Das Testament Josephs

DAS TESTAMENT JOSEPHS, DES ELFTEN SOHNES JAKOBS UND RAHELS.

Kapitel 1

1 1 Die Abschrift des Testaments Josephs. Als er im Begriff war zu sterben, rief er seine Söhne und seine Brüder zusammen und sprach zu ihnen: — 2 Meine Brüder und meine Kinder, hört auf Joseph, den Geliebten Israels. Gebt Gehör, meine Söhne, eurem Vater. 3 Ich habe in meinem Leben Neid und Tod gesehen. Doch ging ich nicht irre, sondern beharrte in der Wahrheit Jahwes. 4 Diese meine Brüder hassten mich, aber Jahwe liebte mich: Sie wünschten, mich zu erschlagen, aber der Jahwe meiner Väter bewachte mich. Sie ließen mich in eine Grube hinab, und der Höchste brachte mich wieder herauf. 5 Ich wurde in die Sklaverei verkauft, und der Jahwe von allen machte mich frei: Ich wurde in die Gefangenschaft genommen, und seine starke Hand half mir. Ich wurde mit Hunger bedrängt, und Jahwe selbst nährte mich. 6 Ich war allein, und Jahwe tröstete mich: Ich war krank, und Jahwe besuchte mich: Ich war im Gefängnis, und mein Jahwe zeigte mir Gunst; in Banden, und er ließ mich frei; 7 Verleumdet, und er führte meine Sache; von den Ägyptern bitterlich geschmäht, und er errettete mich; von meinen Mitsklaven beneidet, und er erhöhte mich.

2 1, 2 Und dieser Hauptmann Pharaos vertraute mir sein Haus an. Und ich kämpfte gegen eine schamlose Frau, die mich drängte, mit ihr zu übertreten; aber der Jahwe Israels, mein Vater, errettete mich aus 3 der brennenden Flamme. Ich wurde ins Gefängnis geworfen, ich wurde geschlagen, ich wurde verspottet; aber Jahwe gewährte mir, Barmherzigkeit vor dem Angesicht des Gefängniswärters zu finden. 4 Denn Jahwe verlässt die nicht, die ihn fürchten, weder in der Finsternis noch in Banden noch in Trübsalen noch in Nöten. 5 Denn Jahwe wird nicht beschämt wie ein Mensch, noch fürchtet er sich wie der Sohn des Menschen. Noch ist er [schwach oder] erschrocken wie einer, der erdgeboren ist. 6 Sondern in all diesen Dingen gibt er Schutz, und auf mancherlei Weisen tröstet er, (obwohl) er für einen kleinen Raum weggeht, die Neigung der Seele zu prüfen. 7 In zehn Versuchungen zeigte er mich bewährt, und in allen ertrug ich; denn die Ausdauer ist ein mächtiger Zauber, und die Geduld gibt viele gute Dinge.

Kapitel 3

3 1 Wie oft drohte die ägyptische Frau mir mit dem Tod! Wie oft übergab sie mich der Strafe und rief mich dann zurück und drohte mir, und als ich nicht willig war, mit 2 ihr Umgang zu haben, sprach sie zu mir: Du wirst Herr über mich sein und alles, was in meinem Haus ist, wenn du dich 3 mir hingibst, und du wirst wie unser Meister sein. Aber ich erinnerte mich an die Worte meines Vaters und ging 4 in meine Kammer hinein und weinte und betete zu Jahwe. Und ich fastete in jenen sieben Jahren, und ich erschien den Ägyptern als einer, der üppig lebt, denn die für Jahwes willen fasten, empfangen Schönheit des Angesichts. 5 Und wenn mein Herr von zu Hause weg war, trank ich keinen Wein; noch nahm ich drei Tage lang meine Speise, sondern 6 ich gab sie den Armen und Kranken. Und ich suchte Jahwe früh, und ich weinte über die ägyptische Frau von Memphis, denn sehr unaufhörlich beunruhigte sie mich, denn auch nachts kam sie unter dem Vorwand zu mir, mich zu besuchen. 7 Und weil sie kein männliches Kind hatte, gab sie vor, mich als einen Sohn anzusehen, und so betete ich zu Jahwe, und sie gebar ein männliches Kind. 8 Und eine Zeit lang umarmte sie mich als einen Sohn, und ich wusste es nicht; aber später suchte sie, mich 9 in die Unzucht zu ziehen. Und als ich es wahrnahm, trauerte ich bis zum Tod; und als sie hinausgegangen war, kam ich zu mir und klagte viele Tage über sie, weil ich ihre Hinterlist und ihre Täuschung erkannte. 10 Und ich kundtat ihr die Worte des Höchsten, ob sie sich vielleicht von ihrer bösen Lust wenden würde.

