Of the way of darkness; that is, what kind of persons
shall be for ever cast out of the kingdom of God.
BUT the way of darkness is
crooked, and full of cursing.
For it is the way of eternal death,
with punishment; in which they
that walk meet those things that
destroy their own souls.
2 Such are; idolatry, confidence,
pride of power, hypocrisy, double-
mindedness, adultery, murder, rapine,
pride, transgression, deceit, malice,
arrogance, witchcraft, covetousness,
and the want of the fear of God.
3 In this, walk those, who are
the persecutors of them that are
good; haters of truth; lovers of
lies; who know not the reward of
righteousness, nor cleave to any
thing that is good.
4 Who administer not righteous
judgment to the widow and orphan;
who watch for wickedness, and not
for the fear of the Lord;
5 From whom gentleness and
patience are far off: who love
vanity, and follow after rewards;
having no compassion upon the
poor; nor take any pains for such
as are heavy laden and oppressed.
6 Ready to evil speaking,
not knowing him that made them;
murderers of children; corrupters
of the creature of God; that turn
away from the needy; oppress the
afflicted; are the advocates of the
rich, but unjust judges of the poor;
being altogether sinners.
7 It is therefore fitting
that learning the just commands
of the Lord, which we have before
mentioned, we should walk in them.
For he who does such things shall
be glorified in the kingdom of Hod.
8 But he that chooses the other
part, shall be destroyed, together
with his works. For this cause
there shall be both a resurrection,
and a retribution.
9 I beseech those that are in
high estate among you, (if so be
you will take the counsel which
with a good intention I offer to
you,) you have those with you
towards whom you may do good;
do not forsake them.
10 For the day is at hand in
which all things shall be destroyed,
together with the wicked one.
The Lord is near, and his reward
is with him.
11 I beseech you, therefore,
again, and again, Be as good
lawgiver's to one Another; continue
faithful counsellors do each other
remove from among you all hypocrisy.
12 And may God, the Lord
of all the world, give you
wisdom, knowledge, counsel,
and understanding of his
judgments in patience:
13 Be ye taught of God;
seeking what it is the Lord
requires of you, and doing it;
that ye may be saved in the
day of judgment.
14 And if there be among you
any remembrance of what is good,
think of me; meditating on these
things, that both my desire and
my watching for you may turn to
a good account.
15 I beseech you; I ask it as a
favour of you; whilst you are in
this beautiful tabernacle of the
body, be wanting in none of these
things; but without ceasing seek
them, and fulfil every command,
For these things are fitting and
worthy to be done.
16 Wherefore I have given the
more diligence to write unto you
according to my ability, that you
might rejoice. Farewell, children
of love and peace.
17 The Lord of glory and of
all grace, be with your spirit,
Amen.
[The end of the Epistle of Barnabas
the Apostle, and fellow-traveller
of St. Paul the Apostle.]
REFERENCES TO THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF BARNABAS.
[Barnabas was a companion and fellow-preacher with Paul. This Epistle
lays a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been
cited by Clemens, Alexandrinus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many
ancient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome esteemed it
genuine and canonical; but Cotelerius himself did not believe it to be
either one or the other; on the contrary, he supposes it was written for
the benefit of the Ebionites, (the christianized Jews,) who were
tenacious of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly
what he seemed to be persuaded of, that it ought to be treated with the
same respect as several of the books of the present canon. Dr. Bernard,
Savilian professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, but
that it was read throughout in the churches of Alexandria, as the
canonical Scriptures were. Dodwell supposed it to have been published
before the Epistle of Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius,
Dupuis, Dr. Cane, Dr. Mill, Dr, S. Clark, Whitson, and Archbishop Wake
also esteemed it genuine: Menardus, Archbishop Land, Spanheim, and others
deemed it apocryphal.]