IKTHYS
THE GOSPEL OF BARNABA
~ part 1 ~
True Gospel of Jesus, called Christ, a new prophet sent
by God to the world:
according to the description of Barnabas his apostle.
Barnabas, apostle of Jesus the Nazarene, called Christ, to
all them that dwell upon the earth desireth peace and consolation.
Dearly
beloved the great and wonderful God hath during these past days visited us by
his prophet Jesus Christ in great mercy of teaching and miracles, by reason
whereof many, being deceived of Satan, under presence of piety, are preaching
most impious doctrine, calling Jesus son of God, repudiating the circumcision
ordained of God for ever, and permitting every unclean meat: among whom also
Paul hath been deceived, whereof I speak not without grief; for which cause I am
writing that truth which I have seen and heard, in the intercourse that I have
had with Jesus, in order that ye may be saved, and not be deceived of Satan and
perish in the judgment of God. Therefore beware of every one that preacheth unto
you new doctrine contrary to that which I write, that ye may be saved eternally.
The great God be with you and guard you from Satan and from every evil. Amen.
The angel
Gabriel visits Virgin Mary concerning the birth of Jesus.
In
these last years a virgin called Mary, of the lineage of David, of the tribe of
Judah, was visited by the angel Gabriel from God. This virgin, living in all
holiness without any offense, being blameless, and abiding in prayer with
fastings, being one day alone, there entered into her chamber the angel Gabriel,
and he saluted her, saying: 'God be with thee, O Mary'.
The virgin was affrighted at the appearance of the angel; but the angel
comforted her, saying: 'Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God, who
hath chosen thee to be mother of a prophet, whom he will send to the people of
Israel in order that they may walk in his laws with truth of heart.'
The virgin answered: 'Now how shall I bring forth sons, seeing I know not a
man?' The angel answered: 'O Mary, God who made man without a man is able to
generate in thee man with- out a man, because with him nothing is impossible.'
Mary answered: 'I know that God is almighty, therefore his will be done.' The
angel answered: 'Now be conceived in thee the prophet, whom thou shalt name
Jesus: and thou shalt keep him from wine and from strong drink and from every
unclean meat, because the child is an holy one of God.' Mary bowed herself with
humility, saying: 'Behold the handmaid of God, be it done according to thy
.'
The angel departed, and the virgin glorified God, saying: 'Know, O my soul, the
greatness of God, and exult, my spirit, in God my Saviour; for he hath regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden, insomuch that I shall be called blessed by all
the nations, for he that is mighty hath made me great, and blessed be his holy
name. For his mercy extendeth from generation to generation of them that fear
him. Mighty hath he made his hand, and he hath scattered the proud in the
imagination of his heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath
exalted the humble. Him who hath been hungry hath he filled with good things,
and the rich he hath sent empty away. For he keepeth in memory the promises made
to Abraham and to his son for ever'.
Mary
having known the will of God, fearing the people, lest they should take offense
at her being great with child, and should stone her as guilty of fornication,
chose a companion of her own lineage, a man by name called Joseph, of blameless
life: for he as a righteous man feared God and served him with fastings and
prayers, living by the works of his hands, for he was a carpenter.
Such a man the virgin knowing, chose him for her companion and revealed to him
the divine counsel.
Joseph being a righteous man, when
he perceived that Mary was great with child, was minded to put her away because
he feared God. Behold, whilst he slept, he was rebuked by the angel of God,
saying 'O Joseph, why art thou minded to put away Mary thy wife? Know that
whatsoever hath been wrought in her hath all been done by the will of God. The
virgin shall bring forth a son, whom thou shall call by the name Jesus; whom
thou shalt keep from wine and strong drink and from every unclean meat, because
he is an holy one of God from his mother's womb. He is a prophet of God sent
unto the people of Israel, in order that he may convert Judah to his heart, and
that Israel may walk in the law of the Lord, as it is written in the law of
Moses. He shall come with great power, which God shall give him, and shall work
great miracles, whereby many shall be saved'.
