The Abridged The Testament of Zebulun

1:1. Here are the final words of Zebulun, which he shared with his children before he passed away at the age of 114, two years after his brother Joseph died.

1:2. He told them: Listen to me, my children of Zebulun, pay attention to what your father is telling you.

1:3. I, Zebulun, was a great joy to my parents when I was born.

1:4. Because at that time my father's wealth in livestock greatly increased due to his skillful breeding techniques.

1:5. I believe I have lived a good life and haven’t done wrong, except in my private thoughts.

1:6. The only wrong action I recall is when I innocently wronged Joseph by agreeing with my brothers to hide from our father what had happened.

1:7. Yet for many days, I cried in private for Joseph because I was afraid of my brothers since they had all agreed that anyone who revealed the secret would be killed.

1:8. But when they planned to kill him, I begged them with tears not to do this terrible thing.

1:9. Simeon and Gad turned on Joseph to take his life, and with tears, he pleaded with them: "Have mercy on me, brothers, show compassion for the sake of our father Jacob: please don't use violence against me to spill innocent blood; I have not harmed you."

1:10. "Even if I made mistakes, correct me as your brother; but don't harm me for our father Jacob's sake."

1:11. As he said these things and cried out loud, I couldn't handle hearing him cry, making me cry too. My guts felt like they were spilling out.

1:12. My tears flowed with Joseph's and I felt weak all over. My whole body shook and I couldn't even stay on my feet.

1:13. And when Joseph saw me crying alongside him while the others came at him to kill him, he ran to my side and begged for mercy.

1:14. Just then Reuben intervened saying: "Brothers, let’s not take his life outright. Instead let’s drop him into one of these empty cisterns crafted by our forebearers that have run dry."

1:15. For this reason, God ensured that no water would fill the pit to keep Joseph alive.

1:16. They continued with this plan until they handed Joseph over to a group traveling from Ishmael.

1:17. In the deal for Joseph, I didn't get any money, my children.

1:18. Simeon, Gad, and six of our siblings split Joseph's sales money and spent it on shoes for themselves, their wives, and their kids, claiming:

1:19. We won't use this money on food because it's from selling our brother—instead, we'll just walk on it as if it’s dirt because he thought he would rule over us—now we'll see what happens to his big dreams.

1:20. That’s why it's stated in Moses' legal texts that if someone refuses to provide children for their deceased brother’s family dairy on the wife the deceased left widowed—a sign of disrespect—others should take off that person's shoe and spit in front of them as an insult.

1:21. Joseph's siblings did not want him around, so God made sure their malicious intent backfired against them.

1:22. When they arrived in Egypt, Joseph's assistants untied them outside the gate, and they bowed down to Joseph just like they would to King Pharaoh.

1:23. They not only bowed to him, but they were also spit on, and they fell down before him right away, which was humiliating for them in front of the Egyptians.

1:24. Because after this happened, the Egyptians found out about all the horrible things they did to Joseph.

1:25. And after selling Joseph, my brothers sat down to eat and drink without concern.

1:26. Unlike them, out of concern for Joseph, I didn't eat and kept watch over the pit where he was thrown because Judah was worried that Simeon, Dan, and Gad might impulsively kill him.

1:27. When my brothers noticed I wasn't eating, they assigned me to guard him until he was sold to the traders from Ishmael's region.

1:28. And when Reuben returned and discovered that Joseph had been sold while he was gone, he tore his clothes in anguish and said:

1:29. How can I face my father Jacob after this? He grabbed the money and chased the traders, but when he couldn't find them, he came back feeling upset.

1:30. Meanwhile, the traders had taken a shortcut and avoided the main road by going through the rough terrain of the Troglodytes.

1:31. Reuben felt very upset and didn't eat anything that day.

1:32. Dan tried to reassure him, saying, "Don't cry or be upset; we've thought of something to tell our father Jacob."

1:33. "Let's kill one of the young goats and soak Joseph's coat in its blood; then we can show it to Jacob and ask if it belongs to his son."

1:34. And they did just that: they took Joseph's coat away when they sold him and gave him rough clothes like those worn by slaves.

