TESTAMENTS
OF THE SONS OF JACOB
Chapter 1
1.
The
copy of the testament of Reuben, the commandments which he gave his sons before
he died in the 125th year of his life, two years after the death of his brother
Joseph.
2.
When
Reuben fell ill his sons and his son's sons gathered to visit him, and he said
to them; "I am dying my children, going the way of my fathers".
3. And
seeing Judah there and Gad and Asher, he said to them "Raise me up that I
may pronounce the things I have hidden in my heart, for now at length I am
passing away".
4.
And he
kissed them and said; "Hear my brothers and you my children give ear to
Reuben your father in the command, which I gave you.
5. I call
the God of heaven to witness this day that you walk not in the sins your youth,
nor in the fornication wherein I was caught defiling the bed of my father Jacob.
6.
For I
tell you that He smote me with a sore plague in my loins for seven months, and
had not my father Jacob prayed for me to the Lord, the Lord would have destroyed
me.
7.
I was
thirty years old when I did this evil thing before the Lord, and for seven
months I was sick unto death, after this I repented with the determination of my
soul for seven years before the Lord.
8. I did not
drink wine nor strong drink, nor did flesh enter my mouth, nor pleasant food,
but I mourned over my sin, for it was great, such as never had been done in
Israel.
9.
And now
hear my children what things I saw concerning the seven spirits of deceit during
the time when I repented, for seven spirits are appointed against man, and they
are leaders in the deeds of youth.
10.
And seven
other spirits are given him at his creation that through them should be done
every work of man.
11.
The first
spirit is the spirit of life with which the constitution of man is created; the
second is the sense of sight with which comes desire.
12.
The third
is the sense of hearing with which comes teaching, the fourth then is of smell
with which taste are given to draw air and breath.
13.
The fifth
is the power of speech with which comes knowledge, the sixth is the sense of
taste with which comes the eating of meats and drinks, and by it strength is
produced, for in food is the foundation of strength.
14.
The
seventh is the power of pro-creation of sexual intercourse with which through
love of pleasure sin enters in.
15. Wherefore
it is the last in the order of creation but the first in that of youth, for it
is filled with ignorance, and leads the youth as a blind man to a pit, and as a
beast to a cliff.
16.
Besides
these there is an eight spirit of sleep with which is brought about the trance
of nature, and the image of death.
17.
With
these spirits then is mingled the spirits of error, the spirit of fornication is
seated in the nature and in the senses.
18.
The
second is of insatiability in the belly, the third of fighting in the liver and
gall, the fourth is a spirit of flattery and trickery in the efforts of which
one seeks to appear more than what he is.
19. The fifth
is of pride, which may be boastful and arrogant; the sixth is of lying, which is
in damnation and jealousy to practice deceit and concealment from kindred and
friends.
20. The
seventh is of injustice, with which are theft and crooked dealings that a man
may fulfill the desires of his heart, for injustice works together with the
other spirits in taking bribes.
21. And with
these the spirit of sleep is joined, which is that of error and fantasy.
22.
And so
every young man is destroyed darkening his mind from the truth, not
understanding the law of God, nor obeying the admonitions of his fathers, as it
was with me in my youth.
Admonition against fornication
23.
And now
my children love the truth and it will preserve you,
give heed to the words of your father Reuben.
24. Do not
devote your attentions to a woman's looks, nor associate with another man's
wife, nor meddle with the affairs of womankind.
25. For if I
had not seen Bildah bathing in a covered place, I would not have fallen in this
great iniquity, for my mind taking in the thought of a woman's nakedness did not
suffer me to sleep until I had committed the revolting act.
26.
For while
Jacob our father had gone to Isaac his father, when we were in Eder near to
Ephrath in Bethlehem, Bildah became drunk and was asleep uncovered in her
chamber.
27. Having
therefore gone in, and I beheld her nakedness; I committed the impiety without
her perceiving it.
28.
Pay
therefore no heed my children to the beauty of woman, nor set your mind on their
affairs, but walk in singleness of heart, in the fear of the Lord.
29.
Spend
your labors on good works, on study, and on your flocks until the Lord gives you
a wife as He wills that you do not suffer as I did.
30. For until
the death of my father I did not have the boldness to look him in the face, or
to speak to my brothers because of the reproach.
31.
Even till
now my conscience causes me anguish on account of my impiety, and yet my father
comforted me much, and prayed for me to the Lord that His anger might pass from
me, as the Lord also did. And from
that time on I have been on my guard and sinned not.
32. Therefore
my children I say to you, observe all things that I command you, and you shall
not sin, for as a pit to the soul is the sin of fornication.
33.
It
separates from God and brings him to idols, for it deceives the mind and
understanding, and leads young men to hell before their time.
34. Many have
been destroyed by fornication, for though a man be old or noble, rich or poor,
he brings reproach on himself by men, and derision with the devil.
35.
For you
have heard regarding Joseph how he guarded himself from a woman, his thoughts
from all fornication, and found favor in the sight of God and man.
36.
For the
Egyptian woman did many things to him, and summoned magicians and offered him
love potions, but the purpose of his soul admitted no evil desire.
37.
The God
of our fathers therefore delivered him from every evil and hidden death, for if
fornication does not overcome the mind, neither can the devil.
38.
For women
are evil my children, and since they have no power or strength over men they use
their wiles by outward attraction that they may draw him to themselves.
39.
In their
heart they plot against men, and by means of their beauty they first deceive
their minds, instilling poison by the glances of their eyes, then by performing
the act - take them prisoner.
40.
For a
woman cannot force a man openly, but by a whore's cunning she beguiles him.
41.
Flee
therefore from fornication my children, and command your daughters and wives
that they do not adorn their heads and faces to deceive the mind, for every
woman who uses these wiles has been reserved for eternal punishment.
42.
For thus
they allured the watchers before the flood, for as they continually beheld them,
they lusted after them, and conceiving the act in their mind they changed
themselves into the shape of men, appearing to them as they were with their
husbands.
43.
And the
women in their minds lusted after them, for these watchers appeared them as
reaching into heaven, and they gave birth to giants.
44. Beware
therefore of fornication, and if you desire to be pure in mind guard your senses
from every woman, and command the women likewise not to associate with men, that
they also may be pure of mind.
45.
For
recurring chance meeting, though the ungodly act itself is not committed, is to
them an incurable disease, and to us a destruction by the devil, and an eternal
reproach.
46. For in
fornication there is neither understanding nor Godliness, and all jealousy
dwells in the lust thereof.
Submission to Levi and Judah
47. And I say
to you, you will be jealous of the sons of Levi, seeking to be exalted over
them, but you shall not be able to.
48.
For God
will avenge them, and you shall die an evil death, for God gave to Levi the
sovereignty, and to Judah with him, and to me also, and to Dan and Joseph, that
we should be rulers.
49.
I command
you therefore to listen to Levi, for he shall know the law of the Lord, and give
ordinances for judgment. And he
shall sacrifice for all Israel until the consummation of time; he is the
anointed high priest of which the Lord spoke.
50. I adjure
you by the God of heaven to keep truth each one with his neighbor, and to have
love each one for his brother.
51. And draw
near to Levi in humility of heart that you may receive a blessing of his mouth,
for he shall bless Israel and Judah, for the Lord chose him to be king over all
the nations.
52. Bow
before his prosperity, for his seed will die on our behalf in wars both visible
and invisible, and he will be among you an eternal king.
53. And
Reuben died having given these commands to his sons, and they placed him in a
coffin until they carried him up from Egypt and buried him in Hebron, in the
cave of his father.
The
copy of the words of Simeon that which he spoke to his sons before he died in
the 120th year of his life, at the time when Joseph his brother also died.
1.
Simeon
then was sick, and his sons came to visit him, and he strengthened himself to
sit up, and having kissed them he said;
2.
"Listen
my children to Simeon your father, and I will declare to you the things I have
in my heart.
3.
I was
born of Jacob my father as his second son, my mother Leah calling me Simeon,
because the Lord had heard her prayer.
4.
And I
became very strong, and drew not back from achieving anything, nor was I afraid
of anything, for my heart was hard and my liver firm, and my bowels without
compassion.
5.
For valor
is given from God to men in soul and body, and in my youth I was jealous in many
things of Joseph, for my father loved him more than all.
6.
And I set
my mind to destroy him, for the prince of deceit sent a spirit of jealousy
blinding my mind that I did not regard him as a brother, nor did I spare even my
father Jacob.
7.
But his
God, the God of my father’s sent His angel and delivered him from my hand, for
when I went to Shechem to bring ointment for the flocks, and Reuben having gone
to Dothan to our stores of supplies, Judah sold him to the Ishmalites.
8.
And
Reuben hearing this was grieved, for he wished to restore him to his father, but
I on hearing it was angry with Judah that he let him go alive, and for five
months I continued to be angry with him.
9.
But the
Lord restrained me, withholding me from the power of my hands, for my right hand
was half withered for seven days.
Simeon warns against envy
10. And I my
children, I knew that this had befallen me because of Joseph, and I wept and
repented, asking the Lord that my right hand may be restored, and that I might
hold aloof from all pollution and envy, and of all folly.
11.
For I
knew that I had devised an evil thing before the Lord and before Jacob my father
on account of Joseph my brother, in envying him.
12. And now
my children listen to me, and beware of the spirit of deceit and of envy, for
envy rules the whole mind of a man not suffering him to eat or drink, or to do
any good thing.
13.
For it
keeps suggesting to destroy the object of envy for as long as he that is envied
flourishes, and he that envy's is languishes.
14.
I
afflicted my soul for two years with fasting in the fear of the Lord, learning
that deliverance from envy comes by the fear of God.
15. For if a
man flee to the Lord the evil spirit runs away from him, and his mind is eased,
and from then on he has compassion on those he envied, forgiving those who were
hostile to him.
16. And my
father, seeing me sad, inquired, but I said that I was pained in my liver, for I
grieved more than any because I was guilty of the sale of Joseph.
17.
And when
we went to Egypt and he bound me as a spy I knew I was suffering justly, and
grieved not. But Joseph was a good
man having the Spirit of God in him, being compassionate and pitiful, he bore no
malice against me, but loved me as the rest of his brothers.
18.
Watch out
therefore my children for all jealousy and envy, and walk in singleness of
heart, that God may give you grace and glory and blessings on your head, just as
you have seen in the case of Joseph.
19. For he
did not reproach us in all his days regarding this thing, but loved us as his
own soul, and glorified us beyond his own sons, giving us riches, cattle, and
fruits.
20. Do then
likewise my children, love each one his brother with a good heart so that the
spirit of envy will withdraw from you, for again, that attitude makes the soul
savage, and destroys the body.
21.
It causes
anger and war in the mind, stirring up to blood, and leads the mind into a
frenzy causing tumults to the soul, and trembling in the body.
22. For even
during sleep jealousy gnaws, his soul disturbed by wicked spirits, and the
trouble in his body awakening him in confusion, for like a poisonous spirit - so
it appears to men.
23.
And
because no wickedness dwelt in Joseph, there was comeliness in his appearance,
for the troubled spirit manifests itself in one's face.
24. Make
therefore your hearts good before the Lord my children, and your ways straight
before men, and you shall find grace both by God and man.
25. Watch out
for fornication, for it is the mother of all evils, separating one from God, and
bringing him near to Satan.
26. For I
have seen it written in the books of Enoch, that your sons shall be corrupted in
fornication, and will harm the sons of Levi with the sword.
27.
But they
shall not be able to stand against Levi, for he shall wage the war of the Lord,
and conquer all your host.
28. And for
leadership, there shall be few in number, principally of Levi and Judah, and
none of you, as also our father prophesied in his blessings.
29. Behold, I
have told you all things, that I may be acquitted of your sins.
If you remove from you envy and rebellion, then my bones shall flourish
as a rose in Israel, and my flesh as a lily in Jacob, and my odor shall be as
the odor of Libanus, and as cedars shall holy ones be multiplied of me forever,
and their branches reach afar.
30. Then the
seed of Canaan shall be destroyed, nor will there be a remnant to Amalek, and
all Cappadicians shall perish, and Hittites be utterly destroyed.
31.
Then the
land of Ham shall fail, and its people perish, and all the earth under heaven
shall rest from trouble and from war.
32.
Then, the
Mighty One of Israel shall glorify Shem, for the Lord God shall appear on the
earth and Himself save men.
33.
Then
shall all the spirits of deceit be given to be trotted under foot, with men
ruling over wicked spirits.
34. Then
shall I arise in joy, and will bless the Most High for His marvelous works, for
God has taken a body and eaten with men, and saved men.
35. And now
my children, obey Levi and Judah, lift not yourself against these two tribes,
for from them shall arise to you the salvation of God.
36.
For the
Lord shall raise up from Levi as it were a High priest, and from Judah as it
were a King, God and Man, and He shall save the Gentiles and the race of Israel.
37.
I give
you these commandments that you may again command your children for them to
observe them through their generations.
38. And when
Simeon had made an end of commanding his sons, he slept with his fathers being
120 years old, and they laid him in a wooden coffin to take his bones to Hebron.
39. And they
took him up secretly during a war of the Egyptians, for the bones of Joseph were
guarded by the Egyptians in the tombs of the kings.
40. Because,
sorcerers had told them that on the departure of the bones of Joseph there would
be darkness and gloom throughout all the land, and a very great plague to the
Egyptians, so that even with a lamp a man would not recognize his brother.
41. And the
sons of Simeon bewailed their father.
1. The copy of the words of Levi, the things which he ordained to his children in all that they should do, and what things will come to them till the day of judgment.
2.
Levi now
was sound in health when he called his sons to him, for it had been revealed to
him that he should die.