Joseph, arising from sleep, gave thanks to God, and abode with Mary all his
life, serving God with all sincerity.
There
reigned at that time in Judaea Herod, by decree of Caesar Augustus, and Pilate
was governor in the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. Wherefore, by decree of
Augustus, all the world was enrolled; wherefore each one went to his own
country, and they presented themselves by their own tribes to be enrolled.
Joseph accordingly departed from Nazareth,
a city of Galilee, with Mary his wife, great with child, to go to Bethlehem (for
that it was his city, he being of the lineage of David), in order that he might
be enrolled according to the decree of Caesar. Joseph having arrived at
Bethlehem, for that the city was small, and great the multitude of them that
were strangers there, he found no place, wherefore he took lodging
outside the city in a lodging made for a shepherds' shelter. While Joseph abode
there the days were fulfilled for Mary to bring forth. The virgin was surrounded
by a light exceeding bright, and brought forth her son without pain, whom she
took in her arms, and wrapping him in swaddling-clothes, laid him in the manger,
because there was no room in the inn. There came with gladness a great multitude
of angels to the inn, blessing God and announcing peace to them that fear God.
Mary and Joseph praised the Lord for the birth of Jesus, and with greatest joy
nurtured him.
At that time the
shepherds were watching over their flock, as is their custom. And, behold, they
were surrounded by an exceeding bright light, out of which appeared to them an
angel, who blessed God. The shepherds were filled with fear by reason of the
sudden light and the appearance of the angel; whereupon the angel of the Lord
comforted them, saying:
'Behold, I announce to you a great joy, for there is born in the city of David a
child who is a prophet of the Lord; who bringeth great salvation to the house of
Israel. The child ye shall find in the manger, with his mother, who blesseth
God.'
And when he had said this there came a great multitude of angels blessing God,
announcing peace to them that have good will. When the angels were departed, the
shepherds spake among themselves, saying: 'Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and
see the which God by his angel hath announced to us.' There came many
shepherds to Bethlehem seeking the new-born babe. and they found outside the
city the child that was born. according to the of the angel. lying in the
manger. They therefore made obeisance to him, and gave to the mother that which
they had, announcing to her what they had heard and seen. Mary therefore kept
all these things in her heart, and Joseph [likewise], giving thanks to God. The
shepherds returned to their flock, announcing to everyone how great a thing they
had seen. And so the whole hill-country of Judaea was filled with fear, and
every man laid up this in his heart, saying: 'What, think we, shall this
child be?'
When
the eight days were fulfilled according to the law of the Lord, as it is written
in the book of Moses, they took the child and carried him to the temple to
circumcise him. And so they circumcised the child, and gave him the name Jesus,
as the angel of the Lord had said before he was conceived in the womb. Mary and
Joseph perceived that the child must needs be for the salvation and ruin of many.
Wherefore they feared God, and kept the child with fear of God.
In
the reign of Herod, king of Judaea, when Jesus was born, three magi in the parts
of the east were observing the stars of heaven. Whereupon appeared to them a
star of great brightness, wherefore having concluded among themselves, they came
to Judaea, guided by the star, which went before them, and having arrived at
Jerusalem they asked where was born the King of the Jews. And when Herod heard
this he was affrighted, and all the city was troubled. Herod therefore called
together the priests and the scribes, saying: 'Where should Christ be born?'
They answered that he should be born in Bethlehem; for thus it is written by the
prophet:
'And thou, Bethlehem, art not little among the princes of Judah: for out
of thee shall come forth a leader, who shall lead my people Israel.'
Herod accordingly called together
the magi and asked them concerning their coming: who answered that they had seen
a star in the east, which had guided them thither, wherefore they wished with
gifts to worship this new King manifested by his star.
Then said Herod: 'Go to Bethlehem and search out with all diligence concerning
the child; and when ye have found him, come and tell it to me, because I also
would fain come and worship him.' And this he spake deceitfully.
