t12papocrypha
Testament of Judah 25
Judah prophesies of the resurrection of the patriarchs and the ordering of the tribes in their inheritance: Levi first in priestly standing, Judah second in the sceptre, Joseph third in the birthright — each tribe receiving a domain of the created order as its portion. Beliar is cast into fire, ending the spirit of deceit. The covenant reversals of resurrection follow: grief to joy, poverty to wealth, weakness to strength, death to life. One people, one tongue, one Lord — the gathering of Israel complete, the ungodly left to lament while the redeemed glorify Jehovah without end.
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And after these things shall Abraham and Isaac and Jacob arise unto life, and I and my brethren will be chiefs, even your sceptre in Israel: Levi first, I the second, Joseph third, Benjamin fourth, Simeon fifth, Issachar sixth, and so all in order. And the Lord blessed Levi; the Angel of the Presence, me; the powers of glory, Simeon; the heaven, Reuben; the earth, Issachar; the sea, Zebulun; the mountains, Joseph; the tabernacle, Benjamin; the lights of heaven, Dan; the fatness of earth, Naphtali; the sun, Gad; the olive, Asher: and there shall be one people of the Lord, and one tongue; and there shall no more be a spirit of deceit of Beliar, for he shall be cast into the fire for ever. And they who have died in grief shall arise in joy, and they who have lived in poverty for the Lord’s sake shall be made rich, and they who have been in want shall be filled, and they who have been weak shall be made strong, and they who have been put to death for the Lord’s sake shall awake in life. And the harts of Jacob shall run in joyfulness, and the eagles of Israel shall fly in gladness; but the ungodly shall lament, and sinners all weep, and all the people shall glorify the Lord for ever.