Kapitel 4

4 1 Oft darum schmeichelte sie mir mit Worten als einem heiligen Mann und pries hinterlistig in ihrer Rede meine 2 Keuschheit vor ihrem Mann, während sie begehrte, mich zu verstricken, wenn wir allein waren. Denn sie lobte mich offen als keusch, und im Geheimen sprach sie zu mir: Fürchte deinen Mann nicht; denn er ist über 3 deine Keuschheit überzeugt: denn selbst wenn einer ihm von uns erzählen sollte, würde er es nicht glauben. Wegen all dieser Dinge lag ich auf der Erde und flehte Jahwe an, dass Jahwe mich aus ihrer 4 Täuschung erretten möge.

[4, abgeschlossen] Und als sie dadurch nichts durchgesetzt hatte, kam sie erneut unter dem Vorwand der 5 Unterweisung zu mir, damit sie das Wort Jahwes lernen möge. Und sie sprach zu mir: Wenn du willst, dass ich meine Götzen verlasse, liege bei mir, und ich werde meinen Mann überreden, von seinen Götzen abzuweichen, und 6 wir werden im Gesetz deines Jahwe wandeln. Und ich sprach zu ihr: Jahwe will nicht, dass die, die ihn verehren, in Unreinheit seien, noch hat er Gefallen an denen, die Ehebruch begehen, 7 sondern an denen, die sich ihm mit reinem Herzen und unbefleckten Lippen nahen. Aber sie schwieg, 8 begierig, ihre böse Begierde zu vollbringen. Und ich gab mich noch mehr dem Fasten und Gebet hin, damit Jahwe mich von ihr erretten möge.

Kapitel 5

5 1 Und wiederum, zu einer anderen Zeit, sprach sie zu mir: Wenn du keinen Ehebruch begehen willst, werde ich meinen 2 Mann durch Gift töten; und dich zu meinem Mann nehmen. Als ich darum dies hörte, zerriss ich meine Gewänder und sprach zu ihr: Frau, verehre Jahwe und begehe 3 diese böse Tat nicht, damit du nicht 3 zerstört werdest; denn wisse in der Tat, dass ich diese deine List allen Menschen kundtun werde. Sie darum, 4 sich fürchtend, flehte, dass ich diese List nicht kundtun möge. Und sie ging weg und besänftigte mich mit Geschenken und sandte mir jede Freude der Söhne der Menschen.

6 1, 2 Und danach sandte sie mir Speise, mit Zauberei vermischt. Und als der Eunuch, der sie brachte, kam, blickte ich auf und sah einen schrecklichen Mann, der mir mit der Schüssel ein Schwert gab, und 3 ich nahm wahr, dass (ihre) List war, mich zu betören. Und als er hinausgegangen war, weinte ich, noch 4 kostete ich jene oder irgendeine andere ihrer Speisen. So kam sie dann nach einem Tag zu mir und betrachtete die Speise 5 und sprach zu mir: Warum ist es, dass du nicht von ihr gegessen hast? Und ich sprach zu ihr: Es ist, weil du sie mit tödlichen Zaubereien gefüllt hast; und wie sagtest du: Ich komme nicht nahe zu 6 Götzen, sondern zu Jahwe allein. Nun darum wisse, dass der Jahwe meines Vaters mir durch seinen Engel deine Bosheit offenbart hat, und ich habe sie aufbewahrt, dich zu überführen, ob du dich vielleicht sehen und bereuen mögest. 7 Aber damit du lernen mögest, dass die Bosheit der Gottlosen keine Macht über die hat, die Jahwe mit Keuschheit anbeten, siehe, ich werde davon nehmen und vor dir essen. Und nachdem ich so gesprochen hatte, betete ich so: Der Jahwe meiner Väter und der Engel Abrahams, sei mit mir; und aß. 8 Und als sie dies sah, fiel sie an meinen Füßen auf ihr Angesicht, weinend; und ich richtete sie auf und ermahnte sie. Und sie versprach, diese Ungerechtigkeit nicht mehr zu tun.