The magi therefore departed out of Jerusalem, and lo, the star which appeared to
them in the east went before them. Seeing the star the magi were filled with
gladness. And so having come to Bethlehem, outside the city, they saw the star
standing still above the inn where Jesus was born. The magi therefore went
thither, and entering the dwelling found the child with his mother, and bending
down they did obeisance to him. And the magi presented unto him spices, with
silver and gold, recounting to the virgin all that they had seen. Whereupon,
while sleeping, they were warned by the child not to go to Herod: so departing
by another way they returned to their own home, announcing all that they had
seen in Judaea.
Herod
seeing that the magi did not return, believed himself mocked of them; whereupon
he determined to put to death the child that was born. But behold while Joseph
was sleeping there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, saying: 'Arise up
quickly, and take the child with his mother and go into Egypt for Herod willeth
to slay him'. Joseph arose with great fear, and took Mary with the child, and
they went into Egypt, and there they abode until the death of Herod: who,
believing himself derided of the magi, sent his soldiers to slay all the
new-born children in Bethlehem. The soldiers therefore came and slew all the
children that were there, as Herod had commanded them. Whereby were fulfilled the words of the prophet, saying: 'Lamentation
and great weeping are there in Ramah; Rachel lamenteth for her sons, but
consolation is not given her because they are not.'
When
Herod was dead, behold the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph,
saying: 'Return into Judaea, for they are dead that willed the death of the
child.' Joseph therefore took the child with Mary (he having come to the age of
seven years), and came to Judaea; whence, hearing that
Archelaus, son of Herod, was reigning in Judaea, he went into Galilee, fearing
to remain in Judaea; and they went to dwell at Nazareth. The child grew in grace
and wisdom before God and before men.
Jesus, having come to the age of twelve years, went up with Mary and Joseph to
Jerusalem, to worship there according to the law of the Lord written in the book
of Moses. When their prayers were ended they departed, having lost Jesus,
because they thought that he was returned home with their kinsfolk. Mary
therefore returned with Joseph to Jerusalem, seeking Jesus among kinsfolk and
neighbours. The third day they found the child in the temple, in the midst of
the doctors, disputing with them concerning the law. And every one was amazed at
his questions and answers, saying: "How can there be such doctrine in him,
seeing he is so small and hath not learned to read?'
Mary reproved him, saying: 'Son, what hast thou done to us? Behold I and thy
father have sought thee for three days sorrowing.' Jesus answered: 'Know ye not
that the service of God ought to come before father and mother?' Jesus then went
down with his mother and Joseph to Nazareth, and was subject to them with
humility and reverence.
Jesus
having come to the age of thirty years, as he himself said unto me, went up to
Mount Olives with his mother to gather olives. Then at midday as he was praying,
when he came to these words: 'Lord, with mercy . . . ,' he was surrounded by an
exceeding bright light and by an infinite multitude of angels, who were saying:
'Blessed be God.' The angel Gabriel presented to him as it were a shining mirror,
a book, which descended into the heart of Jesus, in which he had knowledge of
what God hath done and what hath said and what God willeth insomuch that everything was laid bare and open to him; as
he said unto me: 'Believe, Barnabas, that I know every prophet with every
prophecy, insomuch that whatever I say the whole bath come forth from that
book.'
Jesus, having received this vision,
and knowing that he was a prophet sent to the house of Israel, revealed all to
Mary his mother, telling her that he needs must suffer great persecution for the
honour of God, and that he could not any longer abide with her to serve her.
Whereupon, having heard this, Mary answered: 'Son. ere thou west born all was
announced to me; wherefore blessed be the holy name of God. Jesus departed
therefore that day from his mother to attend to his prophetic office.
Jesus descending from
the mountain to come into Jerusalem, met a leper, who by divine inspiration knew
Jesus to be a prophet. Therefore with tears he prayed him, saying; 'Jesus, thou
son of David, have mercy on me.' Jesus answered: 'What wilt thou, brother, that
I should do unto thee?
