Lord my God, and be glorified?” He says, “I will confess to you in the Church in the midst of my brothers; and I will praise you in the midst of the assembly of the saints.” We, then, are those whom He has led into the good land. What, then, do milk and honey mean? This, that just as the infant is sustained first by honey, and then by milk, so also we, being enlivened and sustained by the faith of the promise and by the word, shall live ruling over the earth.

But He said above, “Let them increase, and rule over the fish.” Who then is able to govern the beasts, or the fish, or the birds of heaven? For we ought to understand that to govern implies authority, so that one should command and rule. If, therefore, this does not exist now, yet He has still promised it to us. When? When we ourselves have been made perfect to become heirs of the covenant of the Lord.

UNDERSTAND: then, children of gladness, that the good Lord has shown us everything in advance, so that we know to whom we should give thanksgiving and praise for everything. If, therefore, the Son of God, who is Lord of all and will judge the living and the dead, suffered to give us life through His wounds, let us believe that the Son of God could not have suffered except for our sake.

Furthermore, when He was fixed to the cross, they gave Him vinegar and gall to drink.

Listen to how the priests of the people foreshadowed this. The Lord commanded that anyone who did not keep the fast should be put to death, because He Himself was to offer the vessel of the Spirit as a sacrifice for our sins, so that the pattern established in Isaac when he was offered on the altar might be fully realized. What, then, does He say in the prophet? “And let them eat of the goat which is offered, with fasting, for all their sins.” Pay attention: “And let all the priests alone eat the inner parts, unwashed with vinegar.” Why? Because to me, who am to offer my flesh for the sins of my new people, you are to give gall with vinegar to drink: you priests eat alone, while the people fast and mourn in sackcloth and ashes.

These things were done to show that it was necessary for Him to suffer for them. How, then, did the commandment run? Pay attention. Take two goats of goodly appearance, and similar to each other, and offer them. Let the priest take one as a burnt-offering for sins. And what should they do with the other? “Accursed,” He says, “is the one.” Notice how the type of Jesus now emerges. “And all of you spit upon it, and pierce it, and wrap its head with scarlet wool, and then let it be driven into the wilderness.” When all this has been done, the person who takes the goat into the desert removes the wool from it and places it on a shrub called Rachia, whose fruits we also eat when we find them in the field.

Of this kind of shrub alone, the fruits are sweet. Why is this? Pay attention. You see “one on the altar, and the other accursed;” and why is the accursed one crowned? Because they shall see Him on that day having a scarlet robe about His body down to His feet; and they shall say, Is not this He whom we once despised, pierced, mocked, and crucified? Truly this is He who declared Himself to be the Son of God.

For how like is He to Him! With this in mind, He required the goats to be similar and of good appearance so that when they see Him coming, they may be amazed by the likeness to the goat. Behold, then, the type of Jesus who was to suffer.

But why place the wool among thorns? It is a type of Jesus shown to the Church. They place the wool among thorns so that anyone who wishes to bear it away may have to suffer much, because the thorn is formidable, and obtain it only through suffering.

Thus also, He says, “Those who wish to see Me and lay hold of My kingdom must obtain Me through tribulation and suffering.”

NOW WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS A SYMBOL OF: that a command was given to Israel, that men of the greatest wickedness should offer a heifer, and then kill and burn it, and that boys should take the ashes, put them into vessels, and wrap a stick with purple wool along with hyssop, and then the boys should sprinkle the people, one by one, to purify them from their sins? Consider how He speaks to you plainly. The calf is Jesus: the sinful men offering it are those who led Him to the slaughter.

But now the men are no longer guilty, no longer considered sinners. The boys that sprinkle are those who have proclaimed to us the forgiveness of sins and purification of heart. To them He gave authority to preach the Gospel, being twelve in number, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel.

But why are there three boys that sprinkle? To correspond to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because these men were honored by God. And why was the wool placed on the wood? Because by wood Jesus holds His kingdom, so that through the cross those who believe in Him shall live forever.

But why was hyssop joined with the wool? Because in His kingdom the days will be evil and polluted in which we shall be saved, and because the one who suffers in body is healed through the cleansing power of hyssop. This is clear to us, but obscure to them because they did not hear the voice of the Lord.

