Epistle of Barnabas 16:1-26
1Moreover, I will also tell you concerning the temple, how the wretched [Jews], wandering in error, trusted not in God Himself, but in the temple, as being the house of God.
2For almost after the manner of the Gentiles they worshipped Him in the temple.
3But learn how the Lord speaks, when abolishing it: "Who hath meted out heaven with a span, and the earth with his palm?
4Have not I? " "Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is My throne, and the earth My footstool: what kind of house will ye build to Me, or what is the place of My rest? " Ye perceive that their hope is vain.
5Moreover, He again says, "Behold, they who have cast down this temple, even they shall build it up again."
6It has so happened.
7For through their going to war, it was destroyed by their enemies; and now: they, as the servants of their enemies, shall rebuild it.
8Again, it was revealed that the city and the temple and the people of Israel were to be given up.
9For the Scripture saith, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the Lord will deliver up the sheep of His pasture, and their sheep-fold and tower, to destruction."
10And it so happened as the Lord had spoken.
11Let us inquire, then, if there still is a temple of God.
12There is-where He himself declared He would make and finish it.
13For it is written, "And it shall come to pass, when the week is completed, the temple of God shall be built in glory in the name of the Lord."
14I find, therefore, that a temple does exist.
15Learn, then, how it shall be built in the name of the Lord.
16Before we believed in God, the habitation of our heart was corrupt and weak, as being indeed like a temple made with hands.
17For it was full of idolatry, and was a habitation of demons, through our doing such things as were opposed to [the will of] God.
18But it shall be built, observe ye, in the name of the Lord, in order that the temple of the Lord may be built in glory.
19How?
20Learn [as follows].
21Having received the forgiveness of sins, and placed our trust in the name of the Lord, we have become new creatures, formed again from the beginning.
22Wherefore in our habitation God truly dwells in us.
23How?
24His word of faith; His calling of promise; the wisdom of the statutes; the commands of the doctrine; He himself prophesying in us; He himself dwelling in us; opening to us who were enslaved by death the doors of the temple, that is, the mouth; and by giving us repentance introduced us into the incorruptible temple.
25He then, who wishes to be saved, looks not to man, but to Him who dwelleth in him, and speaketh in him, amazed at never having either heard him utter such words with his mouth, nor himself having ever desired to hear them.
26This is the spiritual temple built for the Lord.