The leper answered: 'Lord, give me
health.'
Jesus reproved him, saying: 'Thou art foolish; pray to God who created thee, and
he will give thee health; for I am a man, as thou art.'
The leper answered: 'I know that thou, Lord, art a man, but an holy one of the
Lord. Wherefore pray thou to God, and he will give me health.'
Then Jesus, sighing, said: 'Lord God Almighty, for the love of thy holy prophets
give health to this sick man.' Then, having said this, he said, touching the
sick man with his hands in the name of God: 'O brother, receive thy health!' And
when he had said this the leprosy was cleansed, insomuch that the flesh of the
leper was left unto him like that of a child. Seeing which namely, that he was
healed, the leper with a loud voice cried out: 'Come hither, Israel, to receive
the prophet whom God sendeth unto thee'. Jesus prayed him, saying: 'Brother,
hold thy peace and say nothing,' but the more he prayed him the more he cried
out, saying: 'Behold the prophet! behold the holy one of God!' At which words
many that were going out of Jerusalem ran back, and entered with Jesus into
Jerusalem, recounting that which God through Jesus had done unto the leper.
Some days having
passed, Jesus having in spirit perceived the desire of the priests, ascended the
Mount of Olives to pray. And having passed the whole night in prayer, in the
morning Jesus praying said: 'OLord, I know that the scribes hate me, and the
priests are minded to kill me, thy servant; therefore, Lord God almighty and
merciful, in mercy hear the prayers of the servant, and save me from their
snares, for thou art my salvation. Thou knowest, Lord, that I thy servant seek
thee alone, O Lord, and speak thy ; for thy is truth, which endureth
for ever.'
Jesus fell with his face to the ground, saying: 'O great Lord God, how great is
thy mercy upon me, and what shall I give thee, Lord, for all that thou hast
granted me?' The angel Gabriel answered: 'Arise, Jesus, and remember Abraham, who being willing to make sacrifice to God of his only-begotten son
Ishmael, to fulfil the of God, and the knife not being able to cut his son,
at my offered in sacrifice a sheep. Even so therefore shalt thou do, O
Jesus, servant of God.
Jesus answered: 'Willingly, but where shall I find the lamb, seeing I have no
money, and it is not lawful to steal it?'
Thereupon the angel Gabriel showed unto him a sheep, which Jesus offered
in sacrifice, praising and blessing God, who is glorious for ever.
'The
whole city of Jerusalem was moved by these words, wherefore they all ran
together to the temple to see Jesus, who had entered therein to pray, so that
they could scarce be contained there. Therefore the priests besought Jesus,
saying: 'This people desireth to see thee and hear thee; therefore ascend to the
pinnacle, and if God give thee a speak it in the name of the Lord.'
Then ascended Jesus to the place whence the scribes were wont to speak. And
having beckoned with the hand for silence, he opened his mouth, saying: 'Blessed
be the holy name of God, who of his goodness and mercy willed to create his
creatures that they might glorify him. Blessed be the holy name of God, who
created the splendour of all the saints and prophets before all things to send
him for the salvation of the world, as he spoke by his servant David, saying:
"Before Lucifer in the brightness of the saints I created thee."
Blessed be the holy name of God, who created the angels that they might serve
him. And blessed be God, who punished and reprobated Satan and his followers,
who would not reverence him whom God willeth to be reverenced. Blessed be the
holy name of God, who created man out of the clay of the earth, and set him over
his works. Blessed be the holy name of God, who drove man out of paradise for
having transgressed his holy precept. Blessed be the holy name of God, who with
mercy looked upon the tears of Adam and Eve, first parents of the human race.
Blessed be the holy name of God who just punished Cain the fratricide, sent the
deluge upon the earth. burned up three wicked cities, scourged Egypt,
overwhelmed Pharaoh in the Red Sea, scattered the enemies of his people,
chastised the unbelievers and punished the impenitent. Blessed be the holy name
of God, who with mercy looked upon his creatures, and therefore sent them his
holy prophets, that they might walk in truth and righteousness before him; who
delivered his servants from every evil, and gave them this land, as he promised
to our father Abraham and to his son for ever. Then by his servant Moses he gave us his
holy law, that Satan should not deceive us: and he exalted us above all other
peoples.
