t12papocrypha
Testament of Zebulun 6
Zebulun recounts the years before Egypt when he built the first boat by divine wisdom and fished along the shores, distributing his catch freely to strangers, the sick, and the aged. The principle he names is plain and without embellishment: the one who gives to his neighbor receives manifold more from Jehovah in return. Five years of this pattern sustained the whole house of Jacob, and Zebulun moved between fishing in summer and shepherding in winter — a life ordered by labor, compassion, and the direct provision of God answering generosity with increase.
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I was the first who made a boat to sail upon the sea, for the Lord gave me understanding and wisdom therein; and I let down a rudder behind it, and I stretched a sail on an upright mast in the midst; and sailing therein along the shores, I caught fish for the house of my father until we went into Egypt; and through compassion, I gave of my fish to every stranger. And if any man were a stranger, or sick, or aged, I boiled the fish and dressed them well, and offered them to all men as every man had need, bringing them together and having compassion upon them. Wherefore also the Lord granted me to take much fish: for he that imparteth unto his neighbour, receiveth manifold more from the Lord. For five years I caught fish, and gave thereof to every man whom I saw, and brought sufficient for all the house of my father. In the summer I caught fish, and in the winter I kept sheep with my brethren.
