Foreword TO INDEX
The
complete document may be found in the Pseudepigrapha, since that which I which
I entered here is condensed - and not all of the document.
Some of the sentiments seemed to be played up out of reality, but there
is much prophecy and wisdom in these words, which I can hardly begin to
explain or reveal.
As to the story regarding the pro and cons that have been remarked upon
it by critics, let me reiterate the fact that Aseneth became wife to Joseph,
and that she was not heathen, not meaning that she was not born Egyptian, but
rather in the context of the term. And,
that her repentance is not only the most beautiful part of Aseneth, but it is
Aseneth in both that which she
is and represents.
Nor shall we assume that she lived there as a righteous child among all
the idolatry of Egypt. Nor shall
we assume that Joseph would even remotely take a heathen women to wife.
Thus even the sum of these joins repentance with Aseneth.
Who then is to
say that the events as also the words spoken as presented here are indeed so?
There is nothing contradictory nor uncommon, nor unusual in the
repentance which together with the other factors make it very well as
presented. There is more to this
story than the story.
Chapter 1
Introduction.
1. It
happen in the first year of the seven years of plenty, in the second month on
the fifth thereof, that Pharaoh sent out Joseph to drive around the whole land
of Egypt.
2. And in
the 4th month, on the 18th thereof, Joseph came into the territory of Heliopolis
for the gathering of the grain of that region,
3. And there
was a man in that city, a satrap of Pharaoh, which was chief of the satraps, and
of the noblemen of Pharaoh, this man was exceedingly rich, and prudent and
gentle.
4. And he
was counselor of Pharaoh because he was understanding beyond the noblemen of
Pharaoh, and his name was Pentephres, priest of Heliopolis.
5. And he
had a daughter, a virgin of 18 years being tall and very beautiful to look on
beyond the virgins of the land, and this girl had nothing similar to the virgins
of the Egyptians, but she was similar in respect to the daughters of the
Hebrews.
6.
She was
tall as Sarah, fair as Rebecca, and beautiful as Rachel, her name Aseneth.
And the fame of her beauty went through all the land to the ends of the
inhabited world.
7. And all
the sons of the noblemen and the sons of the satraps, and those of the kings,
all of them young and powerful asked for her hand in marriage.
So there was much wrangling among them over Aseneth, even fighting over
her.
8. Pharaoh's
son then knowing of her kept entreating his father to give her to him for wife.
But Pharaoh said to him, "Why do you seek a wife that is beneath
you, you are to be king of all Egypt, and is not the daughter of the king of
Moab betrothed to you, she is a queen and very beautiful, take this one for your
wife."
9. Aseneth
however despised every man, being boastful and arrogant, and she lived on an
upper floor of a tower, which her father had built for her, which had ten rooms.
10. And these
were very splendidly adorned and also full of the idols of Egypt many of gold
and silver which Aseneth worshipped, and with her were seven virgins, of her own
age, which served her.
11.
Aseneth
room then had three large windows, and there was a courtyard with a gate and
armed guards, and trees as well as fruit trees along the wall of the court, and
it was the time of harvest.
1. And
Joseph having come in the city, he sent men to Pentephres saying; "It is
the hour of the midday meal, I will come to refresh myself".
2.
Pentephres
then rejoiced and said; "Blessed be the Lord of Joseph that my lord Joseph
thought me worthy to come to us."
3. And he
called the steward of the house saying; "Hurry, make the house ready, and
prepare a great dinner for Joseph, the powerful one of God is coming to us
today."
4. And
Pentephres said to his daughter Aseneth; "My child, Joseph, who is chief of
the whole land of Egypt, and gathering grain for the whole land to save it from
the upcoming famine, is coming here today.
5. If now
you will I will give you to him for wife, to be his bride."
And Aseneth hearing this became furious with anger looking amiss at her
father, and said;
6.
"Why
does my father speak such words to hand me over like a captive to a man who is
an alien and a fugitive, and sold as a slave?
Is he not the shepherd's son from the land of Canaan, who was caught with
his mistress, his master throwing him into prison?
7.
But
Pharaoh brought him out because he interpreted his dream just like the older
women of the Egyptians used to interpret, No, but I will be married to the
king's firstborn, for he is king of the whole land of Egypt."
8. And
hearing this, Pentephres was too disappointed to speak further to his daughter
concerning Joseph, she having spoken to him daringly and with boastful anger.
