Chapter XXI.—Conclusion. It is well, therefore,280 that he who has learned the judgments of the Lord, as many as have been written, should walk in them. For he who keepeth these shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; but he who chooseth other things281 shall be destroyed with his works. On this account there will be a resurrection,282 on this account a retribution. I beseech you who are superiors, if you will receive any counsel of my good-will, have among yourselves those to whom you may show kindness: do not forsake them. For the day is at hand on which all things shall perish with the evil [one]. The Lord is near, and His reward. Again, and yet again, I beseech you: be good lawgivers283 to one another; continue faithful counsel- lors of one another; take away from among you all hypocrisy. And may God, who ruleth over all the world, give to you wisdom, intelligence, understanding, knowledge of His judgments,284 with patience. And be ye285 taught of God, inquiring diligently what the Lord asks from you; and do it that ye maybe safe in the day of judgment.286 And if you have any remembrance of what is good, be mindful of me, meditating on these things, in order that both my desire and watchfulness may result in some good. I beseech you, entreating this as a favour. While yet you are in this fair vessel,287 do not fail in any one of those things,288 but unceasingly seek after them, and fulfil every commandment; for these things are worthy.289 Wherefore I have been the more earnest to write to you, as my ability served,290 that I might cheer you. Farewell, ye children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of all grace be with your spirit. Amen.291 280 Cod. Sin. omits “therefore.” 281 The things condemned in the previous chapter. 282 Cod. Sin. has “resurrections,” but is corrected as above. 283 Cod. Sin. has, “lawgivers of good things.” 284 Cod. Sin. omits the preposition. 285 Cod. Sin. omits this. 286 Cod. Sin. reads, “that ye may be found in the day of judgment,” which Hilgenfeld adopts. 287 Literally, “While yet the good vessel is with you,” i.e., as long as you are in the body. 288 Cod. Sin. reads, “fail not in any one of yourselves,” which is adopted by Hilgenfeld. 289 Corrected in Cod. Sin. to, “it is worthy.” 290 Cod. Sin. omits this clause, but it is inserted by the corrector. 291 Cod. Sin. omits “Amen,” and adds at the close, “Epistle of Barnabas.” Chapter XXI.—Conclusion. 403 Chapter XXI.—Conclusion.