Testament of Joseph 19

1Indeed he gave me beauty beyond the handsome men of Israel, and preserved me until old age in strength and in beauty; for I was like Jacob in all things. Now listen, my children, also concerning the dreams that I know about.

2Twelve deer were feeding in one place, and the nine were scattered over all the earth; and likewise the three also.

3And I saw that the three deer became three lambs, and they cried out to the Lord, and the Lord brought them out to a flourishing and well-watered place, and brought them from darkness into light.

4And there they cried out to the Lord until the nine deer were gathered to them, and they themselves became like twelve sheep; and after a little time they increased and became many flocks.

5And after these things I saw, and behold, twelve bulls suckling one heifer, and it made a sea of milk, and the twelve flocks and innumerable flocks drank from it.

6And from the fourth bull its horns went up as far as heaven and became like a wall of the flocks, and in the midst of the two horns another horn sprouted.

7And I saw a calf that encircled them twelve times, and it became wholly a help to the bulls.

8And I saw that [from Judah was born] a virgin, [wearing a robe of fine linen, and from her] a [blameless] lamb was born; and on his left there was, as it were, a lion; and all the beasts were rushing against him, and the lamb overcame them and destroyed them for trampling.

9And the angels and men and all the earth rejoiced over him.

10But these things will happen in their time, in the last days.

11Therefore you, my children, keep the commandments of the Lord, and honor Levi and Judah; for from their seed there will arise for you [the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,] saving [all the nations and] Israel.

12For his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, which will not pass away. But my kingdom among you will be brought to completion, like a watchman's hut after the summer, vanishing away.