The Epistle of Barnabas

Chapter 20.

The way of darkness

But the way of darkness is crooked, and full of cursing; for it is the way of eternal death with
punishment, in which way are the things that destroy the soul, viz., idolatry, over­confidence, the
arrogance of power, hypocrisy, double­heartedness, adultery, murder, rapine, haughtiness,
transgression, deceit, malice, self­sufficiency, poisoning, magic, avarice, want of the fear of
God. [In this way, too,] are those who persecute the good, those who hate truth, those who love
falsehood, those who know not the reward of righteousness, those who cleave not to that which
is good, those who attend not with just judgment to the widow and orphan, those who watch not
to the fear of God, [but incline] to wickedness, from whom meekness and patience are far off;
persons who love vanity, follow after a reward, pity not the needy, labour not in aid of him who is
overcome with toil; who are prone to evil­speaking, who know not Him that made them, who are
murderers of children, destroyers of the workmanship of God; who turn away him that is in want,
who oppress the afflicted, who are advocates of the rich, who are unjust judges of the poor, and
who are in every respect transgressors.