HE ALSO SPEAKS ABOUT OUR EARS: how He has circumcised both them and our hearts. The Lord says in the prophet, "In the hearing of the ear they obeyed me." And again He says, "By hearing, those who are far away shall hear; they shall know what I have done." And, "Be circumcised in your hearts, says the Lord." And again He says, "Hear, O Israel, for these things says the Lord your God." And once more the Spirit of the Lord proclaims, "Who is the one that wishes to live forever? By hearing let him hear the voice of my servant." And again He says, "Hear, O heaven, and give ear, O earth, for God has spoken." These serve as proof.

And again He says, "Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of this people." And again He says, "Hear, you children, the voice of one crying in the wilderness." Therefore He has circumcised our ears so that we might hear His word and believe, for the circumcision in which they trusted is abolished. For He declared that circumcision was not of the flesh, but they transgressed because an evil angel deluded them. He says to them, "These things says the Lord your God"—(here I find a new commandment)—"Sow not among thorns, but circumcise yourselves to the Lord." And why does He speak thus: "Circumcise the stubbornness of your heart, and harden not your neck?" And again: "Behold, says the Lord, all the nations are uncircumcised in the flesh, but this people are uncircumcised in heart." But you will say, "Yea, truly the people are circumcised for a seal." But so also is every Syrian and Arab, and all the priests of idols: are these then also within the bond of His covenant? Yes, the Egyptians also practice circumcision.

Learn then, my children, about all things richly, that Abraham, the first who commanded circumcision, looking forward in spirit to Jesus, practiced that rite, having received the mysteries of the three letters. For [the Scripture] says, "And Abraham circumcised ten, and eight, and three hundred men of his household." What, then, was the knowledge given to him in this? Learn the eighteen first, and then the three hundred. The ten and the eight are represented—Ten by I, and Eight by H.

You have [the initials of the name of] Jesus. And because the cross was to express the grace [of our redemption] by the letter T, he says also, "Three Hundred." He signifies, therefore, Jesus by two letters, and the cross by one. He knows this, who has placed within us the implanted gift of His doctrine. No one has been admitted by me to a more excellent piece of knowledge than this, but I know that you are worthy.

WHY DID MOSES SAY: "You shall not eat the pig, the eagle, the hawk, the raven, or any fish without scales?" He embraced three doctrines in his mind when he did so. Moreover, the Lord says to them in Deuteronomy, "And I will establish my ordinances among this people." Is there not a command of God that they should not eat these things? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference. For this reason, he mentioned the pig, implying, "You shall not associate with people who resemble pigs." For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to need, they acknowledge the Lord. Similarly, the pig, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry, it cries out, and upon receiving food is quiet again.

"Neither shall you eat," he says, "the eagle, the hawk, the kite, or the raven." By this, he means, "You shall not associate with people who do not know how to procure food for themselves by labor and effort, but seize that of others in their wickedness, and although appearing simple, are on the lookout to plunder others." These birds, while they sit idle, seek how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests to all by their wickedness.

"And you shall not eat," he says, "the lamprey, the polypus, or the cuttlefish." He means, "You shall not associate with or be like people who are ungodly to the end and are condemned to death," similar to those accursed fish that float in the deep, not swimming on the surface like the rest but dwelling in the mud at the bottom. Moreover, "You shall not," he says, "eat the hare." Why? "You shall not be a corrupter of boys or like them," because the hare multiplies the places of its conception year by year; for as many years as it lives, so many it has.

Furthermore, "You shall not eat the hyena." He means, "You shall not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor like them." Why? Because that animal changes its sex annually, being male at one time and female at another. Moreover, he rightly detested the weasel. He means, "You shall not be like those who commit wickedness with the mouth due to their uncleanness, nor shall you be joined to impure women who commit iniquity with the mouth, as this animal conceives by the mouth."

Moses then issued three doctrines concerning meats with spiritual significance, but they received them according to fleshly desire, as if he had merely spoken of literal meats. David, however, understood the knowledge of the three doctrines and speaks similarly: "Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly," just as the fishes go in darkness to the depths of the sea. "And has not stood in the way of sinners," like those who claim to fear the Lord but go astray like pigs. "And has not sat in the seat of the scorners," like birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a strong and firm grasp of this spiritual knowledge.

