Testament of Zebulun 2

1Sons of Zebulun, pay attention to the words of your father.

2I, Zebulun, became a good gift to my parents; for when I was born, my father increased greatly, and so did the sheep and the cattle, when he had his portion among the variegated rods.

3And I did not know that I had sinned in my days, except in intention.

4I do not remember that I committed lawlessness, except for the ignorance that I committed concerning Joseph, in that I assured my brothers not to tell my father what had happened.

5But I wept in secret for many days because of Joseph. For I was afraid of my brothers, because they had all agreed that whoever disclosed the secret should be killed.

6Yet when they wanted to kill him, I pleaded with them with tears not to commit this sin.

7For Simeon and Dan and Gad came against Joseph to kill him, and he spoke to them with tears.

8“Have mercy on me, my brothers; have compassion, by the compassion of Jacob our father. Do not bring your hands upon me to shed innocent blood, for I have not sinned against you.”

9But even if I have sinned, discipline me with discipline, my brothers; but do not raise your hand in the murder of your brother, for the sake of Jacob your father.”

10And as he spoke these words in grief, while I could not bear his cries, I began to weep, and my liver was poured out, and all the substance of my inward parts grew faint.

11And I wept together with Joseph, and my heart thundered, and the joints of my body trembled, and I had no strength.