3. And when
they were gathered together he said to them; "I Levi was born in Haran and
came with my father to Shechem.
4. When I
was young, about 20 years of age, when with Simeon I took vengeance on Hamor for
our sister Dinah, I was tending the flocks at Abel-Maul when a Spirit of
understanding of the Lord came on me.
5.
And I saw
all men corrupting their way, sin had build walls for itself, and lawlessness
sat upon towers, and as I was grieving for the race of the sons of men, I prayed
to the Lord that I might be saved.
The vision of the heavens.
6.
Then I
fell asleep, and I beheld a high mountain, and I was upon it, and the heavens
were opened, and an angel of the Lord said to me; "Levi, enter".
7.
And I
entered the first heaven where I saw a great sea suspended, and further down I
saw a second heaven far brighter, more brilliant in boundless measure.
8.
And I
said to the angel; "Why is this so?" And he replied; "Marvel not at this for you shall see
another heaven more brilliant and incomparable.
9. And when
you have come there, you shall stand near the Lord and be His minister declaring
His mysteries to men, and proclaim concerning Him who is to redeem Israel.
10. And by
you and by Judah the Lord shall appear among men saving every race of men, and
your life shall be from the portion of the Lord, He shall be your field, your
vineyard, your fruit, your gold and your silver.
11.
Hear
therefore regarding the heavens, which have been shown to you, the lowest
appears gloomy to you since it beholds all the unrighteous deeds of men.
12. Which has
fire snow and ice ready for the day of judgment in the righteous judgment of
God, for in it are all the spirits of retribution for vengeance on men.
13.
And in
the second are the host of the armies ordained for the day of judgment to bring
vengeance on the spirits of deceit, and of Beliar.
14. And above
them are the holy ones, while in the highest of all dwells the Great Glory, far
above all holiness.
15.
There
with Him are the archangels who minister making appropriations to the Lord for
all the sins of ignorance of the righteous, offering to the Lord a sweet
smelling savor, a reasonable and bloodless offering.
16.
And in
the heaven below this are the angels who answer to the angels of the presence of
the Lord, and with them are thrones and dominions in which they continually
offer praises to God.
17. When therefore the Lord looks upon us, we all tremble, yea, the
heavens, the earth, and the abyss are shaken at the presence of His majesty.
18.
But the sons of men have no perception of these things, and they sin
and provoke the Most High.
19. Know
therefore that the Lord shall execute judgment on the sons of man.
For when the stones are split, the sun is quenched, the waters dried-up,
and the fire brought down, when all creation is troubled, invisible spirits
melting away, and hell taking spoils by the visitation of the Most High, then
men will be unbelieving, and persist in their iniquity.
20.
Therefore,
they will be judged with punishment, and the Most High has heard your prayer to
separate you from iniquity, that you may become a son to Him, and a servant and
minister of His presence.
21. You shall
light knowledge in Jacob, and be to all the seed of Israel as the Sun, and
blessings shall be given to you and your seed until the Lord shall visit all
Gentiles forever.
22.
To you
therefore is given counsel and understanding that you may instruct your sons
concerning this, for they that bless Him shall be blessed, and they that curse
Him shall perish.
23.
Then the
angel opened to me the gates of heaven, and I saw the holy temple, and the Most
High on His throne of glory.
24.
And He
said to me; Levi I have given you the blessings of the priesthood until I come
to live in the midst of Israel.
Levi ordered to destroy Shechem.
25.
Then the
angel brought me down to earth, and gave me a shield and sword, and said to me;
"Execute vengeance on Shechem because of Dinah your sister, and I will be
with you, for the Lord has sent me".
26. And I
destroyed all the sons of Hamor as it is written in the heavenly tablets.
And I said to the angel; "I pray Thee O Lord tell me Thy name that
I may call on Thee in the day of my tribulation."
27.
And he
said to me; "I am the angel who intercedes for the nation of Israel that
they may not be smitten, for every evil spirit attacks it."
28.
After
these things I awoke and blessed the Most High and the angel who intercedes for
the nation of Israel and for all the righteous.
29. And when
I was going to my father, I found a brazen shield by the mountain Aspis, which
is near Gebal to the south of Abila.
30.
And I
kept these words in my heart, and afterwards counseled my father and Reuben to
bid the sons of Hamor not to be circumcised, for I was zealous for the
abomination which they had done on my sister.
31. And I
first slew Shechem, while Simeon slew Hamor, and we smote that city with the
edge of the sword, thereafter our brothers came.
32. And my
father hearing these things was angry and grieved in that they had received the
circumcision and afterwards had been put to death, and in his blessings he
looked amiss on us.
33. For in
his eyes we sinned, having done this thing against his will.
And he was sick on that day, but I saw the sentence of God, which was for
evil on Shechem. For they thought to do to Sarah and Rebecca as they had done
to Dinah our sister, but the Lord prevented them.
34. And they
persecuted Abraham our father when he was a stranger, vexing his flocks when
they were with young, and they treated Eblaen, who was born in this house, most
shamefully.
35. And thus
they did to all strangers, taking their wives by force and banishing them, but
the wrath of the Lord came on them to the uttermost.
36. And I
said to my father Jacob; by you will the Lord despoil the Canaanites, and give
their land to you and your seed after you.
37. For from
this day forward Shechem shall be called a city of imbeciles, for as a fool is
mocked, so we mocked them, and also because they wrought a folly in Israel by
defiling our sister.
Vision
of the priesthood.
1. Then
we departed and came to Bethel, and having been there 70 days I saw again a
vision as the former, I saw seven men in white raiment saying to me;
2. "Arise put on the robe of the priesthood and the crown of righteousness, and the breastplate of understanding, the garment of truth, the plate of faith, the turban of the head, and the Ephod of prophesy."
3.
And they
severally carried these things, and placing them on me said from henceforth
become a priest of the Lord you and your seed forever.
4.
The first
anointed me with holy oil, and gave me a staff of judgment.
The second washed me with pure water, and fed me with bread and holy
wine, and dressed me with a holy and most glorious robe.
5. The third
clothed me with the linen vestment like an Ephod, the fourth put a purple girdle
around me, the fifth game me a branch of rich olive, and the sixth placed a
crown on my head.
6. And the
seventh put on my head a diadem of priesthood, and filled my hands with incense
that I might serve as priest to the Lord God, and he said to me;
7.
"Levi,
your seed shall be divided into three offices for a sign of the glory of the
Lord who is to come, the first portion shall be great, and none shall be
greater.
8.
The
second shall be in the priesthood, and the third shall be called by a new name,
for a King shall arise in Judah and establish a new priesthood as a model to all
Gentile nations.
9. And His
presence shall be beloved as a prophet of the Most High of the seed of Abraham
your father, every desirable thing therefore shall be for you and your seed.
10. You shall
eat everything good to behold, and your portion shall be the table of the Lord,
and some of them shall be high priests and judges and scribes, for by your mouth
shall the holy place be guarded."
11.
And when
I awoke I understood that this dream was like the first dream, and this also I
hid in my heart, and did not tell it to any man on earth.
Levi confirmed as priest.
12. And after
two years Judah and I went up with our father Jacob to Isaac, and he blessed me
according to all the words of the vision which I had seen, but he would not come
with us to Bethel.
13.
And when
we came to Bethel my father saw a vision concerning me that I should be their
priest to God, and he rose up early in the morning and paid tithes of all things
to the Lord by me.
Isaac instructs Levi.
14.
After
this we came to Hebron to live there, and Isaac called me continually to put me
in remembrance of the law of the Lord, just as the angel of the Lord also showed
me.
15.
He taught
me the law of the priesthood of sacrifices, whole burnt offerings, first fruits,
free will, and peace offerings.
16. Each day
he instructed me making himself busy on my behalf before the Lord and saying to
me; Beware of the spirit of fornication, for this shall continue, for by this
your seed will pollute the holy place.
17.
Take
therefore to yourself a wife without blemish or pollution while you are yet
young, and not of the race of strange nations.
18. And
before entering the holy place wash yourself, and when you offer sacrifices wash
yourself, and again at the completion.
19.
And offer
to the Lord of twelve trees having green leaves as also Abraham taught, and of
every clean beast and bird offer a sacrifice to the Lord.
20.
And of
all your first fruits, and of wine offer the first as a sacrifice to the Lord
God, and salted every sacrifice with salt.
21. Observe
therefore all that I command you children, for whatever I have heard from my
fathers I have declared to you.
22. And
behold, I am clear from your ungodliness and transgressions, which you shall
commit in the end of the ages against the Savior of the world, acting ungodly,
deceiving Israel, and stirring great evils from the Lord up against it.
23.
For you
will deal lawlessly together with Israel so that He will not bear with you for
your wickedness, but the vale of the temple shall be rent so as not to cover
your shame.
24.
And you
shall be scattered and be captives among Gentiles, and be there for a curse and
reproach, for the house which the Lord shall choose shall be called Jerusalem -
as it is written in the book of Enoch the righteous.
The sons of Levi.
25. I
therefore took a wife when I was 28 years old, her name Melcha, and she
conceived and bore a son, and I called his name Gersam, for we were sojourners
in our land.
26.
And
concerning him I saw that he would not be first in rank, and Kohath was born in
the 35th year of my life towards sunrise, and I saw in a vision that he was
standing on high in the midst of all the congregation.
27. Therefore
did I call him Kohath, meaning; Beginning of majesty and instruction.
28. And she
bore me a third son in the 40th year of my life, and since she bore him with
difficulty, I called him Merari, meaning, My bitterness, for he also was almost
to die.
29. And
Jochebed was born in Egypt in my 64th year, for then I was renowned in the midst
of my brothers.
30. And
Gersam took a wife and she bore him Lomni and Semei, and the sons of Kohath were
Ambram, Issachar, Hebron, and Ozeel, and the sons of Merari, Mooli, and Moses.
31.
And in
the 94th year Ambram took Jochebed my daughter to him for wife, for they were
born in the same day, he, and my daughter.
32.
I was 8
years old when I came in the land of Canaan, and 18 years old when I slew
Shechem, and at 19 I became priest, and at 28 took a wife, and at 48 went to
Egypt.
33.
And
Joseph died in my 118th year, and you my children, you are a third generation.
Instructions
to keep the law.
1.
And
now my children I command you, Fear the Lord your God with your whole heart, and
walk in simplicity according to all His law.
2. And teach your children letters (to read) that they may have
understanding all their life reading the law continually.
3.
For
everyone who knows the law of the Lord shall be honored, and not be a stranger
wheresoever he goes.
4.
He shall
indeed gain friends more than his parents, and many will desire to serve him, to
hear the law of his mouth.
5. Keep
therefore righteousness on the earth my children that you may have a treasure in
heaven, sow good things in your soul that you may find them in your life.
6.
For if
you shall sow evil things you shall reap trouble and affliction, obtain thus
wisdom in the fear of God with all diligence.
7.
For
though you be led in captivity, and your land and cities be destroyed, and gold
and silver and all your goods perish, no-one will be able to take the wisdom
away from the wise, except the blindness of ungodliness, and indifference that
comes with sin.
8. For if one keeps himself from these evil things, then his wisdom
shall be a glory to him even among his enemies, and be to him a homeland in
foreign lands, and a friend among foes.
9. Whosoever
teaches noble things and does them - shall be enthroned with kings, as also
Joseph my brother was.
10. And now
my children I know from the writings of Enoch that in the end of the ages you
will transgress against the Lord, putting your hands in evil to Him, and you
shall become a scorn to Gentiles.
11.
For our
father Israel is pure from the transgressions of the chief priests, and as the
heaven in the sight of the Lord is more pure than the earth, so also must you
be, and the light of Israel be more pure than all Gentiles.
12. And if
you are darkened by transgression, what then will the Gentiles do - who live in
blindness?
13. You will
indeed bring a curse on your race, because you wished to destroy the light of
the law, which was given you to enlighten every man, by teaching commandments
contrary to the ordinance of God.
Future events foretold.
14. You will
rob the offerings of the Lord, stealing the best of His portion to consume it
with contemptible whores.
15. And for
greed you will teach, and pollute married women, and defile the virgins of
Jerusalem, and join yourself with whores and adulterers, and take the daughters
of Gentiles for wife making them pure with unlawful purification, your marriage
thus shall be like Sodom and Gomorrah.
16.
And you
will be proud because of your priesthood, lifting yourselves up against men, and
not only is your sin against man, but against God's command.
17.
For you
will have contempt for the holy things with jokes and laughter, therefore the
Lord's temple, which He shall choose, will be wasted by your uncleanliness, and
you shall be captives throughout all nations.
18.
And you
shall be an abomination to them, receiving a reproach and everlasting shame in
the righteous judgment of God, and all that hate you shall rejoice in your
destruction.
19.
And were
it not for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers, you would not receive mercy,
nor would there be left any seed for you upon the earth.
20. I now
have learned that for seventy weeks you will go astray, profaning the
priesthood, polluting the sacrifices, voiding the law, and to bring to nothing
the words of the prophets through evil and perversion.
21. And you
will persecute righteous men hating the Godly, and despising the faithful.
And a man who will renew the law in the power of the Most High Him you
will call a deceiver, and at last lay hands on Him and kill Him not knowing His
dignity bringing innocent blood on your head through wickedness.
22. And
because of Him your holy places will be wasted down to the ground, and you will
have no place that is clean, but you shall be a curse among the Gentiles, and be
dispersed until again He shall visit you and in pity receive you by faith and
water.
23. And now
that I have told you about the seventy weeks hear also about the priesthood, for
in each jubilee there shall be a priesthood.