9. Then one
of the young men announced that Joseph was before the gate, and Aseneth fled
from her father and mother going to her upper room and stood by a window where
she could see Joseph coming.
10.
Pentephres
then and his wife went to meet Joseph, who entered standing on his chariot, with
four beautiful horses, and the chariot overlaid with gold.
11. And
Joseph was dressed with his royal robe of purple interwoven with gold, beautiful
to behold, and Aseneth seeing him on his chariot, was cut to the heart, and said
12. "Wretch
that I am, did I not say that a shepherds son from the land of Canaan was
coming, and now behold, the sun from heaven has come to us on his chariot, while
I despised him, and spoke wicked words concerning him."
13. And
Joseph having taken his seat, and a table was brought before him, for Joseph
never ate together with the Egyptians which was an abomination to him, he
looking up saw Aseneth in the window, and said to Pentephres;
14. "Who
is this woman standing at the upper floor, let her leave this house."
For Joseph feared thinking this one might molest me also, since the wives
and daughters of the nobles of Egypt used to molest him desiring to sleep with
him.
15. They
suffered as they saw Joseph because of his beauty, but Joseph despised them, and
sent back their messengers with threats and insults.
16. But
Pentephres said; "This one you have seen is not a strange woman but she is
our daughter, a virgin hating every man, if then you will, I will call her to
address you, for our daughter is like a sister to you".
17. And
Joseph rejoiced in hearing that she hated every man, thinking, this one will not
molest me, and he said; "If she is your daughter and a virgin, let her come
for she is like a sister."
18.
And
Aseneth having come, her father said to her; "Go and kiss your
brother." But as Aseneth went
up to kiss Joseph, he put forth his hand withholding her saying;
19. "It
is not fitting for a man who worships God, who with his lips blesses God, and
drinks the blessed cup of immortality to kiss a woman who with her mouth blesses
dead and dumb idols, and drinks from a cup of defilement."
20. Aseneth
then hearing these words was strongly cut to the heart and sighed, her eyes with
tears gazing at Joseph.
21. And
Joseph, being a meek and merciful man, seeing her thus he lifted his hand
placing it on her head and said; "Lord God of my father Israel, bless O
Lord this virgin, renew her by Thy Spirit and let her enter Thy rest."
22. And
Aseneth rejoicing over Joseph's blessing she hurried to her upper room and fell
upon her bed exhausted, for in her was joy as well as distress,
23. And she
wept bitterly repenting of her care with the gods she used to worship, spurning
the idols.
24. And
Joseph preparing to leave, Pentephres said to him; "Let my lord lodge here
today, and be on your way tomorrow." But
Joseph said; "No but I will go, because this is the day on which God began
to make all creatures, and on the eight day, when that
day comes I will return and lodge here.
Chapter 3
1. And Aseneth was left alone with her seven maid-servants, and continued to be weighed down and weep until sunset eating no bread nor drinking water, and everyone having gone to sleep she was awake and struck her breast often.
2. And she
went down, and taking a curtain from the window and filling it with ashes from
the fireplace she carried it to her room and closed the door firmly, and the
seven virgins, her maids, as they went to Aseneth's door found it locked.
3. But they
heard sighing and weeping, and said to her "What ails you mistress, why do
you feel so sad, open to us and we will see what you have."
4. But
Aseneth would not open the door, but said: "My head is heavy with pain, and
am resting in my bed, and cannot rise, go therefore and rest each in your
rooms"
5. And
Aseneth took off her beautiful garments and put on a black tunic of mourning,
and took all the gods of gold and silver, and all the other gods of the
Egyptians and grinding such as she could, she cast them out of the window.
6. And
pouring ashes on the floor and on her head she wept bitterly.
And so seven days passed and nights wherein she ate no bread nor drank
water, but humiliated herself.
7. And on
the eight day as she was weak and tired from lack of food, she reasoned again
saying in her heart; What shall I do miserable me, with whom shall I take
refuge, or what shall I speak, I the virgin, an orphan, desolate, abandoned and
hated.
8. All
people have come to hate me, my father and mother also hate me for I hated their
gods and destroyed them, therefore they said "Aseneth is not our
daughter," because I destroyed our gods.
9. And all
people hate me because I too have come to hate every man, all who asked for my
hand in marriage, this then is my humiliation that they have come to hate me,
and gloat over my affliction.
