Testament of Asher 2

¹A person then may with words help the good for the sake of the evil, yet the issue of the action leadeth to mischief. There is a man who showeth no compassion upon him who serveth his turn in evil; and this thing hath two aspects, but the whole is evil. ²And there is a man that loveth him that worketh evil, because he would prefer even to die in evil for his sake; and concerning this it is clear that it hath two aspects, but the whole is an evil work. ³Though indeed he have love, yet is he wicked who concealeth what is evil for the sake of the good name, but the end of the action tendeth unto evil. ⁴Another stealeth, doeth unjustly, plundereth, defraudeth, and withal pitieth the poor: this too hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. ⁵He who defraudeth his neighbour provoketh God, and sweareth falsely against the Most High, and yet pitieth the poor: ⁶the Lord who commandeth the law he setteth at nought and provoketh, and yet he refresheth the poor. ⁷He defileth the soul, and maketh gay the body; he killeth many, and pitieth a few: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. ⁸Another committeth adultery and fornication, and abstaineth from meats, and when he fasteth he doeth evil, and by the power of his wealth overwhelmeth many; and notwithstanding his excessive wickedness he doeth the commandments: this, too, hath a twofold aspect, but the whole is evil. ⁹Such men are hares; clean,- like those that divide the hoof, but in very deed are unclean. ¹⁰For God in the tables of the commandments hath thus declared.