24. In the
first jubilee, the first that is anointed shall be great, and speak to God as
with a Father, His priesthood shall be perfect with the Lord, and in the day of
His joy He shall arise for the salvation of the world.
25.
In the
second, he that is anointed shall be conceived in sorrow of beloved ones, and
his priesthood shall be honored and glorified by all.
26.
And the
third shall be overtaken by sorrow, and the fourth shall be in pain because
wickedness shall greatly gather itself against him, and all Israel shall hate
each one his neighbor.
27. The fifth
shall be overtaken by darkness, and likewise with the sixth and seventh, and in
the seventh there shall be such pollution as I cannot express before men, for
only they who do these things can know them.
28. Therefore
shall they be captive and become a prey, their land, and their substance
destroyed.
29. And in
the fifth week they shall return to their desolated country, and renew the house
of the Lord.
30. And in
the seventh week, such who are idolaters will become priests, adulterers, lovers
of money, arrogant, lawless, vile abusers of children and beast.
31. And after
their punishment will have come from the Lord, the priesthood will fail, the
Lord raising up a new priest, and to Him all the words of the Lord shall be
revealed.
32.
He shall
execute a righteous judgment on the earth for a great many days, His star shall
arise in heaven as of a King alighting the light of knowledge like the sun in
daytime, and He will be magnified in the world.
33. He shall shine forth on the earth like the Sun, and remove all darkness from under heaven, and there shall be peace in all the earth.
34.
In His
days the heavens shall exult, and the earth be glad, and the clouds rejoice, and
the knowledge of the Lord shall be poured forth on the earth as water of the
sea, and the angels of the presence of the Lord shall be glad in Him.
35.
The
heavens shall be opened, and sanctification shall come down on Him from the
temple of glory with a fatherly voice as from Abraham to Isaac.
36. And the
glory of the Most High shall be spoken over Him, and the Spirit of understanding
and sanctification shall rest on Him in the water, for He will give the majesty
of the Lord to His sons in truth forever.
37.
There shall be no successor to Him for all generations, and in His
priesthood the Gentiles shall multiply knowledge, and be enlightened in the
grace of the Lord.
38.
In his
priesthood - sin shall come to an end, and lawlessness cease to do evil, He
shall open the gates of Paradise and remove the threatening sword against Adam,
and give the elect to eat from the tree of life, and the Spirit of holiness
shall be on them.
39.
He shall
bind Beliar, and He will give power to His children to tread on evil spirits,
and the Lord will rejoice in His children, and be well pleased in His beloved
ones forever.
40.
Then
shall Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob exult, and I also shall be glad, and all shall
be clothed with joy.
Ending.
41.
And now
my children you have heard it all, choose therefore either light or darkness,
the works of the law, or the works of Beliar for yourselves.
42. And his
sons answered him, speaking before the Lord; we will walk according to His law.
And their father said to them; "The Lord is witness, and His angels
are witness, and I am witness concerning the word of your mouth".
And his sons answered; "We are witness."
43.
Thus Levi
ceased commanding his sons, and stretched out his feet on the bed and was
gathered to his fathers after having lived 137 years.
44.
And the
laid him in a coffin, and afterwards buried him in Hebron with Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob.
From the words of Judah which he spoke to his sons before he died.
Judah's strength and valor
1. And
he said to them; Listen my children to Judah your father, I was the fourth son
born to my father, and Leah my mother named me Judah saying; “I give thanks to
the Lord for He has given me a fourth son also.
2. I was
swift in my youth and obedient to my father in everything, and I honored my
mother and my mother's sister.
3.
And it
came to pass when I had become a man that my father blessed me saying; you shall
be a king prospering in all things.
4.
And the
Lord showed me favor in all my works both in the field and in the house, I know
that I raced a deer catching it, and preparing the meat for my father, he ate.
5. I used to
master the Gazelle in the chase and overtook all that was in the plains; I
overtook a wild mare and tamed it.
6. I slew a
lion and took the kid out of his mouth, and a bear I took by its paws and threw
it over the cliff so crushing it, I also out-ran a wild bore, and catching it as
I ran I tore it apart.
7.
In
Hebron, a leopard ran upon my dog, and catching it by the tail I hurled it on
the rocks and it was broken.
8. I found a
wild ox grazing in the field, and taking it by the horns whirling it I stunned
it and slew it.
9.
And when
the two kings of the Canaanites came with much people clad in armor to take our
flocks, I alone rushed upon the king of Hazor.
And taking him by the legs I dragged him down and slew him, and I slew
the other king as he sat on his horse, so I scattered all his people.
10.
And with
a sixty pound stone I killed the horse from under Achor the king, a man of giant
stature hurling javelins to my front and rear, and fighting with him for two
hours, I cut his shield in half and killed him, and also cut off his feet.
11. And as I
was stripping him of his breast-plate, eight of his companions began to fight
with me, and wrapping my clothing in my hand I slung stones at them killing
four, and the rest fled.
12.
And Jacob
my father slew Beelesath, king of all the kings, a giant in strength 12 cubits
high, and so fear fell on them and they stopped making war on us.
13. My father
then was free of anxiety when in wars I was with my brothers, for in a vision he
saw concerning me that an angel of might followed me everywhere so I might not
be overcome.
14. Afterwards,
a greater attack than that of Shechem came on us from the south and my brothers
and I joining forces, we pursued a thousand men killing two hundred of them and
four kings.
15. And I
went on the wall slaying four mighty men, and so we captured Hazor, and took all
their spoil.
16. And
having departed the next day the people of a city named Aretan, strong and
inaccessible with walls, threatened us with death, but Gad and I came from the
East Side of the city, with Levi and Reuben on the west.
17. And those
on the wall thinking we were alone, drew out against us, our brothers then
secretly climbing the wall with the use of stakes, and entered the city unaware.
18.
Thus we
took it with the edge of the sword, and as for those who had taken refuge in the
tower, we set fire to it taking both them and it.
19.
And
leaving from there we found that the men of Tappuah had taken our goods, and we
fought with them killing them, recovering our goods.
20. And when
I was at the waters of Kozeba, the men of Jobel came to battle against us, and
fighting with them we routed them and killed their allies from Shilon, leaving
them powerless to again come against us.
21. Then on
the fifth day the men of Makir came to take our spoils, and we attacking them
overcame them in a fierce battle, for they had a host of mighty men amongst
them, we then took them before they could retreat to their stronghold.
22.
And
coming to their city, the women rolled stones on us from the brow of the hill on
which the city stood, and Simeon and I entered from behind taking the heights of
the city, and destroyed it as well.
23. And the
following day we were told that the king of the city Gaash had come against us
with a mighty host, Dan and I then feigned ourselves to be Amorites, entering
their city as allies.
24.
And in
the depth of the night we opened the gates to our brothers, and destroyed all
the men, and took their substance for prey, and broke down their three-walled
city.
25. And as we
came near to Thamma, where all the substance of the hostile kings were held, and
being insulted by them, I was angry and rushed against them to the summit.
And they kept slinging stones and darts against me, and had not Dan my
brother aided me, they would have killed me.
26. We
therefore came on them with wrath and they all fled, and passing by another
direction, they pleaded with my father, and he made peace with them, thus we did
them no hurt, but they became tributaries, and we restored them the spoil.
27. And I
built Thamma and my father Pabael, I was 20 years old when this war befell us,
and the Canaanites feared my brothers and me.
28. And I had
much cattle, and my chief herds-man was Iram, an Adullamite.
And as I went to him, I saw the king of Adullum, Parsaba, and he
conversed with us and made us a feast. And
while I was hot in wine, he gave me his daughter Bathshua for wife.
29.
And she
bore me Er, Onan, and Shelah, and two of these the Lord smote, but Shelah lived,
for you are his children.
The
sons of Esau defeated.
1.
And
my father was at peace with his brother Esau and his sons for eighteen years;
afterwards we came from Laban at Mesopotamia.
2.
And when
these years were fulfilled, in the 40th year of my life, Esau came on us with a
mighty and strong people, and Jacob smote Esau with an arrow, and wounded they
took him to mount Seir and died on the way to Ahoniram.
3. And we
pursued the sons of Esau, and they having a city with walls of iron and gates of
brass, which we could not enter, we encamped around it in siege.
4.
After
twenty days then when they did not open to us, I setup a ladder in sight of all,
and with my shield on my head I went up sustaining the assault of stones upwards
to three talents of weight, and slew four of their mighty men while Reuben and
Gad slew six others.
5.
Then they
asked us for terms of peace, and having taken counsel with my father, we
received them as tributaries giving us 500 cores of wheat, 500 baths of oil, and
500 measures of wine, until the famine when we went to Egypt.
Judgment on the sons of Judah by Canaan.
6. After
these things, my son Er took Tamar to wife from Mesopotamia, a daughter of Aram.
Er however was wicked, and difficulty arose concerning Tamar since she
was not of the land of Canaan.
7.
And on
the third night an angel of the Lord smote him, and he had not known her because
of the evil craft of his mother, for he did not wish to have children by her.
8. Then
still in the days of the wedding feast I gave Onan to her in marriage, and he
also in wickedness knew her not even though he spend a year with her.
9.
And when
I threatened him, he went into her but spilled the seeds on the ground after the
command of his mother, and he also died through wickedness.
10. And I
wished to give Shelah also to her, but his mother did not permit it, she did
this evil because Tamar was not of the daughters of Canaan as she herself was.
11. And I
knew that the race of Canaan was wicked, but the impulse of youth blinded my
mind, for when I saw her pouring wine, I in my own intoxication was deceived and
took her even though my father had counseled against it.
12. And while
I was absent she took for Shelah a wife from Canaan, and coming to know it, I
cursed her in the anguish of my soul, and she also died in her wickedness
together with her sons.
Judah receives honor by Tamar.
13.
After
these things while Tamar was a widow, after about two years, she heard that I
was going up to shear my sheep, and she adorned herself in bridal array, and sat
in the gate of the city Enaim.
14. For it
was the law of the Amorites that she who was about to marry should sit in
whoredom for seven days by the gate, and I being drunk with wine, I did not
recognize her, her beauty and her adorning deceiving me.
15.
And I
went to her and said; "Let me go into you".
And she said; "What will you give me?"
And I gave her my staff, my girdle, and the diadem of my kingdom in
pledge.
16.
And I
went into her and she conceived, and not knowing what I had done I wished to
slay her, but she privately sent forth my pledges putting me to shame.
17. And when
I called her, I also heard the secret words, which I spoke when lying with her
in my drunkenness, I thus could not slay her since it was from the Lord, and I
said; perhaps in cunning she received the pledges from another woman.
18. But I did
not again come near to her while I lived, because of the abomination, which I
had done in Israel.
19. Moreover
those who were in the city said that there was no whore in the gate, for she
came from another place, and was there only for the short while, and I thought
that no one knew that I had gone into her.
20.
After
this we came into Egypt to Joseph because of the famine, and I was 46 years old,
and lived in Egypt 73 years.
Judah
counsels against lusts.
1.
And
now I command you my children listen to your father Judah, and keep my words to
perform all the ordinances of the Lord, obeying His commands.
2.
Do not
walk after lusts, nor in the imaginations of your thoughts, or in the pride of
your heart, and glory not in the deeds or strength of your youth, for this too
is evil in the sight of the Lord.
3.
For I
also gloried that in wars no beautiful face of a woman would ever entice me, and
I reproved Reuben concerning Bildah, and the spirits of jealousy and fornication
set themselves against me until I lay with Bathshua the Canaanite, and Tamar who
was espoused to my sons.
4. For I
said to my father-in-law, I will take counsel with my father and so take your
daughter, but he was unwilling and showed me a boundless store of gold in his
daughters behalf, for he was a king.
5. And he
adorned her with gold and pearls, and caused her to pour out wine for us at the
feast with the beauty of woman, and the wine turned my eyes aside, pleasure
blinding my heart.
6.
And I
became enticed in love and lay with her transgressing the commandment of the
Lord and that of my fathers, and I took her to wife.
7. And the
Lord rewarded me according to the imagination of my heart in as much that I had
no joy in her children.
8. Therefore
I say to you my children; be not drunk with wine, for wine turns the mind away
from truth, and inspires the passions of lust and leads eyes into error.
9. For the
spirit of fornication has wine for a minister to bring pleasure to mind and
tends to take away the mind of man.
10.
For if a
man drink wine to drunkenness it disturbs the mind with filthy thoughts leading
to fornication, and heats the body to carnal union, and if the occasion presents
itself, the lust works the sin not being ashamed.
11.
Such is
the drunken man my children, for they that are drunk reverence no man.
For look how it made me err so that I was not ashamed of the men of the
city before whose eyes I turned aside to Tamar, and committed the great sin
uncovering the covering of the shame of my sons.
12. After I
had drunk wine I did not reverence the commandment of God taking a Canaanite
woman for wife, for much discretion is required for him who drinks wine my
children.
13. For only
herein shall a man be discreet, if he drinks only as much as to preserve
modesty, and if he goes beyond the spirit of deceit attacks his mind causing him
to talk filthy, and to transgress not being ashamed, but even to glory in his
shame, counting himself honorable.
14. He
who commits fornication is not aware that he suffers loss, nor ashamed when put to dishonor, for though a man
be king, and commits fornication, he is stripped of his kingship by becoming a
slave to fornication, as I suffered.
15.
For I
gave my staff, that is; the stay of my tribe, and my girdle, that is; my power,
and my diadem, that is; the glory of my kingdom.
16.
And
indeed I repented of these things taking no wine nor flesh until my old age, nor
did I behold any joy, and the angel of the Lord showed me that women do
forever bear rule of king and beggar alike.
17.
From the
king they take his glory, from the valiant man his might, and from the beggar
even that little which he has in his poverty.
