The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 87
Naphtali 2
Jacob appointed his son for all errands and messages because he was swift on his feet like a deer. Themes: Divine Providence and Plan
1nd since I was swift on my feet like a deer, my father Jacob appointed me for all errands and messages, and as a deer did he give me his blessing.
2 For as the potter knoweth the vessel, what it containeth, and bringeth clay thereto, so also doth the Lord make the body in accordance with the spirit, and according to the capacity of the body doth He implant the spirit, and the one is not deficient from the other by a third part of a hair; for by weight, and measure, and rule is every creature of the Most High.
3 And as the potter knoweth the use of each vessel, whereto it sufficeth, so also doth the Lord know the body, how far it is capable for goodness, and when it beginneth in evil; for there is no created thing and no thought which the Lord knoweth not, for He created every man after His own image.
4 As man’s strength, so also is his work; and as his mind, so also is his work; and as his purpose, so also is his doing; as his heart, so also is his mouth; as his eye, so also is his sleep; as his soul, so also is his word, either in the law of the Lord or in the law of Beliar.
5 And as there is a division between light and darkness, between seeing and hearing, so also is there a division between man and man, and between woman and woman; neither is it to be said that there is any superiority in anything, either of the face or of other like things.
6 For God made all things good in their order, the five senses in the head, and He joineth on the neck to the head, the hair also for comeliness, the heart moreover for understanding, the belly for the dividing of the stomach, the calamus for health, the liver for wrath, the gall for bitterness. the spleen for laughter, the reins for craftiness, the loins for power, the ribs for containing, the back for strength, and so forth.
7 So then, my children, be ye orderly unto good things in the fear of God, and do nothing disorderly in scorn or out of its due season.
8 For if thou bid the eye to hear, it cannot; so neither in darkness can ye do the works of light.
Did You Know?
Jacob appointed his son for all errands and messages because he was swift on his feet like a deer.
Body and spirit match so precisely that neither falls short of the other by a third part of a hair.
The spleen is for laughter, the liver for wrath, the gall for bitterness, and the reins for craftiness.
As a man heart is, so is his mouth, and as his soul is, so is his word under the Lord or Beliar.
If you bid the eye to hear it cannot, and neither can works of light be done in darkness.
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