t12papocrypha
Testament of Joseph 6
Joseph discerns through angelic vision that the enchanted food Potiphar's wife sent is laced with death, and he keeps it as evidence to confront her. When she returns, he names the wickedness plainly — the God of his father revealed it — then eats the food before her to demonstrate that covenant faithfulness renders sorcery powerless. The act is not bravado; it is a proof of the principle that those who reverence Jehovah in chastity are beyond the reach of the ungodly. She falls at his feet in contrition, and he restores her to her feet and extracts a promise of repentance.
1
And she sendeth to me food sprinkled with enchantments.
2
And when the eunuch who brought it came, I looked up and beheld a terrible man giving me with the dish a sword, and I perceived that her scheme was for the deception of my soul.
3
And when he had gone out I wept, nor did I taste that or any other of her food.
4
So then after one day she came to me and observed the food, and said unto me, What is this, that thou hast not eaten of the food?
5
And I said unto her, It is because thou filledst it with death; and how saidst thou, I come not near to idols but to the Lord alone?
6
Now therefore know that the God of my father hath revealed unto me by an angel thy wickedness, and I have kept it to convict thee, if haply thou mayest see it and repent.
7
But that thou mayest learn that the wickedness of the ungodly hath no power over them that reverence God in chastity, I took it and ate it before her, saying, The God of my fathers and the Angel of Abraham shall be with me.
8
And she fell upon her face at my feet, and wept; and I raised her up and admonished her,
9
and she promised to do this iniquity no more.
