CHAPTER1
Joseph,theeleventhsonofJacobandRachel,the beautifulandbeloved.HisstruggleagainsttheEgyptian temptress.
1ThecopyoftheTestamentofJoseph.
2Whenhewasabouttodiehecalledhissonsandhis brethrentogether,andsaidtothem:--
3Mybrethrenandmychildren,hearkentoJosephthe belovedofIsrael;giveear,mysons,untoyourfather.
4Ihaveseeninmylifeenvyanddeath,yetIwentnot astray,butperseveredinthetruth--oftheLord.
5Thesemybrethrenhatedme,buttheLordlovedme:
6Theywishedtoslayme,buttheGodofmyfathers guardedme:
7Theyletmedownintoapit,andtheMostHigh broughtmeupagain
8Iwassoldintoslavery,andtheLordofallmademe free:
9Iwastakenintocaptivity,andHisstronghand succouredme
10Iwasbesetwithhunger,andtheLordHimself nourishedme
11Iwasalone,andGodcomfortedme:
12Iwassick,andtheLordvisitedme
13Iwasinprison,andmyGodshowedfavouruntome;
14Inbonds,andHereleasedme;
15Slandered,andHepleadedmycause;
16BitterlyspokenagainstbytheEgyptians,andHe deliveredme;
17Enviedbymyfellow-slaves,andHeexaltedme
18AndthischiefcaptainofPharaohentrustedtomehis house
19AndIstruggledagainstashamelesswoman,urging metotransgresswithher;buttheGodofIsraelmy fatherdeliveredmefromtheburningflame
20Iwascastintoprison,Iwasbeaten,Iwasmocked; buttheLordgrantedmetofindmercy,inthesightofthe keeperoftheprison
21FortheLorddothnotforsakethemthatfearHim, neitherindarkness,norinbonds,norintribulations,nor innecessities.
22ForGodisnotputtoshameasaman,norastheson ofmanisheafraid,norasonethatisearth-bornisHe weakoraffrighted.
23ButinallthosethingsdothHegiveprotection,andin diverswaysdothHecomfort,thoughforalittlespace Hedepartethtotrytheinclinationofthesoul.
24IntentemptationsHeshowedmeapproved,andin allofthemIendured;forenduranceisamightycharm, andpatiencegivethmanygoodthings.
25HowoftendidtheEgyptianwomanthreatenmewith death!
26Howoftendidshegivemeovertopunishment,and thencallmebackandthreatenme,andwhenIwas unwillingtocompanywithher,shesaidtome:
27Thoushaltbelordofme,andallthatisinmyhouse, ifthouwiltgivethyselfuntome,andthoushaltbeas ourmaster
28ButIrememberedthewordsofmyfather,andgoing intomychamber,IweptandprayeduntotheLord.
29AndIfastedinthosesevenyears,andIappearedto theEgyptiansasonelivingdelicately,fortheythatfast forGod'ssakereceivebeautyofface.
30Andifmylordwereawayfromhome,Idrankno wine;norforthreedaysdidItakemyfood,butIgaveit tothepoorandsick.
31AndIsoughttheLordearly,andIweptforthe EgyptianwomanofMemphis,forveryunceasinglydid shetroubleme,foralsoatnightshecametomeunder pretenceofvisitingme.
32Andbecauseshehadnomalechildshepretendedto regardmeasason.
33Andforatimesheembracedmeasason,andIknew itnot;butlater,shesoughttodrawmeintofornication. 34AndwhenIperceiveditIsorroweduntodeath;and whenshehadgoneout,Icametomyself,andlamented forhermanydays,becauseIrecognizedherguileand herdeceit.
35AndIdeclareduntoherthewordsoftheMostHigh, ifhaplyshewouldturnfromherevillust
36Often,therefore,didsheflattermewithwordsasa holyman,andguilefullyinhertalkpraisemychastity beforeherhusband,whiledesiringtoensnaremewhen wewerealone
37Forshelaudedmeopenlyaschaste,andinsecretshe saiduntome:Fearnotmyhusband;forheispersuaded concerningthychastity:forevenshouldonetellhim concerningus,hewouldnotbelieve
38OwingtoallthesethingsIlayupontheground,and besoughtGodthattheLordwoulddelivermefromher deceit
39Andwhenshehadprevailednothingthereby,she cameagaintomeunderthepleaofinstruction,thatshe mightlearnthewordofGod
40Andshesaiduntome:IfthouwillestthatIshould leavemyidols,liewithme,andIwillpersuademy husbandtodepartfromhisidols,andwewillwalkinthe lawbythyLord
41AndIsaiduntoher:TheLordwillethnotthatthose whoreverenceHimshouldbeinuncleanness,nordoth Hetakepleasureinthemthatcommitadultery,butin thosethatapproachHimwithapureheartandundefiled lips.
