Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

1The Testament of Gad — On Hatred. 2The copy of the testament of Gad, what things he spake unto his sons, in the hundred and twenty-seventh year of his life, saying unto them: 3I am the seventh son born of Jacob, and I was valiant in keeping the flocks. Accordingly, I guarded at night the flock; and whenever the lion came, or the wolf, or any wild beast against the fold, I pursued it. 4And now, my children, I exhort you, love ye each one his brother, and put away hatred from your hearts, love one another in deed, and in word, and in the inclination of the soul. 5For the spirit of hatred works together with Satan, through hastiness of spirits, in all things to men's death; but the spirit of love works together with the law of God in long-suffering unto the salvation of men. 6Hatred is evil, because it continually abideth with lying, speaking against the truth; and it maketh small things to be great, and causeth the light to be darkness, and calleth the sweet bitter.