Testament of Joseph

Chapter 19

Premium narration

Hear ye, therefore, the vision which I saw.

I saw twelve harts feeding; and nine of them were dispersed. Now the three were preserved, but on the following day they also were dispersed.

And I saw that the three harts became three lambs, and they cried unto the Lord; and He brought them forth into a flourishing and well-watered place, yea, He brought them out of darkness into light.

And there they cried unto the Lord, until there gathered together unto them the nine harts; and they became as twelve sheep, and after a little time they increased and became many flocks.

And after these things I saw, and behold, twelve bulls were sucking one cow, which produced a sea of milk; and there drank thereof the twelve flocks and innumerable herds.

And the horns of the fourth bull went up unto heaven, and became as a wall for the flocks; and in the midst of the two horns there grew another horn.

And I saw a bull calf which surrounded them twelve times, and it became a help to the bulls wholly.

And I saw in the midst of the horns a virgin wearing a many-coloured garment, and from her went forth a lamb; and on his right hand was as it were a lion, and all the beasts and all the reptiles rushed against him, and the lamb overcame them, and destroyed them.

And the bulls rejoiced because of him, and the cow and the harts exulted together with them.

And these things must come to pass in their season.

And do ye, my children, honour Levi and Judah, for from them shall arise the salvation of Israel.

For my kingdom which is among you shall come to an end as a watcher's hammock, which after the summer will not appear.