The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 24
The Gluttonous Rich Man and Lazarus
Having said this, Jesus wept, saying: 'Woe to those who are servants to their flesh, for they are sure not to have any good in the other life, but only torments for their sins. I tell you that there was a rich glutton who paid no heed to aught but gluttony, and so every day held a splendid feast. There stood at his gate a poor man by name Lazarus, who was full of wounds, and was fain to have those crumbs that fell from the glutton\'s table. But no one gave them to him; nay, all mocked him. Only the dogs had pity on him, for they licked his wounds. It came to pass that the poor man died, and the angels carried him to the arms of Abraham our father. The rich man also died, and the devils carried him to the arms of Satan; whereupon, undergoing the greatest torment, he lifted up his eyes and from afar saw Lazarus in the arms of Abraham. Then cried the rich man: "O father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, who upon his fingers may bring me a drop of water to cool my tongue, which is tormented in this flame."
'Abraham answered: "Son, remember that thou receivedst thy good in the other life and Lazarus his evil: wherefore now thou shalt be in torment, and Lazarus in consolation."
'The rich man cried out again, saying: "O father Abraham, in my house there are three brethren of mine. Therefore send Lazarus to announce to them how much I am suffering, in order that they may repent and not come hither."
'Abraham answered: "They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them."
'The rich man answered: "Nay, father Abraham; but if one dead shall arise they will believe."
'Abraham answered: "Whoso believeth not Moses and the prophets will not believe even the dead if they should arise."
'See then whether the poor are blessed,' said Jesus, 'who have patience, and only desire that which is necessary, hating the flesh. O wretched they, who bear others to the burial, to give their flesh for food of worms, and do not learn the truth. So far from it that they live here like immortals, for they build great houses and purchase great revenues and live in pride.'
Having said this, Jesus wept and said: 'Woe to those who are servants of their flesh, for they will have no good in the next life, but only torment for their sins. I tell you that there was a rich glutton who cared for nothing but gluttony and held a splendid feast every day. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the glutton's table. But no one gave him any; indeed, they all mocked him. Only the dogs had pity on him and licked his wounds. The poor man died, and the angels carried him into the arms of Abraham our father. The rich man also died, and the demons carried him into the arms of Satan. While suffering the greatest torment, he lifted his eyes and saw Lazarus far away in Abraham's arms. The rich man cried out: "O father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to bring a drop of water on his finger to cool my tongue, which is tormented in this flame."'
'Abraham answered: "Son, remember that you received your good in the other life, while Lazarus received evil; therefore, you are now in torment and Lazarus is comforted."'
'The rich man cried out again: "O father Abraham, I have three brothers in my house. Send Lazarus to tell them how much I am suffering, so that they may repent and not come here."'
'Abraham answered: "They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them."'
'The rich man answered: "No, father Abraham; but if someone rises from the dead, they will believe."'
'Abraham answered: "Whoever does not believe Moses and the prophets will not believe even if someone rises from the dead."'
'See, then, how blessed the poor are,' said Jesus, 'when they are patient, desire only what is necessary, and hate the flesh. How wretched are those who carry others to burial and surrender their bodies as food for worms, yet still do not learn the truth. Far from learning it, they live here as though they were immortal, building great houses, acquiring large revenues, and living in pride.'
Having said this, Jesus wept, saying: 'Woe to those who are servants to their flesh, for they are sure not to have any good in the other life, but only torments for their sins. I tell you that there was a rich glutton who paid no heed to aught but gluttony, and so every day held a splendid feast. There stood at his gate a poor man by name Lazarus, who was full of wounds, and was fain to have those crumbs that fell from the glutton\'s table. But no one gave them to him; nay, all mocked him. Only the dogs had pity on him, for they licked his wounds. It came to pass that the poor man died, and the angels carried him to the arms of Abraham our father. The rich man also died, and the devils carried him to the arms of Satan; whereupon, undergoing the greatest torment, he lifted up his eyes and from afar saw Lazarus in the arms of Abraham. Then cried the rich man: "O father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, who upon his fingers may bring me a drop of water to cool my tongue, which is tormented in this flame."
'Abraham answered: "Son, remember that thou receivedst thy good in the other life and Lazarus his evil: wherefore now thou shalt be in torment, and Lazarus in consolation."
'The rich man cried out again, saying: "O father Abraham, in my house there are three brethren of mine. Therefore send Lazarus to announce to them how much I am suffering, in order that they may repent and not come hither."
'Abraham answered: "They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them."
'The rich man answered: "Nay, father Abraham; but if one dead shall arise they will believe."
'Abraham answered: "Whoso believeth not Moses and the prophets will not believe even the dead if they should arise."
'See then whether the poor are blessed,' said Jesus, 'who have patience, and only desire that which is necessary, hating the flesh. O wretched they, who bear others to the burial, to give their flesh for food of worms, and do not learn the truth. So far from it that they live here like immortals, for they build great houses and purchase great revenues and live in pride.'