18.
Therefore
my children observe the right limit in wine, for there are four evil spirits in
it, of lust, heated passion, debauchery, and greed.
19. If you
will drink wine in gladness, be modest in the fear of God, for if in your joy
the fear of the Lord departs, then drunkenness arises and shame sneaks in.
20. But do
not even touch wine if you will live soberly, lest you sin in speaking
outrageous words, and in fighting and slander, transgressing the commandments of
God, and you perish before your time.
21.
Moreover,
it is so that wine reveals secrets, both that of God and of men, even as I also
revealed the commandments of God and the mysteries of Jacob my father to the
Canaanite women, things which God bade me not to reveal.
22. And wine
is a cause both to war and confusion, wherefore I command you my children, not
to love money, nor to gaze upon the beauty of women.
Adultery and greed destroys a man
23. For
because of beauty and money I was led astray to the Canaanite women Bathshua and
I know that on account of these two things my race shall fall into wickedness.
For even the wise among my sons shall be marred, and the kingdom of
Judah, which the Lord gave me for my obedience to my father, will be diminished
on account of these.
24.
For I
never caused grief to my father, and did everything he commanded me, and Isaac
my grandfather blessed me to be king in Israel, and Jacob also further blessed
me in like manner.
25. The
kingdom then will be established from me, and I also know what evils you will
perform in the last days.
26.
Therefore
my children; beware of fornication, and for the love of money, listen thus to
your father Judah, for these things shall pull you away from God's law blinding
the inclinations of the soul, teaching ignorance, and not suffering a man to
have compassion on his neighbor.
27.
They rob
his soul of all goodness, oppressing him with toil and troubles, driving away
his sleep, and devouring his flesh. And
it hinders the prayers to God, and does not remember to bless God, nor will he
listen to a prophet when he speaks, and resents the words of Godliness.
28.
For he is
slave to two different passions, in which he is unable to obey God since they
have blinded his soul, as one who walking in daylight it is night to him.
29. The love
of money also leads to idolatry, for when led astray by money, one names as gods
those who are not gods, and it causes them to fall in madness.
30.
Because
of money I lost my children, and had it not been for my repentance and
humiliation, and the prayers of my father to be accepted, I would have died
childless.
31.
But the
God of my fathers had mercy on me since I did it in ignorance, the prince of
deceit blinding me, and I sinned as a man, as flesh being corrupt by sin, and
while thinking myself invincible - I learned my weakness.
32. Know
therefore my children that two spirits wait on man, the Spirit of truth, and the
one of deceit, and in the middle is the spirit of understanding of the mind, who
of its own will can go where it desires.
33. The words
of truth and of deceit are written upon man's heart, and the Lord knows each of
them, and at no time can man's works be hid, for they are written on the heart
itself before the Lord.
34. And the
Spirit of truth testifies to all things, and accuses all things, and the sinner
is convicted in his own heart - unable to lift his face to the judge.
Chapter 9
Obedience
to Levi.
1. And now my children I command you to love Levi in order that you may abide, exalt not yourself over him lest you be utterly destroyed.
2.
For to me
the Lord gave the kingdom, and to Him the priesthood and God has set the kingdom
beneath the priesthood.
3.
To me He
gave the things on the earth, to Levi the things that are in heaven.
And as the heavens are higher than the earth - so the priesthood of God
is higher than the earthly kingdom, unless by sin it falls away and the Lord
gives it to be dominated by the earthly kingdom.
4. For the
angel of the Lord said to me; The Lord chose him rather than you to draw near to
him that he might eat of His table and offer Him the first fruits of the best of
the sons of Israel, but you shall be king of Jacob.
The kingdom and its pitfalls.
5. And you
shall be among them as a sea, for like as on the sea both the just and unjust
are tossed about - and some taken into captivity while others are enriched, so
also shall every race of man be in you.
6.
Some
shall be impoverished and taken captive, while others grow rich by plundering
the goods of others, for kings shall be as sea-monsters.
7. They
shall swallow men like fishes, and enslave the sons and daughters of free men,
and they will plunder houses, lands, flocks and moneys.
8. And
wrongfully they will feed the ravens and the cranes with the flesh of many, and
increase in evil by lifting themselves up in pride. And false prophets shall come like a tempest, and persecute
all righteous men.
9. And the
Lord will bring division among them, one against the other, and there will be
continually war in Israel. And by
men of another race will my kingdom be brought to an end until the salvation of
Israel shall come, until the God of righteousness shall appear wherein Jacob and
Gentiles may rest in peace.
10. And He
will grant the might of my kingdom forever, for the Lord swore to me by an oath
that He would not destroy the kingdom from my seed forever.
Ending words.
11. And now I
have much grief my children, for because of your lewdness and witchcraft and
idolatries which you will practice against the kingdom following evil spirits,
diviners and demons of error.
12. You will
make your daughters singers and whores, and you will mingle with the
abominations of the Gentiles for which reason the Lord shall bring famine's
pestilence, sword, and death on you.
13. You will
be pestered by enemies and reviled by friends, your children will be
slaughtered, your wives raped, your possessions plundered, and the temple of God
will be burned, and your land desolated, and you will be enslaved among
Gentiles.
14. And they
will make some of you eunuchs for their wives until the Lord visits you - when
you will repent with a perfect heart, and walk in all His commandments, and He
will bring you up from captivity from among the Gentiles.
15.
For a
star shall arise to you from Jacob in peace, a Man from my seed, like the Sun of
righteousness, walking with the sons of men in meekness and righteousness, and
no sin shall be found in Him.
16.
And the
heavens shall be opened to Him to pour out the Spirit, the blessing of the Holy
Father, so the Spirit of grace will be on you, and you shall be as sons of truth
to Him, walking in His commandments first and last.
17.
The
scepter of my kingdom shall shine forth, and a new stem arise from your root,
and from it shall grow a rod in righteousness for all Gentiles to judge and also
to save those who call upon the Lord.
18. After
these things, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob shall arise to life, and my brothers and
I shall be chiefs of the tribes of Israel, Levi first, and I second, Joseph
third, Benjamin fourth, Simeon fifth, Issachar sixth, and so in order.
19. And Levi
was blessed of the Lord, and I of the angels of the presence, and Semi on by the
powers of glory, Reuben by heaven, Issachar by earth, Zebulon the sea, Joseph,
the mountains. Benjamin the
tabernacles, Dan the Luminaries, Napthali of Eden, Gad the sun, and Asher the
moon.
20. And you
shall be the people of the Lord having one tongue, and there will be no spirit
of deceit of Beliar, for he will be cast into the fire forever.
21.
And they
who have died in grief - shall arise in joy, and those who were poor for the
sake of the Lord - shall be made rich, and they that were put to death for the
sake of the Lord - shall awaken to life.
22.
And the
harts of Jacob shall run in joyfulness, and the eagles of Israel fly in
gladness, and all the people shall glorify the Lord forever.
23.
Therefore
my children observe the law of the Lord always, for there is hope for them who
hold fast to His ways.
24. And he
said to them; Behold, I die before your eyes this day being 119 years old, let
no one bury me in costly apparel, nor embalm me, for this is done only for
kings, but carry me up to Hebron with you.
25. And Judah
having said these things fell asleep, and his sons did according to all that he
commanded them, and they buried him with his fathers in Hebron.
Chapter 10
The scope of the words of Issachar when he called his
sons and said to them;
The cause to his birth
1.
Listen
my children to Issachar your father; give ear to him who is beloved of the Lord.
2. I was
born the fifth son to Jacob by way of hire for the mandrakes, for Reuben brought
mandrakes from the field, and Rachel meeting him took them, and Reuben weeping,
Leah hearing him came.
3. These
mandrakes now were sweet smelling apples which grew in the land of Haran below a
waterfall, and Rachel said; I will not give them to you, but they shall be mine
in place of children, for the Lord has despised me - not giving me children to
Jacob.
4. There
were two apples then, and Leah said to Rachel, "Let it be enough that you
have taken my husband, will you now take these also?"
And Rachel replied; "This night you shall have Jacob for the
mandrakes of your son."
5.
And Leah
said; "Jacob is mine, for I am the wife of his youth."
And Rachel said, "Boast not, nor vaunt yourself, for he espoused me
before you, and for my sake served our father fourteen years.
6. And had
it not been for the craft and wickedness of men prospering on earth, you would
not now behold the face of Jacob, for you are not his wife, but by cunning you
were taken in my stead.
7. My father
deceived me - removing me on that night not allowing Jacob to see me, for if I
had been there this would not have happened to him, nevertheless for the
mandrakes I am hiring Jacob to you for one night."
8. And Jacob
knew Leah and she conceived and bore me, on account of the hire thus I was
called Issachar.
9. Then
there appeared an angel of the Lord to Jacob saying; "Rachel shall bear two
children since she refused company with her husband - choosing continence."
10.
And had
not Leah my mother paid the two apples for the sake of his company, she would
have borne eight sons, for this reason then she bore six, and Rachel two, the
Lord visiting her on account of the mandrakes.
11.
For He
knew that she wished to company with Jacob for the sake of children, and not
lust or pleasure, for again in the morning she gave him up, wherefore the Lord
heard Rachel for the mandrakes.
12. And
Rachel, though she desired to eat them, she did not, but offered them in the
house of the Lord presenting them to the priest of the Most High.
The true fast of Issachar.
13. When I
grew up my children, I walked in uprightness of heart and became a farmer for my
father and brothers, bringing the fruits of the field in their season.
14. And my
father blessed me, for he saw that I walked in uprightness before him, and I was
not a busybody in my doings, nor envious or malicious to my neighbors.
I did not slander anyone, nor censured the life of any man walking as I
did in singleness of heart.
15. When I
was 35 years of age I took a wife, for my labors took all my strength, I never
thought on the pleasure of women, but in my toil I was overcome by sleep.
16.
And my
father rejoiced in my uprightness, for I offered to the Lord all the
first-fruits by the priest and to my father also.
17.
And the
Lord increased His benefits in my hands by thousand fold, and Jacob my father
knew that God aided my singleness, for I bestowed the good things of the earth
to all the poor and oppressed in the singleness of my heart.
18.
And now
listen to me my children, and walk
in singleness of heart, for I have seen that in all things
"this" is well pleasing before God.
19. The
single minded man covets not gold, nor over-reaches his neighbor, he longs not
for the various dainties, nor takes pleasure in varied apparel, he does not
desire to live a long life, but waits only for the will of God.
20. And the
spirits of deceit have no power over him, for he looks not on the beauty of
women lest he should pollute his mind with corruption.
21. There is
no envy in his thoughts, no malice causes his soul to pine away, nor is there
insatiable desire in his mind. For
he walks in singleness of soul, looking on all things in the
uprightness of his heart, not giving place to the errors of the world, lest he
should turn away from the commandments of God.
22.
Therefore
my children, keep the law of God, and singleness without guile, not playing
busybody with your neighbors, but love the Lord and your neighbor, and have
compassion on the poor and weak.
23.
Bend your
back to your farming, and toil in the labors of all agriculture, offering gifts
to the Lord with Thanksgiving.
24.
For the
Lord will bless you with the first fruits of the earth, just as He blessed all
the just from Abel to now, for no other portion is given you but that of the
fatness of the earth whose fruit comes by labor.
25.
For my
father blessed me with blessings of the earth, and of first fruits, and Levi and
Judah were glorified by the Lord giving them an inheritance, Levi the
priesthood, and Judah the kingdom.
26. Obey them
therefore, and walk in the singleness of your father, for to Gad it has been
given to destroy the attackers coming on Israel.
Admonition
and example of Issachar
1.
Know
therefore my children that in the last times your sons will forsake singleness
cleaving to insatiable desires, and taking guile - will draw near to malice
forsaking the commandments of the Lord, joining themselves with Beliar.
2.
And
giving up agriculture they will follow after their own wicked devices, and will
be dispersed among the Gentiles, serving their enemies.
3.
Give
therefore these commandments to your children, that when they sin, they may
quickly return to the Lord, for He is merciful and will deliver them to bring
them back into their land.
4. Behold, I
am 126 years old and am not conscience of committing any sin, nor have I known
any woman other than my wife, nor have I committed fornication with my eyes.
5.
I drank
no wine to be led astray thereby, nor did I covet any desirable thing of my
neighbors, no guile rose in my heart, nor did a lie pass my lips.
6. And if
any man was in distress, I joined by sorrow with his, and shared my bread with
the poor, I wrought Godliness, and kept truth all my days.
7. I loved
the Lord and man with all my heart, do you therefore also these things my
children, then every spirit of Beliar will flee from you, and no wicked deed of
men will rule over you.
8. You shall
be able to subdue wild beasts since the God of heaven will be with you, and walk
with all men in singleness of heart.
9. And
having said these things he commanded his sons that they should carry him up to
Hebron to bury him there in the cave with his fathers.
10. And he
stretched out his feet and died at good old age with every limb sound and his
strength unabated, sleeping the eternal sleep.
The copy of the words of Zebulon which he gave to his
sons before he died in the 114th year of his life, two years after the death of
Joseph.
The
account of Joseph
1. And
he said to them. Listen to me you
sons of Zebulon; attend to the words of your father.
I Zebulon was born a good gift to my parents, for when I was born my
father had increased very much both in flocks and herds when with the straked
rods he had his portion.
2.
I am not
aware that I have sinned all my days except in thought, nor do I remember having
done any iniquity except the sin of ignorance which I did against Joseph, for I
agreed with my brothers not to tell my father what had been done.
3.
But I
wept in secret for many days on account of Joseph, for I feared my brothers
having agreed that if anyone should declare the secret - he should be slain.
4.
