Joseph and Asenath 27

1But the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah fled from before their face, saying: "We have perished by our brethren, and Pharaoh's son also is dead by the hand of the boy Benjamin, and all the men with him perished by his hand. Now therefore come, let us slay Asenath and Benjamin and flee into the wood of the reeds." And they came against Asenath with their swords drawn, full of blood. And Asenath, seeing them, feared exceedingly and said: "Lord, my God, who quickenest me and didst deliver me from the idols and from the corruption of death, who saidst to me: 'Thy soul shall live for ever,' deliver me also now from these wicked men." And the Lord God heard the voice of Asenath, and straightway the swords of the men fell from their hands upon the earth and were reduced to ashes. And the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, when they saw the marvel that came to pass, feared and said: "The Lord fighteth for Asenath against us." And they fell upon their faces upon the earth and made obeisance to Asenath; and thereupon they fled and came into the wood of the reeds. And lo! Simeon and Levi were pursuing them. Then Asenath went down from the chariot, and stretched out her hand with tears, and made obeisance to Levi, saying: "By no means, brother, do thou render evil for evil to thy neighbour, for the Lord will avenge this despite. Suffer therefore thy brethren to escape from thy face, and do them no harm." And Levi was standing near her and heard the words from her mouth, for that he knew that Asenath would not have wicked men rendering evil for evil. Then Asenath stooped down also to the ground at the feet of Simeon and entreated him, saying: "By no means, brother, do thou do this wicked thing to thy brethren." And Simeon ceased from his wrath, and he did them no hurt; and so the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah escaped from the face of their brethren.