And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: ‘Purify yourselves from unclean-ness, and I will show you hidden secrets and unknown ends, the recompense of the reward of the just, and the retribution of the wicked, and the security of Eden, what it is.’ The twelve tribes of Israel gathered themselves as one around the golden bed on which he lay: and after the glory of the Shekina of the Lord had been revealed to him, the time when the king, Messiah, was going to come was concealed from him; and then he said, ‘Come, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the latter days.

Assemble yourselves, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and receive instruction from Israel your father.

Reuben, thou art my first-born, the beginning of the might of my generation and the first outpouring of my imagination full of desire. To you belonged the birthright and the chief priesthood and the kingdom, but because you sinned, my son, the birthright has been given to Joseph, the kingdom to Judah, and the priesthood to Levi.

I will liken you to a small garden into which enter torrents rushing and strong, and it is not able to endure them, and it is swamped. So you have been carried away, Reuben, my son; in that you have sinned, do not do so again, and your sin will be forgiven you; for it is reckoned to you as though you went to the woman with whom your father had lain, at the time when you disturbed my bed, when you went to it.