Testament of Joseph 1

1The testament of Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and Rachel. A copy of the testament of Joseph. When he was about to die, he called his sons and his brothers and said to them:

2My brothers and children, listen to Joseph, the beloved of Israel. Pay attention, my children, to your father.

3In my life I saw envy and death, and I was not led astray, but remained in the truth of the Lord.

4My brothers hated me, but the Lord loved me. They wanted to kill me, but the God of my fathers preserved me. They lowered me into a pit, and the Most High brought me up.

5I was sold into slavery, and the Master of all set me free. I was taken into captivity, and his mighty hand helped me. I was confined by famine, and the Lord himself nourished me.

6I was alone, and God comforted me. I was weak, and the Lord visited me. I was in prison, and the Savior showed me favor. [I was in chains, and he loosed me.]

7Amid slanders he also spoke in my defense. By the bitter words of dreams he rescued me. A servant, he exalted me.