'But, brethren, what do we to-day, that we be not
punished for our sins?'
And then Jesus with greatest vehemence rebuked the
people for that they had forgotten the of God, and gave themselves only to
vanity; he rebuked the priests for their negligence in God's service and for
their worldly greed; he rebuked the scribes because they preached vain doctrine,
and forsook the law of God; he rebuked the doctors because they made the law of
God of none effect through their traditions. And in such wise did Jesus speak to
the people, that all wept, from the least to the greatest, crying mercy, and
beseeching Jesus that he would pray of them; save only their priests and leaders,
who on that day conceived hatred against Jesus for having thus spoken against the
priests, scribes, and doctors. And they meditated
upon his death, but for fear of the people, who had received him as a prophet of
God, they spoke no .
Jesus raised his hands to the Lord God and prayed, and
the people weeping said: 'So be it, O Lord, so be it.' The prayer being ended,
Jesus descended from the temple; and that day he departed from Jerusalem, with
many that followed him.
And the priests spoke evil of Jesus among themselves.
Jesus
descended from the mount, and passed alone by night to the farther side of
Jordan, and fasted forty days and forty nights, not eating anything day nor
night, making continual supplication to the Lord for the salvation of his people
to whom God had sent him. And when the forty days were passed he was an hungered.
Then appeared Satan unto him, and tempted him in many words, but Jesus drove him
away by the power of words of God. Satan having departed, the angels came and
ministered unto Jesus that whereof he had need.
Jesus, having returned to the region of Jerusalem, was
found again of the people with exceeding great joy, and they prayed him that he
would abide with them; for his words were not as those of the scribes, but were
with power, for they touched the heart.
Jesus, seeing that great was the multitude of them that
returned to their heart for to walk in the law of God, went up into the
mountain, and abode all night in prayer, and when day was come he descended from
the mountain, and chose twelve, whom he called apostles, among whom is Judas,
who was slain upon the cross. Their names are: Andrew and Peter his brother,
fishermen; Barnabas, who wrote this, with Matthew the publican, who sat at the
receipt of custom; John and James, sons of Zebedee; Thaddaeus and Judas;
Bartholomew and Philip; James, and Judas Iscariot the traitor. To these he
always revealed the divine secrets; but the Iscariot Judas he made his dispenser
of that which was given in alms, but he stole the tenth part of everything [7]
Jesus, seeing that great was the multitude of them that
returned to their heart for to walk in the law of God, went up into the
mountain, and abode all night in prayer, and when day was come he descended from
the mountain, and chose twelve, whom he called apostles, among whom is Judas,
who was slain upon the cross. Their names are: Andrew and Peter his brother,
fishermen; Barnabas, who wrote this, with Matthew the publican, who sat at the
receipt of custom; John and James, sons of Zebedee; Thaddaeus and Judas;
Bartholomew and Philip; James, and Judas Iscariot the traitor. To these he
always revealed the divine secrets; but the Iscariot Judas he made his dispenser
of that which was given in alms, but he stole the tenth part of everything.
The servants answered: 'O sir, there is here a holy man of God, for he hath made
of water, wine.' The master of the ceremonies thought that the servants were
drunken; but they that were sitting near to Jesus, having seen the whole matter,
rose from the table and paid him reverence, saying: 'Verily thou art an holy one
of God, a true prophet sent to us from God!'
Then his disciples believed on him, and many returned to their heart,
saying: 'Praised be God, who hath mercy upon Israel, and visiteth the house of
Judah with love, and blessed be his holy name.'