1:35. Now Simeon grabbed the coat and refused to let go because he wanted to destroy it with his sword, since he was furious that Joseph was still alive and that he hadn't killed him himself.

2:1. Now I ask you, children, to follow God's instructions, be kind to the people around you, and treat all living things with care and understanding, not just humans but animals too.

2:2. Because of these actions, God gave me blessings, and while my brothers fell ill, I stayed healthy. God understands why we do what we do.

2:3. So keep a compassionate attitude in your hearts towards others, because the way you treat someone is how God will treat you in return.

2:4. My nephews suffered and even died out of distress for what they did to Joseph because they weren't kind-hearted. However, my children stayed healthy—something you are all aware of.

2:5. While I was by the Canaanite seaside, I caught fish for our father Jacob; even though many people drowned in the sea during that time, I was not harmed.

2:6. I was the pioneer in boat-making for sea travel because God blessed me with knowledge and skill in that craft.

2:7. I attached a rudder at the back for steering and put up a sail on a vertical piece of wood for power.

2:8. Using this boat, I stayed close to the coast and caught fish for our family until we arrived in Egypt.

2:9. I was kind and shared my food with every person I didn’t know.

2:10. When someone was a newcomer or not feeling well or older, I made the fish easy to eat and provided it to everyone, showing empathy and care for their hardship.

2:11. That’s why God gave me plenty of fish when I went fishing; for when you share with those around you, God gives back to you even more.

2:12. For five years, I shared the fish I caught with whoever I met, and this helped support my family as well.

2:13. During the sunny seasons, I fished, and when it was cold, I tended sheep with my siblings.

2:14. Now I'll tell you what else I did.

2:15. Once, seeing a person struggling during the cold without enough clothes, I felt sorry for them and secretly took clothes from my own home to give to them.

2:16. So my children, use what God has given you to care for others without holding back; give freely with kindness in your heart.

2:17. If you can't afford to help someone in need, at least show them kindness and understanding.

2:18. Whenever I didn't have enough to give to someone who needed help, I joined them in their sorrow, sharing their tears for quite a distance, feeling a deep sense of compassion.

2:19. So I urge you too, my children, to always be compassionate and kind to everyone, that God may also treat you with compassion and kindness.

2:20. For in the future times, God will shower compassion on the world, and wherever God finds someone filled with kindness, God will make their presence felt there.

2:21. Just as you show understanding towards others, that's how much understanding God will show towards you.

2:22. Remember when we were unwelcomed in Egypt; yet Joseph held no grudges against us.

2:23. Learning from him, my children, be kind without holding grudges and love one another; do not keep a tally of the wrongs or negative actions of your siblings.

2:24. This negativity breaks up unity and splits families apart; it upsets the mind and drains our happiness and demeanour.

2:25. Pay attention to the water, see how it moves. When water streams join, they carry along rocks, trees, soil, and more.

2:26. However, if that water splits into smaller streams, it gets absorbed by the earth and disappears.

2:27. You will experience the same if you are divided. Don't split into separate groups since everything God creates has only one head, despite having two arms, two legs, and other body parts.

2:28. From my ancestors' writings, I've learned that you will become divided in Israel, facing a time where you'll serve two rulers and behave terribly.

2:29. Because of this, your enemies will overpower you and take you away; you'll face hardship and suffering in foreign lands.

2:30. Eventually, though, you'll think of God again and change your ways; God will be forgiving and understanding towards you.

2:31. God doesn't keep a record of human failings because humans are vulnerable and often make mistakes from their own bad actions.

2:32. After these challenges, God's own true light will shine for you again, and you’ll be able to return to your homeland.

2:33. You will see God in Jerusalem because it is important to God.

2:34. And again, your bad actions will make God angry,

2:35. And God will reject you until an undetermined future time.

2:36. And now, my children, do not be sad because I am about to die or feel down about me reaching my life's end.

2:37. For I will come back to life among you, leading you like a father leads his children; I will be happy among those of my clan who follow God’s law and the instructions given by your father Zebulun.

2:38. But God will send unending fire to those doing bad things and wipe them out forever.

2:39. But for now, I am going to join my ancestors in a place of rest.

2:40. But all throughout your lives, devote yourself fully to respecting God with all of your strength.