SHIM’ON 4 (Simeon 4)

1 Now my father was inquiring about me because he saw that I was sullen.

2 And I said to him, I am inwardly in pain in my liver. For I was more sorrowful than all of them because it was I who was responsible for what had been done to Yosĕph.

3 And when we went down into Mitsrayim and he placed me in fetters as a spy, I knew that I was suffering justly, and I did not lament.

4 But Yosĕph was a good man, one who had within him the Ruaḥ of Elohim, and being full of compassion and mercy he did not bear ill will toward me, but loved me as well as my brothers.

5 Guard yourselves therefore, my children, from all jealousy and envy. Live in the integrity of your heart, so that Elohim might give you grace and glory and beraḵah upon your heads, just as you have observed in Yosĕph.

6 In all his days he did not reproach us for this deed, but he loved us as his own life; he extolled us more than he did his own sons, and he showered us with wealth, flocks, and produce.

7 And you, my children, each of you love his brothers with a good heart, and the spirit of envy will depart from you.

8 For that attitude makes the soul savage and corrupts the body; it foments wrath and conflict in the reason, excites to the shedding of blood, drives the mind to distraction, arouses tumult in the soul and trembling in the body.

9 Even in sleep some malicious jealousy fills his fantasy and consumes him; by evil spirits it stirs up his soul and fills his body with terror. In distress it rouses his mind from sleep, and like an evil penetrating spirit, so it manifests itself to human beings – and as a wicked and poisonous spirit, so appears it to men. –