t12papocrypha
Testament of Joseph 4
Potiphar's wife escalates her pursuit of Joseph through flattery, false piety, and a counterfeit offer of covenant conversion — promising to abandon her idols if Joseph will yield. Joseph names the stratagem plainly: Jehovah does not accept worship joined to uncleanness, and adultery disqualifies the worshiper. Facing guile cloaked as religious sincerity, Joseph does not argue at length; he returns to sackcloth, fasting, and petition, pressing the petition that Jehovah deliver him from the Egyptian. The imprisoned servant's weapon is prayer, and he wields it without cessation.
1
How often has she fawned upon me with words as a holy man, with guile in her talk, praising my chastity before her husband, while desiring to destroy me when we were alone.
2
She lauded me openly as chaste, and in secret she said unto me, Fear not my husband; for he is persuaded concerning thy chastity, so that even should one tell him concerning us he would in no wise believe.
3
For all these things I lay upon the ground in sackcloth, and I besought God that the Lord would deliver me from the Egyptian.
4
And when she prevailed nothing, she came again to me under the plea of instruction, that she might know the word of the Lord.
5
And she said unto me, If thou willest that I should leave my idols, be persuaded by me, and I will persuade my husband to depart from his idols, and we will walk in the law of thy Lord.
6
And I said unto her, The Lord willeth not that those who reverence Him should be in uncleanness, nor doth He take pleasure in them that commit adultery.
7
And she held her peace, longing to accomplish her evil desire.
8
And I gave myself yet more to fasting and prayer, that the Lord should deliver me from her.