Kapitel 7

7 1 But her heart was still set upon evil, and she looked around how to ensnare me, and sighing deeply she became downcast, though she was not sick. 2 And when her husband saw her, he said unto her: Why is thy countenance fallen? And she said unto him: I have a pain at my heart, and the groanings of my spirit oppress me; and so 3 he comforted her who was not sick. Then, accordingly seizing an opportunity, she rushed unto me while her husband was yet without, and said unto me: I will hang myself, or cast myself over a cliff, 4 if thou wilt not lie with me. And when I saw the spirit of Beliar was troubling her, I prayed unto the Yahweh, and said unto her: Why, wretched woman, art thou troubled and disturbed, blinded through sins? Remember that thou kill thyself. Asteho, the concubine of thy husband, [thy] rival, 6 will beat thy children, and thou wilt destroy thy memorial from off the earth. And she said unto me: Lo, then thou lovest me; let this suffice me: only strive for my life and my children, and 7 I expect that I shall enjoy my desire also. But I said unto her: For if a man hath fallen before the passion of a wicked desire and become enslaved by it, even as she, whatever he may hear with regard to that passion, he receiveth it with a view to his wicked desire.

Kapitel 8

8 1 I declare, therefore, unto you, my children, that it was about the sixth hour when she departed from me; and I knelt before the Yahweh all day, and all the night; and about dawn I rose up, weeping 2 the while and praying for a release from her. At last, then, she laid hold of my garments, forcibly dragging me to have connexion with her. 3 When, therefore, I saw that in her madness she was holding fast to my garment, I left it behind, and fled away naked. 4 And holding fast to the garment she falsely accused me, and when her husband came he cast me into prison in his house; and on the morrow he scourged me and sent me into Pharaoh's prison. 5 And when I was in bonds, the Egyptian woman was oppressed with grief, and she came and heard how I gave thanks unto the Yahweh and sang praises in the abode of darkness, and with glad voice rejoiced, glorifying my Yahweh that I was delivered from the lustful desire of the Egyptian woman.

Kapitel 9

9 1 And often hath she sent unto me saying: Consent to fulfil my desire, and I will release thee from thy bonds, and I will free thee from the darkness. And not even in thought did I incline unto 2 her. For Yahweh loveth him who in a den of wickedness combines fasting with chastity, rather than the man who in kings' chambers combines luxury with licence. And if a man liveth in chastity, and desireth also glory, and the Most High knoweth that it is expedient for him, He bestoweth this 3 also upon me. How often, though she were sick, did she come down to me at unlooked for times, 5 and listened to my voice as I prayed! And when I heard her groanings I held my peace. For when I was in her house she was wont to bare her arms, and breasts, and legs, that I might lie with her; for she was very beautiful, splendidly adorned in order to beguile me. And the Yahweh guarded me from her devices.

10 1, 2 Ye see, therefore, my children, how great things patience worketh, and prayer with fasting. So ye too, if ye follow after chastity and purity with patience and prayer, with fasting in humility of 3 heart, the Yahweh will dwell among you, because He loveth chastity. And wheresoever the Most High dwelleth, even though envy, or slavery, or slander befalleth (a man), the Yahweh who dwelleth in him, for the sake of his chastity not only delivereth him from evil, but also exalteth him even as me. 4, 5 For in every way the man is lifted up, whether in deed, or in word, or in thought. My brethren knew how my father loved me, and yet I did not exalt myself in my mind: although I was a child, 6 I had the fear of Yahweh in my heart; for I knew that all things would pass away. And I did nor raise myself (against them) with evil intent, but I honoured my brethren; and out of respect for them, even when I was being sold, I refrained from telling the Ishmaelites that I was a son of Jacob, a great man and a mighty.

