Epistle of Barnabas on the Way of Light Around 70-130CE Pt. 2

Never be in a hurry to speak, for the tongue is a fatal snare. For your soul’s sake, be as pure as you can. Do not be one of those who stretch out their hands to take, but draw back when the time comes for giving. Cherish as the apple of your eye anyone who expounds the word of the Lord to you.

Day and night keep the Day of Judgment in mind. Seek the company of God’s people every day; either laboring by word of mouth – that is to say, by going among them for the purposes of exhortation, and striving to save souls by the power of speech – or else working with your hands, to earn a ransom for your own sins.

Never hesitate to give; and when you are giving, do it without grumbling; you will soon find out Who can be generous with His rewards. Keep the traditions you have received, without making any additions or deductions of your own. Never cease to detest evil. Make your decisions fairly and uprightly. … And make confessions of your own faults; you are not to come to prayer with a bad conscience. That is the way of light.