One
day Jesus called together his disciples and went up on to the mountain, and when
he had sat down there his disciples came near unto him; and he opened his mouth
and taught them, saying: 'Great are the benefits which God bath bestowed on us
wherefore it is necessary that we should serve him with truth of heart. And
forasmuch as new wine is put into new vessels, even so ought ye to become new
men, if ye will contain the new doctrine that shall come out of my mouth. Verily I say unto you, that even
as a man cannot see with his eyes the heaven and the earth at one and the same
time, so it is impossible to love God and the world.
'No man can in any wise serve two masters that are at enmity one with the other:
for if the one shall love you, the other will hate you. Even so I tell you in
truth that ye cannot serve God and the world for the world lieth in falsehood,
covetousness, and malignity. Ye cannot therefore find rest in the world, but rather persecution and loss. Wherefore serve God and despise the
world, for from me ye shall find rest for your souls, Hear my words for I speak
unto you in truth.
'Verily, blessed are they that
mourn this earthly life, for they shall be comforted.
'Blessed are the poor who truly
hate the delights of the world, for they shall abound in the delights of the
kingdom of God.
'Verily, blessed are they that eat at the table of God, for the angels
shall minister unto them.
'Ye are journeying as pilgrims.
Doth the pilgrim encumber himself with palaces and fields and other earthly
matters upon the way? Assuredly not: but he beareth things light and prized for
their usefulness and convenience upon the road. This now should be an example
unto you; and if ye desire another example I will give it you, in order that ye may do all that I tell you.
'Weigh not down your hearts with earthly desires, saying: "Who shall clothe
us?" or "Who shall give us to eat?" But behold the flowers and
the trees, with the birds, which God our Lord clotheth and nourisheth with
greater glory than all the glory of Solomon. And he is able to nourish you, even
God who created you and called you to his service; who for forty years caused the manna to fall from heaven for his people Israel in the wilderness,
and did not suffer their clothing to wax old or perish, they being six hundred
and forty thousand men, besides women and children. Verily I say unto you, that
heaven and earth shall fail, yet shall not fail his mercy unto them that fear
him. But the rich of the world in their prosperity are hungry and perish. There
was a rich man whose incomings increased, and he said, "What shall I do, O
my soul? I will pull down my barns because they are small, and I will build new
and greater ones: therefore thou shalt triumph my soul!" Oh, wretched ban!
for that night he died. He ought to have been mindful of the poor, and to have made himself friends with the alms of unrighteous riches
of this world; for they bring treasures in the kingdom of heaven.
'Tell me, I pray you, if ye should
give your money into the bank to a publican, and he should give unto you tenfold
and twentyfold, would ye not give to such a man everything that ye had? But I
say unto you, verily, that whatsoever ye shall give and shall forsake for love
of God, ye receive it back an hundred-fold, and life everlasting. See then how
much ye ought to be content to serve God.
One day Jesus called
together his disciples and went up on to the mountain, and when he had sat down
there his disciples came near unto him; and he opened his mouth and taught them,
saying: 'Great are the benefits which God bath bestowed on us wherefore it is
necessary that we should serve him with truth of heart. And forasmuch as new
wine is put into new vessels, even so ought ye to become new men, if ye will
contain the new doctrine that shall come out of my mouth. Verily I say unto you, that even
as a man cannot see with his eyes the heaven and the earth at one and the same
time, so it is impossible to love God and the world.
'No man can in any wise serve two
masters that are at enmity one with the other: for if the one shall love you,
the other will hate you. Even so I tell you in truth that ye cannot serve God
and the world for the world lieth in falsehood, covetousness, and malignity. Ye
cannot therefore find rest in the world, but rather persecution and loss. Wherefore serve God and despise the
world, for from me ye shall find rest for your souls, Hear my words for I speak
unto you in truth.
'Verily, blessed are they that
mourn this earthly life, for they shall be comforted.
'Blessed are the poor who truly
hate the delights of the world, for they shall abound in the delights of the
kingdom of God.
'Verily, blessed are they that eat
at the table of God, for the angels shall minister unto them.
