Assumption of Moses

Chapter 9

  1. 1 Then in that day there shall be a man of the tribe of Levi, whose name shall be Taxo, who having
  2. 2 seven sons shall speak to them exhorting (them): ‘Observe, my sons, behold a second ruthless (and) unclean visitation has come upon the people, and a punishment merciless and far exceeding the first.
  3. 3 For what nation or what region or what people of those who are impious towards the Lord, who
  4. 4 have done many abominations, have suffered as great calamities as have befallen us? Now, therefore, my sons, hear me: for observe and know that neither did the fathers nor their forefathers
  5. 5 tempt God, so as to transgress His commands. And ye know that this is our strength, and thus we
  6. 6 will do. Let us fast for the space of three days and on the fourth let us go into a cave which is in the field, and let us die rather than transgress the commands of the Lord of Lords, the God of our
  7. 7 fathers. For if we do this and die, our blood shall be avenged before the Lord.