42Butsheheedherpeace,longingtoaccomplishher evildesire.
43AndIgavemyselfyetmoretofastingandprayer, thattheLordmightdelivermefromher.
44Andagain,atanothertimeshesaiduntome:Ifthou wiltnotcommitadultery,Iwillkillmyhusbandby poison;andtaketheetobemyhusband.
45Itherefore,whenIheardthis,rentmygarments,and saiduntoher:
46Woman,reverenceGod,anddonotthisevildeed, lestthoubedestroyed;forknowindeedthatIwill declarethisthydeviceuntoallmen.
47Shetherefore,beingafraid,besoughtthatIwouldnot declarethisdevice.
48Andshedepartedsoothingmewithgifts,andsending tomeeverydelightofthesonsofmen.
49Andafterwardsshesentmefoodmingledwith enchantments.
50Andwhentheeunuchwhobroughtitcame,Ilooked upandbeheldaterriblemangivingmewiththedisha sword,andIperceivedthatherschemewastobeguile me.
51AndwhenhehadgoneoutIwept,nordidItastethat oranyotherofherfood.
52Sothenafteronedayshecametomeandobserved thefood,andsaiduntome:Whyisitthatthouhastnot eatenofthefood?
53AndIsaiduntoher:Itisbecausethouhastfilledit withdeadlyenchantments;andhowsaidstthou:Icome notneartoidolsbuttotheLordalone.
54NowthereforeknowthattheGodofmyfatherhath revealeduntomebyHisangelthywickedness,andI havekeptittoconvictthee,ifhaplythoumaystseeand repent.
55Butthatthoumaystlearnthatthewickednessofthe ungodlyhathnopoweroverthemthatworshipGodwith chastitybeholdIwilltakeofitandeatbeforethee
56Andhavingsosaid,Iprayedthus:TheGodofmy fathersandtheangelofAbraham,bewithme;andate
57,Andwhenshesawthisshefelluponherfaceatmy feet,weeping;andIraisedherupandadmonishedher
58Andshepromisedtodothisiniquitynomore
59Butherheartwasstillsetuponevil,andshelooked aroundhowtoensnareme,andsighingdeeplyshe becamedowncast,thoughshewasnotsick
60Andwhenherhusbandsawher,hesaiduntoher: Whyisthycountenancefallen?
61Andshesaiduntohim:Ihaveapainatmyheart,and thegroaningsofmyspiritoppressme;andsohe comfortedherwhowasnotsick
62Then,accordinglyseizinganopportunity,sherushed untomewhileherhusbandwasyetwithout,andsaid untome:Iwillhangmyself,orcastmyselfoveracliff, ifthouwiltnotliewithme
63AndwhenIsawthespiritofBeliarwastroublingher, IprayeduntotheLord,andsaiduntoher:
64Why,wretchedwoman,artthoutroubledand disturbed,blindedthroughsins?
65Rememberthatifthoukillthyself,Asteho,the concubineofthyhusband,thyrival,willbeatthy children,andthouwiltdestroythymemorialfromoff theearth.
66Andshesaiduntome:Lo,thenthoulovestme;let thissufficeme:onlystriveformylifeandmychildren, andIexpectthatIshallenjoymydesirealso.
67ButsheknewnotthatbecauseofmylordIspake thus,andnotbecauseofher.
68Forifamanhathfallenbeforethepassionofa wickeddesireandbecomeenslavedbyit,evenasshe, whatevergoodthinghemayhearwithregardtothat passion,hereceivethitwithaviewtohiswickeddesire.
