The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 125
Joseph 15
After twenty-four days the Ishmaelites learned Joseph was son of a mighty man in Canaan whose father mourned in sackcloth.
1ow, after four and twenty days came the Ishmaelites; and having heard that Jacob my father was mourning because of me, they said unto me, How is it that thou saidst that thou wert a slave? and lo, we have learnt that thou art the son of a mighty man in the land of Canaan, and thy father grieveth for thee in sackcloth.
2 And again I would have wept, but I restrained myself, that I should not put my brethren to shame.
3 And I said, I know not, I am a slave. Then they take counsel to sell me, that I should not be found in their hands.
4 For they feared Jacob, lest he should work upon them a deadly vengeance.
5 For it had been heard that he was mighty with the Lord and with men.
6 Then said the merchant unto them, Release me from the judgment of Potiphar.
7 They therefore came and asked for me, saying, He was bought by us with money. And he sent us away.
Did You Know?
After twenty-four days the Ishmaelites learned Joseph was son of a mighty man in Canaan whose father mourned in sackcloth.
Joseph nearly wept at news of his father's grief but restrained himself so as not to shame his brethren.
Still claiming to be a slave, Joseph prompted the Ishmaelites to counsel selling him lest he remain in their hands.
The traders feared deadly vengeance because it had been heard that Jacob was mighty with the Lord and with men.
A merchant sought release from Potiphar's judgment after the buyers declared they had purchased Joseph with money.
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