The Two Ways

Illustration of The Two Ways

Asher opens his testament by saying that God has given the sons of men two ways, two minds, two doings, two places and two ends. The two ways are good and evil, and the two minds within a person tell them apart. A soul that delights in good acts rightly and repents quickly when it sins. A mind that turns to evil is ruled by Beliar and spoils even the good it does.

Asher then describes people with two faces, such as the thief who pities the poor or the adulterer who fasts. He calls their deeds evil as a whole and compares them to swine and hares, which are half clean. Others seem harsh yet are wholly good, like stags and hinds. He urges his children to be single of face and to cleave to goodness only.

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Symbolizes
The choice between good and evil

Key Chapters

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 103 Asher 1 2 min read The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 104 Asher 2 2 min read The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 106 Asher 4 2 min read The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 107 Asher 5 1 min read

Key Passages

Two ways, two minds, two ends

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 103:1-9

The record of the testament of Asher, what things he spake to his sons in the hundred and twentieth year of his life....

T1he record of the testament of Asher, what things he spake to his sons in the hundred and twentieth year of his life.

2 While he was still in health, he said to them: Hearken, ye children of Asher, to your father, and I will declare to you all that is right in the sight of God. 3 Two ways hath God given to the sons of men, and two minds, and two doings, and two places, and two ends. 4 Therefore all things are by twos, one corresponding to the other. 5 There are two ways of good and evil, with which are the two minds in our breasts distinguishing them. 6 Therefore if the soul take pleasure in good, all its actions are in righteousness; and though it sin, it straightway repenteth. 7 For, having his mind set upon righteousness, and casting away maliciousness, he straightway overthroweth the evil, and uprooteth the sin. 8 But if his mind turn aside in evil, all his doings are in maliciousness, and he driveth away the good, and taketh unto him the evil, and is ruled by Beliar; and even though he work what is good, he perverteth it in evil. 9 For whenever he beginneth as though to do good, he bringeth the end of his doing to work evil, seeing that the treasure of the devil is filled with the poison of an evil spirit.

The double-faced

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 104:1-9

There is then, he saith, a soul which speaketh the good for the sake of the evil, and the end of the doing leadeth to mi...

T1here is then, he saith, a soul which speaketh the good for the sake of the evil, and the end of the doing leadeth to mischief.

2 There is a man who showeth no compassion upon him who serveth his turn in evil; and this thing hath two aspects, but the whole is evil. 3 And there is a man that loveth him that worketh evil; he likewise dwelleth in evil, because he chooseth even to die in an evil cause for his sake: and concerning this it is clear that it hath two aspects, but the whole is an evil work. 4 And though there is love, it is but wickedness concealing the evil, even as it beareth a name that seemeth good, but the end of the doing tendeth unto evil. 5 Another stealeth, worketh unjustly, plundereth, defraudeth, and withal pitieth the poor: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. 6 Defrauding his neighbour he provoketh God, and sweareth falsely against the Most High, and yet pitieth the poor: the Lord who commandeth the law he setteth at nought and provoketh, and refresheth the poor; he defileth the soul, and maketh gay the body; he killeth many, and he pitieth a few: and this, too, hath a twofold aspect. 7 Another committeth adultery and fornication, and abstaineth from meats; yet in his fasting he worketh evil, and by his power and his wealth perverteth many, and out of his excessive wickedness worketh the commandments: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. 8 Such men are as swine or hares; for they are half clean, but in very deed are unclean. 9 For God in the Heavenly Tablets hath thus declared.

The single of face

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 106:1-4

For good men, even they that are single of face, though they be thought by them that are double-faced to err, are just b...

F1or good men, even they that are single of face, though they be thought by them that are double-faced to err, are just before God.

2 For many in killing the wicked do two works, an evil by a good; but the whole is good, because he hath uprooted and destroyed that which is evil. 3 One man hateth him that showeth mercy, and doeth wrong to the adulterer and the thief: this, too, is double-faced, but the whole work is good, because he followeth the Lord’s example, in that he receiveth not that which seemeth good with that which is really bad. 4 Another desireth not to see good days with them that riot, lest he defile his mouth and pollute his soul: this, too, is double-faced, but the whole is good, for such men are like to stags and to hinds, because in a wild condition they seem to be unclean, but they are altogether clean; because they walk in a zeal for God, and abstain from what God also hateth and forbiddeth by His commandments, and they ward off the evil from the good.

Two in all things

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 107:1-4

Ye see therefore, my children, how that there are two in all things, one against the other, and the one is hidden by the...

Y1e see therefore, my children, how that there are two in all things, one against the other, and the one is hidden by the other.

2 Death succeedeth to life, dishonour to glory, night to day, and darkness to light; and all things are under the day, and just things under life: wherefore also everlasting life awaiteth death. 3 Nor may it be said that truth is a lie, nor right wrong; for all truth is under the light, even as all things are under God. 4 All these things I proved in my life, and I wandered not from the truth of the Lord, and I searched out the commandments of the Most High, walking with singleness of face according to all my strength unto that which is good.

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Did You Know?

1

Asher lists five pairs given by God to mankind: two ways, two minds, two doings, two places and two ends.

2

A person whose mind turns to evil is said to be ruled by Beliar, and even his good deeds are perverted.

3

Asher compares double-faced people to swine or hares, which he calls half clean but in truth unclean.

4

Those who avoid the company of the riotous are compared to stags and hinds, which look unclean but are wholly clean.

5

Asher warns that the double-faced receive a twofold punishment and tells his sons to follow truth with singleness of face.