69Ideclare,therefore,untoyou,mychildren,thatitwas aboutthesixthhourwhenshedepartedfromme;andI kneltbeforetheLordallday,andallthenight;and
aboutdawnIroseup,weepingthewhileandprayingfor areleasefromher.
70Atlast,then,shelaidholdofmygarments,forcibly draggingmetohaveconnexionwithher.
71When,therefore,Isawthatinhermadnessshewas holdingfasttomygarment,Ileftitbehind,andfled awaynaked.
72Andholdingfasttothegarmentshefalselyaccused me,andwhenherhusbandcamehecastmeintoprison inhishouse;andonthemorrowhescourgedmeand sentmeintoPharaoh'sprison.
73AndwhenIwasinbonds,theEgyptianwomanwas oppressedwithgrief,andshecameandheardhowI gavethanksuntotheLordandsangpraisesintheabode ofdarkness,andwithgladvoicerejoiced,glorifyingmy GodthatIwasdeliveredfromthelustfuldesireofthe Egyptianwoman.
74Andoftenhathshesentuntomesaying:Consentto fulfilmydesire,andIwillreleasetheefromthybonds, andIwillfreetheefromthedarkness.
75AndnoteveninthoughtdidIinclineuntoher
76ForGodlovethhimwhoinadenofwickedness combinesfastingwithchastity,ratherthanthemanwho inkings'chamberscombinesluxurywithlicense
77Andifamanlivethinchastity,anddesirethalso glory,andtheMostHighknoweththatitisexpedientfor him,Hebestoweththisalsouponme
78Howoften,thoughsheweresick,didshecomedown tomeatunlookedfortimes,andlistenedtomyvoiceas Iprayed!
79AndwhenIheardhergroaningsIheldmypeace
80ForwhenIwasinherhouseshewaswonttobareher arms,andbreasts,andlegs,thatImightliewithher;for shewasverybeautiful,splendidlyadornedinorderto beguileme
81AndtheLordguardedmefromherdevices
CHAPTER2
Josephisthevictimofmanyplotsbythewicked ingenuityoftheMemphianwoman.Foraninteresting propheticparable,seeVerses73-74
1Yesee,therefore,mychildren,howgreatthings patienceworketh,andprayerwithfasting.
2Soyetoo,ifyefollowafterchastityandpuritywith patienceandprayer,withfastinginhumilityofheart,the LordwilldwellamongyoubecauseHelovethchastity.
3AndwheresoevertheMostHighdwelleth,even thoughenvy,orslavery,orslanderbefallethaman,the Lordwhodwellethinhim,forthesakeofhischastity notonlydeliverethhimfromevil,butalsoexaltethhim evenasme.
4Forineverywaythemanisliftedup,whetherindeed, orinword,orinthought.
5Mybrethrenknewhowmyfatherlovedme,andyetI didnotexaltmyselfinmymind:althoughIwasachild, IhadthefearofGodinmyheart;forIknewthatall thingswouldpassaway
6AndIdidnotraisemyselfagainstthemwithevil intent,butIhonouredmybrethren;andoutofrespect forthem,evenwhenIwasbeingsold,Irefrainedfrom tellingtheIshmaelitesthatIwasasonofJacob,agreat manandamighty.
7Doyealso,mychildren,havethefearofGodinall yourworksbeforeyoureyes,andhonouryourbrethren.
8ForeveryonewhodoeththelawoftheLordshallbe lovedbyHim.
9AndwhenIcametotheIndocolpitaewiththe Ishmaelites,theyaskedme,saying:
10Artthouaslave?AndIsaidthatIwasahome-born slave,thatImightnotputmybrethrentoshame.
11Andtheeldestofthemsaiduntome:Thouartnota slave,foreventhyappearancedothmakeitmanifest.
12ButIsaidthatIwastheirslave.
13NowwhenwecameintoEgypttheystrove concerningme,whichofthemshouldbuymeandtake me.
