The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 33

A¹🔗nd because ye have heard concerning the seventy weeks, hear also concerning the priesthood; for in each jubilee there shall be a priesthood.

²🔗 In the first jubilee, the first who is anointed into the priesthood shall be great, and shall speak to God as to a Father; and his priesthood shall be filled with the fear of the Lord, and in the day of his gladness shall he arise for the salvation of the world.

³🔗 In the second jubilee, he that is anointed shall be conceived in the sorrow of beloved ones; and his priesthood shall be honoured, and shall be glorified among all.

⁴🔗 And the third priest shall be held fast in sorrow; and the fourth shall be in grief, because unrighteousness shall be laid upon him exceedingly, and all Israel shall hate each one his neighbour.

⁵🔗 The fifth shall be held fast in darkness, likewise also the sixth and the seventh.

⁶🔗 And in the seventh there shall be such pollution as I am not able to express, before the Lord and men, for they shall know it who do these things.

⁷🔗 Therefore shall they be in captivity and for a prey, and their land and their substance shall be destroyed.

⁸🔗 And in the fifth week they shall return into their desolate country, and shall renew the house of the Lord.

⁹🔗 And in the seventh week shall come the priests, worshippers of idols, contentious, lovers of money, proud, lawless, lascivious, abusers of children and beasts.