The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 162
God Doeth No Evil; of Tribulations
'If Amos had said: "There is no good in the city but what God hath done it," as God liveth, in whose presence my soul standeth, he would have made a grievous error, for the world holdeth not for good ought save the iniquities and sins that are done in the way of vanity. Whereupon men would have wrought much more iniquitously, believing that there be not any sin or wickedness "which God hath not done," at hearing whereof the earth trembleth.
And when Jesus had said this, straightway there arose a great earthquake, insomuch that every one fell as dead. Jesus raised them up, saying: 'Now see if I have told you the truth. Let this, then, suffice you, that Amos, when he said that "God hath done evil in the city," talking with the world, spake of tribulations, which sinners alone call evil.'
'Let us come now to predestination, of which ye desire to know, and whereof I will speak to you near Jordan on the other side, to-morrow, if God will.'
'If Amos had said, "There is no good in the city but what God has done it" — as God lives, in whose presence my soul stands — he would have made a serious error, for the world counts nothing good except the iniquities and sins done in the way of vanity. Men would then have acted far more wickedly, believing that there is no sin or wickedness "which God has not done" — at the hearing of which the earth trembles.'
When Jesus had said this, a great earthquake immediately arose, so that everyone fell as though dead. Jesus raised them and said: 'Now see whether I have told you the truth. Let it be enough for you to know that when Amos said, "God has done evil in the city," he was speaking to the world about tribulations, which sinners alone call evil.'
'Let us now turn to predestination, which you desire to understand. I will speak to you about it tomorrow, near the Jordan on the other side, if God wills.'
'If Amos had said: "There is no good in the city but what God hath done it," as God liveth, in whose presence my soul standeth, he would have made a grievous error, for the world holdeth not for good ought save the iniquities and sins that are done in the way of vanity. Whereupon men would have wrought much more iniquitously, believing that there be not any sin or wickedness "which God hath not done," at hearing whereof the earth trembleth.
And when Jesus had said this, straightway there arose a great earthquake, insomuch that every one fell as dead. Jesus raised them up, saying: 'Now see if I have told you the truth. Let this, then, suffice you, that Amos, when he said that "God hath done evil in the city," talking with the world, spake of tribulations, which sinners alone call evil.'
'Let us come now to predestination, of which ye desire to know, and whereof I will speak to you near Jordan on the other side, to-morrow, if God will.'