Joseph and Aseneth

Historical English source page 37

IX] JOSEPH'S DEPARTURE 33 with their mouth the living God. Likewise also it is not meet for a woman that worshippeth God to kiss a strange man, for that this is an abomination in the sight of the Lord God." And, when Asenath heard these words from Joseph, she was sore distressed and groaned ; and, as she was looking steadfastly at Joseph with her eyes open, they were filled with tears. And Joseph, when he saw her weeping,! pitied her exceedingly, for that he was mild and merciful and one who feared the Lord. Then he lifted up his right hand above her head and said : " Lord God of my father Israel, the Most High and the mighty God, who quickenedst all things and calledst from the darkness to the light and from error to truth and from death to life, bless thou this virgin also, and quicken her, and renew her with thy holy ^ spirit,^ and let her eat the bread of thy life and drink the cup of thy blessing, and number her with thy people whom thou chosest before all things were made, and let her enter into thy rest which thou preparedst for thine elect, and let her live in thine eternal life for ever." Asenath retires and Joseph prepares to depart. IX. And Asenath rejoiced over the blessing of Joseph with exceeding ^ great joy. Then she * B versions om. * B versions om. ' Lat. ins. " and refashion with thine hidden hand " ; similarly Syr. Arm. * Lat. Syr. Arm. om ; Slav. om. clause. ^ B D versions om. C