Aramaic Levi Document
Levi's investiture by seven angels — the bestowal of the priestly garments, the anointing with oil, and the seven gifts of the priesthood.
1And I beheld in my vision, in the third heaven, a holy temple. And I beheld in it the throne of glory; and round about the throne stood the angels of the presence, that minister continually unto the Lord.
2And the angel said unto me: Levi, thy prayer hath been heard. Thou shalt be a priest of the Most High God; thou and thy seed shall be His ministers. Thy seed shall divide into three offices: the priesthood for the Most High; the priesthood for the messianic king; and the priesthood for the day of the Lord.
3Then seven angels came unto me. They clothed me with seven holy garments. The first angel anointed me with the holy oil, and gave me a sceptre of judgment. The second angel washed me with pure water, and fed me with the bread of holiness, and the wine of the holy place. The third clothed me with a robe of glory, even the linen of the priesthood.
4The fourth set about me a girdle, even a girdle of purple, and a sash like unto the rainbow. The fifth gave unto me a branch of rich olive, and the sweet fragrance of the holy place. The sixth set upon mine head a crown of righteousness. The seventh set upon my brow a diadem of priesthood, and made my hands as the hands of a minister of the inner sanctuary.
5And they said unto me: Levi, henceforth thou art a priest of the Lord — thou and thy seed for ever. Walk thou in His statutes, and thou shalt be set unto the Most High in the throne of glory. The seven offices of the priesthood are thine: the offering, the blessing, the teaching, the cleansing, the judging, the interpreting, and the offering of incense before the throne.
6And the angel showed me the patterns of the heavenly altar. He said: From this thou shalt make the earthly altar, after this pattern. The Most High looketh down from heaven; and He shall ratify whatsoever thou settest in order according to the pattern shown unto thee. So shall He receive the offerings of thy hand for ever.
7And I awoke; and I knew that the dream was a true vision. And I said within mine heart: Now I shall do all the things which I have been commanded; and I shall keep the priesthood pure for my seed unto everlasting generations. And the Lord shall be my portion for ever.
