It is well, therefore, [1717] that he who has learned the judgments of the Lord, as many as have been written, should walk in them. For he who keepeth these shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; but he who chooseth other things [1718] shall be destroyed with his works. On this account there will be a resurrection, [1719] on this account a retribution. I beseech you who are superiors, if you will receive any counsel of my good-will, have among yourselves those to whom you may show kindness: do not forsake them. For the day is at hand on which all things shall perish with the evil [one]. The Lord is near, and His reward. Again, and yet again, I beseech you: be good lawgivers [1720] to one another; continue faithful counsellors of one another; take away from among you all hypocrisy. And may God, who ruleth over all the world, give to you wisdom, intelligence, understanding, knowledge of His judgments, [1721] with patience. And be ye [1722] taught of God, inquiring diligently what the Lord asks from you; and do it that ye maybe safe in the day of judgment. [1723] And if you have any remembrance of what is good, be mindful of me, meditating on these things, in order that both my desire and watchfulness may result in some good. I beseech you, entreating this as a favour. While yet you are in this fair vessel, [1724] do not fail in any one of those things, [1725] but unceasingly seek after them, and fulfil every commandment; for these things are worthy. [1726] Wherefore I have been the more earnest to write to you, as my ability served, [1727] that I might cheer you. Farewell, ye children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of all grace be with your spirit. Amen. [1728]

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Footnotes:

[1717] Cod. Sin. omits "therefore."

[1718] The things condemned in the previous chapter.

[1719] Cod. Sin. has "resurrections," but is corrected as above.

[1720] Cod. Sin. has, "lawgivers of good things."

[1721] Cod. Sin. omits the preposition.

[1722] Cod. Sin. omits this.

[1723] Cod. Sin. reads, "that ye may be found in the day of judgment," which Hilgenfeld adopts.

[1724] Literally, "While yet the good vessel is with you," i.e., as long as you are in the body.

[1725] Cod. Sin. reads, "fail not in any one of yourselves," which is adopted by Hilgenfeld.

[1726] Corrected in Cod. Sin. to, "it is worthy."

[1727] Cod. Sin. omits this clause, but it is inserted by the corrector.

[1728] Cod. Sin. omits "Amen," and adds at the close, "Epistle of Barnabas."

[1444] The Codex Sinaiticus has simply "Epistle of Barnabas" for title; Dressel gives, "Epistle of Barnabas the Apostle," from the Vatican ms. of the Latin text.