Fragment 1 i
1 [...] 2 [And in the one hundred and eighteenth year of my life, the year when] there died 3 [Joseph my brother, I called my sons and their sons, and I began to instruct] them 4 [in all that was in my heart. I spoke up and said] to my sons, 5 [“Listen to the word of Levi your father, and pay attention to the instructions of the friend of God.] To you I 6 [give instruction, my sons, and I show you the truth, my beloved. Let the chief] of all your deeds 7 [be truth, and let it remain with] you [forever.] Righteousness and truth 8 [... you will bring in a blessed harvest.] Whoever sows good brings in good, 9 [and whoever sows evil, his seed returns upon] him. And now, reading and instruction and wisdom 10 [teach to your sons, and wisdom will be with you] as eternal honor. Whoever learns wisdom, honor 11 [is his; but whoever despises wisdom] is given over to contempt and scorn. Look, my sons, 12 [at Joseph my brother, who taught reading and the instruction of] wisdom, for honor and for greatness and for kings 13 [...] do not be slack in learning wisdom. 14 [...] ... a man who learns wisdom, all 15 [... to] him; every land and province to which he goes, 16 [a brother ...] ... in it, and he is not like a stranger in it, and not 17 [like a scoundrel in it ... for all of them] give him honor in it, since all wish 18 [to learn his wisdom. His friends] are many, and those who wish him well are great ones. 19 [And on a seat of honor they seat him,] to hear the words of his wisdom. 20 [Great wealth of honor is his wisdom for] those who know it, and a fine treasure 21 [for all who acquire it. If] mighty [kings come,] and a [great] people [and an army and horsemen]
Texts in conversation
Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 39:4 and 4Q213 1:16
Deuterocanon · Dead Sea Scrolls, Biblical Retellings
Summary
Passages
Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 39:4
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticusand will be occupied with prophecies. 2 He will keep the sayings of the famous men
and will enter into the subtleties of parables. 3 He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs
and be familiar with the puzzling sayings of parables. 4 He will serve among important men and appear before him who rules.
He will travel through the land of foreign nations,
for he has learned what is good and evil among men. 5 He will set his heart to return early to the Lord who made him,
and will plead before the Most High,
and will open his mouth in prayer,
and will ask for pardon for his sins.
4Q213 1:16
Dead Sea Scrolls, Biblical Retellings · Aramaic Levi aReferences
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