Gad's Testimony

Gad’s testimony, the ninth son of Jacob and Zilpha, a shepherd and strong man but a murderer at heart. Spoken to his sons in his 125th year of his life:
“Accordingly I guarded at night the flock; and when ever a lion, or wolf, or any wild beast came against the fold, I pursued it and killed it, with my hands. Now Joseph my brother was feeding the flock with us for upwards of thirty days, and being young, he fell sick by reason of the heat and had to return to our father, who made him lie down near him, because he loved him greatly. And Joseph told our father the sons of Zilpah and Bilhah were slaying the best of the flock and eating them against the judgment of Reuben and Judah. For he saw that I had delivered a lamb out of the mouth of a bear, and put the bear to death; but had slain the lamb, being grieved concerning it that it could not live, and that we had eaten it. And regarding this matter I was wroth with Joseph until the day he was sold.
Now, my children hearken to the words of truth to work righteousness, and all the Law of the Most High, and go not astray through the spirit of hatred, for it is evil in all the doings of men.
Whatsoever a man does the hater abominated him; and though a man worked the Law of G-d, he praised Him not; though a man feared G-d, and take pleasure in that which is righteous, he loved Him not. He despraised the truth, he envied him that prospered, he welcomed evil-speaking, and he loved arrogance, for hatred blinds his soul; as I also then looked on Joseph.
Hatred works lawlessness even against G-d Himself. For hatred works with envy also against them that prosper; so long as it hears or sees their success it always languishes. The spirit of hatred works together with satan, through hastiness of spirits, in all things to men’s death; but the spirit of love works together with the Law of G-d in long-suffering unto the salvation of men.
Hatred is evil, for it constantly mates with lying, speaking against the truth; and it makes small things to be great, and causes the light to be darkness, and calls the sweet bitter, and teaches slander, and kindles wrath, and stirs up war, and violence and all covetousness; it fills the heart with evil and devilish poison.
These things, therefore, I say to you from experience that you may drive forth hatred, which is of the devil, and cleave to the love of G-d. Righteousness casts out hatred, humility destroys envy.
For he that is just and humble is ashamed to do what is unjust, being reproved not of another, but of his own heart, because G-d looks on his inclination.
He speaks not against a holy man, because the fear of G-d overcomes hatred. For fearing lest he should offend G-d, he will not do wrong to any man, even in thought.
These things I learnt at last, after I repented concerning Joseph. For true repentance after a godly sort destroyed ignorance, and drives away the darkness, and enlightens the eyes, and gives knowledge to the soul, and leads the mind to salvation. And those things which it hath not learned from man, it knows through repentance.
For G-d brought upon me a disease of the liver; and had not the prayers of Jacob my father succored me, it had hardly failed but my spirit had departed. For by what things a man transgress, by the same also is he punished. Since, therefore, my liver was mercilessly against Joseph, in my liver too I suffered mercilessly, and was judged for eleven months, for so long a time as I had been angry against Joseph.
I exhort you, love you each one his brother, and put away hatred from your hearts, love one another in deed, and in word, and in the inclination of the soul. Love you one another from the heart; and if a man sin against you, speak peaceably to him, and in your soul hold not guile; and if he repent and confess, forgive him.
And if he be shameless and persist in his wrong-doings, even so forgive him from the heart, ad leave to G-d the avenging. And if he be further exalted, be not envious of him, remembering that all flesh shall die; and offer praise to G-d, who gives things good and profitable to all men.
Seek out the judgments of G-d, and your mind will rest and be at peace. Put away, jealousy from your souls, and love one another with uprightness of heart.
Honor Judah and Levi, for from them shall G-d rise up salvation to Israel.”
And he drew up his feet, and fell asleep in peace, and after five years his sons carried him up to Hebron, and laid him with his fathers.