Testament of Naphtali 2:1–36

¹ FOR in the fortieth year of my life, I saw a vision on the Mount of Olives, on the east of Jerusalem, that the sun and the moon were standing still. (T12) ² And behold Isaac, the father of my father, said to us; Run and lay hold of them, each one according to his strength; and to him that seizeth them will the sun and moon belong. (T12) ³ And we all of us ran together, and Levi laid hold of the sun, and Judah outstripped the others and seized the moon, and they were both of them lifted up with them. (T12) ⁴ And when Levi became as a sun, lo, a certain young man gave to him twelve branches of palm; and Judah was bright as the moon, and under their feet were twelve rays. (T12) ⁵ And the two, Levi and Judah, ran, and laid hold of them. (T12) ⁶ And lo, a bull upon the earth, with two great horns, and an eagle's wings upon its back; and we wished to seize him, but could not. (T12) ⁷ But Joseph came, and seized him, and ascended up with him on high. (T12) ⁸ And I saw, for I was there, and behold a holy writing appeared to us, saying: Assyrians, Medes, Persians, Chaldeans, Syrians, shall possess in captivity the twelve tribes of Israel. (T12) ⁹ And again, after seven days, I saw our father Jacob standing by the sea of Jamnia, and we were with him. (T12) ¹⁰ And behold, there came a ship sailing by, without sailors or pilot; and there was written upon the ship, The Ship of Jacob. (T12) ¹¹ And our father said to us: Come, let us embark on our ship. (T12) ¹² And when he had gone on board, there arose a vehement storm, and a mighty tempest of wind; and our father, who was holding the helm, departed from us. (T12) ¹³ And we, being tost with the tempest, were borne along over the sea; and the ship was filled with water, and was pounded by mighty waves, until it was broken up. (T12) ¹⁴ And Joseph fled away upon a little boat, and we were all divided upon nine planks, and Levi and Judah were together. (T12) ¹⁵ And we were all scattered unto the ends of the earth. (T12) ¹⁶ Then Levi, girt about with sackcloth, prayed for us all unto the Lord. (T12) ¹⁷ And when the storm ceased, the ship reached the land as it were in peace. (T12) ¹⁸ And, lo, our father came, and we all rejoiced with one accord. (T12) ¹⁹ These two dreams I told to my father; and he said to me: These things must be fulfilled in their season, after that Israel hath endured many things. (T12) ²⁰ Then my father saith unto me: I believe God that Joseph liveth, for I see always that the Lord numbereth him with you. (T12) ²¹ And he said, weeping: Ah me, my son Joseph, thou livest, though I behold thee not, and thou seest not Jacob that begat thee. (T12) ²² He caused me also, therefore, to weep by these words, and I burned in my heart to declare that Joseph had been sold, but I feared my brethren. (T12) ²³ And lo! my ch… (T12)