But Moses also said, "You shall eat every animal that is cloven-footed and ruminant." What does he mean? The ruminant animal represents someone who, upon receiving food, acknowledges Him who nourishes and is visibly made glad. Moses spoke well, respecting the commandment. What, then, does he mean? That we ought to join ourselves with those who fear the Lord, those who meditate in their heart on the commandment they have received, those who both pronounce and observe the judgments of the Lord, those who know that meditation is a work of gladness and who ponder the word of the Lord. But what does the cloven-footed mean? That the righteous person walks in this world yet looks forward to the holy state to come. See how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We, rightly understanding his commandments, explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose, He opened our ears and our hearts, so we might understand these things.

LET US FURTHER EXPLORE WHETHER THE LORD SHOWED ANY CONCERN TO FORESHADOW THE WATER OF BAPTISM AND THE CROSS: Regarding the water, it is written about the Israelites that they should not receive the baptism that leads to the remission of sins, but should seek another for themselves. The prophet therefore says, “Be astonished, O heaven, and let the earth tremble at this, because this people have committed two great evils: they have forsaken Me, a living fountain, and have carved out for themselves broken cisterns.

Is my holy hill Zion a desolate rock? For you shall be like the fledglings of a bird, which fly away when the nest is removed.” And again the prophet says, “I will go before you and make level the mountains, and will break the bronze gates, and shatter the iron bars; and I will give you the secret, hidden, invisible treasures, so that they may know that I am the Lord God.” And “He shall dwell in a lofty cave of the strong rock.” Furthermore, what does He say regarding the Son? “His water is sure; you shall see the King in His glory, and your soul shall meditate on the fear of the Lord.” And again He says in another prophet, “The man who does these things shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, which shall yield its fruit in due season; and his leaf shall not wither, and all that he does shall prosper.

Not so are the ungodly, not so, but like chaff, which the wind sweeps away from the surface of the earth. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the just; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Notice how He has described both the water and the cross at once. For these words imply, Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water; for He says, they shall receive their reward in due time: then He declares, I will repay them.

But now He says, “Their leaves shall not fade.” This means that every word which comes from your mouth in faith and love shall tend to bring conversion and hope to many. Again, another prophet says, “And the land of Jacob shall be extolled above every land.” This means the vessel of His Spirit, which He shall glorify. Further, what does He say? “And there was a river flowing on the right, and from it arose beautiful trees; and whoever shall eat of them shall live forever.” This means that we indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear of God and trust in Jesus in our spirit. “And whoever shall eat of these shall live forever,” This means: Whoever, He declares, shall hear you speaking, and believe, shall live forever.

IN A SIMILAR WAY: another prophet points to the cross of Christ, saying, “And when will these things be accomplished?” And the Lord says, “When a tree is bent down, then rises again; and when blood flows from wood.” Once more, you have a hint about the cross and the One who would be crucified. He also speaks about this in Moses's time when Israel was attacked by strangers. To remind them that they were delivered to death because of their sins, the Spirit speaks to the heart of Moses to make a figure of the cross and of Him who would suffer on it. For unless they put their trust in Him, they would be defeated forever. So, Moses placed one weapon on top of another on the hill and, standing on it, stretched out his hands, thus enabling Israel to gain victory. But when he lowered his hands, they were defeated again. Why? So they would understand that they could not be saved unless they trusted in Him.

In another prophet, it is declared, “All day long I have stretched out My hands to an unbelieving and contrary people.” Moses again creates a type of Jesus, signifying that it was necessary for Him to suffer and that He would be the source of life to others, even when they believed they had destroyed Him on the cross when Israel was falling. Because Eve had sinned through the serpent, the Lord allowed serpents of every kind to bite them, and they died, to show them that their transgression led them to death. Moreover, when Moses commanded, “You shall not have any graven or molten image for your God,” he was revealing a type of Jesus. Moses then made a bronze serpent and placed it upon a pole, calling the people together. When they gathered, they asked Moses to offer sacrifices and pray for their healing. Moses told them, “If any of you is bitten, come to the serpent on the pole, and believe that even when dead, it can give him life, and immediately he will be restored.” And they did so. You see here also the glory of Jesus, for all things are in Him and to Him.