14ThereforeitseemedgoodtoallthatIshouldremain inEgyptwiththemerchantoftheirtrade,untilthey shouldreturnbringingmerchandise
15AndtheLordgavemefavourintheeyesofthe merchant,andheentrusteduntomehishouse
16AndGodblessedhimbymymeans,andincreased himingoldandsilverandinhouseholdservants
17AndIwaswithhimthreemonthsandfivedays
18AndaboutthattimetheMemphianwoman,thewife ofPentephriscamedowninachariot,withgreatpomp, becauseshehadheardfromhereunuchsconcerningme
19Andshetoldherhusbandthatthemerchanthad becomerichbymeansofayoungHebrew,andtheysay thathehadassuredlybeenstolenoutofthelandof Canaan
20Now,therefore,renderjusticeuntohim,andtake awaytheyouthtothyhouse;soshalltheGodofthe Hebrewsblessthee,forgracefromheavenisuponhim 21AndPentephriswaspersuadedbyherwords,and commandedthemerchanttobebrought,andsaidunto him:
22WhatisthisthatIhearconcerningthee,thatthou stealestpersonsoutofthelandofCanaan,andsellest themforslaves?
23Butthemerchantfellathisfeet,andbesoughthim, saying:Ibeseechthee,mylord,Iknownotwhatthou sayest.
24AndPentephrissaiduntohim:Whence,then,isthe Hebrewslave?
25Andhesaid:TheIshmaelitesentrustedhimuntome untiltheyshouldreturn.
26Buthebelievedhimnot,butcommandedhimtobe strippedandbeaten.
27Andwhenhepersistedinthisstatement,Pentephris said:Lettheyouthbebrought.
28AndwhenIwasbroughtin,Ididobeisanceto Pentephrisforhewasthirdinrankoftheofficersof Pharaoh.
29Andhetookmeapartfromhim,andsaiduntome: Artthouaslaveorfree?
30AndIsaid:Aslave
31Andhesaid:Whose?
32AndIsaid:TheIshmaelites'.
33Andhesaid:Howdidstthoubecometheirslave?
34AndIsaid:Theyboughtmeoutofthelandof Canaan.
35Andhesaiduntome:Trulythouliest;and straightwayhecommandedmetobestrippedandbeaten.
36Now,theMemphianwomanwaslookingthrougha windowatmewhileIwasbeingbeaten,forherhouse wasnear,andshesentuntohimsaying:
37Thyjudgementisunjust;forthoudostpunishafree manwhohathbeenstolen,asthoughhewerea transgressor.
38AndwhenImadenochangeinmystatement,though Iwasbeaten,heorderedmetobeimprisoned,until,he said,theownersoftheboyshouldcome.
39Andthewomansaiduntoherhusband:Wherefore dostthoudetainthecaptiveandwellbornladinbonds, whooughtrathertobesetatliberty,andbewaitedupon?
40Forshewishedtoseemeoutofadesireofsin,butI wasignorantconcerningallthesethings
41Andhesaidtoher:Itisnotthecustomofthe Egyptianstotakethatwhichbelongethtoothersbefore proofisgiven
42This,therefore,hesaidconcerningthemerchant;but asforthelad,hemustbeimprisoned
43NowafterfourandtwentydayscametheIshmaelites; fortheyhadheardthatJacobmyfatherwasmourning muchconcerningme
44Andtheycameandsaiduntome:Howisitthatthou saidstthatthouwastaslave?andlo,wehavelearntthat thouartthesonofamightymaninthelandofCanaan, andthyfatherstillmournethfortheeinsackclothand ashes
45WhenIheardthismybowelsweredissolvedandmy heartmelted,andIdesiredgreatlytoweep,butI restrainedmyselfthatIshouldnotputmybrethrento shame
46AndIsaiduntothem,Iknownot,Iamaslave
47Then,therefore,theytookcounseltosellme,thatI shouldnotbefoundintheirhands
48Fortheyfearedmyfather,lestheshouldcomeand executeuponthemagrievousvengeance.
49FortheyhadheardthathewasmightywithGodand withmen.
50Thensaidthemerchantuntothem:Releasemefrom thejudgementofPentiphri.
51Andtheycameandrequestedme,saying:Saythat thouwastboughtbyuswithmoney,andhewillsetus free.
52NowtheMemphianwomansaidtoherhusband:Buy theyouth;forIhear,saidshe,thattheyaresellinghim. 53AndstraightwayshesentaeunuchtotheIshmaelites, andaskedthemtosellme.
54Butsincetheeunuchwouldnotagreetobuymeat theirpricehereturned,havingmadetrialofthem,and hemadeknowntohismistressthattheyaskedalarge pricefortheirslave.