10.
And the
Lord God, the powerful one of Joseph, the Most High hates all those that worship
idols, for He is a jealous God, and terrible towards all
those that worship strange gods.
11.
He
therefore has come to hate me also, for I worshipped dead and dumb idols
blessing them, and ate from their sacrifices, my mouth being defiled from their
table.
12. And I
have not the boldness to call on the Lord of heaven, the Most High, for my mouth
is defiled. But I have heard that
the God of the Hebrews is a true and living God and that
He is merciful, and compassionate, and does not count the sins of a
humble person, nor expose the deeds of the afflicted in his affliction.
13. I
therefore will take courage and turn to Him, and confess all my sins to Him, to
pour my supplication before Him, who knows if He will not see my humiliation and
have pity on me.
14.
For He is
the Father of the orphan, and the protector of the persecuted, a helper of the
afflicted, I thus will take courage and cry to Him.
15. And she
rose turning to the window, but was afraid to open her mouth to name the name of
God, and turned back to the wall, and thought further in herself.
16.
What a
wretch I am, my mouth is defiled, how then shall I open my mouth to the Most
High? How shall I name His terrible
holy name, so He will not be angry with me that in my lawless deeds I have
called on His holy name?
17. What
shall I do wretch that I am, I however will take courage and open my mouth to
Him and invoke His name, and if in fury the Lord strikes
me, He himself will again heal me.
18. And
if He chastises me with His whip, He himself will look again on me in His mercy,
and if He is furious at me in my sins, He will again be reconciled with me and
forgive me every sin.
19. So I will
take courage to open my mouth to Him. And
she arose and by the window spread her hands eastward looking up to the sky, and
said;
1.
Lord
God of the ages who gave the breath of life to Thy whole creation, who brought
the invisible out into the light, who made being from none being.
2.
Who
lifted up the heavens and founded it on a firmament on the back of the winds,
who founded the earth on waters, and put large stones on the abyss of the water,
nor do the stones submerge, but like oak-leaves they are on top of the water.
3. And they
are living stones, which hear Thy voice, and keep Thy commandments which Thou
commanded them, and never transgress Thy ordinances, but will be doing Thy will
to the end.
4. For Thou
Lord spoke and they were brought to life, for Thy word
is life to all Thy creatures, with Thee O Lord I take refuge, to Thee O
Lord I will shout, to Thee my supplication, and confessing my sins.
5. Spare me
O Lord for I have sinned much before Thee, I have committed lawlessness and
irreverence, and spoke wicked unspeakable things before Thee.
6.
My mouth
is defiled from the sacrifices of the idols, from the tables of the gods of the
Egyptians, I have sinned O Lord, before Thee I have sinned much in worshipping
dead and dumb idols.
7. And now I
am not worthy to open my mouth to Thee O Lord, and I Aseneth, a virgin once
proud and arrogant, now I am an orphan, abandoned by all people, with Thee then
I take refuge O Lord.
8. Rescue me
before I am caught by my persecutors, for even as a small child being afraid
flees to his father, and the father stretching out his hands picks him off the
ground, and holding him to his breast the child regains confidence resting at
his father's breast. And the father
smiles at his confusion of his childish mind.
9. So also
Thou Lord stretch out Thy hand upon me as a child loving Father, and snatch me
from the earth, for the wild old lion persecutes me, for he is the father of the
gods of the Egyptians, and his children are the gods of the idol maniacs.
10. And I
have come to hate them, for they are the lion’s children, and I have thrown
them from me, and destroyed them, and their father, the lion, furiously
persecutes me.
11. But Thou
O Lord rescue me from his hands, deliver me from his mouth, lest he carry me off
like a lion, and tearing me throwing me in the flames of the fire.
12.
And the
fire will cast me in the great wave, and the wave will conceal me in darkness
throwing me in the depths of the sea, and the sea monster that exists there
since eternity will swallow me, and I will be destroyed forever and ever.
13.
Rescue me
Lord before all this comes upon me, rescue me the desolate and solitary, for my
father and mother have disowned me saying; Aseneth is not our daughter.
14. Because I
destroyed their gods, and now I have no-one except Thee O Lord, have mercy on me
O Lord for Thou art a sweet, and good and gentle Father, for what Father is as
sweet as Thee O Lord?"
