Testament of Asher

Chapter 2

  1. 1 A person then may with words help the good for the sake of the evil, yet the issue of the action
  2. 2 leadeth to mischief. There is a man who showeth no compassion upon him who serveth his turn in
  3. 3 evil; and this thing hath two aspects, but the whole is evil. And there is a man that loveth him that worketh evil, because he would prefer even to die in evil for his sake; and concerning this it is clear that it hath two aspects, but the whole is an evil work.
  4. 4 Though indeed he have love, yet is he wicked who concealeth what is evil for the sake of the good name, but the end of the action tendeth unto evil.
  5. 5 Another stealeth, doeth unjustly, plundereth, defraudeth, and withal pitieth the poor: this too
  6. 6 hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. He who defraudeth his neighbour provoketh God, and sweareth falsely against the Most High, and yet pitieth the poor: the Lord who commandeth the
  7. 7 law he setteth at nought and provoketh, and yet he refresheth the poor. He defileth the soul, and maketh gay the body; he killeth many, and pitieth a few: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the
  8. 8 whole is evil. Another committeth adultery and fornication, and abstaineth from meats, and when he fasteth he doeth evil, and by the power of his wealth overwhelmeth many; and notwithstanding his excessive wickedness he doeth the commandments: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the
  9. 9 whole is evil. Such men are hares; clean,- like those that divide the hoof, but in very deed are
  10. 10 unclean. For God in the tables of the commandments hath thus declared.