55Andshesentanothereunuch,saying:Eventhough theydemandtwominas,givethem,donotsparethe gold;onlybuytheboy,andbringhimtome
56Theeunuchthereforewentandgavethemeighty piecesofgold,andhereceivedme;buttotheEgyptian womanhesaidIhavegivenahundred.
57AndthoughIknewthisIheldmypeace,lestthe eunuchshouldbeputtoshame.
58Yesee,therefore,mychildren,whatgreatthingsI enduredthatIshouldnotputmybrethrentoshame.
59Doyealso,therefore,loveoneanother,andwith long-sufferinghideyeoneanother'sfaults.
60ForGoddelightethintheunityofbrethren,andinthe purposeofaheartthattakespleasureinlove.
61AndwhenmybrethrencameintoEgypttheylearnt thatIhadreturnedtheirmoneyuntothem,and upbraidedthemnot,andcomfortedthem.
62AndafterthedeathofJacobmyfatherIlovedthem moreabundantly,andallthingswhatsoeverhe commandedIdidveryabundantlyforthem.
63AndIsufferedthemnottobeafflictedinthesmallest matter;andallthatwasinmyhandIgaveuntothem
64Andtheirchildrenweremychildren,andmy childrenastheirservants;andtheirlifewasmylife,and alltheirsufferingwasmysuffering,andalltheir sicknesswasmyinfirmity
65Mylandwastheirland,andtheircounselmycounsel
66AndIexaltednotmyselfamongtheminarrogance becauseofmyworldlyglory,butIwasamongthemas oneoftheleast
67Ifyealso,therefore,walkinthecommandmentsof theLord,mychildren,Hewillexaltyouthere,andwill blessyouwithgoodthingsforeverandever
68Andifanyoneseekethtodoeviluntoyou,dowell untohim,andprayforhim,andyeshallberedeemedof theLordfromallevil
69For,behold,yeseethatoutofmyhumilityand longsufferingItookuntowifethedaughterofthepriest ofHeliopolis
70Andahundredtalentsofgoldweregivenmewith her,andtheLordmadethemtoserveme
71AndHegavemealsobeautyasaflowerbeyondthe beautifulonesofIsrael;andHepreservedmeuntoold ageinstrengthandinbeauty,becauseIwaslikeinall thingstoJacob.
72Andhearye,mychildren,alsothevisionwhichIsaw.
73Thereweretwelvehartsfeeding:andtheninewere firstdispersedoveralltheearth,andlikewisealsothe three.
74AndIsawthatfromJudahwasbornavirginwearing alinengarment,andfromher,wasbornalamb,without spot;andonhislefthandtherewasasitwerealion;and allthebeastsrushedagainsthim,andthelambovercame them,anddestroyedthemandtrodthemunderfoot.
75Andbecauseofhimtheangelsandmenrejoiced,and alltheland.
76Andthesethingsshallcometopassintheirseason, inthelastdays.
77Doyetherefore,mychildren,observethe commandmentsoftheLord,andhonourLeviandJudah;
forfromthemshallariseuntoyoutheLambofGod, whotakethawaythesinoftheworld,onewhosavethall theGentilesandIsrael
78ForHiskingdomisaneverlastingkingdom,which shallnotpassaway;butmykingdomamongyoushall cometoanendasawatcher'shammock,whichafterthe summerdisappeareth.
79ForIknowthataftermydeaththeEgyptianswill afflictyou,butGodwillavengeyou,andwillbringyou intothatwhichHepromisedtoyourfathers.
80Butyeshallcarryupmyboneswithyou;forwhen mybonesarebeingtakenupthither,theLordshallbe withyouinlight,andBeliarshallbeindarknesswith theEgyptians.
81AndcarryyeupAsenathyourmothertothe Hippodrome,andnearRachelyourmotherburyher.
82Andwhenhehadsaidthesethingshestretchedout hisfeet,anddiedatagoodoldage
83AndallIsraelmournedforhim,andallEgypt,witha greatmourning.
84AndwhenthechildrenofIsraelwentoutofEgypt, theytookwiththemthebonesofJoseph,andthey buriedhiminHebronwithhisfathers,andtheyearsof hislifewereonehundredandtenyears