# Epistle of Barnabas 19.9

- Author: Anonymous
- Work: [Epistle of Barnabas](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/) (*Epistula Barnabae*)
- Date: ca. 70–135 (often ca. 130) (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:404; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 340–407 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912), digitized by the Perseus Digital Library and published by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/9/

Summary: Be generous; cherish those who teach you God's word.

## Greek text

μὴ γίνου πρὸς μὲν τὸ λαβεῖν ἐκτείνων τὰς χεῖρας, πρὸς δὲ τὸ δοῦναι συσπῶν. ἀγαπήσεις ὡς κόρην τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου πάντα τὸν λαλοῦντά σοι τὸν λόγον κυρίου.

## English translation (Claude)

Do not be one who stretches out his hands to receive, but draws them back when it comes to giving. You shall love as the apple of your eye everyone who speaks to you the word of the Lord.

## Scripture references

- Deut 32:10: echo, low confidence

## Extrabiblical texts

- Sir 4:31 (Sirach): allusion, medium confidence

## Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/9/).