The Lord calls on Aseneth.
15. And
having made confession to the Lord, behold the morning star rose up in heaven,
and seeing it Aseneth rejoice and said; "Thus the Lord God listened to my
prayer, this star rising as a messenger, a herald of the light of the great
day."
16. And as
she looked the heavens near the star were torn apart, and a great inexpressible
light appeared, and seeing this she fell on her face.
17.
And a man
from the light came and stood by her saying, "Aseneth, Aseneth".
And Aseneth thought, what man is calling me since the door of my chamber
is closed and the tower high, how can he be in my chamber?
18. And the
man called her a second time saying, "Aseneth Aseneth".
And she said; "Behold here I am Lord, who art Thou?"
19. And the
man said; "I am the chief of the house of the Lord, commander of the whole
host of the Most High, rise and stand on your feet, and I will tell you what I
have to say".
20. And
Aseneth raising her head saw a man His face like lightning and His eyes like the
sun, and the hairs of His head like flaming fire, with His hands like iron
shining from fire and sparks shooting forth from them, and his feet as well.
21. And
seeing this she fell in great fear, but the man said to her, "Courage
Aseneth, be not afraid, but rise and stand on your feet".
22. And she
rose, and the man said; "Go into the second chamber and put off your black
tunic, and shake off those ashes, wash your face and hand with living water.
23. And dress
in a new linen robe untouched, and gird your waist with the new twin girdle of
your virginity, and return to me, and I will tell you what I have to say."
Chapter 5
1.
And
Aseneth hurried and did as the man had commanded her, and having returned He
said to her; "Remove the veil from your head, and for what purpose did you
do this, for you are a chaste virgin and this day your head is like that of a
young man."
2. And
Aseneth removed the veil, and the man said; "Courage Aseneth chaste virgin,
I have heard all the words of your confession and your prayer, and I have seen
the humiliation and the affliction of the seven days of your want.
3. Behold,
from your tears and these ashes plenty of mud has formed on your face.
And so take courage, for your name was written in the book of the living
at the beginning thereof, as the very first your name was written by My finger,
and it will not be erased forever.
4. And you
will eat the blessed bread of life, and drink a blessed cup of immortality, and
anoint yourself with the blessed ointment of incorruptibility.
5. Take
courage, for behold I have given you to Joseph for bride, and he himself will be
your bridegroom forever and ever. And
your name shall no longer be called Aseneth, but your name shall be "City
of Refuge", for in you many nations will take refuge with the Lord God the
Most High.
6. Under your wings peoples will be sheltered trusting in the Lord God,
behind your walls they who attach themselves to the God Most High shall be
guarded in the name of repentance.
7. For
repentance is in heaven, an exceedingly beautiful and good daughter of the Most
High, and she herself entreats the Most High God for you at all times, and for
all whom repent in the name of the Most High God.
8. For He is
the Father of repentance, and she herself the guardians of all virgins, and she
loves you very much, and entreats the Most High for you at all times.
9. And for
all who repent she prepares a place of rest in the heavens, and she will renew
all that repent and herself wait on them forever and ever.
10.
Repentance
is exceedingly beautiful; a virgin pure and always joyful and gentle and meek
therefore also does the Most High love her, and all the angels stand in awe of
her.
11.
And I too
love her exceedingly, for she is My sister, and because she loves you virgins, I
love you also, And behold, I am going to Joseph and will tell him about you all
that I have to say.
12.
And
Joseph will come to you today, and seeing you he will rejoice over you and love
you, and he will be your bridegroom and you his bride forever and ever.
13. And now
hear me Aseneth chaste virgin, dress in your wedding robe, the ancient robe that
is laid up in your chamber since eternity.
14. And put
around you all your wedding ornaments, and adorn yourself as a good bride, and
go and meet Joseph, for behold, he himself is coming to you today, and seeing
you he will rejoice."
15. And
Aseneth rejoiced exceedingly at these words of the man, and she bowed before Him
and said, "Blessed be the Lord Thy God the Most High who has sent Thee to
rescue me from darkness, to bring me up from the bottom of the abyss.
16. And
blessed be Thy name forever, but what is Thy name O Lord, tell me that I may
praise and glorify Thee forever."
17. And the
man said to her; "Why do you seek My name Aseneth?
