Art The Testament of Asher

The Testament Of
Asher, The Tenth

Son Of Jacob And
Zilpah
1 1 The copy of the Testament of
Asher, what things he spake to his
sons in the hundred and 2 twenty-
fifth year of his life. For while he
was still in health, he said to them:
Hearken, ye children of Asher, to
your father, and I will declare to
you all that is upright in the sight
of the Lord. 3 Two ways hath God
given to the sons of men, and two
inclinations, and two kinds of
action, and 4 two modes (of
action), and two issues. Therefore
all things are by twos, one over
against the 5 other. For there are
two ways of good and evil, and
with these are the two inclinations
in our 6 breasts discriminating
them. Therefore if the soul take pleasure in the good (inclination), all its 7
actions are in righteousness; and if it sin it straightway repenteth. For,
having its thoughts set upon righteousness, and casting away wickedness,
it straightway overthroweth the evil, and uprooteth 8 the sin. But if it incline
to the evil inclination, all its actions are in wickedness, and it driveth away
the good, and cleaveth to the evil, and is ruled by Beliar; even though it
work what is good, 9 he perverteth it to evil. For whenever it beginneth to
do good, he forceth the issue of the action into evil for him, seeing that the
treasure of the inclination is filled with an evil spirit.
2 1 A person then may with words help the good for the sake of the evil,
yet the issue of the action 2 leadeth to mischief. There is a man who
showeth no compassion upon him who serveth his turn in 3 evil; and this
thing hath two aspects, but the whole is evil. And there is a man that loveth
him that worketh evil, because he would prefer even to die in evil for his
sake; and concerning this it is clear that it hath two aspects, but the whole
is an evil work. 4 Though indeed he have love, yet is he wicked who
concealeth what is evil for the sake of the good name, but the end of the
action tendeth unto evil. 5 Another stealeth, doeth unjustly, plundereth,
defraudeth, and withal pitieth the poor: this too 6 hath a twofold aspect,
but the whole is evil. He who defraudeth his neighbour provoketh God, and
sweareth falsely against the Most High, and yet pitieth the poor: the Lord
who commandeth the 7 law he setteth at nought and provoketh, and yet
he refresheth the poor. He defileth the soul, and maketh gay the body; he
killeth many, and pitieth a few: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the 8
whole is evil. Another committeth adultery and fornication, and abstaineth
from meats, and when he fasteth he doeth evil, and by the power of his
wealth overwhelmeth many; and notwithstanding his excessive wickedness
he doeth the commandments: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the 9
whole is evil. Such men are hares; clean,- like those that divide the hoof,
but in very deed are 10 unclean. For God in the tables of the
commandments hath thus declared.
3 1 But do not ye, my children, wear two faces like unto them, of goodness
and of wickedness; but 2 cleave unto goodness only, for God hath his
habitation therein, and men desire it. But from wickedness flee away,
destroying the (evil) inclination by your good works; for they that are
double-faced serve not God, but their own lusts, so that they may please
Beliar and men like unto themselves.
4 1 For good men, even they that are of single face, though they be thought
by them that are double 2 faced to sin, are just before God. For many in
killing the wicked do two works, of good and evil; 3 but the whole is good,
because he hath uprooted and destroyed that which is evil. One man hateth
the merciful and unjust man, and the man who committeth adultery and
fasteth: this, too, hath a two fold aspect, but the whole work is good,
because he followeth the Lord's example, in that he 4 accepteth not the
seeming good as the genuine good. Another desireth not to see a good day
with them that riot, lest he defile his body and pollute his soul: this, too, is
double-faced, but the whole is 5 good. For such men are like to stags and
to hinds, because in the manner of wild animals they seem to be unclean,
but they are altogether clean; because they walk in zeal for the Lord and
abstain from what God also hateth and forbiddeth by His commandments,
warding off the evil from the good.
5 1 Ye see, my children, how that there are two in all things, one against
the other, and the one is hidden by the other: in wealth (is hidden)
covetousness, in conviviality drunkenness, in laughter 2 grief, in wedlock
profligacy. Death succeedeth to life, dishonour to glory, night to day, and
darkness to light; [and all things are under the day, just things under life,
unjust things under 3 death;] wherefore also eternal life awaiteth death.
Nor may it be said that truth is a lie, nor 4 right wrong; for all truth is under
the light, even as all things are under God. All these things, therefore, I
proved in my life, and I wandered not from the truth of the Lord, and I
searched out the commandments of the Most High, walking according to all
my strength with singleness of face unto that which is good.
6 1 Take heed, therefore, ye also, my children, to the commandments of
the Lord, following the truth 2 with singleness of face. For they that are
double-faced are guilty of a twofold sin; for they both do the evil thing and
they have pleasure in them that do it, following the example of the spirits
of 3 deceit, and striving against mankind. Do ye, therefore, my children,
keep the law of the Lord, and give not heed unto evil as unto good; but
look unto the thing that is really good, and keep it in all 4 commandments
of the Lord, having your conversation therein, and resting therein. For the
latter ends of men do show their righteousness (or unrighteousness), when
they meet the angels of the 5 Lord and of Satan. For when the soul departs
troubled, it is tormented by the evil spirit which also it served in lusts and
evil works. 6 But if he is peaceful with joy he meeteth the angel of peace,
and he leadeth him into eternal life.
7 1 Become not, my children, as Sodom, which sinned against the angels

of the Lord, and perished for 2 ever. For I know that ye shall sin, and be
delivered into the hands of your enemies; and your land shall be made
desolate, and your holy places destroyed, and ye shall be scattered unto
the four 3 corners of the earth. And ye shall be set at nought in the
dispersion vanishing away as water. Until the Most High shall visit the earth,
coming Himself [as man, with men eating and drinking, and breaking the
head of the dragon in the water. He shall save Israel and all the Gentiles
[God speaking in 4 the person of man]. [Therefore do ye also, my children,
tell these things to your children, that they 5 disobey Him not. For I have
known that ye shall assuredly be disobedient, and assuredly act ungodly,
not giving heed to the law of God, but to the commandments of men, being
corrupted 6 through wickedness. And therefore shall ye be scattered as Gad
and Dan my brethren, and ye shall 7 know not your lands, tribe, and
tongue. But the Lord will gather you together in faith through His tender
mercy, and for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.]
8 1 And when he had said these things unto them he commanded them,
saying: Bury me in Hebron. 2 And he fell asleep and died at a good old
age. And his sons did as he had commanded them, and they carried him
up to Hebron, and buried him with his fathers.

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The Testament Of

Asher, The Tenth

7 1 Become not, my children, as Sodom, which sinned against the angels

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