Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter 21
Introduction
This entry meets the strict three-criteria standard of the Theosis Library:
- Manuscript scan: The actual folio(s) of Codex Sinaiticus containing this chapter, from the Codex Sinaiticus Project (codexsinaiticus.org). Each section links to the specific folio holding its verses.
- Original text: The Codex Sinaiticus Project's verbatim transcription of the folio shown (uncial letters, lunate sigma, nomina sacra preserved).
- English translation: J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891), public domain, retrieved verbatim from Lightfoot 1891 via earlychristianwritings.com transcription.
Why this is here: Codex Sinaiticus binds this text after Revelation, alongside the canonical books. Reading it on the same parchment as the Gospels is primary evidence for how a 4th-century Christian community treated it.
How was this verified? (Provenance)
1καλον εϲτιν μαθοντα τα δικαιωματα του κυ οϲα γεγραπται εν τουτοιϲ περιπατειν ο γαρ ταυτα ποιων εν τη βαϲιλεια του θυ δοξαϲθηϲεται ο εκεινα εκλεγομενοϲ μετα των εργων αυτου ϲυναπολιται δια τουτο αναϲταϲειϲ δια τουτο ανταποδομα 2ερωτω τουϲ ϋπερεχοταϲ ει τινα μου γνωμηϲ αγαθηϲ λαμβανεται ϲυμβουλιαν εχετε μεθ εαυτων ειϲ ουϲ εργαϲηϲθε το καλον μη ενλιπηται 3ενγυϲ η ημερα εν η ϲυναπολιται πατα τω πονηρω εγγυϲ ο κϲ και ο μιϲθοϲ αυτου 4ετι και ετι ερωτω υμαϲ εαυτων γεινεϲθαι νομοθεται αγαθων εαυτω μενετε ϲυμβουλοι πιϲτοι αρα εξ υμων παρρηϲιαν ϋποκριϲιν 5ο δε θϲ ο του παντοϲ κοϲμου κυριευων δωη υμιν ϲοφιαν ˙ ϲυνεϲιν · επιϲτημην · γνωϲιν των δικαιωματων αυτου υπομονην
1It is good therefore to learn the ordinances of the Lord, as many as have been written above, and to walk in them. For he that doeth these things shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; whereas he that chooseth their opposites shall perish together with his works. For this cause is the resurrection, for this the recompense. 2I entreat those of you who are in a higher station, if ye will receive any counsel of good advice from me, keep amongst you those to whom ye may do good. Fail not. 3The day is at hand, in which everything shall be destroyed together with the Evil One. The Lord is at hand and his reward. 4Again and again I entreat you; be good lawgivers one to another; continue faithful councilors to yourselves; take away from you all hypocrisy. 5And may God, who is Lord of the whole world, give you wisdom, judgment, learning, knowledge of His ordinances, patience.
6γιγνεϲθε δε εκζητουντεϲ τι ζητι κϲ αφ υμων και ποιειται ϊνα ευρεθηται εν ημερα κριϲεωϲ 7ει δε τι εϲτιν αγαθου μνια μνημονευεται μου μελετωτεϲ ταυτα ϊνα και η επιθυμια και η αγρυπνια ειϲ τι αγαθον χωρηϲη ερωτω υμαϲ χαρι αιτουμενοϲ 8εωϲ ετι το καλον ϲκευοϲ εϲτιν μεθ υμω μη ενλιπηται μηδενι εαυτων αλλα ϲυνεχωϲ εκζητιται ταυτα και αναπληρουται παϲαν εντολην εϲτιν γαρ αξια 9διο μαλλο εϲπουδαϲα γραψε αφ ων ηδυνηθη ϲωζεϲθαι · αγαπηϲ τεκνα και ιρηνηϲ ο κϲ τηϲ δοξηϲ και παϲηϲ χαριτοϲ μετα του πνϲ ϋμων :
6And be ye taught of God, seeking diligently what the Lord requireth of you, and act that ye may be found in the day of judgment. 7But if you have any remembrance of good, call me to mind when ye practice these things these things, that both my desire and my watchfulness may lead to some good result. I entreat you asking it as a favor. 8So long as the good vessel (of the body) is with you, be lacking in none of these things, but search them out constantly, and fulfill every commandment; for they deserve it. 9For this reason I was the more eager to write to you so far as I was able, that I might give you joy. Fare ye well, children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of every grace be with your spirit. Go to the Chronological List of all Early Christian Writings Please buy the CD to support the site, view it without ads, and get bonus stuff! Early Christian Writings is copyright © Peter Kirby < E-Mail > . Follow @mrpeterkirby MLA Style Kirby, Peter. "Historical Jesus Theories." Early Christian Writings .
Cite
Source & Cross-References
- Source text: Codex Sinaiticus folio + transcription (codexsinaiticus.org) + J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891) — view original
- Critical edition: Tischendorf 8th edition (1869) / Codex Sinaiticus transcription
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