Aramaic Levi Document

Levi's instruction unto his sons — the wisdom of the priestly path, the separation from idolatry, and the keeping of the holy seed unto the latter days.

1And now, my sons, I command you to walk in the fear of the Lord with a single heart. Hearken unto His voice. Keep His commandments. Walk in His statutes. Hate not the truth; love not unrighteousness. The Lord is righteous; His judgments are true.

2Be not joined unto the daughters of the strangers; for they shall lead your hearts astray, and the Lord's covenant shall be broken in you. Take wives from your brethren — even from the daughters of Aaron and the daughters of Levi — that the seed of the priesthood may be preserved pure.

3Teach your children the wisdom of the law. Read it unto them by night and by day. Instruct them in the festivals; instruct them in the offerings; instruct them in the manner of cleanness, and the manner of uncleanness. They shall be a holy seed; the Lord shall multiply them as the stars of the heavens.

4Take heed, my sons: in the latter days my seed shall stray; they shall mingle with the strangers; the priesthood shall be defiled; the temple shall be polluted. There shall arise wicked priests, and they shall sell the sanctuary for silver. The blood of the just shall be shed in the holy place. There shall be great mourning in Israel.

5Yet take heart, my sons. The Lord shall not forsake His covenant. He shall raise up at the appointed time a New Priest — even He whose word shall be as the word of God, and who shall stand in the inner sanctuary, and shall make atonement for the children of His people. He shall judge in righteousness; and the heavens shall rejoice in His days. The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, even as the waters cover the sea.

6Then shall the law of the Lord be revealed in fullness; and the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek shall be set up again — and shall not pass away. Many of the children of men shall be brought near; and the gentiles shall be blessed in the seed of Abraham.

7Therefore keep ye these words, and lay them up in your hearts. Hand them down unto your children. Hide them in a sure place; and they shall be brought forth in the appointed time, when the New Priest shall arise. Glory be unto the Lord of priesthood, the God of Levi, the Holy One of Israel. Forever and ever. Amen.