What does Moses say to Joshua, son of Nun, when he gave him this name as a prophet? It was so that all the people would hear that the Father would reveal everything about His Son Jesus to the son of Nun. This name was given when he was sent to explore the land, and he said, “Take a book in your hands and write what the Lord declares, that the Son of God will, in the last days, cut off all the house of Amalek from the roots.” Again you see that Jesus, who was revealed both in type and in the flesh, is not the Son of Man but the Son of God. Since they were to say that Christ was the son of David, fearing the misunderstanding of the wicked, he says, “The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.'” Isaiah also says, “The Lord said to Christ, my Lord, whose right hand I have held, that nations should yield obedience before Him; and I will break the strength of kings in pieces.” See how David calls Him Lord and the Son of God.

LET US DETERMINE WHETHER THESE PEOPLE ARE THE HEIRS: or if the covenant belongs to others. Listen now to what the Scripture says about the people. Isaac prayed for Rebekah, his wife, because she was unable to have children, and she conceived.

Moreover, Rebekah went to inquire of the Lord; and the Lord told her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will come from your body; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” You should understand who Isaac and Rebekah were and about whom He declared that this people would be greater than the other.

In another prophecy, Jacob speaks more clearly to his son Joseph, saying, “Behold, the Lord has not deprived me of your presence; bring your sons to me so that I may bless them.” Joseph brought Manasseh and Ephraim, wanting Manasseh to be blessed because he was the elder. With this intention, Joseph led him to the right hand of his father Jacob.

But Jacob, seeing in spirit the type of people to arise later, changed the direction of his hands and placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, the second and younger, and blessed him.

Joseph said to Jacob, “Move your right hand to Manasseh's head, for he is my first-born son.” And Jacob said, “I know, my son, I know; but the elder will serve the younger, although he, too, will be blessed.” You see on whom he laid his hands, that this people should be first and heir of the covenant. If, moreover, the same thing was signaled through Abraham, we reach the perfection of our knowledge. What, then, does He say to Abraham? “Because you have believed, it is credited to you as righteousness: behold, I have made you the father of the nations who believe in the Lord while in a state of uncircumcision.”

YES: it is indeed so; but let us ask if the Lord truly gave that testament which He promised to the ancestors that He would give to the people. He did give it, but they were not worthy to receive it because of their sins. For the prophet declares, “Moses was fasting for forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai to receive the testament of the Lord for the people.” And he received from the Lord two tablets, written in the spirit by the finger of the hand of the Lord.

Moses, having received them, went down to give them to the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Moses, Moses, go down quickly; for your people have sinned, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt.” And Moses understood that they had made molten images again; and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and the tables of the testament of the Lord were broken. Moses then received it, but they proved themselves unworthy. Learn now how we have received it.

Moses, as a servant, received it; but the Lord himself, having suffered on our behalf, has given it to us, that we should be the people of inheritance.

But He appeared to perfect them in their wickedness, and so we, being made heirs through Him, might receive the testament of the Lord Jesus, who was prepared for this purpose, that by His personal appearance, redeeming our hearts (which were already consumed by death and given over to the sin of error) from darkness, He might by His word enter into a covenant with us.

For it is written how the Father, about to redeem us from darkness, commanded Him to prepare a holy people for Himself. The prophet, therefore, declares, “I, the Lord Your God, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will strengthen You; and I have given You for a covenant to the people, for a light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, and to bring forth from chains those that are bound, and those that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.” You understand, then, from where we have been redeemed.

And again, the prophet says, “Behold, I have appointed You as a light to the nations, that You might be for salvation even to the ends of the earth, says the Lord God who redeems you.” And again, the prophet says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the humble: He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to announce the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompense; to comfort all that mourn.”

FURTHERMORE: it is written about the Sabbath in the Decalogue, which the Lord spoke directly to Moses on Mount Sinai, “And sanctify the Sabbath of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart.” And He says in another place, “If my children keep the Sabbath, then I will let my mercy rest upon them.” The Sabbath is mentioned at the beginning of creation like this: “And God made in six days the works of His hands, and finished on the seventh day, and rested on it, and sanctified it.” Pay attention, my children, to the meaning of the phrase, “He finished in six days.” This implies that the Lord will complete all things in six thousand years, for with Him a day is like a thousand years.

