Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

1The Testament of Issachar — On Simplicity. 2The copy of the words of Issachar. He called his sons and said to them: Hearken, my children, to Issachar your father; give ear to my words, ye who are beloved of the Lord. 3I was born the fifth son to Jacob, by way of hire for the mandrakes. For Reuben my brother brought in mandrakes from the field, and Rachel met him and took them. 4I walked in uprightness of heart all my days, and I gladdened my father and was beloved of my brethren. I tilled the ground, and I brought of its fruits to my father; and my father blessed me. 5Keep therefore, my children, the law of God, and get singleness, and walk in guilelessness, not playing the busybody with the actions of your neighbor, but love the Lord and your neighbor, and have compassion on the poor and weak. 6And he gave them commandment, saying, In the second year of his coming, ye shall die. And he stretched out his feet, and slept the eternal sleep. And after this his sons did all that he commanded them.