The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 87
Stumbling Blocks and Correcting a Brother
'Woe unto the world because of offences. It needs must be that the offence come, because all the world lieth in wickedness. But yet woe to that man through whom the offence cometh. It were better for the man if he should have a millstone about his neck and should be sunk in the depths of the sea than that he should offend his neighbor. If thine eye be an offence to thee, pluck it out; for it is better that thou go with one eye only into paradise than with both of them into hell. If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, do likewise, for it is better that thou go into the kingdom of heaven with one foot or with one hand, than with two hands and two feet go into hell.'
Said Simon, called Peter: 'Lord, how must I do this? Certain it is that in a short time I shall be dismembered.'
Jesus answered: 'O Peter, put off fleshly prudence and straightway thou shalt find the truth. For he that teacheth thee is thine eye, and he that helpeth thee to work is thy foot, and he that ministereth aught unto thee is thine hand. Wherefore when such are to thee an occasion of sin leave them; for it is better for thee to go into paradise ignorant, with few works, and poor, than to go into hell wise, with great works, and rich. Everything that may hinder thee from serving God, cast it from thee as a man casteth away everything that hindereth his sight.'
And having said this, Jesus called Peter close to him, and said unto him: 'If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and correct him. If he amend, rejoice, for thou hast gained thy brother; but if he shall not amend go and call afresh two witnesses and correct him afresh; and if he shall not amend, go and tell it to the church; and if he shall not then amend, count him for an unbeliever, and therefore thou shalt not dwell under the same roof whereunder he dwelleth, thou shalt not eat at the same table whereat he sitteth, and thou shalt not speak with him; insomuch that if thou know where he setteth his foot in walking thou shalt not set thy foot there.'
'Woe to the world because of offenses. Offenses must come because the whole world lies in wickedness; nevertheless, woe to the person through whom an offense comes. It would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and be sunk in the depths of the sea than to cause his neighbor to stumble. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out; it is better to enter paradise with one eye than to enter hell with both. If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, do the same; it is better to enter the kingdom of heaven with one foot or one hand than to enter hell with both hands and both feet.'
Simon, called Peter, said: 'Lord, how am I to do this? Surely I will soon be dismembered.'
Jesus answered: 'O Peter, set aside fleshly reasoning, and you will immediately understand the truth. The person who teaches you is your eye; the one who helps you work is your foot; and the one who provides anything for you is your hand. Therefore, when such people cause you to sin, leave them. It is better to enter paradise ignorant, poor, and with few works than to enter hell wise, rich, and with great works. Cast away everything that may hinder you from serving God, just as a person removes whatever obstructs his sight.'
Having said this, Jesus called Peter close to him and said: 'If your brother sins against you, go and correct him. If he changes, rejoice, for you have regained your brother. But if he does not change, take two witnesses with you and correct him again. If he still does not change, tell it to the church; and if he still refuses to change, regard him as an unbeliever. Therefore, do not live under the same roof, eat at the same table, or speak with him. Indeed, if you know where he places his foot as he walks, do not place your foot there.'
'Woe unto the world because of offences. It needs must be that the offence come, because all the world lieth in wickedness. But yet woe to that man through whom the offence cometh. It were better for the man if he should have a millstone about his neck and should be sunk in the depths of the sea than that he should offend his neighbor. If thine eye be an offence to thee, pluck it out; for it is better that thou go with one eye only into paradise than with both of them into hell. If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, do likewise, for it is better that thou go into the kingdom of heaven with one foot or with one hand, than with two hands and two feet go into hell.'
Said Simon, called Peter: 'Lord, how must I do this? Certain it is that in a short time I shall be dismembered.'
Jesus answered: 'O Peter, put off fleshly prudence and straightway thou shalt find the truth. For he that teacheth thee is thine eye, and he that helpeth thee to work is thy foot, and he that ministereth aught unto thee is thine hand. Wherefore when such are to thee an occasion of sin leave them; for it is better for thee to go into paradise ignorant, with few works, and poor, than to go into hell wise, with great works, and rich. Everything that may hinder thee from serving God, cast it from thee as a man casteth away everything that hindereth his sight.'
And having said this, Jesus called Peter close to him, and said unto him: 'If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and correct him. If he amend, rejoice, for thou hast gained thy brother; but if he shall not amend go and call afresh two witnesses and correct him afresh; and if he shall not amend, go and tell it to the church; and if he shall not then amend, count him for an unbeliever, and therefore thou shalt not dwell under the same roof whereunder he dwelleth, thou shalt not eat at the same table whereat he sitteth, and thou shalt not speak with him; insomuch that if thou know where he setteth his foot in walking thou shalt not set thy foot there.'