Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs 1
1
The copy of the testament of Reuben, even the commands which he gave his sons before he died in the hundred and twenty-fifth year of his life.
2
Two years after the death of Joseph, when Reuben fell ill, his sons and his sons' sons were gathered together to visit him.
3
And he said to them: My children, behold I am dying, and go the way of my fathers. And seeing there Judah and Gad and Asher, his brethren, he said to them: Raise me up that I may tell my brethren and my children what things I have hidden in my heart, for behold now at length I am passing away.
4
And he arose, and kissed them, and said unto them: Hear, my brethren, and do ye, my children, give ear to Reuben your father, in the things which I command you.
5
And behold I call to witness against you this day the God of heaven, that ye walk not in the sins of youth and fornication, wherein I was poured out, and defiled the bed of my father Jacob.
6
And 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
For I was thirty years old when I wrought the evil thing before the Lord, and for seven months I was sick unto death.
8
And after this I repented with set purpose of my soul for seven years before the Lord. And wine and strong drink I drank not, and flesh entered not into my mouth, and I ate no pleasant food.
9
But I mourned over my sin, for it was great, such as had not been in Israel. And now hear me, my children, what things I saw concerning the seven spirits of deceit, when I repented.
10
Seven spirits therefore are appointed against man, and they are the leaders in the works of youth. And seven other spirits are given to him at his creation, that through them should be done every work of man.
11
The first is the spirit of life, with which the constitution of man is created. The second is the spirit of sight, with which arises desire.
12
The third is the spirit of hearing, with which comes teaching. The fourth is the spirit of smelling, with which taste is given to draw air and breath.
13
The fifth is the spirit of speech, with which comes knowledge. The sixth is the spirit of taste, with which comes the eating of meats and drinks; and by it strength is produced.
14
The seventh is the spirit of procreation and intercourse, with which through love of pleasure sins enter in. For this cause it is the last in order of creation and the first in that of youth.
15
Pay no heed, therefore, my children, to the beauty of women, nor set your mind on their affairs; but walk in singleness of heart in the fear of God, and spend your life in labour.
16
For the Lord loves not fornication, and by reason of fornication, the wrath of God came upon you. Flee therefore from fornication, my children.
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