t12papocrypha
Testament of Benjamin 6
Benjamin teaches that the good mind is undivided — one tongue, one sight, one disposition — because the Lord dwells within it and watches it continually. Against this singleness stands the twofold nature of Beliar, whose every work is double: blessing mixed with cursing, truth with guile, honour with insult. The angel of peace guides the soul that has renounced covetousness, pride of eyes, and self-indulgence. The doctrinal axis is the presence of Jehovah within the soul as its portion and light — the inner sanctuary of Luke 17:21 functioning as the moral criterion against which all double-mindedness is judged and found wanting.
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The mind of the good man is not in the power of the deceit of the spirit of Beliar, for the angel of peace guideth his soul. He gazeth not passionately on corruptible things, nor gathereth together riches unto desire of pleasure; he delighteth not in pleasure, he hurteth not his neighbour, he pampereth not himself with food, he erreth not in the pride of his eyes, for the Lord is his portion. The good mind admitteth not the glory and dishonour of men, neither knoweth it any guile or lie, fighting or reviling; for the Lord dwelleth in him and lighteth up his soul, and he rejoiceth towards all men at every time. The good mind hath not two tongues, of blessing and of cursing, of insult and of honour, of sorrow and of joy, of quietness and of trouble, of hypocrisy and of truth, of poverty and of wealth; but it hath one disposition, pure and uncorrupt, concerning all men. It hath no double sight, nor double hearing; for in everything which he doeth, or speaketh, or seeth, he knoweth that the Lord watcheth his soul, and he cleanseth his mind that he be not condemned by God and men. But of Beliar every work is twofold, and hath no singleness.
