1 PAY no heed, therefore, my children, to the beauty of women, nor set your mind--on their affairs; but walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and expend labour on good works, and on study and on your flocks, until the Lord give you a wife, whom He will, that ye suffer not as I did. (T12) 2 For until my father's death I had not boldness to look in his face, or to speak to any of my brethren, because of the reproach. (T12) 3 Even until now my conscience causeth me anguish on account of my impiety. (T12) 4 And yet my father comforted me much, and prayed for me unto the Lord, that the anger of the Lord might pass from me, even as the Lord showed. (T12) 5 And thenceforth until now I have been on my guard and sinned not. (T12) 6 Therefore, my children, I say unto you, observe all things whatsoever I command you, and ye shall not sin. (T12) 7 For a pit unto the soul is the sin of fornication, separating it from God, and bringing it near to idols, because it deceiveth the mind and understanding, and leadeth down young men into Hades before their time. (T12) 8 For many hath fornication destroyed; because, though a man be old or noble, or rich or poor, he bringeth reproach upon himself with the sons of men and derision with Beliar. (T12) 9 For ye heard regarding Joseph how he guarded himself from a woman, and purged his thoughts from all fornication, and found favour in the sight of God and men. (T12) 10 For the Egyptian woman did many things unto him, and summoned magicians, and offered him love potions, but the purpose of his soul admitted no evil desire. (T12) 11 Therefore the God of your fathers delivered him from every evil and hidden death. (T12) 12 For if fornication overcomes not your mind, neither can Beliar overcome you. (T12) 13 For evil are women, my children; and since they have no power or strength over man, they use wiles by outward attractions, that they may draw him to themselves. (T12) 14 And whom they cannot bewitch by outward attractions, him they overcome by craft. (T12) 15 For moreover, concerning them, the angel of the Lord told me, and taught me, that women are overcome by the spirit of fornication more than men, and in their heart they plot against men; and by means of their adornment they deceive first their minds, and by the glance of the eye instil the poison, and then through the accomplished act they take them captive. (T12) 16 For a woman cannot force a man openly, but by a harlot's bearing she beguiles him. (T12) 17 Flee, therefore, fornication, my children, and command your wives and your daughters, that they adorn not their heads and faces to deceive the mind: because every woman who useth these wiles bath been reserved for eternal punishment. (T12) 18 For thus they allured t… (T12)
Testament of Reuben 2:1–31
Semantically similar passages
Testament of Simeon 2:11–13
11 And now, my children, make your hearts good before the Lord, and your ways straight before men, and ye shall find grace before the Lord and men. (T12) 12 Beware, therefore, of fornication, for fornication is mother of all evils, separating from God, and bringing near t… (T12)
Mandates 29:1–3
1 "I charge thee, "saith he, "to keep purity, and let not a thought enter into thy heart concerning another's wife, or concerning fornication, or concerning any such like evil deeds; for in so doing thou commitest a great sin. But remember thine own wife always… (HER)
Mandates 36:6–8
6 Do thou therefore, recognizing his works, stand aloof from him, and trust him in nothing, for his works are evil and inexpedient for the servants of God. Here then thou hast the workings of both the angels. Understand them, and trust the angel of righteousnes… (HER)
Book of Jubilees 20:5–7
5 And he told them of the judgment of the giants, and the judgment of the Sodomites, how they had been judged on account of their wickedness, and had died on account of their fornication, and uncleanness, and mutual corruption through fornication. (JUB) 6 'And guard you… (JUB)
Testament of Judah 3:36–38
36 And I know what evils ye will do in the last days. (T12) 37 Beware, therefore, my children, of fornication, and the love of money, and hearken to Judah your father. (T12) 38 For these things withdraw au from the law of God, and blind the inclination of the soul, and teach arroga… (T12)
Mandates 45:1–3
1 "Before all is desire for the wife or husband of another, and for extravagance of wealth, and for many needless dainties, and for drinks and other luxuries, many and foolish. For even luxury is foolish and vain for the servants of God. (HER) 2 These desires then are e… (HER)
Testament of Issachar 1:34–36
34 He doth not desire to live a long life, but only waiteth for the will of God. (T12) 35 And the spirits of deceit have no power against him, for he looketh not on the beauty of women, lest he should pollute his mind with corruption. (T12) 36 There is no envy in his thoughts, no m… (T12)
Sirach 9:7–9
7 Don’t look around in the streets of the city. Don’t wander in its deserted places. (WEB) 8 Turn your eye away from a beautiful woman, and don’t gaze at another’s beauty. Many have been led astray by the beauty of a woman; and with this, passion is kindled like a fire. (WEB) 9 … (WEB)
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