t12papocrypha
Testament of Levi 13
Levi charges his descendants to anchor their lives in the law of God and the fear of Jehovah, teaching their children to read and know it without ceasing. He rehearses a principle of covenant economics: righteous sowing yields heavenly treasure; evil sowing yields affliction. The one durable possession across captivity, destroyed cities, and stripped wealth is wisdom rooted in the fear of God — it survives exile and commends its bearer among enemies. The capstone is the Joseph-of-Egypt master type stated plainly: the man who teaches and does these things shall be enthroned with kings, as Joseph was — rejected, imprisoned, then raised to rule.
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And now, my children, I command you that ye fear our Lord with your whole heart, and walk in simplicity according to all His law. And do ye also teach your children learning, that they may have understanding in all their life, reading unceasingly the law of God; for every one who shall know the law of God shall be honoured, and shall not be a stranger wheresoever he goeth. Yea, many friends shall he gain more than his forefathers; and many men shall desire to serve him, and to hear the law from his mouth. Work righteousness, my children, upon the earth, that ye may find ''treasure'' in the heavens, and sow good things in your souls, that ye may find them in your life. For if ye sow evil things, ye shall reap all trouble and affliction. Get wisdom in the fear of God with diligence; for though there shall be a leading into captivity, and cities be destroyed, and lands and gold and silver and every possession shall perish, the wisdom of the wise none can take away, save the blindness of ungodliness and the palsy of sin: for even among his enemies shall it be to him glorious, and in a strange country a home, and in the midst of foes shall it be found a friend. If a man teach these things and do them, he shall be enthroned with kings, as was also Joseph our brother.
