Testament of Job

Kohler1897 English translation, printed page 317

Testament of Job. 317 bring me the bread that was given thee to hand to me”. 11. And the servant cried and spoke in grief: “Thou speakest the truth, saying that I am a bad servant, because I have not done as I was instructed by my master”, 12. And he turned back and brought him the burnt bread and said to him: “Thus says my lord: Thou shalt not eat of my bread anymore, for it is forbidden to thee. 13. And this he gave me [saying: This I give] in order that the charge may not be brought against me that I did not give to the enemy who asked”.!) 14. And when Satan heard this, he sent back the servant to me, saying: “As thou seest this bread all burnt, so shall I soon burn thy body to make it like this’.*) 15. And I replied: “Do what thou desirest to do and accomplish whatever thou plottest. For I am ready to endure whatever thou bringest upon me’’.3) 16. And when the devil heard this, he left me, and walking up to under the [highest] heaven, he took from the Lord the oath that he might have power, over all my possessions, 17. And after having taken the power *), he went and instantly took away all my wealth. Chapter III. 1. For I had one hundred and thirty thousand sheep, and of these I separated seven thousand®) for the clothing of orphans and widows and of needy and sick ones. 2. I had a herd of eight hundred dogs who watched my sheep and besides these two hundred to watch my house.®) 3. And I had nine mills working for the whole city and ships to carry goods, and I sent them into every city and into the villages to the feeble and sick and to those that were unfortunate. 4. And I had three hundred and forty thousand nomadic asses, and of these I set aside five hundred, and the off spring of these I order to be sold and the proceeds to be given to the poor and the needy. 5. For from all the lands the poor came to meet me. 1) Cf. Proverbs XXI, 25: ond insan qraw ayn ox. 2) Burnt = pny, skin. 3) Compare the Rabbinical expression: rans bw jo wby bap. 4) mw bap; compare Targum. 5) Instead of two read seven after ch. VI, 26 and the Bible text. 6) Compare 3px "35 Job XXX, 1.