1 THE copy of the Testament To Asher, what things he spake to his sons in the hundred and twenty-fifth year of his life. (T12) 2 For 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 upright in the sight of the Lord. (T12) 3 Two ways hath God given to the sons of men, and two inclinations, and two kinds of action, and two modes of action, and two issues. (T12) 4 Therefore all things are by twos, one over against the other. (T12) 5 For there are two ways of good and evil, and with these are the two inclinations in our breasts discriminating them. (T12) 6 Therefore if the soul take pleasure in the good inclination, all its actions are in righteousness; and if it sin it straightway repenteth. (T12) 7 For, having its thoughts set upon righteousness, and casting away wickedness, it straightway overthroweth the evil, and uprooteth the sin. (T12) 8 But if it incline to the evil inclination, all its actions are in wickedness, and it driveth away the good, and cleaveth to the evil, and is ruled by Beliar; even though it work what is good, he perverteth it to evil. (T12) 9 For whenever it beginneth to do good, he forceth the issue of the action into evil for him, seeing that the treasure of the inclination is filled with an evil spirit. (T12) 10 A person then may with words help the good for the sake of the evil, yet the issue of the action leadeth to mischief. (T12) 11 There is a man who showeth no compassion upon him who serveth his turn in evil; and this thing bath two aspects, but the whole is evil. (T12) 12 And there is a man that loveth him that worketh evil, because he would prefer even to die in evil for his sake; and concerning this it is clear that it bath two aspects, but the whole is an evil work. (T12) 13 Though indeed he have love, yet is he wicked who concealeth what is evil for the sake of the good name, but the end of the action tendeth unto evil. (T12) 14 Another stealeth, doeth unjustly, plundereth, defraudeth, and withal pitieth the poor: this too bath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. (T12) 15 He who defraudeth his neighbour provoketh God, and sweareth falsely against the Most High, and yet pitieth the poor: the Lord who commanded the law he setteth at nought and provoketh, and yet he refresheth the poor. (T12) 16 He defileth the soul, and maketh gay the body; he killeth many, and pitieth a few: this, too, bath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. (T12) 17 Another committeth adultery and fornication, and abstaineth from meats, and when he fasteth he doeth evil, and by the power of his wealth overwhelmeth many; and notwithstanding his excessive wickedness he doeth the commandments: this, too, hath a two… (T12)
Testament of Asher 1:1–48
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Testament of Zebulun 2:30–32
30 And after these things ye shall remember the Lord and repent, and He shall have mercy upon you, for He is merciful and compassionate. (T12) 31 And He setteth not down in account evil against the sons of men, because they are flesh, and are deceived through their own wi… (T12)
Visions 1:7–9
7 I answered her and said, "Sin against thee? In what way? Did I ever speak an unseemly word unto thee? Did I not always regard thee as a goddess? Did I not always respect thee as a sister? How couldst thou falsely charge me, lady, with such villainy and unclea… (HER)
Sirach 14:6–8
6 There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness. (WEB) 7 Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. (WEB) 8 A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls. (WEB)
2 Baruch 15:1–3
1 And the Lord answered and said unto me: 'Thou art rightly astonied regarding the departure of (2BA) 2 man, but thou hast not judged well regarding the evils which befall those who sin. And as regards (2BA) 3 what thou hast said, that the righteous are carried off and the impio… (2BA)
Mandates 36:8–10
8 And if again a man or a woman be exceedingly wicked, and the works of the angel of righteousness come into that man's heart, he must of necessity do something good. (HER) 9 Thou seest then," saith he, "that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, and to bid f… (HER)
2 Maccabees 4:16–18
16 For this reason, severe calamity overtook them. The men whose ways of living they earnestly followed, and to whom they desired to be made like in all things, these became their enemies and punished them. (WEB) 17 For it is not a light thing to show irreverence to God’s… (WEB)
2 Enoch 66:1–2
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Sirach 15:19–20
19 His eyes are upon those who fear him. He knows every act of man. (WEB) 20 He has not commanded any man to be ungodly. He has not given any man license to sin. (WEB)
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