And He Himself confirms this by saying, “Behold, today will be as a thousand years.” Therefore, my children, in six days, meaning in six thousand years, all things will be completed. “And He rested on the seventh day.” This means that when His Son returns, He will destroy the time of the wicked, judge the ungodly, and change the sun, moon, and stars, then He will truly rest on the seventh day.

Moreover, He says, “You shall sanctify it with pure hands and a pure heart.” If, therefore, anyone can now sanctify the day which God has sanctified, unless they are pure in heart in all things, we are mistaken.

Behold, therefore: certainly one properly resting sanctifies it when we ourselves, having received the promise, and with wickedness no longer existing, and all things having been renewed by the Lord, are able to practice righteousness. Then we will be able to sanctify it, having first been sanctified ourselves.

Furthermore, He says to them, “Your new moons and your Sabbaths I cannot endure.” You see how He speaks: Your current Sabbaths are not acceptable to Me, but that which I have made, namely this: when I give rest to all things, I will begin the eighth day, that is, the start of another world.

Therefore, we also keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day on which Jesus rose again from the dead. And when He had revealed Himself, He ascended into the heavens.

MOREOVER: I will also tell you about the temple, how the wretched [Jews], wandering in error, did not trust in God Himself, but in the temple as the house of God. For they almost worshipped Him in the temple like the Gentiles did.

But learn how the Lord speaks when abolishing it: “Who has measured heaven with a span, and the earth with His palm? Have not I?” “Thus says the Lord, Heaven is My throne, and the earth My footstool: what kind of house will you build for Me, or what is the place of My rest?” You see that their hope is in vain.

Moreover, He again says, “Behold, those who have cast down this temple, even they shall build it up again.” It has so happened. For through their going to war, it was destroyed by their enemies; and now they, as servants of their enemies, shall rebuild it. Again, it was revealed that the city and the temple and the people of Israel were to be given up. For the Scripture says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the Lord will deliver up the sheep of His pasture, and their sheep-fold and tower, to destruction.” And it has happened as the Lord had spoken.

Let us inquire, then, if there still is a temple of God. There is—where He Himself declared He would make and finish it. For it is written, “And it shall come to pass, when the week is completed, the temple of God shall be built in glory in the name of the Lord.” I find, therefore, that a temple does exist. Learn, then, how it shall be built in the name of the Lord. Before we believed in God, the habitation of our heart was corrupt and weak, like a temple made with hands.

For it was full of idolatry and was a habitation of demons through our doing things opposed to the will of God.

But it shall be built, observe, in the name of the Lord, so that the temple of the Lord may be built in glory. How? Learn as follows. Having received the forgiveness of sins, and placed our trust in the name of the Lord, we have become new creatures, formed again from the beginning.

Therefore, God truly dwells in us.

How? His word of faith; His calling of promise; the wisdom of the statutes; the commands of the doctrine; He Himself prophesying in us; He Himself dwelling in us; opening to us, who were enslaved by death, the doors of the temple, that is, the mouth; and by giving us repentance, introduced us into the incorruptible temple. He who wishes to be saved, then, looks not to man, but to Him who dwells in him and speaks in him, amazed at never having heard such words from his mouth before, nor having ever desired to hear them.

This is the spiritual temple built for the Lord.

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE: and with clarity, I hope that, as I intended, I have not left out anything that currently requires your attention for your salvation. For if I were to write to you about future matters, you would not understand, because such knowledge is hidden in parables. These things are so.

LET US NOW MOVE TO ANOTHER TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND TEACHING: There are two ways of teaching and authority: one of light and the other of darkness. There is a great difference between these two ways. Over one, the light-bringing angels of God are positioned, but over the other, the angels of Satan preside. God is Lord forever and ever, while Satan is the prince of the time of iniquity.

