Testament of Isaac

Testament of Isaac, Gaselee1927 Bohairic translation, printedpage 57

I. THE TESTAMENT OF ISAAC (Cod. Copt. Vat. 61, f. 164ti.) THIS is the coming forth from the body (runµ,a) of the Patriarch (7Ta-rp,apx7J,) Isaac, the son of Abraham, on the twenty-eighth day of the month Mesore, 1 in the peace (Eip7Jv'TJ) of God. Amen. Now {SE) the Patriarch (1Ta-rptap)(TJ,) Isaac wrote his Testament (o,a07JK7J} and spake his words for the instruction of Jacob his son and of all them that were gathered together unto him, so that the bless- ings of the Patriarch (7Ta-rpiapX7J,) should be upon those that heard, and upon those also that should come after them. Hearken unto these words of instruction and these refreshing medicines, so that the will of God may be done always upon him that hearkeneth, not only with the outward ear, but (llia) in the depth of the heart, and remaineth in faith without doubting: even as (KaTa-) it is written: If thou hear a word, let it remain with thee; (f. 164b) that is, that a man should strive (aywv,(rn·0ai), when he hath heard it, with endurance (u7roµ,01'1'/), and God shall give him a blessing in that after which he hath sought. And again it is written: He shall deny them nothing which the sons of men have asked (al-rEiv) upon 1 September 4. Commemoration of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Coptic calendar. 57