The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 75
Examining Thoughts and the Idle Labourers
Then said James: 'O master, how is the examination of a thought like unto that of a coin?'
Jesus answered: 'The good silver in the thought is piety, because every impious thought cometh of the devil. The right image is the example of the holy ones and prophets, which we ought to follow; and the weight of the thought is the love of God by which all ought to be done. Whereupon the enemy will bring there impious thoughts against your neighbor, thoughts conformed to the world, to corrupt the flesh; thoughts of earthly love to corrupt the love of God.'
Bartholomew answered: 'O master, what ought we to do to think little, in order that we may not fall into temptation?'
Jesus answered: 'Two things are necessary for you. The first is to exercise yourselves much, and the second is to talk little: for idleness is a sink wherein is gathered every unclean thought, and too much talking is a sponge which picketh up iniquities. It is, therefore, necessary not only your working should hold the body occupied, but also that the soul be occupied with prayer. For it needeth never to cease from prayer.'
'I tell you for an example: There was a man who paid ill, wherefore none that knew him would go to till his fields. Whereupon he, like a wicked man, said: "I will go to the market-place to find idle ones who are doing nothing, and will therefore come to till my vines." This man went forth from his house, and found many strangers who were standing in idleness, and had no money. To them he spake, and led them to his vineyard. But verily none that knew him and had work for his hands went thither.'
'He is Satan, that one who payeth ill; for he giveth labour and man receiveth for it the eternal fires in his service. Wherefore he hath gone forth from paradise, and goeth in search of labourers. Assuredly he setteth to his labours those who stand in idleness whosoever they be, but much more those who know him not. It is not in any wise enough for anyone to know evil in order to escape it, but it behoveth to work at good in order to overcome it.'
James then asked: 'O master, how is examining a thought like examining a coin?'
Jesus answered: 'Piety is the good silver in a thought, because every impious thought comes from the devil. The correct image is the example of the holy ones and prophets, whom we should follow; and the weight of the thought is the love of God, through which everything should be done. The enemy will bring impious thoughts against your neighbor, worldly thoughts to corrupt the flesh, and thoughts of earthly love to corrupt the love of God.'
Bartholomew asked: 'O master, what should we do to reduce our thoughts so that we do not fall into temptation?'
Jesus answered: 'Two things are necessary for you: first, to keep yourselves much occupied, and second, to speak little. Idleness is a drain in which every unclean thought gathers, while excessive speech is a sponge that absorbs iniquities. Therefore, your work must not only keep the body occupied; the soul must also be occupied in prayer, for it must never cease praying.'
'I will give you an example. There was a man who paid his workers badly, so no one who knew him would cultivate his fields. Being a wicked man, he said: "I will go to the marketplace and find idle people who are doing nothing; they will come and cultivate my vines." He left his house and found many strangers standing idle and without money. He spoke to them and led them to his vineyard. But truly, no one who knew him and had work for his hands went there.'
'That man who pays badly is Satan, for he gives people labor in his service and they receive the eternal fires as payment. He has therefore gone out from paradise in search of workers. He certainly puts all idle people to work, whoever they may be, but especially those who do not know him. It is by no means enough to know evil in order to escape it; one must practice good in order to overcome it.'
Then said James: 'O master, how is the examination of a thought like unto that of a coin?'
Jesus answered: 'The good silver in the thought is piety, because every impious thought cometh of the devil. The right image is the example of the holy ones and prophets, which we ought to follow; and the weight of the thought is the love of God by which all ought to be done. Whereupon the enemy will bring there impious thoughts against your neighbor, thoughts conformed to the world, to corrupt the flesh; thoughts of earthly love to corrupt the love of God.'
Bartholomew answered: 'O master, what ought we to do to think little, in order that we may not fall into temptation?'
Jesus answered: 'Two things are necessary for you. The first is to exercise yourselves much, and the second is to talk little: for idleness is a sink wherein is gathered every unclean thought, and too much talking is a sponge which picketh up iniquities. It is, therefore, necessary not only your working should hold the body occupied, but also that the soul be occupied with prayer. For it needeth never to cease from prayer.'
'I tell you for an example: There was a man who paid ill, wherefore none that knew him would go to till his fields. Whereupon he, like a wicked man, said: "I will go to the market-place to find idle ones who are doing nothing, and will therefore come to till my vines." This man went forth from his house, and found many strangers who were standing in idleness, and had no money. To them he spake, and led them to his vineyard. But verily none that knew him and had work for his hands went thither.'
'He is Satan, that one who payeth ill; for he giveth labour and man receiveth for it the eternal fires in his service. Wherefore he hath gone forth from paradise, and goeth in search of labourers. Assuredly he setteth to his labours those who stand in idleness whosoever they be, but much more those who know him not. It is not in any wise enough for anyone to know evil in order to escape it, but it behoveth to work at good in order to overcome it.'