THE WAY OF LIGHT IS AS FOLLOWS: If anyone desires to travel to the appointed place, they must be zealous in their works. The knowledge given to us for walking this path is as follows. You shall love Him who created you; you shall glorify Him who redeemed you from death. You shall be pure in heart, and rich in spirit. You shall not join yourself to those who walk the path of death. You shall hate doing anything unpleasing to God; you shall hate all hypocrisy.

You shall not forsake the commandments of the Lord. You shall not exalt yourself but shall be humble. You shall not take glory for yourself. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not allow over-boldness into your soul. You shall not commit fornication; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not corrupt youth. You shall not speak the word of God with any impurity. You shall not show favoritism when you reprove someone for transgression. You shall be meek; you shall be peaceable.

You shall tremble at the words you hear. You shall not hold grudges against your brother. You shall not doubt whether something will happen or not. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. You shall love your neighbor more than your own soul. You shall not kill a child by procuring abortion; nor shall you destroy it after it is born. You shall not withhold guidance from your son or daughter, but teach them the fear of the Lord from infancy.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions, nor be greedy. You shall not associate with the haughty, but shall be counted with the righteous and lowly. Accept the trials that come to you as good. You shall not be double-minded or use double-talk, for double-talk is a snare of death. You shall be subject to the Lord and to other masters as the image of God, with modesty and fear. You shall not issue orders bitterly to your servant, who trusts in the same God, lest you fail to show reverence to God who is above both; for He came to call people not by appearance, but as the Spirit prepared them.

Share all things with your neighbor; do not call things your own; for if you are common partakers of things incorruptible, how much more of those which are corruptible! Do not be hasty with your tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as possible, be pure in your soul. Do not be quick to take, while withholding when it comes to giving. Love, as the apple of your eye, everyone who speaks the word of the Lord to you.

Remember the day of judgment, night and day. Seek out every day the company of saints, by speaking to them, exhorting them, and meditating on how to save a soul by the word; or by working with your hands for the redemption of your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you do. “Give to everyone who asks you,” and know who is the good Recompenser of the reward. Preserve what you have received, neither adding to it nor taking from it.

Hate the wicked one to the end. Judge righteously. Do not cause divisions, but bring together those who contend. Confess your sins. Do not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.

BUT THE WAY OF DARKNESS IS CROOKED AND FULL OF CURSING: for it leads to eternal death with punishment. This path contains things that destroy the soul, such as idolatry, over-confidence, the arrogance of power, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, adultery, murder, robbery, haughtiness, transgression, deceit, malice, self-sufficiency, poisoning, magic, avarice, and a lack of the fear of God. On this path, too, are those who persecute the good, those who hate truth, those who love falsehood, those who do not know the reward of righteousness, those who do not hold onto what is good, those who do not judge the widow and orphan justly, and those who do not watch in fear of God but lean toward wickedness. They are far from meekness and patience; they are people who love vanity, chase after rewards, do not pity the needy, do not help the overworked, are prone to evil-speaking, do not know Him who made them, are murderers of children, destroyers of the workmanship of God, turn away those in need, oppress the afflicted, advocate for the rich, unjustly judge the poor, and in every way are transgressors.

IT IS FITTING: therefore, that anyone who has learned the judgments of the Lord, as many as have been written, should follow them. For whoever keeps these shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; but whoever chooses other things shall be destroyed with his works. For this reason, there will be a resurrection and retribution. I urge you who are leaders, if you will accept any counsel from my goodwill, have among yourselves those to whom you may show kindness: do not abandon them.

For the day is near when all things shall perish with the evil one. The Lord is near, and so is His reward. Again, and yet again, I urge you: be good lawmakers to one another; continue to be faithful counselors to each other; remove all hypocrisy from among you. And may God, who rules over the whole world, give you wisdom, intelligence, understanding, and knowledge of His judgments, with patience. And be taught by God, diligently inquiring what the Lord asks from you; and do it so that you may be safe on the day of judgment.

And if you remember anything good, be mindful of me, reflecting on these things, so that both my desire and vigilance may result in some good. I urge you, asking this as a favor. While you are still in this fair vessel, do not fail in any of these things, but continuously seek after them and fulfill every commandment; for these things are worthy.

Therefore, I have been more eager to write to you, as my ability allowed, to encourage you.

Farewell, children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of all grace be with your spirit. Amen.