My name is in the heavens in the book of the Most High written by the
finger of God in the beginning of the book before all others, for I am chief of
the house of the Most High.
18. And all
these names written in the book of the Most High are unspeakable, nor is a man
allowed to pronounce nor hear them in this world, for these names are
exceedingly great and wonderful and laudable."
19. And
Aseneth said; "If I have found favor in Thy sight Lord, and that I may know
that Thou wilt do all Thy word as Thou has spoken to me, let Thy maidservant
speak before Thee."
20. And the
man said "Speak up". And
Aseneth stretching out her hand said; "I beg Thee Lord sit down a little on
this bed, and I will bring a table before Thee and bread that Thou may eat, and
bring good wine."
21. And the
man said; "Hurry and bring it quickly." And Aseneth hurried placing a table before Him, and went to
fetch bread, and the man said, "Bring me also a honeycomb".
22. Then
Aseneth stood still and was distressed, for she did not have a honeycomb in her
storeroom, and the man said; "Why do you stand still?"
23. And
Aseneth answered; "I will sent a boy to the suburb and quickly bring me a
honeycomb here, and I will set it before Thee".
24. But the
man said to her; "Proceed and enter your storeroom and you will find a
honeycomb on the table, pick it up and bring it here."
25. And
Aseneth answered; "But Lord there is no honeycomb in my storeroom".
But the man said; "Proceed and you will find it."
26. And
Aseneth entered her storeroom and found the honeycomb on the table, it was large
and white as snow and full of honey, and that honey was like dew from heaven,
and its exhalation like the breath of life.
27. And
Aseneth wondered in herself saying; did this comb then come out of the man's
mouth? and she took it and brought
it to the man placing it on the table before Him.
28. And the
man said to her' "How is it that you said there is no honeycomb, and behold
here you have brought Me a wonderful honeycomb?"
29. And
Aseneth being afraid said; "Lord I did not have a honeycomb in my storeroom
at any time, but Thou spoke and it came into being, surely
this came out of Thy mouth because its exhalation is like the breath of Thy
mouth."
30. And the
man smiled at Aseneth's understanding and called her to himself, and stretched
out His right hand and shook her head, and Aseneth was afraid of the man's hand
because sparks shot forth from His hand as from molten iron.
31. And
Aseneth gazed at the man's hand, and the man seeing said; "Happy are you
Aseneth because the ineffitable mysteries of the Most High have been revealed to
you.
32. And happy
are all that attach themselves to the Lord God in repentance, for they will eat
from this comb, for this comb is the Spirit of life.
33. The bees
of the paradise of delight made this from the dew of the roses of life that are
in the paradise of God, and all the angels of God eat of it.
34. And all
the chosen of God, the sons of the Most High, because this is the comb of life,
and everyone who eats of it will not die forever."
35. And the
man broke off a small portion of the comb and himself He ate, and what was left
thereof He put into Aseneth's mouth, and said to her; "Eat."
And she ate.
36. And the
man said, "Behold you have eaten the bread of life and drank a cup of
immortality, and you have been anointed with the ointment of incorruptibility.
37. From this
day on your flesh will flourish like flowers of life from the ground of the Most
High, and your bones will grow strong like the cedars of the paradise of delight
of God.
38. And untiring powers will embrace you, and your mouth will not see old
age, nor will your beauty fail forever, and you shall be like a walled
mother-city of all who take refuge with the name of the Lord, the King of the
ages."
1. And
the man touched the comb where He had broken a part off, and it was restored
becoming whole as it was in the beginning.
2. And again
He reached forth with His hand putting His finger on the edge of the comb
looking east and drew it over the edge looking west and the way of His finger
became like blood.
3. And for a
second time He put His finger on the edge looking north and drew it over the
edge looking south and the way of His finger became like blood.
4. And
Aseneth standing at His left watched everything that the man did, and the man
said to the comb, "Come". And
bees rose from the cells of that comb, the cells being innumerable in number.
5. And these
bees were white as snow, their wings like purple and like violet and scarlet,
and like gold woven linen cloaks and golden diadems on their heads.
6. And they
had sharp stings, but they would not injure anyone, and these bees encircled
Aseneth from head to feet.
7. And other
bees being great, chosen like their queens, rose from the damaged part of the
comb and encircled Aseneth's mouth, making upon her mouth and her lips a comb
similar to the comb, which was on the table before the man.
