Testament of Levi 1:1 The testament of Levi the third son of Jacob and Leah.

The copy of
the words of Levi, the things which he arranged with his sons before his death, according to
all which they will do, and what things will come upon them until the day of judgment. 2 He
was healyour when he called them to him; for it had been revealed to him that he was about
to die. And when they were gathered together he said to them: 2:1 I, Levi, was born in Haran,
and I had children there, and with them I came with my father to Shechem. 2 And I was
young, about twenty years old, when I exacted vengeance on Hamor for our sister Dinah with
Simeon. 3 And when I was shepherding in Abel-maul, the spirit of understanding of the Lord
came upon me, and I saw all people corrupting their way, and that unrighteousness had built
walls for itself, and lawlessness sat upon towers. 4 And I was grieving for the race of the sons
of humanity, and I prayed to the Lord so that I might be saved. 5 Then sleep fell upon me, and
I saw a high mountain; this mountain was a snake in Abel-maul. 6 And look! the heavens
were opened, and an angel of God said to me: “Levi, enter.” 7 And I entered from the first
heaven into the second, and I saw there a sea hanging in the middle of this. 8 And I saw a
third heaven much brighter and brilliant beyond the second: for there was a boundless height
in it. 9 And I said to the angel: “Why is this so?” And the angel said to me: “Do not be
amazed at this, for you will see another fourth heaven more brilliant and incomparable, when
you should enter there.” 10 Since you will be placed near to the Lord, and you will be his
servant, and you will make known His mysteries to humanity, and you will proclaim that he
is about to redeem Israel. 11 And through you and Judah the Lord will appear to humanity,
saving every race of peoples. 12 And your life will be from the Lord’s portion, and he will be
your field and vineyard, and fruits, gold, and silver. 3:1 Therefore, Listen about the seven
heavens. The lowest heaven because of this is gloomy, because this sees all the
unrighteousness of humanity. 2 The second heaven has fire, snow, and ice made ready for the
day of commandment of the Lord in the righteous judgment of God; in it are all the spirits of
attractions for vengeance of lawlessness. 3 In the third heaven are the powers of the
encampments, which are appointed for the day of judgment to work vengeance on the spirits
of deceit and of Beliar. And above them into the fourth heaven are these holy ones; 4 because
in the highest heaven of all dwells the Great Glory in the holy of holies, far above all
holiness. 5 In it the angels are with him in the presence of the Lord, who minister and make
atonement to the Lord for all the sins of ignorance of the righteous. 6 Offering to the Lord a
fragrant aroma, a reasonable and a bloodless offering. 7 And in the lower heaven are the
angels who carry answers to the angels in the presence of the Lord. 8 And in the heaven next
to him are thrones and dominions, in which they continually offer praises to God.
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Therefore, when the Lord will look upon us with care, we are all shaken; and the heavens,
and the earth, and the abysses are shaken at the presence of His majesty. 10 But the sons of
men, having no perception of these things, sin and anger the Most High. 4:1 Therefore, now
you know that the Lord will bring judgment upon the sons of men. Because when the rocks
are being split, and the sun is being extinguished, and the waters are being dried up, and the
fire trembling, and all creation is being driven to confusion, and the invisible spirits melting
away, and Hades is being plundered through the passions of the Most High. People are
unbelieving and will remain in their unrighteousness. On this account they will be judged
with punishment. 2 Therefore the Most High has heard your prayer, to separate you from
unrighteousness, and to become to him a son, and a servant, and a minister of his presence.
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The light of knowledge you will light up in Jacob, and like the sun you will be to all the
seed of Israel. 4 And blessing will be given to you, and to all your seed, until the Lord will
visit all the people in the hearts of his sons for eternity. 5 And because of this he has given to
you counsel and understanding, in order to instruct your sons concerning this; 6 Because they
that bless Him will themselves be blessed, and those who curse Him will be destroyed.
5:1 An the angel opened to me the gates of heaven; and I saw the holy temple, and upon the
throne of glory the Most High. 2 And He said to me: Levi, I have given to you the blessings
of the priesthood, until coming I will sojourn in the middle of Israel. 3 Then the angel lead me
over the earth, and gave me a shield and a sword, and said: “Execute vengeance on Shechem
because of Dinah, your sister, and I will be with you, because the Lord has sent me.” 4 And I
destroyed at that time the sons of Hamor, just as it is written in the tablets of heaven. 5 And I
said to him: “I beg you, lord, tell me your name, that I may call on you in a day of
tribulation.” 6 And he said: “I am the angel who intercedes for the family of Israel, so that
they will not be struck in the end, because every evil spirit attacks it.” 7 And after these things
I awaked and blessed the Most High, and the angel who intercedes for the family of Israel
and for all the righteous.