I adjured them
with much tears not to be guilty of this sin, for Simeon and Gad came against
Joseph to kill him. And he begged
them in tears saying. Pity me my
brothers, have mercy on the bowels of Jacob our father, lay not your hands to
shed innocent blood, for I have not sinned against you. And if indeed I have sinned, then chastise me my
brothers, but do not kill me for the sake of Jacob our father.
5.
And as he
spoke these words, crying as he did, I was unable to bear his lamentation, and I
began to weep, my courage was gone, and my inwards fainted, and I wept with
Joseph, my heart pounding, and my body trembling so much that I could not stand.
6. And when
Joseph saw me weeping with him, and them coming against him to kill him, he fled
behind me entreating them.
7.
Then
Reuben arose and said; come my brother's let us not slay him, but let us cast
him in one of these pits which our fathers dug and found no water.
(For it was on this account that Joseph might be preserved that no water
was found in them.)
8 And they
put him in a pit until they sold him to the Ish'maelites, and in his price I had
no share my children.
9.
But
Simeon and Gad and six others took the price of Joseph and bought sandals for
themselves and their wives saying. We
will not eat of it, for it is the price of our brother's blood, but we will
assuredly tread it under foot, for he said that he would be king over us, now
let us see what becomes of his dreams.
10. Therefore
it is written in the writing of the law of Moses that whoever will not raise up
seed to his brother, his sandal should be unloosened, and they should spit in
his face.
11. And since
the brothers of Joseph wished not that their brother should live, the Lord
removed their sandals from them before Joseph. For when they came into Egypt the servants of Joseph had them
remove their sandals outside the gate, and thus they paid homage to Joseph after
the fashion of the pharaoh 's.
12.
And not
only did they do obeisance to him, but they were also spit on, and falling down
before him, thus they were put to shame before the Egyptians.
After this the Egyptians heard all the evils that they had done to
Joseph.
13.
And so
after Joseph was sold, my brothers sat down to eat and drink, but I in pity for
Joseph did not eat. And they seeing
I did not eat they put me to watch him till he was sold to the Ish'maelites, and
Judah also stayed near for he feared lest Simeon Dan and Gad should rush up to
kill him.
14. And when
Reuben returned hearing that in his absence Joseph had been sold, he rent his
garment and grieved saying How shall I look on the face of my father Jacob?
And he took the money and ran after the merchants, but failing to find
them he returned grieving.
15. The
merchants now had left the broad road and gone by a shortcut through the
Troglodytes Reuben however was very grieved and ate no food that day.
16.
And Dan
coming to him said. Weep not, nor
grieve, for we have found what to say to our father Jacob, let us slay a kid of
the goats and dip the coat of Joseph in its blood, and let us sent it to Jacob
saying; Behold, is this the coat of your son?
17.
And they
did so, for they stripped Joseph of his coat when they sold him, and put a
slave's garment on him. Simeon
however having taken the coat would not give it up wishing to cut it up with his
sword in his anger that he had not killed him.
18.
And all
of us arose and said to him; If you will not give us the coat, then we will say
to our father that you alone did this evil thing in Israel, and so he gave it to
them, and they did as Dan had suggested.
The
compassion of Zebulon.
1.
And
thus my children keep the commandments of the Lord, show mercy to your
neighbors, and have compassion towards all, both man and beast.
2. Because
for this reason the Lord blessed me, and when all my brothers were ill, I
escaped without sickness, for the Lord knows the purpose of each.
3. Have
therefore compassion in your heart for your neighbor my children, for like as a
man does - so the Lord does to him. For
the sons of my brothers were ill and dying on account of Joseph in not having
shown mercy in their hearts, but my sons, as you know, were without sickness.
4.
And when
I was in Canaan by the seacoast catching fish for Jacob my father, many were
drowned in the sea, but I escaped unharmed.
5. I was the
first to make a boat to sail upon the sea, for the Lord gave me understanding
and wisdom thereto. I positioned a
rudder behind it, and stretching a sail upon an upright beam of wood in the
middle I sailed along the shores catching fish for the household of my father
until the day we came into Egypt.
6. And out
of compassion I used to share my catch with every stranger, or if a man were
sick or aged, I boiled and dressed them offering them to all according to their
needs without grief.
7.
Therefore
also the Lord satisfied me with abundance of fish, for he that shares with his
neighbors - receives manifold more from the Lord.
8. For five
years I caught fish and gave thereof to every man whom I saw, and I had
sufficient for all the house of my father, in the summer I caught fish, and in
the winter I kept the sheep with my brothers.
9. And now I
will declare to you another thing I did, I saw a man in distress, being naked in
wintertime, and having compassion on him, I secretly stole a garment from my
father's house and gave it to the man.
10.
You
therefore my children, do likewise from that which God bestows on you show
compassion and mercy without hesitation to all men, and give to every man with
a-good heart.
11.
And if
you have not anything to give, have mercy within yourself, when I found nothing
to give to a man in need, I walked with him for seven furlongs, and my inwards
yearned in compassion for him.
12.
Have
compassion therefore my children towards every man with mercy that the Lord may
have compassion and mercy on you, for in the last days of the earth whosesoever
the Lord finds bowels of mercy - with him He will dwell.
13.
For just
as a man will have compassion on his neighbor, so also the Lord will have on
him, and when we went down to Egypt, Joseph bore no grudge against us, but
seeing me he was moved with compassion.
14.
Thus my
children approve yourselves without grudging, love one another, and count not
all the evil done one against another for this shatters unity, divides kindred,
and troubles the soul, destroying communality.
15.
Observe
the streams when they flow together, they sweep along stones, trees, earth, and
other things, but divided in many small runners the earth swallows them up, and
they vanish.
16.
And so
will you be also when you are divided, be not therefore divided in two heads,
for the Lord made but one head, two shoulders, two hands, two feet, and all the
remaining members.
17. For in
the writing of my fathers I have learned that you shall be divided in Israel,
and you shall follow two kings, and work every abomination, and you shall be led
captive by your enemies, and be treated evil among the Gentiles with much
infirmities and tribulations.
18. But after
these things you shall remember the Lord and repent, and He shall have mercy on
you, for He is merciful and compassionate.
19. He does
not hold evil against the sons of men, because they are flesh, and deceit leads
them astray in their actions.
20. By the
works of your hands you will provoke the Lord to anger, and you shall be cast
away from Him to the time of consummation.
21. But after
these things the Lord himself, the light of righteousness shall shine, and
return you to your land, and you shall behold Him.
22. And now
my children grieve not that I am dying, nor be sad that I am coming to an end,
for I shall rise again in your midst as a ruler among his sons.
And I shall rejoice in the midst of my tribe as many as shall keep the
law of the Lord and the commandments of Zebulon their father.
23. For on
the ungodly the Lord will bring eternal fire, and destroy them through all
generations.
24.
But I am
hastening to my rest as also my fathers did, and so, fear the Lord our God with
all your strength all the days of your life.
25.
And
having said these things he fell asleep at a good old age, and his sons laid him
in a wood coffin, and afterwards carried him up and buried him in Hebron with
his fathers.
The copy of the words of Dan, which he spoke to his sons in the last days of his 125th year of his life.
Admonition
against anger
1.
He
called his family together and said; Listen to my words my sons, give ear to the
words of your father.
2. I have
proved in my heart and in my whole life that truth with just dealing is good and
well pleasing to God, and that lies and anger are evil, for these teach men
wickedness.
3.
This day
I confess to you my children that I consented to the death of Joseph my brother,
the good and true man, and I was glad when he was sold, for his father loved him
more than us.
4.
For the
spirit of jealousy and pride said to me, are you not also his son.
And one of the spirits of Beliar stirred me up saying Take this sword and
with it kill Joseph, so shall your father love you, when he is dead.
5. This was
that spirit of anger, which persuaded me to crush Joseph like a leopard crushes
a kid, but the God of my fathers did not allow him to fall into my hands, to
find him alone to kill him, and a tribe be lost in Israel.
6. And now
behold, I am dying, and I tell you of a truth that unless
you keep yourselves from the spirit of lies and anger, loving truth instead, and
long suffering, you shall perish.
7. For anger
is blindness, which does not allow a man to see a man's face with truth.
For though it be father or mother, he is towards them as enemies, and to
a brother as if he knows him not, and if he be a prophet of the Lord, he
disobeys him, nor does he regard a righteous man, nor will he acknowledge a
friend.
8. For the spirit of anger surrounds him with a net of deceit, blinding his eyes, and darkens his mind with lies giving him his own peculiar vision, this vision is ensnared by the hatred in his heart in envy of his brother.
9.
For anger
is an evil thing my children troubling even the soul itself, and takes his body
as its own working victory over the soul with power to the body to work the
iniquity.
10.
And when
the body does these things the soul justifies what is done since it sees nothing
aright, therefore if he that is angry happens to be a mighty man, he has
threefold power in his anger.
11. First by
the help of his servants, and second, by his wealth he uses as persuasion to
overcome wrongfully, and thirdly, having his own natural power he works the
evil.
12. And even
if the angry man be weak he has twice that by nature, since anger aids him in
his lawlessness, this spirit always goes with lies at the right hand of Satan
that with cruelty and lies his works may be done.
13.
Understand
therefore the power of anger, that it is vain, for first of all it provokes by
words, then in actions, it strengthens him who is angry, and with sharp losses
disturbs his mind so arousing his soul to great anger.
14.
When
anyone speaks to you therefore be not moved to anger, and if any man praises you
as a holy man - be not uplifted, not moved to either delight or disgust.
15.
For first
it is pleasant to hear, which sharpens the mind to grounds for provocation then
being enraged he thinks that he is justly angry.
16. If you
suffer loss or any ruin my children, be not afflicted, for this spirit uses your
afflictions to cause you to desire what is perishable through your loss thereof.
17. And
whether you suffer loss voluntarily or involuntarily, be not vexed, for from
vexation arises anger and lies.
18.
And anger
with lies is a twofold mischief assisting one another in order to disturb the
heart, and when the soul is continually disturbed - the Lord departs from it,
and Beliar takes to rule it.
1. Observe
therefore my children the commandments of the Lord, keep His law, depart from
wrath, and hate lies, so that the Lord may live among you and Beliar flee from
you.
2. Speak
truth with your neighbor that you not fall in wrath nor in confusion, but having
the God of peace - you shall have peace, and no war shall prevail over you.
3. In all
your life love the Lord and one another with a true heart, for I know that in
the last days you shall depart from the Lord and provoke Levi to anger, and
fight against Judah.
4.
But you
will not prevail against them, for an angel of the Lord guides them both, for by
them Israel shall stand.
5. And
whenever you depart from the Lord you will walk in all sorts of evil and perform
the abominations of the Gentiles whoring after lawless women, allowing the
spirits of wickedness to work in you.
Future times
6. For I
have read in the book of Enoch the righteous that your prince is Satan, and that
all the spirits of wickedness and pride will conspire to constantly attend to
sons of Levi to cause them to sin before the Lord.
7.
And my
sons will draw near to Levi to sin with them in all things, and the sons of
Judah will be greedy, plundering the goods of others like lions.
8. Wherefore
you shall be led into captivity, where you shall receive all the plagues of
Egypt and all the evils of the Gentiles.
9.
But when
you return to the Lord you shall obtain mercy, and bring you into His sanctuary
giving you peace.
10. And from
the tribe of Judah and Levi shall arise to you the salvation of the Lord, and He
will war with Beliar and execute everlasting vengeance on our enemies.
11. And those
which are captive in Beliar He will take from him, turning disobedient hearts
unto the Lord, and grant eternal peace to those who call on Him.
12. The
righteous shall rest in Eden, and rejoice in the New Jerusalem, and it shall be
to the glory of God forever.
13. No longer
shall Jerusalem endure desolation, nor Israel be led captive, for the Lord shall
be in their midst, God living with men, for the Holy One of Israel shall reign
over it in humility and lowliness, and he who believes on Him shall reign among
men in truth.
14.
Fear thus
the Lord my children, and beware of Satan and his spirits, draw near to God and
to the angel that intercedes for you, (the Lord's Holy Spirit).
For He is a mediator between God and man, and shall stand-up for the
peace of Israel against the enemies of the kingdom.
15. It is for
this reason that the enemy is so eager to destroy all that call on the Lord, for
he knows that on the day on which Israel shall repent the kingdoms of the enemy
shall be brought to an end.
16. For the
angel of peace shall strengthen Israel that it fall not into extreme evil.
17.
And it
shall be in the time of the lawlessness of Israel that the Lord will not depart
from them, but will transform them into a nation that performs His will, and
none of the angels will be equal to Him.
18.
And His
name will be in every place in Israel and among the Gentiles.
Keep yourselves therefore from all evil works casting away wrath and
lies, but love truth and long suffering.
19.
And the
things which you have heard of your father - tell them also to your children,
that the Savior of the Gentiles may receive you, for He is true and
long-suffering, meek and lowly, teaching the law of God by His works.
20. Depart
from all unrighteousness, cleave to the righteousness of God and your race will
be saved forever. And you bury me
near my fathers.
21. And
having said these things he kissed them and fell asleep at a good old age, and
his sons buried him placing him near his fathers.
22.
Dan thus
prophesied to them that they would forget their God, and be alienated from the
land of their inheritance.
The copy of the words, which he spoke to his sons in
the 130th year of his life in the 7th month on the first day thereof (ML)
1. When
Nephali was still in good health he made a feast for his children, and awakening
in the morning he said to them I am dying, but they would not believe him.
2. And
glorifying the Lord he confirmed that after this day he would die, and said to
them;
3.
