Testament of Reuben

Chapter 2

  1. 1 And now hear me, my children, what things I saw concerning the seven spirits of deceit, when
  2. 2 I repented. Seven spirits therefore are appointed against man, and they are the leaders in the works
  3. 3 of youth. [And seven other spirits are given to him at his creation, that through them should be
  4. 4 done every work of man. The first is the spirit of life, with which the constitution (of man) is
  5. 5 created. The second is the sense of sight, with which ariseth desire. The third is the sense of hearing, with which cometh teaching. The fourth is the sense of smell, with which tastes are given
  6. 6 to draw air and breath. The fifth is the power of speech, with which cometh knowledge. The sixth is the sense of taste, with which cometh the eating of meats and drinks; and by it strength is
  7. 8 produced, for in food is the foundation of strength. The seventh is the power of procreation and
  8. 9 sexual intercourse, with which through love of pleasure sins enter in. Wherefore it is the last in order of creation, and the first in that of youth, because it is filled with ignorance, and leadeth the youth as a blind man to a pit, and as a beast to a precipice.