t12papocrypha
Testament of Joseph 14
Joseph, beaten and imprisoned on false pretense, receives an unlikely advocate in the Memphian woman, who speaks truth to her husband about the injustice of punishing a free man taken by theft. Yet her advocacy is not pure — she desires him for sin and acts from hidden motive. The husband defers to Egyptian custom, holding Joseph until proof of ownership can be established. The prison tightens around the innocent servant while those in authority argue procedure. The pattern of unjust captivity preparing the chosen vessel deepens here: Joseph is not freed, but the ground of his eventual exaltation is being laid.
1
Now the Memphian woman was looking through a window while I was being beaten, and she sent unto her husband, saying, Thy judgment is unjust; for thou dost even punish a free man who hath been stolen, as though he were a transgressor.
2
And when I gave no other answer though I was beaten, he commanded that we should be kept in guard, until, said he, the owners of the boy shall come.
3
And his wife said unto him, Wherefore dost thou detain in captivity this noble child, who ought rather to be set at liberty, and wait upon thee?
4
For she wished to see me in desire of sin, and I was ignorant concerning all these things.
5
Then said he to his wife, It is not the custom of the Egyptians to take away that which belongeth to others before proof is given.
6
This he said concerning the merchant, and concerning me, that I must be imprisoned.