Kapitel 11

11 1 Do ye also, my children, have the fear of Yahweh in all your works before your eyes, and honour 2 your brethren. For every one who doeth the law of the Yahweh shall be loved by Him. And when I came to the Indocolpitae with the Ishmaelites, they asked me, saying: Art thou a slave? And 3 I said that I was a home-born slave, that I might not put my brethren to shame. And the eldest of them said unto me: Thou art not a slave, for even thy appearance doth make it manifest. But 4 I said that I was their slave. Now when we came into Egypt they strove concerning me, which of 5 them should buy me and take me. Therefore it seemed good to all that I should remain in Egypt 6 with the merchant of their trade, until they should return bringing merchandise. And the Yahweh 7 gave me favour in the eyes of the merchant, and he entrusted unto me his house. And Yahweh blessed 8 him by my means, and increased him in gold and silver and in household servants. And I was with him three months and five days.

Kapitel 12

12 1 And about that time the Memphian woman, the wife of Pentephri, came down in a chariot, with 2 great pomp, because she had heard from her eunuchs concerning me. And she told her husband that the merchant had become rich by means of a young Hebrew, and they say that he had assuredly 3 been stolen out of the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, render justice unto

[12, concluded] him, and take away the youth to thy house; so shall the Yahweh of the Hebrews bless thee, for grace from heaven is upon him.

Kapitel 13

13 1 And Pentephris was persuaded by her words, and commanded the merchant to be brought, and said unto him: What is this that I hear concerning thee, that thou stealest persons out of the land 2 of Canaan, and sellest them for slaves? But the merchant fell at his feet, and besought him, saying: 3 I beseech thee, my lord, I know not what thou sayest. And Pentephris said unto him: Whence, then, is the Hebrew slave? And he said: The Ishmaelites entrusted him unto me until they should return. 4 But he believed him not, but commanded him to be stripped and beaten. And when he persisted 5 in this statement, Pentephris said: Let the youth be brought. And when I was brought in, I did 6 obeisance to Pentephris (for he was third in rank of the officers of Pharaoh). And he took me apart 7 from him, and said unto me: Art thou a slave or free? And I said: A slave. And he said: 8 Whose? And I said: The Ishmaelites. And he said: How didst thou become their slave? And 9 I said: They bought me out of the land of Canaan. And he said unto me: Truly thou liest; and straightway he commanded me to be stripped and beaten.

Kapitel 14

14 1 Now the Memphian woman was looking through a window at me while I was being beaten, for her house was near, and she sent unto him saying: Thy judgement is unjust; for thou dost punish 2 a free man who hath been stolen, as though he were a transgressor. And when I made no change in my statement, though I was beaten, he ordered me to be imprisoned, until, he said, the owners 3 of the boy should come. And the woman said unto her husband: Wherefore dost thou detain the 4 captive and well-born lad in bonds, who ought rather to be set at liberty, and be waited upon? For 5 she wished to see me out of a desire of sin, but I was ignorant concerning all these things. And he said to her: It is not the custom of the Egyptians to take that which belongeth to others before 6 proof is given. This, therefore, he said concerning the merchant; but as for the lad, he must be imprisoned.

Kapitel 15

15 1 Now after four and twenty days came the Ishmaelites; for they had heard that Jacob my father 2 was mourning much concerning me. And they came and said unto me: How is it that thou saidst that thou wast a slave? and lo, we have learnt that thou art the son of a mighty man in the land of 3 Canaan, and thy father still mourneth for thee in sackcloth and ashes. When I heard this my bowels were dissolved and my heart melted, and I desired greatly to weep, but I restrained myself, that I should not put my brethren to shame. And I said unto them, I know not, I am a slave. 4, 5 Then, therefore, they took counsel to sell me, that I should not be found in their hands. For they feared my father, lest he [should come and] execute upon them a grievous vengeance. For they had 6 heard that he was mighty with Yahweh and with men. Then said the merchant unto them: Release 7 me from the judgement of Pentiphri. And they came and requested me, saying: Say that thou wast bought by us with money, and he will set us free.

Kapitel 16

16 1 Now the Memphian woman said to her husband: Buy the youth; for I hear, said she, that they are selling him. 2 And straightway she sent a eunuch to the 3 Ishmaelites, and asked them to sell me. But since the eunuch would not agree to buy me (at their price) he returned, having made trial of them, and he made known to his mistress that they asked a large price for their slave. 4 And she sent another eunuch, saying: Even though they demand two minas, give them, do not spare the gold; only buy the boy, and bring him to me. 5 The eunuch therefore went and gave them eighty pieces of gold, and he received me; but to the Egyptian woman he said: I have given a hundred. 6 And though I knew (this) I held my peace, lest the eunuch should be put to shame.

