The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 64
Issachar 3
He became a husbandman for his parents and brethren, bringing fruits from the field according to their season, and his father blessed him for walking in simplicity. Themes: Virtue, Vice and the Two Spirits
1hen, therefore, I grew up, my children, I walked in uprightness of heart, and I became a husbandman for my parents and my brethren, and I brought in fruits from the field according to their season; and my father blessed me, for he saw that I walked in simplicity.
2 And I was not a busybody in my doings, nor malicious and slanderous against my neighbour.
3 I never spoke against any one, nor did I censure the life of any man, but walked in the simplicity of my eyes.
4 Therefore when I was thirty years old I took to myself a wife, for my labour wore away my strength, and I never thought upon pleasure with women; but through my labour my sleep sufficed me, and my father always rejoiced in my simplicity.
5 For on whatever I laboured I offered first to the Lord, by the hands of the priests, of all my produce and all first-fruits; then to my father, and then took for myself.
6 And the Lord increased twofold His benefits in my hands; and Jacob also knew that God aided my simplicity, for on every poor man and every one in distress I bestowed the good things of the earth in simplicity of heart.
Did You Know?
He became a husbandman for his parents and brethren, bringing fruits from the field according to their season, and his father blessed him for walking in simplicity.
He was never a busybody nor malicious and slanderous against his neighbour, and never spoke against or censured any man.
When thirty years old he took a wife because labour wore away his strength, having never thought upon pleasure with women.
Of all produce and first-fruits he offered first to the Lord by the hands of the priests, then to his father, then himself.
The Lord increased twofold His benefits in his hands, and he bestowed the good things of the earth on every poor man and every one in distress.
← → arrow keys to navigate chapters · spacebar to play/pause audio