1 My children, do not pay attention to the beauty of women or get caught up in their business. Instead, live with a sincere heart in the fear of the Lord, and put your effort into good works, study, and your flocks, until the Lord gives you a wife according to his will, so that you do not suffer as I did. 2 Until my father died I did not have the courage to look him in the face or to speak to any of my brothers, because of the shame. 3 Even now my conscience causes me pain because of what I did. 4 Yet my father comforted me greatly and prayed for me to the Lord, that the anger of the Lord would pass from me, just as the Lord showed him. 5 From then until now I have been on my guard and have not sinned. 6 So, my children, I say to you: do everything I command you, and you will not sin. 7 Sexual immorality is a trap for the soul. It separates a person from God and draws him toward idols, because it corrupts the mind and leads young men down to Hades before their time.⁠a 8 Sexual immorality has destroyed many. Whether a man is old or young, noble or common, rich or poor, he brings shame on himself before others and mockery from Beliar. 9 You have heard how Joseph guarded himself from a woman and cleansed his thoughts of all sexual immorality, and found favor in the sight of God and men. 10 The Egyptian woman did everything she could—she summoned magicians and offered him love potions—but the strength of his soul would not allow any evil desire. 11 Therefore the God of your fathers rescued him from every evil and from a hidden death. 12 If sexual immorality does not overcome your mind, then Beliar cannot overcome you either.