Hear me
you sons of Nephali, the words of your father, I was born from Bildah for Rachel
dealt cunningly giving Bildah in her place to Jacob, and my mother bore me on
Rachel’s knees wherefore she called me Napthali.
4.
For
Rachel loved me very much since I was born on her lap, and as a child she used
to kiss me and say. May I have a
brother to you of my own womb that is like you, and Joseph was like me in like
all things according to the prayers of Rachel.
5. My mother
now was the daughter of Rotheus, the brother of Deborah, Rebecca's nurse, and
she was born on the same day with Rachel, and Rotheus was of the family of
Abraham, a Chaldean, a God fearing freeborn and noble man.
6. But he
was taken captive, and Laban bought him and gave to him Euna his handmaid to
wife, and she bore a daughter and called her Zilpah after the name of the
village in which he had been taken captive.
7.
After
that she bore Bildah saying, My daughter hastens after what is new for she
sought the breast immediately after she was born.
8. And I was
swift on my feet like the deer, wherefore my father Jacob appointed me for all
messages, and as a deer did he give me his blessings.
9.
For just
as the potter knows how much his vessels are to contain gathering the clay
accordingly, so the Lord makes the body after the spirit, and according to the
capacity of the body He implants the spirit.
10.
One does
not fall short of the other, not even by a third part of a hair, for by weight
and measure and rule was all creation made.
11. And just
as the potter knows the use of each vessel, what it is meet for, so the Lord
knows the body how far it will endure in goodness and where evil begins.
For there is no inclination of thought, which the Lord does not know,
since He created every man after His own image.
12. For as a
man's strength is, so is his work, and as his eyes be, so is his sleep, and as
his soul be, so also is his word in either the law of God or in the law of
Beliar.
13. And as
there is a division between light and darkness, between seeing and hearing, so
there is division between man and man, and woman to woman, wherefore it is not
to be said that one is like the other in face or in mind.
14.
For God
made all things good in their order, the five senses in the head, and this
joined to the neck. He also added
hair for comeliness and for glory, and the heart for understanding, the belly
for excrement, the stomach for grinding, the windpipe for breath, the liver for
wrath, the gall for bitterness, the spleen for laughter, the reins for prudence,
the muscles of the loins for power, the lungs for breathing, the loins for
strength, and so forth.
15.
Thus my
children let all your works be done with order and good intend in the fear of
God, and do nothing disorderly, in scorn, or out of season.
16. For if
you bid the eyes to hear, they cannot, so likewise you cannot perform the works
of light when in darkness.
17.
Be
therefore not eager to corrupt your doings through coveting, nor with vain words
deceive yourselves, but rather in silence and purity of heart learn to
understand how to hold to the will of God, casting from you the will of Beliar.
18.
The sun,
moon, and stars do not change their orders, so you likewise do not change the
law of God in the disorder of your doings.
19. The
Gentiles went astray changing their order forsaking the Lord, devoting
themselves to stones and sticks, to spirits of deceit.
20. But you
shall not be so my children recognize that the Lord made the firmament, the
earth, the sea, and all created things, that
you not become like unto Sodom that changed its order of nature.
21.
The
watchers also in like manner changed their order, which the Lord cursed
by the flood, for on their account was the earth made fruitless, without
inhabitants.
22. These
things I say to you my children for I have read in the
writings of Enoch that you also will depart from the Lord walking
according to the lawlessness of the Gentiles and you will act according to all
the wickedness of Sodom.
23. The Lord
then will bring captivity on you, and you will serve your enemies and be bowed
down with every affliction and tribulation until you are consumed by the Lord.
24.
And after
you are diminished having become few, you will return and acknowledge the Lord
your God, and He will bring you back into your land according to His abundant
mercies.
25.
Thereafter
you will again forget the Lord becoming ungodly, and the Lord will scatter them
over the whole face of the earth until in His compassion He will bring a Man who
works righteousness and mercy to all who are near and far.
Visions
of Naphali
1. In
the 40th year of my life, on mount olive, I saw a vision, the sun and moon were
standing still, and Isaac my grandfather said to us.
Run and lay hold of them each one according to his strength, and to him
who seizes them they shall belong.
2. And we
all ran together, Levi then took hold of the sun, and Judah outstripped the
others taking the moon, and both were lifted up with them.
3. And when
Levi became as the sun, a certain young man gave to him twelve palm branches,
and Judah being bright as the moon, under his feet were twelve rays.
4.
And there
was also a bull on the earth having two great horns, and wings like of eagles on
his back, and we attempted to seize him but were unable, but Joseph took hold
of him and ascended up on high with him.
5. And I saw
myself, and a holy writing appeared to me saying; Assyrians, Medes, Persians,
Chaldeans, and Syrians shall hold the twelve tribes in captivity.
6. And again
after seven days I saw my father Jacob standing by the sea of Jamnia, and we
were with him, and a ship came sailing by, but it was without pilot or sailors,
and written on it was the
ship of Jacob.
7. And our
father said to us; Come let us embark upon our ship, and having gone aboard
there arose a strong wind, a mighty storm, and our father who was holding the
helm - departed from us.
8. And we
being tossed with the tempest, the boat, pounded by mighty waves, took on water
and broke up, and Joseph fled away on a small boat, and we were all divided on
nine planks, Levi and Judah being together, and we were scattered to the ends of
the earth.
9.
Then Levi
girding himself with sackcloth prayed for us to the Lord, and the storm ceased,
the ship reaching land as though at peace, and behold, our father came and we
all rejoiced with one accord.
10.
I then
told these two dreams to my father and he said; these things will be fulfilled
in their season after Israel has endured many things.
11.
Then my
father said to me; I believe that Joseph lives, for I behold that the Lord
numbers him with you always.
12.
And
weeping he said; O my son Joseph, you live even though I see you not.
TESTAMENT OF GAD
The
copy of the testament of Gad, which he spoke to his sons in the 125th year of
his life saying to them;
Gad's reason for hating Joseph.
1.
Listen
my children, I was the ninth son born to Jacob and I was brave in guarding the
flocks, accordingly I guarded them at night.
And whenever a lion came, or a wolf, or any wild beast, I pursued it, and
overtaking it I grasped its foot with my hand and threw it about a stone's throw
so killing it.
2.
Joseph my
brother now was tending the flocks with me for some thirty days, and being
delicate, he became sick from the heat, and returned to Hebron where our father
made him to lie down near him because he loved him greatly.
3. And
Joseph told our father that the sons of Zilpah and Bildah were slaying the best
of the flock and eating them against the judgment of Reuben and Judah.
For he saw how I delivered a lamb from the mouth of a bear, which
afterwards we slew since it was too weak to live, and we ate it.
4.
For this
cause I was angry with Joseph till he was sold, for the spirit of hatred was in
me, so that I wished not to hear of him with my ears, or to see him with my
eyes. For he rebuked us to our
faces saying that we were eating of the flock without Judah's consent.
5. And
whatever he told our father, he believed him, so I confess my children that I
often wished to kill him, hating him from the heart.
6. And for
his dreams I hated him even worse, and like an ox licks up the grass of the
field, so I wished to lick him out of the land of the living.
7. But Judah
had secretly sold him to the Ish'maelites, the God of our fathers thus delivering
him from our hands that we should not work this great lawlessness in Israel.
Gad admonishes against hatred
8. And now
my children listen to the words of truth to perform righteousness and all the
law of the Lord Most High, and stray not with the spirit of hatred, for it is
evil in all man's deeds.
9.
For in
whatever a man does, he who hates is an abomination,
and though a man performs the law of God, he does not so praise God, or though
he fears God and takes pleasure in doing what is righteous, he loves not God.
10. For he reviles the truth - that envies those that prosper,
and welcoming the evil speech he loves arrogance since hatred blinds his soul,
even as I looked on Joseph.
11. Beware of
hatred my children, for it works lawlessness, even against the Lord Himself, for
it refuses to hear the words of His commandments concerning to love one's
neighbor and thus it is against God.
12. For if a
brother stumbles, hatred immediately delights to proclaim it to all men, and
urges that he should be judged and punished for it, and put to death.
13.
If he be
a servant, he conspires against his master, and the opportunity availing itself,
he plots how he may be put to death.
14. For hatred works with envy against those that prosper,
and suffers as long as he sees and hears of their success.
15. For even
as love would raise the dead, to recall those that are condemned to die, so
hatred wishes to slay the living who have but committed the smallest sin.
16.
For the
spirit of hatred works together with Satan to hasten the spirits to their death,
but the Spirit of love works together with God in long
suffering to the salvation of man.
17. Hatred
therefore is evil, for it continually mates with lying, and makes the small
appear great, and light as darkness, it calls the sweet bitter, and teaches
slander, arousing wrath, stirring up war, violence, and all greed, it fills the
heart with devilish poison.
18. These
things I pronounce to you from experience my children, that you may drive out
hatred which is of the devil, and cleave to the love of God, for righteousness
drives out evil, and humility destroys envy.
19.
For he that is just and humble is ashamed to perform what is unjust,
reproved not of
another, but of his own heart, for the Lord looks
upon his inclination.
20.
He will
not speak against a holy man because the fear of God overcomes hatred, and
fearing lest he should offend the Lord, he will not do wrong to any man, even in
thought.
21. These
things I learned afterwards when I had repented concerning Joseph, for true
repentance in Godliness destroys ignorance, and drives away darkness
enlightening the eyes, giving knowledge to the soul, and leading the mind to
salvation.
22. The
things thus which are not learned from man - become known through repentance,
for the Lord brought a disease of the liver on me, and had it not been for the
prayers of my father Jacob, my spirit would have departed from me.
23. For by
that by which a man transgresses so also he is punished, since therefore my
liver was set against Joseph without mercy, so in my liver I suffered
mercilessly, and was judged for eleven months, just as long as I had been angry
at Joseph.
Chapter 19
To love one's brother and neighbor.
1.
I
then admonish you my children to love one another his brother, and put hatred
from your heart, love one another in deed, in word, and in the inclinations of
your soul.
2.
In the
presence of my father I spoke peaceably to Joseph, yet when I had gone out, the
spirit of hatred darkened my mind to stir up my soul to kill him.
3.
Love one
another therefore from the heart, and if a man sin against you, speak peaceably
to him, and do not hold guile in your soul, and if he repents confessing,
forgive him.
4. And if he
denies it, do not get into a passion with him, lest catching the poison - he
takes to swearing, and you will have doubly sinned.
5.
Reveal
not your secrets of your striving, lest he comes to hate you, and even your
enemy to commit a great sin against you, for he may often befriend you, but it is so in
guile, or he will busy himself with you but with evil intend.
6.
And
though he may out of shame deny being reproved, reprove him no more, for he that
denied may yet repent so as not to wrong you anymore, as in fact he may come to
honor you with fear, and be at peace with you.
7.
And if he
persists in his wrongdoing, even so forgive him from the heart, and leave the
avenging to God.
8.
If a man
prospers more than you, be not vexed, but pray rather for him that he may have
perfect prosperity, for this is expedient for you.
9.
And if he
be still further exalted, be not envious of him, but remember that all flesh
must die, and bring praise to God who gives good and profitable things to all
men.
10.
Seek out
the judgments of the Lord, and your mind will rest, being at peace, and though a
man becomes rich by evil means like as Esau the brother of my father, be
not jealous, but wait for the end from the Lord.
11.
For when God takes away man's unjustly obtained wealth, and he
repents, God forgives him, but the unrepented are reserved for eternal punishment.
12.
For the
poor man that is free of envy, pleasing God in all things, will be blessed
beyond all men, for he had not the travail of the vain man.
13. Remove
jealousy therefore from your souls, and love one another uprightly from the
heart.
14. And tell
these things also to your children, and that they should honor Judah and Levi,
for from them shall the Lord raise up salvation to Israel.
15.
For I
know that in the end you children will depart from Him and walk in all
wickedness and afflictions and corruption’s before God.
16.
And when
he had rested for a little while, he again said; my children obey your father,
and bury me near my fathers. And he
drew up his feet and fell asleep in peace.
17. And after
five years they carried him up to Hebron, and laid him with his fathers.
Chapter 20
The
copy of the words of Asher, which he spoke to his sons in the 125th year of his
life, while he was still in good health.
1.
Hear
me you children of Asher your father, and I will declare to you what is upright
in the sight of the Lord.
2.
God has
given two ways to the sons of men, there are two inclinations, two kinds of
actions, and two issues, all things thus are by two, one over the other.
3.
For there
are two ways, good and evil, and with these are the two inclinations in our
breast discriminating them.
4. Thus if
the soul takes pleasure in the good inclinations, its actions are in
righteousness, and if he sins, he immediately repents since his heart is set on
righteousness, and casts away wickedness which then is straightway overcome, and
sin uprooted.
5.
But if he
inclines to the evil inclinations, all his actions are in wickedness, and the
good is driven away, and he is ruled by Beliar. For though a work may be good, he forces the issue of the
action in evil for himself, since it is from a treasure filled with inclinations
of evil.
6.
A person thus may in words works towards the good, yet be evil, since
the issue of its action is from evil and leads to evil.
7. In the
case where one has no compassion for one who does evil, while another loves that
person that does evil even to the point of dying for him, there are two aspects
here, the whole being evil.
8. For
although there is indeed love (in the second) he is wicked in that he conceals
evil for the sake of a good name (or
friendship) the-end result of thus is evil.
9. Another
steals, plunders, and defrauds, and with this all he pities the poor, this also
has two aspects, the whole being evil.
10. For he
who defrauds his neighbor provokes God and swears falsely against the Most High,
for while he pities the poor - still he sets the law of God at nothing, and
provokes Him.
11.
And those
who defile the souls, taking pride, and killing many, yet pities a few, this
also is twofold, the whole being evil.
