The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 158
The Three Worlds Comprehended in This
The man born blind went to find Jesus, who comforted him saying: 'At no time hast thou been so blessed as thou art now, for thou art blest of our God who spake through David, our father and his prophet, against the friends of the world, saying: "They curse and I bless"; and by Micah the prophet he said: "I curse your blessing." For earth is not so contrary to air, water to fire, light to darkness, cold to heat, or love to hate, as is the will that God hath contrary to the will of the world.'
The disciples accordingly asked him, saying: 'Lord, great are thy words; tell us, therefore, the meaning, for as yet we understand not.'
Jesus answered: 'When ye shall know the world, ye shall see that I have spoken the truth, and so shall ye know the truth in every prophet.
'Know ye, then, that there be three kinds of worlds comprehended in a single name: the one standeth for the heavens and the earth, with water, air and fire, and all the things that are inferior to man. Now this world in all things followeth the will of God, for, as saith David, prophet of God: "God hath given them a precept which they transgress not."
'The second standeth for all men, even as the "house of such an one" standeth not for the walls, but for the family. Now this world, again, loveth God; because by nature they long after God, forasmuch as according to nature every one longeth after God, even though they err in seeking God. And know ye wherefore all long after God? Because they long every one after an infinite good without any evil, and this is God alone. Therefore the merciful God hath sent his prophets to this world for its salvation.
'The third world is man's fallen condition of sinning, which hath transformed itself into a law contrary to God, the creator of the world. This maketh man become like unto the demons, God's enemies. And this world our God hateth so sore that if the prophets had loved this world—what think ye? Assuredly God would have taken from them their prophecy. And what shall I say? As God liveth, in whose presence my soul standeth, when the messenger of God shall come to the world, if he should conceive love towards this evil world, assuredly, God would take away from him all that he gave him when he created him, and would make him reprobate: so greatly is God contrary to this world.'
The man born blind went to find Jesus, who comforted him, saying: 'You have never been as blessed as you are now, for our God has blessed you. He spoke through David, our father and prophet, against the friends of the world, saying, "They curse, but I bless"; and through the prophet Micah he said, "I curse your blessing." Earth is not as contrary to air, water to fire, light to darkness, cold to heat, or love to hatred as God's will is contrary to the will of the world.'
The disciples therefore asked him: 'Lord, your words are deep. Explain their meaning to us, for we still do not understand.'
Jesus answered: 'When you understand the world, you will see that I have spoken the truth, and you will recognize the truth in every prophet.'
'Know, then, that three kinds of world are included under a single name. The first is the heavens and the earth, together with water, air, fire, and all creatures lower than man. This world follows God's will in everything, for David, the prophet of God, says: "God has given them a command that they do not transgress."'
'The second means all people, just as "the house of such a person" refers not to the walls but to the family. This world also loves God, for by nature people long for God, although they err in how they seek him. Do you know why everyone longs for God? Because everyone desires an infinite good without any evil, and this is God alone. Therefore the merciful God has sent his prophets to this world for its salvation.'
'The third world is man's fallen condition of sin, which has transformed itself into a law contrary to God, the Creator of the world. It makes man like the demons, God's enemies. Our God hates this world so strongly that if the prophets had loved it, what do you think would have happened? Certainly God would have taken prophecy away from them. What more shall I say? As God lives, in whose presence my soul stands, when the Messenger of God comes into the world, if he were to conceive love for this evil world, God would certainly take away everything he gave him at his creation and reject him. So greatly is God opposed to this world.'
The man born blind went to find Jesus, who comforted him saying: 'At no time hast thou been so blessed as thou art now, for thou art blest of our God who spake through David, our father and his prophet, against the friends of the world, saying: "They curse and I bless"; and by Micah the prophet he said: "I curse your blessing." For earth is not so contrary to air, water to fire, light to darkness, cold to heat, or love to hate, as is the will that God hath contrary to the will of the world.'
The disciples accordingly asked him, saying: 'Lord, great are thy words; tell us, therefore, the meaning, for as yet we understand not.'
Jesus answered: 'When ye shall know the world, ye shall see that I have spoken the truth, and so shall ye know the truth in every prophet.
'Know ye, then, that there be three kinds of worlds comprehended in a single name: the one standeth for the heavens and the earth, with water, air and fire, and all the things that are inferior to man. Now this world in all things followeth the will of God, for, as saith David, prophet of God: "God hath given them a precept which they transgress not."
'The second standeth for all men, even as the "house of such an one" standeth not for the walls, but for the family. Now this world, again, loveth God; because by nature they long after God, forasmuch as according to nature every one longeth after God, even though they err in seeking God. And know ye wherefore all long after God? Because they long every one after an infinite good without any evil, and this is God alone. Therefore the merciful God hath sent his prophets to this world for its salvation.
'The third world is man's fallen condition of sinning, which hath transformed itself into a law contrary to God, the creator of the world. This maketh man become like unto the demons, God's enemies. And this world our God hateth so sore that if the prophets had loved this world—what think ye? Assuredly God would have taken from them their prophecy. And what shall I say? As God liveth, in whose presence my soul standeth, when the messenger of God shall come to the world, if he should conceive love towards this evil world, assuredly, God would take away from him all that he gave him when he created him, and would make him reprobate: so greatly is God contrary to this world.'