Kapitel 17

17 1 Ye see, therefore, my children, what great things I endured that I should not put my brethren to 2 shame. Do ye also, therefore love one another, and with long-suffering hide ye one another's 3 faults. For Yahweh delighteth in the unity of brethren, and in the purpose of a heart that takes 4 pleasure in love. And when my brethren came into Egypt they learnt that I had returned their 5 money unto them, and upbraided them not, and comforted them. And after the death of Jacob my father I loved them more abundantly, and all things whatsoever he commanded I did very 6 abundantly for them. And I suffered them not to be afflicted in the smallest matter; and all that 7 was in my hand I gave unto them. And their children were my children, and my children as their servants; and their life was my life, and all their suffering was my suffering, and all their sickness 8 was my infirmity. My land was their land, and their counsel my counsel. And I exalted not myself among them in arrogance because of my worldly glory, but I was among them as one of the least.

Kapitel 18

18 1 If ye also, therefore, walk in the commandments of the Yahweh, my children, He will exalt you there, 2 and will bless you with good things for ever and ever. And if any one seeketh to do evil unto you, 3 do well unto him, and pray for him, and ye shall be redeemed of the Yahweh from all evil. [For], behold, ye see that out of my humility and long suffering I took unto wife the daughter of the priest of Heliopolis. And a hundred talents of gold were given me with her, and the Yahweh made 4 them to serve me. And He gave me also beauty as a flower beyond the beautiful ones of Israel, and He preserved me unto old age in strength and in beauty, because I was like in all things to Jacob.

Kapitel 19

19 1 Hear ye, therefore, my vision which I saw. 2 I saw twelve harts feeding. And nine of them were dispersed. Now the three were preserved, but on the following day they also were dispersed. 3 And I saw that the three harts became three lambs, and they cried to the Yahweh, and He brought them forth into a flourishing and well watered place, yea He brought them out of darkness into light. 4 And there they cried unto the Yahweh until there gathered together unto them the nine harts, and they became as twelve sheep, and after a little time they increased and became many 5 flocks. And after these things I saw and behold, twelve bulls were sucking one cow, which produced a sea of milk, and there drank thereof the twelve flocks and innumerable herds. 6 And the horns of the fourth bull went up unto heaven and became as a wall for the flocks, and in the midst of the two horns there grew 7 another horn. And I saw a bull calf which surrounded them twelve times, and it became a help to the bulls wholly. 8 And I saw in the midst of the horns a virgin [wearing a many-coloured garment, and from her] went forth a lamb; and on his right (was as it were a lion; and) all the beasts and all the reptiles rushed (against him), and the lamb over 9 came them and destroyed them. And the bulls rejoiced because of him, and the cow [and the 10 harts] exulted together with them. And these 11 things must come to pass in their season. Do ye therefore, my children, observe the commandments of the Yahweh, and honour Levi and Judah; for from them shall arise unto you [the Lamb of Yahweh, who taketh away the sin of the world] one who saveth [all the Gentiles and] Israel. 12 For His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, which shall not pass away; but my kingdom among you shall come to an end as a watcher's hammock, which after the summer disappeareth.

Kapitel 20

20 1 For I know that after my death the Egyptians will afflict you, but Yahweh will avenge you, and will 2 bring you into that which He promised to your fathers. But ye shall carry up my bones with you; for when my bones are being taken up thither, the Yahweh shall be with you in light, and Beliar shall be in darkness with the Egyptians. 3 And carry ye up Asenath your mother to the Hippodrome, and near Rachel your mother bury her. 4, 5 And

[Joseph concluded; then THE TESTAMENT OF BENJAMIN begins]

[20, concluded] when he had said these things he stretched out his feet, and died at a good old age. And all Israel mourned for him, and all Egypt, with a great mourning. 6 And when the children of Israel went out of Egypt, they took with them the bones of Joseph, and they buried him in Hebron with his fathers, and the years of his life were one hundred and ten years.