The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 65
Issachar 4
Simplicity of heart holds all that is well-pleasing to the Lord, as the speaker urges his children to walk in it. Themes: Obedience and Testing
1nd now hearken to me, my children, and walk in simplicity of heart, for I have seen in it all that is well-pleasing to the Lord.
2 The simple coveteth not gold, defraudeth not his neighbour, longeth not after manifold dainties, delighteth not in varied apparel, doth not picture to himself to live a long life, but only waiteth for the will of God, and the spirits of error have no power against him.
3 For he cannot allow within his mind a thought of female beauty, that he should not pollute his mind in corruption.
4 No envy can enter into his thoughts, no jealousy melteth away his soul, nor doth he brood over gain with insatiate desire; for he walketh in uprightness of life, and beholdeth all things in simplicity, not admitting in his eyes malice from the error of the world, lest he should see the perversion of any of the commandments of the Lord.
Did You Know?
Simplicity of heart holds all that is well-pleasing to the Lord, as the speaker urges his children to walk in it.
The simple covets not gold, defrauds no neighbour, and takes no delight in manifold dainties or varied apparel.
Spirits of error have no power against the simple person who waits only for the will of God.
A simple mind cannot admit a thought of female beauty, lest that mind become polluted in corruption.
No envy enters the simple person's thoughts, jealousy melts not the soul, and gain stirs no insatiate desire.
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