'Ye are journeying as pilgrims.
Doth the pilgrim encumber himself with palaces and fields and other earthly
matters upon the way? Assuredly not: but he beareth things light and prized for
their usefulness and convenience upon the road. This now should be an example
unto you; and if ye desire another example I will give it you, in order that ye may do all that I tell you.
'Weigh not down your hearts with
earthly desires, saying: "Who shall clothe us?" or "Who shall
give us to eat?" But behold the flowers and the trees, with the birds,
which God our Lord clotheth and nourisheth with greater glory than all the glory
of Solomon. And he is able to nourish you, even God who created you and called
you to his service; who for forty years caused the manna to fall from heaven for his people Israel in the wilderness,
and did not suffer their clothing to wax old or perish, they being six hundred
and forty thousand men, besides women and children. Verily I say unto you, that
heaven and earth shall fail, yet shall not fail his mercy unto them that fear
him. But the rich of the world in their prosperity are hungry and perish. There
was a rich man whose incomings increased, and he said, "What shall I do, O
my soul? I will pull down my barns because they are small, and I will build new
and greater ones: therefore thou shalt triumph my soul!" Oh, wretched ban!
for that night he died. He ought to have been mindful of the poor, and to have made himself friends with the alms of unrighteous riches
of this world; for they bring treasures in the kingdom of heaven.
'Tell me, I pray you, if ye should
give your money into the bank to a publican, and he should give unto you tenfold
and twentyfold, would ye not give to such a man everything that ye had? But I
say unto you, verily, that whatsoever ye shall give and shall forsake for love
of God, ye receive it back an hundred-fold, and life everlasting. See then how
much ye ought to be content to serve God.
Having
said this, Jesus said: 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, that ye
may be my disciples. If then the world shall hate you, ye shall be truly my disciples; for the world hath been
ever an enemy of servants of God. Remember [the] holy prophets that have been
slain by the world, even as in the time of Elijah ten thousand prophets were
slain by Jezebel, insomuch that scarcely did poor Elijah escape, and seven
thousand sons of prophets who were hidden by the captain of Ahab's host. Oh,
unrighteous world, that knowest not God! Fear not therefore ye, for the hairs of
your head are numbered so that they shall not perish. Behold the sparrows and
other birds, whereof falleth not one feather without the will of God. Shall God,
then, have more care of the birds than of man, for whose sake he hath created
everything. Is there any man, perchance, who careth more for his shoes than for
his own son? Assuredly not. Now how much less ought ye to think that God would
abandon you, while taking care of the birds! And why speak I of the birds? A
leaf of a tree falleth not without the will of God.
'Believe me, because I tell you the truth, that the world will greatly fear you
if ye shall observe my words. For if it feared not to have its wickedness
revealed it would not hate you, but it feareth to be revealed, therefore it will
hate you and persecute you.
If ye shall see your words scorned by the world lay it not to heart, but
consider how that God is greater than you; who is in such wise scorned by the world that his wisdom is counted madness If God
endureth the world with patience, wherefore will ye lay it to heart, O dust and
clay of the earth? In your patience ye shall possess your soul. Therefore if one
shall give you a blow on one side of the face, offer him the other that he may
smite it. Render not evil for evil, for so do all the worst animals; but render
good for evil, and pray God for them that hate you. Fire is not extinguished
with fire, but rather with water; even so I say unto you that ye shall not
overcome evil with evil, but rather with good. Behold God, who causeth the sun
to come upon the good and evil, and likewise the rain. So ought ye to do good to
all; for it is written in the law: "Be ye holy, for I your God am holy; be
ye pure, for I am pure; and be ye perfect, for I am perfect." Verily I say
unto you that the servant studieth to please his master, and so he putteth not
on any garment that is displeasing to his master. Your garments are your will
and your love. Beware, then, not to will or to love a thing that is displeasing
to God, our Lord. Be ye sure that God hateth the pomps and lusts of the world,
and therefore hate ye the world.' [10]
IKTHYS