Epistle of Barnabas 2

1Seeing, then, that the days are evil and that the Active One himself has the authority, we ought to pay attention to ourselves and seek out the ordinances of the Lord. The aids of our faith are fear and patience, and our allies are long-suffering and self-restraint. While these abide in a pure spirit in matters relating to the Lord, wisdom, understanding, science, and knowledge rejoice with them. For he has made known to us by all the prophets that he desires neither sacrifices nor whole burnt offerings nor oblations, saying at one time: “What is the multitude of your sacrifices to me?” says the Lord. “I am full of whole burnt offerings, and I do not desire the fat of lambs or the blood of bulls and goats—not even if you come to be seen by me. Or who required these things at your hands? You shall no longer continue to tread my court. If you bring fine flour, it is in vain; incense is an abomination to me. Your new moons and your Sabbaths I cannot endure.” Therefore, he annulled these things so that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, being free from the yoke of constraint, might have an oblation not made by human hands. And he says to them again: “Did command your fathers, when they went forth from the land of Egypt, to bring me whole burnt offerings and sacrifices? “No. This was my command to them: Let none of you bear an evil grudge against his neighbor in his heart, and do not love a false oath.” So, unless we are without understanding, we ought to perceive the mind of the goodness of our Father. For he speaks to us, desiring that we should not go astray like them but should seek how we may approach him. Thus he speaks to us: “The sacrifice to God is a broken heart; the smell of a sweet savor to the Lord is a heart that glorifies its Maker.” Therefore, brethren, we ought to learn accurately concerning our salvation, lest the Evil One, having effected an entrance of error in us, should fling us away from our life.