The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 2
Reuben 2
Seven spirits from Beliar are given against man and stand chief of the works of youth. Themes: Virtue, Vice and the Two Spirits
1nd now hear me, my children, what things I saw in my repentance concerning the seven spirits of error.
2 Seven spirits are given against man from Beliar, and they are chief of the works of youth; and seven spirits are given to him at his creation, that in them should be done every work of man.
3 The first (1) spirit is of life, with which man’s whole being is created.
4 The second (2) spirit is of sight, with which ariseth desire.
5 The third (3) spirit is of hearing, with which cometh teaching.
6 The fourth (4) spirit is of smelling, with which taste is given to draw air and breath.
7 The fifth (5) spirit is of speech, with which cometh knowledge.
8 The sixth (6) spirit is of taste, with which cometh the eating of meats and drinks; and by them strength is produced, for in food is the foundation of strength.
9 The seventh (7) spirit is of begetting and sexual intercourse, with which through love of pleasure sin also entereth in: wherefore it is the last in order of creation, and the first of youth, because it is filled with ignorance, which leadeth the young as a blind man to a pit, and as cattle to a precipice.
Did You Know?
Seven spirits from Beliar are given against man and stand chief of the works of youth.
Seven spirits given at creation enable every work of man to be done within them.
With the spirit of sight arises desire, and with the spirit of hearing cometh teaching.
By the spirit of taste come meats and drinks producing strength, since food is the foundation of strength.
The spirit of begetting, filled with ignorance, leads the young as a blind man to a pit.
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