12. Another
commits adultery, yet will fast, he therefore does evil in fasting, one by the
power of his wealth overwhelms many, and with this he acts to perform the
commandments, this also is evil.
13.
These men are like hares, they are clean as those that divide the hoof,
but in reality are unclean, for thus did God declare in the table of
commandments.
14.
Be you
not so my children, be not two-faced like them, to be both of goodness and
wickedness, but cleave to goodness only, for therein is the habitation of God,
and men desire it.
15.
And flee
from wickedness, destroy the evil inclinations by good things, for they that are
two-faced do not serve God, but rather their own lust to please Beliar, and men
like themselves.
16.
For men
that are good, that are of single face, even though may be thought of by men as
double-face to sin, yet are they just before God.
17. For many
do both good and evil in killing the wicked, but the whole is good in that he
has uprooted and destroyed that which was evil.
18. One who
will hate one that is both merciful and unjust, that commits adultery and also
fasts; here the whole is good in that he imitates the Lord in not accepting what
appears fully good.
19. Another
does not wish to associate with them that riot lest he defile his soul with
them. This too has two sides, but
the whole is good, for such men are like the stags and the hinds, for in
appearance they seem wild and unclean, yet they are altogether clean since they
walk in zeal for the Lord abstaining from what the Lord has forbade.
20.
So you
see my children how there are two in all things, one against the other, the one
hidden by the other, wealth hides covetous, merriment drunkenness, grief in
laughter, and dissolution in wedlock.
21.
Death
succeeds to life, dishonor to glory, night to day, and darkness to light, but
all these lead ultimately to day, and to life, even as unjust things lead to
death, and eternal life wards off death.
22. It is not
to be said that truth is a lie, nor that the right is wrong, for all truth is
under the light, as are all things under God.
23.
All these
things then I proved in my life, and I departed not from the truth of the Lord,
and I searched out His commandments walking according to them with all my
strength in singleness of heart.
24.
Take heed
therefore my children to the commandments of the Lord to follow truth in
singleness of heart, for the two-faced are guilty of twofold sin, doing evil and
taking pleasure in following the example of the spirits of deceit that strive
against mankind.
25.
Keep
therefore the law of the Lord my children, and pay no heed to evil, but look to
the things that are truly good, therein keep all the commandments of God having
your conversation accordingly and resting therein.
26. For the
end of man will show their righteousness, or not, when they meet the angels of
the Lord, or those of Satan.
27. For when
the soul is troubled, it is served by the evil spirits, which serve it in lust
and evil works, but if he is peaceful in joy, he meets the angel of peace that
leads him to eternal life.
28. Become
not like Sodom my children, which sinned against the angels of the Lord and
perished forever.
29.
For I
know that you will sin and be delivered into the hands of your enemies, and that
your land shall be desolated and your holy places destroyed, and that you will
be scattered to the four corners of the earth.
30.
You will
be set at nothing in the dispersion as water that vanishes until the Most High
shall visit the earth coming as a Man and eating and drinking with man, and
breaking the head of the dragon in the water.
31. He shall
save Israel and the Gentiles, God speaking in the person of a Man, tell
therefore these things again to your children that they disobey Him not.
32. For I
know that you will assuredly be disobedient and act ungodly, not paying heed to
the law of God, but to the commands of men corrupted in wickedness.
33.
Wherefore
you shall be scattered as Gad and Dan my brothers, and not know your land, nor
your tribe or tongue.
34.
But the
Lord will gather you together in faith in His tender mercy for you.
35.
But the
Lord will gather you together in faith in His tender mercy for the sake of our
fathers.
36. And
having said these things to them he commanded them to bury him in Hebron, and he
fell asleep dicing at a good old age, and his sons did as he commanded them,
carrying him to Hebron with his fathers.
TESTAMENT OF JOSEPH
Copy
of the words of Joseph when he was about to die, when he called his sons and
said to them.
1.
My
brothers and my children, listen to Joseph the beloved of Israel, give ear my
sons to your father.
2.
In my
life I have seen envy and death yet I do not go astray but persevered in the
truth of the Lord.
3. My
brothers hated me, but the Lord loved me, they wished to kill me, but the God of
my fathers guarded me.
4. They let
me down into a pit, but the Most High brought me up again, I was sold into
slavery, but the Lord of all made me free.
5.
I was
taken into captivity, but His strong hand came to my rescue, I was beset with
hunger, but the Lord Himself nourished me.
6.
I was
alone, but God comforted me, I was sick and the Lord visited me, I was in
prison, but my God showed me favor.
7.
I was in
bonds, but He released me, slandered, but He pleaded my cause, I was bitterly
spoken against by the Egyptians but He delivered me.
8. I was
envied by my fellow slaves, but He exalted me, and this chief captain of Pharaoh
entrusted his household to me.
9.
I
struggled with a shameless woman urging me to transgress with her, but the God
of Israel my father delivered me from the burning flame.
10. I was
cast into prison beaten and mocked, but the Lord granted me mercy in the sight of
the keeper of the prison.
11.
For the
Lord does not forsake them that fear Him, neither in darkness nor in bonds, nor
in troubles or necessities.
12. For God
is not timid as a man, nor like the sons of men who disappoint, or like those
born on earth - weak and fearful.
13. But in
all these things He provided protection, giving comfort in many ways, although
for a little while He departs in order to try the inclinations of your soul.
14.
In
ten temptations He showed me approved, and in all of them I endured, for
endurance is a mighty charm, and patience provides much good.
Joseph ‘s trial with the Egyptian woman.
15. Quite
often did the Egyptian women threaten me with death, and often did she give me
over to be punished, and calling me again threatened me, and when I was
unwilling to company with her, she said to me
16.
You shall
be lord over me and all that is in my house, if only you will give yourself to
me, then you will be our master.
17. But I
recalled the words of my father, and going into my chambers I wept and prayed to
the Lord, and I fasted in those seven years appearing to the Egyptians as one
living delicately.
18.
For they
who fast for the Lord receive beauty of countenance, and when my master was
absent I drank no wine, nor did I take food for periods of three days, but gave
it to the poor and the sick.
19. I would
awaken early and pray to the Lord weeping over the Egyptian woman of Memphis,
for she troubled me relentlessly.
20. At night
she would come pretending to visit me, and because she had no male child, she
pretended me as a son, and for a time she embraced me as a son, I being unaware.
21. But
afterwards she sought to lure me into fornication, and I realizing this, I
sorrowed to death, and she having gone out, I got hold of myself and grieved for
her many days having recognized her guile and deceit.
22. And I
declared to her the words of the Most High, if per chance she would turn from
her evil lust, and so often times she would flatter me in words as to a holy
man, and deceitfully praise my chastity before her husband.
23.
Meanwhile
she desired to ensnare me when we were alone, for she proclaimed my chastity
openly, but in secret she would say;
24.
Fear not
my husband for he is convinced of your chastity, for even if they told him
differently, he would not believe it. During
all this I lay on the ground asking God to deliver me from her deceit.
25. When
therefore she accomplished nothing by these means she came to me under the
pretense of instructions, that she might learn the word of God, and said.
If you will that I leave my idols, then lay with me and I will also
persuade my husband to depart from his idols, and we will walk in the law of
your God.
26. And I
said to her; The Lord wills not that those who revere Him walk in uncleanliness,
nor does He take pleasure in them that commit adultery, but in such as approach
Him with a pure heart and undefiled lips.
27.
She then
kept her peace seeing how she could accomplish her desire, and I gave myself yet
more to fasting and prayer that the Lord might deliver me from her.
28.
For still
another time she said to me, If you will not commit adultery I will kill my
husband with poison, and take you for my husband.
29.
And
hearing this I rent my garment and said to her. Woman, honor God, and do not this evil deed lest you be
destroyed, for know this that I indeed will declare this device of yours to all
men.
30. She
therefore being afraid entreated me not to declare this, and departed soothing
me with gifts, sending to me all the delights of the sons of men.
31. Afterwards
she sent me food mixed with enchantments, and when I looked at the eunuch who
brought it, I beheld as were it a terrible man giving me a dish with a sword,
and I perceived that it was her scheme to deceive me.
32. And when
he had gone, I wept and tasted not of it, nor any other food, and after one day
she came to me, and seeing the food untouched she said; Why have you not eaten
of the food?
33. And I
said; it is because you filled it with deadly enchantments, how thus do you say
that do would not come near to idols, but serve God alone?
34. Know
therefore that the God of my fathers revealed your wickedness to me by an angel,
and I have kept it to convict you if per chance you might repent, and learn that
the wickedness of the ungodly has no power over them that worship God with
chastity.
35.
For
behold, I will take of it eating right before you, and having said I prayed that
the God of Abraham be with me, and I ate.
36. And
seeing this, she fell on her face at my feet weeping, and I raised her up and
admonished her, and she promised to perform this iniquity no more.
37.
But her
heart was still set on evil, and she looked how to ensnare me, and sighing
deeply she became downcast as if she were sick, and her husband seeing her said
to her; why is your face so fallen?
38.
And she
said to him; I have pain at my heart, the sorrow of my spirit oppresses me, and
so he comforted her who was not sick.
39.
Then
taking the opportunity she rushed unto me while her husband was still only
outside saying; I will hang myself, or throw myself over a cliff if you will not
lay with me.
40.
And
seeing how the spirit of Beliar was troubling her, I prayed to the Lord, and
said to her. You wretched and
blinded in sin, remember that if you kill yourself that Asteno, your husband's
concubine, your rival will beat your children, and you will destroy your
memorial from off the earth.
41. And she
said; Well on then, you love me, and that is sufficient for me, strive then for
my life and that of my children, and I expect that I shall enjoy my desire as
well.
42.
But she
knew not that I had spoken thus because of the Lord and not because of her.
For when a man has fallen before the passion of a wicked desire, and is
enslaved thereby, like as she was, then, whatever good he hears in regard with
that passion, he receives it with a view towards his wicked desire.
43.
I declare
therefore to you my children that it was about the sixth hour when she departed
from me, and I knelt before the Lord all that day and night, and at dawn I rose
up weeping while praying for a release from her.
44.
At last
then she took hold of my garment forcibly dragging me to join with her, and when
I saw how in her madness she held my garments, I left it behind and fled away
naked.
45.
And
holding the garment she falsely accused me, and her husband having come, cast me
in prison in his house, and on the morning having beaten me, he sent me to
Pharaoh's prison.
46. And when
I was in bonds, the Egyptian woman was oppressed with grief.
And as she came she heard how I gave thanks to God and sang praises in
the abode of darkness, glorifying my God and rejoicing in that I was delivered
from the lustful desire of the Egyptian woman.
47. And often
she sent to me saying Consent to fulfill my desire, and I will release you from
your bonds, and free you from darkness, but not even in thought did I incline to
her.
48.
For God
loves him who in a den of iniquity combines fasting with chastity rather than
the man who is in kings chambers combining luxury with folly.
49.
And if a
man lives in chastity, desiring also glory, then the Most High knowing what is
expedient for him grants this to him accordingly.
50.
How often
did she not come at any off time acting as if she were sick, and heard my voice
as I prayed, but I hearing her complaints, I kept my peace.
51.
For when
I was in her house, she used to uncover her arms and breasts and legs so I might
lay with her, for she was very beautiful, and very well adorned in order to
beguile me, but the Lord kept me from her devices.
Chapter 22
The account of Joseph as a slave.
1. You see thus my children what great things patience and prayer with fasting can work out, so you also if you follow chastity with patience and prayer in humility of heart will the Lord dwell among you, for He loves chastity.
2.
And with
whomever the Most High dwells, though slander or slavery falls on a man, yet the
Lord for his chastity will not only deliver him by also exalt him, even as He
did me.
3.
For in
every way that man is lifted up, be it in deed, in word, or in thought.
4.
My
brothers knew how much my father loved me, yet I did not in that mind exalt
myself, for I had the fear of God in my heart, and knew that all things must
pass away.
5.
I did not
raise myself against them with evil intent, but out of respect for them I
honored my brothers, and when I was sold I did not tell the Ishmalites that I
was the son of Jacob, a great and mighty man.
6. You also
my children, do likewise having the fear of God in all your works and honor your
brothers, for everyone who does the law of God shall be beloved by Him.
7. And when
I came to Indocopites with the Ishmalites, they asked me saying; Are you a
slave? And I said that I was a
home-born slave, so I might not put my brothers to shame.
8. And the
oldest of them said; You are not a slave, your very appearance shows it, but I
contended that I was their slave.
9. And when
we came to Egypt, they strove concerning me which of them should buy me, and it
seemed good to them that I should remain in Egypt with the merchants of their
trade until they should return bringing merchandise.
10. And the
Lord gave me favor in the eyes of the merchant, and he entrusted his house to
me, and God blessed him because of me, increasing to him gold and silver and
household servants.
11. And I
being with them three months and five days, it was at that time when the Memphis
woman, the wife of Potifar, came down in a chariot with great pomp because she
had heard from her eunuchs concerning me.
12. And she
told her husband that the merchant had become rich by means of a young Hebrew of
whom it is said that he must surely have been stolen out of the land of Canaan.
So therefore render justice to him and take the youth to your house, so
will the God of the Hebrews bless you since the grace of Heaven is upon him.
13. And
Potifar was persuaded by her words and commanded the merchant to be brought and
said to him; What is this I hear concerning you that you steal persons out of
the land of Canaan and sell them as slaves.
14.
But the
merchant fell at his feet entreating him saying; I entreat you my lord I know
nothing of what you say. And
Potifar said; where then is the Hebrew slave?
15.
And he
said; The Ishmalites entrusted him to me until they would return.
