The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 100
Gad 6
In his father's presence the speaker talked peaceably with Joseph, but once outside the spirit of hatred darkened his mind toward murder.
1nd now, my children, love ye each one his brother, and put away hatred from your hearts, loving one another in deed, and in word, and in thought of the soul.
2 For in the presence of our father I spake peaceably with Joseph; and when I had gone out, the spirit of hatred darkened my mind, and moved my soul to slay him.
3 Love ye therefore one another from your hearts; and if a man sin against thee, tell him of it gently, and drive out the poison of hatred, and foster not guile in thy soul.
4 And if he confess and repent, forgive him; and if he deny it, strive not with him, lest he swear, and thou sin doubly.
5 Let not a stranger hear your secrets amid your striving, lest he hate and become thy enemy, and work great sin against thee; for ofttimes he will talk guilefully with thee, or evilly overreach thee, taking his poison from himself.
6 Therefore, if he deny it, and is convicted and put to shame, and is silenced, do not tempt him on.
7 For he who denieth repenteth, so that he no more doeth wrong against thee; yea also, he will honour thee, and fear thee, and be at peace with thee.
8 But if he be shameless, and abideth in his wrongdoing, even then forgive him from the heart, and give the vengeance to God.
Did You Know?
In his father's presence the speaker talked peaceably with Joseph, but once outside the spirit of hatred darkened his mind toward murder.
Hatred is called a poison that must be driven out, and guile must not be fostered in the soul after an offense.
If someone denies wrongdoing against you, do not strive with him, lest he swear and you sin doubly by the conflict.
Never let a stranger hear your secrets amid striving, lest he hate you, become an enemy, and work great sin against you.
Even a shameless wrongdoer who abides in his wrongdoing must still be forgiven from the heart, with vengeance given to God.
← → arrow keys to navigate chapters · spacebar to play/pause audio