“... The text in question (4Q213a=4QTLevia 1 i 10) was initially published by Michael E. Stone and Jonas C. Greenfield,38 and has been dated by Józef T. Milik to the late 2nd-early 1st century B. C. E.39 However, the document itself was likely composed during the 3rd or perhaps even the late 4th century B. C. E.40 Since the wording of the Aramaic text corresponds closely to that of the more complete Greek manuscript from Mt. Athos (Athos Koutloumous no. 39, at Testament of Levi 2:3), the latter may be used to reconstruct many of the lacunae in 4Q213a.41 The text with which we are concerned is part of a prayer spoken by the patri- arch Levi just before he is granted a vision of heaven (cf. 4Q213a 1 ii 14–18) and commissioned to become a priest (cf. the later T. Levi 2:5–4:6).42 After Levi makes preparations through cleansing and gestures (4Q213a 1 i 6–10), a text of his prayer is given (Grk. vv. 5–19; Aram. 1 i 10–ii 10). The prayer, according to Robert Kugler, may be loosely structured as follows: (a) In verses 6–9 (Grk.; Aram. 1 i 10–16) Levi prays that God would purify him from evil and wickedness, show him the holy spirit, and endow him with counsel, wisdom, knowledge and strength, in order that he might find favor before God and give God praise; (b) in verse 10 (Grk.; Aram. 1 i 17) the patriarch petitions that God protect him from evil; and (c) in verses 11–19 (Grk.; Aram. 1 i 18–ii 10) the patriarch formulates a series of requests that resume themes touched upon during the earlier part of the prayer (a), namely, that God cleanse and shelter Levi from evil (Grk. vv. 12 and 14), that wickedness be destroyed from the earth (Grk. v. 13), and that Levi and his descendants be placed in God’s service for all generations (Grk. v. 18; 4Q213a 1 ii 8–9). ...”