8. And all
these bees ate of the comb, which was on Aseneth’s mouth.
And the man said to the bees, "Go to your place".
And the bees rose and flew away into heaven.
9. Then
those who wished to injure Aseneth fell to the ground and died, and the man
stretched out His staff over the dead bees, saying to them; "Rise you too,
and go to your place".
10. And these
bees that had died rose and went into the court adjoining Aseneth's house and
sought shelter on the fruit bearing trees.
11. And the
man said to Aseneth; "Have you seen this thing?"
And she said; "Yes Lord I have seen all these".
And the man said to her; "So will all My words be which I have
spoken to you today".
12. And for a
third time He stretched out His right hand and touched the damaged part of the
comb, and at once fire went up from the table and consumed the comb.
But it did not injure the table, and much fragrance came forth from the
burning of the comb, and filled the chamber.
The blessing.
13. And
Aseneth said to the man; "Lord, there are seven virgins ministering to me,
fostered with me from my childhood, born with me in the same night, and I love
them as my sisters.
14. I will
call them and Thou wilt bless them as Thou has blessed me."
And the man said, "Call them".
And Aseneth called the seven virgins and stood them before the man.
15. And the
man blessed them saying; "May the Lord, the God Most High bless you, and
you shall be seven pillars of the city of refuge, and all the fellow inhabitants
of the chosen of that city will rest upon you forever and ever."
16. And the
man said to Aseneth; "Put this table away".
And Aseneth as she turned to do so, at once the man went away out of her
sight.
17. And
Aseneth saw like a chariot of four horses traveling into heaven towards the
east, and the chariot was like a flame of fire, and the horses like lightning,
and the man was standing on the chariot.
18. And
Aseneth said; Foolish and bold I am, because I spoke with frankness saying that
a man from heaven came into my chamber, not knowing that it was God coming to
me, and now behold He is traveling into heaven to His place.
19. And she
said in herself, be gracious Lord to Thy slave and spare Thy maidservant because
I spoke boldly before Thee my words in ignorance.
The bride prepares for the groom.
1. And
as Aseneth was saying these things, a young man from her father came and said;
"Behold, Joseph the powerful one of God is coming to us today for a
forerunner of him is standing at the gates of the court".
2. And
Aseneth hurried and calling the steward of her house said; hurry and make the
house ready, and prepare a good dinner for Joseph is coming today.
3. And the
steward seeing her face fallen was distressed and said; "What have you my
child that your face is so fallen?"
4. And
Aseneth said; "My head was stricken with heavy pain, and sleep was kept
from my eyes". And the steward
went to prepare the house and the dinner.
5. And
Aseneth remembered the man and His commandments and hurried to dress herself in
her wedding garment with all the ornaments as the man had said.
6. And
recalling the words of the steward that her face had fallen, she said; "Woe
is me, now Joseph as he sees me will despise me."
7. And she
said to her foster sister, "Bring me pure water from the spring and I will
wash my face." And she did so
pouring it in the basin.
8. And as
she leaned over to wash her face, it was like the sun, her eyes like the morning
star, and her cheeks like the fields of the Most High, red like a man, and her
lips like a rose of life coming from its foliage.
9. And her
teeth like fighting men lined up for battle, and the hair of her head like a
vine in the paradise of God prospering in its fruit, and her neck like a varied
cypress, and her breast like the mountains of the Most High.
10. And
Aseneth seeing herself in the water was amazed at the sight, and rejoicing with
great joy she did not wash her face, for she said perhaps I would wash off this
beauty.
11. And
the steward came reporting that everything was prepared as commanded, and he
seeing her was alarmed standing speechless for some time.
12. And
filled with fear he fell at her feet and said; "What is this mistress, this
great and wonderful beauty, at last the Lord God has chosen you as bride for His
first-born son Joseph".
Joseph arrives.
13. And while
they were saying this, a boy came and said; Behold Joseph is standing at the
doors of the court.
14. And
Aseneth harried down the stairs with the seven virgins to meet Joseph, and stood
in the entrance of the house.
15. And
Joseph entered the court and the gates were closed with all strangers remaining
outside, and Aseneth went out of the entrance to meet Joseph.
16. And
Joseph seeing her was amazed at her beauty, and said to her; "Who are you,
tell me quickly." And she
said; "I am your maidservant Aseneth, and I have thrown away all the idols
from me, and they are destroyed.