But he would not believe him, and commanded him to be stripped and
beaten.
16. And when
he persisted in his statement, Potifar said; Let the youth be brought.
And when I was brought in I prostrated myself to Potifar, for he was
third in rank of the officers of Pharaoh.
17.
And he
took me apart and said; Are you a slave or free man?
And I said A slave. And he
said; whose? And I replied The
Ishmalites.
18.
Then he
said; How did you become a slave? And
I said; They bought me out of the land of Canaan.
Then he said; Surely you lie. And
right then he commanded me to be stripped and beaten.
19. The woman
from Memphis now was looking through a window while I was being beaten since her
house was near, and she sent to him saying; Your judgment is unjust for you are
punishing a free man who has been stolen, as though he were a transgressor.
20. And when
I made no change in my statement, though I was beaten, he ordered me to be
imprisoned until, so he said, the owners of the boy should come.
21.
The woman
then said to her husband; Why are you detaining this captive and well-born lad
in bonds? You ought rather to set
him free and be waited upon. For
she wished to see me because of her desire for sin, of which I was ignorant at
the time.
22. And he
said to her; It is not the custom of the Egyptians to take what belongs to
others before proof is given. But
this he said concerning the merchant, while the lad, so he said, must be
imprisoned.
23. After
twenty-four days when the Ishmalites returned, and having heard that Jacob my
father mourned much concerning me, they said to me. How is it that you said that you were a slave, for we have
learned that you are the son of a mighty man in the land of Canaan, and your
father still mourns for you in sackcloth and ashes.
24. And
hearing this my bowels were dissolved and my heart melted, and I greatly desired
to weep, but I restrained myself in order not to put my brothers to shame, and
said to them;
25.
I know
not but that I am a slave. They
then took counsel to sell me so I would not be found in their hands, since they
feared my father lest he should come and execute a grievous vengeance on them,
for they had heard that he was mighty with God and with men.
26. Then the
merchant said to them, release me from the judgment of Potifar.
And they came saying; Say that you were bought by us with money, and he
will set us free.
27.
The woman
of Memphis meanwhile said to her husband; Buy the youth, for I hear that they
are selling him. And straightway
she sent an eunuch to the Ishmalites asking them to sell me.
28. But since
the eunuch did not agree to purchase me at their price, he returned and told his
mistress that they asked a large price for their slaves.
29. And she
sent another Eunuch saying. Even
though they demand two mines give it to them and do not spare the gold, but buy
the boy, and bring him to me.
30.
The
eunuch therefore went and gave them eighty pieces of gold, and he obtained me,
but to his mistress he said; I gave 100. And
though I knew this but I held my peace lest the eunuch should be put to shame.
31.
You see
therefore my children what great things I endured so I might not put my brothers
to shame.
Chapter 23
Joseph's kindness.
1.
You
therefore also love one another and with long-suffering hide one another faults,
for God delights in the unity of brothers, and in the purpose of the heart that
takes pleasure in love.
2.
And when
my brothers had come into Egypt learning that I had returned their money, I did
not upbraid them, but comforted them.
3. And after
the death of my father I loved them even more, and all that he commanded me for
them I did in abundance for them, not suffering them to be afflicted in even the
smallest matter, and all that was in my hand I gave to them.
4. And their
children were my children, and my children as their servants, and their life was
my life their suffering my suffering, and their sickness my infirmities, my land
their land, and their counsel my counsel.
5. I exalted
not myself among them in arrogance of my worldly glory, but I was among them as
one of the least.
6.
If you
therefore also walk in the commandments of the Lord my children He will exalt
you, and bless you with good things forever and ever.
7.
And if
one seeks to do evil to you, do well to him, and pray for him, and you shall be
redeemed of the Lord from all evil.
8. For you have seen that in humility and long suffering I took to myself a wife, the daughter of the priest of Heliopolis, and a hundred talents of gold were given me with her, and the Lord made them to serve me.
9.
And He
gave me beauty like a flower beyond the good ones of Israel, and preserved my
strength and beauty to my old age, for I was like Jacob in all things.
Visions of Joseph.
10.
And now
my children hear the vision, which I had. There
were twelve harts feeding, and first nine were dispersed all over the earth, and
afterwards the three.
11. And I saw that from Judah was born a virgin wearing a linen garment.
And from her was born a Lamb without spot, and on His left hand there was
as were it a Lion, and all the beast rushed against him, but the Lamb overcame
them and destroyed them, treading them under foot.
12. And
because of Him the angels and men, and the land rejoiced, and these things shall
come to pass in their season
in the last days.
Ending words.
13. Therefore
my children observe the commandments of the Lord, honor Levi and Judah for from
them shall arise to you the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
One who saves all Gentiles and Israel.
14.
And His
kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, which shall not pass away, but my kingdom
among you shall come to an end like a watchers hammock, which disappears after
the summer.
15.
For I
know that after my death the Egyptians will afflict you, but God will avenge you
and bring you into that which He promised to your fathers.
16.
And you
shall carry up my bones with you, for when my bones are taken up - the Lord will
be with you in light, and Beliar shall be in darkness with the Egyptians.
17.
And carry
up Aseneth your mother to the Hippodrome, near Rachel my mother, and bury her
there.
18. And
having said these things he stretched out his feet and died at good old age, and
all Israel mourned for him, and also all Egypt with a great mourning.
19. And when
the children of Israel went out of Egypt they took with them the bones of
Joseph, and buried him in Hebron with his fathers, the years of his life then
were 110.
Chapter 24
TESTAMENT OF BENJAMIN
The
copy of the words of Benjamin, which he spoke to his sons after he had lived 125
years.
1.
And
he kissed them and said; As Isaac was born to Abraham in his age, so also was I
to Jacob, and since Rachel my mother died in giving birth, I had no milk
wherefore I was suckled by Bildah her handmaid.
2. For
Rachel remained barren for twelve years after which she bore Joseph, and she
prayed to the Lord with fasting twelve days, and conceived and bore me.
3.
For my
father loved Rachel dearly and prayed that she might see two sons born of her,
wherefore I was called Benjamin, meaning; Son of days.
4.
And when
I went into Egypt to Joseph and my brother recognized me, he said to me; What
did they tell my father when they sold me? And I said to him; dipped your coat with blood and sent it
saying, see if this be your son’s coat.
5. And
Joseph said; Yes brother, when they had stripped me of my coat, they gave me to
the Ishmalites who gave me a loincloth, and beat me, and told me to run.
And the one that had beaten me with the rod, met a lion and was killed,
and so his associates were afraid.
6.
You
therefore my children do also love the Lord God of heaven and earth, keeping His
commandments, following the example of the good and holy man
7.
Let your
minds be to good, even as you know me, for he that has his mind right, sees all
things rightly.
8.
Fear the
Lord and love your neighbor, and though the spirits of Beliar afflict you with
every evil, yet they will not have dominion over you, just as they did not have
over Joseph my brother.
9.
How many
men wished to slay him, yet God shielded him, for he that loves and his neighbor
cannot be smitten by the spirit of Beliar, since he is shielded by the fear of
God.
10.
And
neither can he be ruled by the devices of men or by beasts since the Lord helps
him for the love, which he has for his neighbor.
11. For
Joseph also entreated his father that he would pray for his brothers, that the
Lord would not impute the evil that they had done, as sin to them.
12.
And Jacob
cried saying; My good child, you have prevailed over the bowels of your father
Jacob. And he embraced him and
kissed him saying;
13.
In you
shall be fulfilled the prophecy of heaven concerning the Lamb of God, Savior of
the world. That a blameless one
shall be delivered up to lawless men, a sinless One die for ungodly men in the
blood of the covenant for salvation of Gentiles and Israel, and He will destroy
Beliar and his servants.
14.
Behold
therefore my children the end of a good man, and be followers of his compassion
with a good mind that you also may wear crowns of glory.
15.
For the good man has no dark eyes, but shows mercy to all men even
though they be sinners and devise evil regarding him, for he overcomes by doing
good, being shielded by God, and he loves the righteous as His own soul.
16.
If anyone
is praised, he will not envy him, and if anyone is enriched, he will not be
jealous. If one is valiant, he
praises Him, He praises the virtues man and that have mercy on the poor and
compassion on the weak, and that man sings praises to God.
17.
If you
therefore have a good mind, then will wicked men be at peace with you, and the
harmful reverence you, and turn to the good, and greedy will not only cease from
their inordinate desire, but even give away the things which they coveted.
18.
Even the unclean spirits will flee from you when you do well, and the
beast fear you, for where there is the praise of good works and light in the
mind, there darkness flees away.
19.
If one
does violence to a holy man, he may repent since the holy man is merciful to his
reviler and holds his peace, and if anyone betrays a righteous man, that man
prays for him.
20. The righteous are humbled for a little while, but not long afterwards he shall appear more glorious as was Joseph my brother.
21.
The
inclinations of the good man are not in the power of the deceit of Beliar,
because the angel of peace guides his soul.
22.
He does
not gaze passionately on corruptible things, nor does he gather riches through
desires of pleasure, he delights not in pleasure, nor grieves his neighbor.
23.
He does
not cover himself with luxuries, nor does he err in the uplifting of his eyes,
for the Lord is his portion.
24.
The good
inclinations does not look for glory and honor with men, nor does it know guile,
or to lie, or fighting with reviling, since the Lord dwells in him and
enlightens his soul, and he rejoices towards all men always.
25.
The good
mind has not two tongues, one of blessing and one of cursing, not both abuse and
honor, nor peace and confusion, hypocrisy and truth, poverty and wealth, but has
a single disposition, incorrupt and pure concerning all men.
26. He has no
double sight or hearing, for in everything that he speaks or sees, he knows that
God is looking on his soul, and he cleanses his mind that he may not be
condemned by men, nor by God.
27. And in
like manner the works of Beliar are twofold, there not being any singleness in
them, wherefore my children I tell you to flee the malice of Beliar for he hands
a sword to them that obey him.
28. And the
sword is the mother of seven evils; there is bloodshed, ruin, tribulation,
exile, famine, panic, and destruction.
29. Therefore
also was Cain delivered over to the seven vengeance by God, for in every one
hundred years the Lord brought one plague on him, he was 200 years old when he
began to suffer, and in the 900th year he was destroyed.
30. It was on
account of Abel his brother that he was judged with all these evils, but Lamech
seventy times seven.
31.
For those
who are like Cain in envy and hatred of brothers, shall be judged forever with
the same judgment.
Chapter 25
1.
Flee
from the evil of envy and hatred of brothers, but hold to goodness and love, he
that has a pure mind in love does not look after a woman with a view to
fornication since in his heart he has no defilement, the Spirit of God resting
on him.
2.
For just
as the sun is undefiled shining on dung and mire, but rather dries them, and
driving the evil smell away, so also the pure mind, though surrounded by the
defilement’s of the earth, rather cleanses them, itself not being defiled.
3. And I believe that there will be evil doings among you also, for from the words of Enoch the righteous, you shall commit fornication like that of Sodom, and you shall perish excepting a few, and you shall renew your wanton deeds with women. And the kingdom of the Lord shall not be among you, for He will straightway take it away from you.
4.
Nevertheless
the temple of God shall be in your portion, and the last temple shall be more
glorious than the first, and the twelve tribes shall be gathered together there,
and Gentiles.
5. And the
Most High shall sent forth His salvation in the visitation of the only begotten
Prophet, and He shall enter into the first temple where He shall be treated with
outrage, and He shall be lifted up on a tree.
6. And the
Vail of the temple shall be rent, and the Spirit of God shall pass on to the
Gentiles even as fire spreads. And
He shall ascend from Hades and pass from earth into heaven, and I know how lowly
He shall be on earth and how glorious in heaven.
7.
When
Joseph now was in Egypt I longed to see him in person, in the form of his being,
and through the prayers of my father Jacob I saw him as awake in the daytime, I
saw his whole figure exactly as he was.
8.
And
having said these things he concluded; Know now my children that I am dying,
perform therefore truth with one another, and keep the law of the Lord, for
these things I leave to you as inheritance.
9. And give
these things to your children also for an everlasting possession, for likewise
did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
10.
For all
these things they gave us for an inheritance saying.
Keep the commandments of God until the Lord shall reveal His salvation to
all Gentiles.
Ending words of the writer.
11. Then you
shall see Enoch, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob rising on the right hand
in gladness. And we also shall rise
each one over our tribe worshipping the King of heaven, who has appeared on the
earth in the form of a man of humility, and as many as believe on Him shall
rejoice with Him.
12. Then
shall many rise, some to glory, others unto shame, and the Lord will judge
Israel first, for when He appeared as God in the flesh to deliver them, but they
believed him not.
13. When He
appears on earth, He shall judge all Gentiles as many as did not believe in Him,
and convict Israel through the chosen ones of the Gentiles even as He reproved
Esau through the Mid'ianites who loved their brothers.
As in Benjamin again.
14.
If
therefore you walk in holiness according to the commandments of the Lord, you
shall again dwell we me, and all Israel be gathered to the Lord.
15. And I
shall no longer be called a ravenous wolf on account of your ravages, but a
worker of the Lord distributing food to those who work what is good.
16.
And in
the latter days there shall arise one beloved of the Lord of the tribe of Judah
and Levi, a doer of His good pleasure, and with new knowledge enlighten the
Gentiles.
17.
And he
shall be inscribed in the holy books, both His work, and His word, and be a
chosen One of God forever.
18. He shall
range widely among men like my father Jacob saying He will fill up what is
lacking in your tribe.
19. And
having said these things He stretched out his feet and died in a beautiful and
good sleep.
20. And his
sons took his body and buried it in Hebron with his fathers, the number of his
days of his life being 125 years.