17. And a man
came to me today from heaven saying; today I have given you for a bride to
Joseph, and he will be your groom forever and ever.
18. And
further He said; Your name will no longer be called Aseneth, but "City
of refuge," and the Lord God will reign as King over many
nations forever, for in you many nations will take refuge with the Lord Most
High.
19. And I
will also go to Joseph and speak to him concerning you what I have to say, and
thus my lord, you know if that man has come to you, and has spoken to you
concerning me."
20. And
Joseph said; "Blessed are you by the Most High God, and blessed is your
name forever, for the Lord founded your walls in the highest.
21. And
your walls are adamantine walls of life because the sons of the living God will
dwell in your city of refuge, and the Lord will reign as King over them forever and
ever.
22. For this
man came to me today and spoke to me words as such concerning you, and now come
to me chaste virgin, why stand so far from me?"
23. And
Joseph stretched out his hand, and calling Aseneth by a wink of his eye, Aseneth
ran up to Joseph and fell at his breast.
24. And Joseph putting his arms around her and she around him, they kissed each other for a long time, and both came to life in their spirit.
25.
Joseph
kissed Aseneth giving her spirit of life, and he kissed her a second time giving
her spirit of wisdom, and kissing her a third time gave her the spirit of truth.
26. And they
embraced each other for a long time interlocking their hands like bonds.
1. And
Aseneth said to Joseph "Come my lord enter our house for I have prepared a
great dinner." And grasping him by the hand she led him into the house
seating Joseph on the seat of Pentephres her father, and brought water to was
his feet.
2. But
Joseph said; "Let one of the virgins come and wash my feet".
But Aseneth said; "No my lord, because from on you are my lord, and
I your maidservant, and why do you say that another virgin wash your feet?
3. For your
feet are my feet, and your hands my hands, and your soul my soul, and your feet
another woman will never wash. And
so urging him she washed his feet."
4. And
Joseph looking at her hands, they were like the hands of life, her fingers fine
like that of a fast writing scribe.
5. After
this Joseph took her right hand and kissed it, and Aseneth kissed him on the
head and sat at his right hand.
6. And her
father and mother and the whole family having come from the fields of their
inheritance saw Aseneth as the appearance of light, her beauty as heavenly
beauty.
7.
And
seeing her sitting with Joseph and dressed in wedding garment, they were amazed
and rejoiced giving glory to God who gives life to the dead.
8. And they
ate and drank celebrating, and Pentephres said to Joseph; "Tomorrow I will
call the nobles and satraps of all Egypt and give a marriage feast for you, and
you will take my daughter Aseneth for wife".
9.
But
Joseph said; "Tomorrow I will go to Pharaoh the king, and speak to him
about Aseneth". For Joseph
said, It does not fit a man who worships God to sleep with his wife before
the wedding.
Pharaoh grants the marriage feast.
10. And at
daybreak Joseph arose and went to Pharaoh saying, give me Aseneth daughter of
Pentephres to wife.
11. And
Pharaoh rejoiced with great joy and said to Joseph; "Behold
is she not betrothed to you since eternity? She shall be your wife from now on and forever."
12. And
Pharaoh sent and called Pentephres, and he brought Aseneth, and stood before
Pharaoh, and Pharaoh seeing her was amazed at her beauty and said;
13. "The
Lord God of Joseph bless you my child, and let this beauty of yours remain
forever and ever. The Lord did
justly in choosing you for a bride for Joseph, for he is first-born of God, and
you shall be called a daughter of the Most High, and bride of Joseph from now on
forever."
14. And
Pharaoh took Joseph and Aseneth and put golden crowns on their heads, crowns
that had been in his house from the beginning and of old.
15. And he
set Aseneth at the right side of Joseph, and placing his hands on their heads he
said; May the Lord God the Most High bless you and multiply you and magnify you
forever.
16. And he
turned them towards each other face to face, and they kissed each other.
And after this Pharaoh gave a marriage feast, a large banquet for seven
days.
17. He called
all the chiefs of the land, and all the kings of the nations, and proclaimed
through the whole land of Egypt saying;
18. Any man who does any work during the seven days of Joseph's wedding shall surely die. After this, Joseph went into Aseneth and she conceived from Joseph, giving birth to Manassah and Ephraim in Joseph's house.