The Holy Scripture
Chapter XXIV
1 And Pharaoh's son was in much affliction and torment because of Aseneth, and he was greatly distressed
2 And his servants whispered in his ear, "Lo, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, the maidservants of Leah and Rachel, Jacob's wives, hate Joseph and Aseneth and are jealous of them, and they will do what you want."
3 And Pharaoh's son sent messengers and summoned them, and they came to him by night; and Pharaoh's son said to them, "I have heard that your are good soldiers."
4 And Gad and Dan, the elder brothers, said to Pharaoh's son, "Let our lord tell his servants what it is he wants, and he will do it."
5 And Pharaoh's son was overjoyed, and he said to his servants, "Go away and leave us alone, for I have something to say to these men privately."
6 And all the servants went out; and Pharaoh's son told them lies, saying, "I offer you a choice between prosperity and death: so choose prosperity and not death.
7 I know that you are good soldiers, and that you will not die as women die; but act like men and take vengeance on your enemies.
8 I heard" (he continued "your brother Joseph say to my father Pharaoh, 'Dan and Gad are the children of maidservants and are not my brothers.
9 And I am only waiting for my father to die to take action against them and all their progeny, so that they will not share the inheritance with us, for they are the children of maidservants, and it was they who sold me to the Ishmaelites.
10 When my father is dead I will repay them for the wrong they did me.'
11 And my father Pharaoh commended Joseph and said to him, 'What you have said is quite right, my son; and now take some of my soldiers and proceed against them as they did against you, and I will help you.'"
12 And when the men heard what Pharaoh's son told them they were much troubled and distressed, and they said to him, "We appeal to you, our lord, to help us; and whatever you tell your servants to do, we will do it."
13 And Pharaoh's son said to them, "To-night I will kill my father, for my father Pharaoh is like a father to Joseph; and do you also kill Joseph, and I will marry Aseneth."
14 And Dan and Gad said to him, "We will do everything you have told us to. We overheard Joseph say to Aseneth, 'Go to-morrow to our country estate, for it is vintage-time; and he has arranged for six hundred armed soldiers to go with her and fifty outrunners."
15 And when Pharaoh's son heard this, he gave the four men five hundred men each and appointed them their officers and commanders.
16 And Dan and Gad said to him, "We will go by night and lie in wait at the brook and hide in the woods on the banks.
17 And as for you, take fifty men with you, archers on horseback, and go on ahead, some distance in front; and Aseneth will come and fall into our hands,and we will cut down the men who are with her.
18 And Aseneth will flee in her chariot and fall into your hands and you will be able to deal with her as you wish.
19 And afterwards we will kill Joseph while he is fretting about Aseneth; and we will kill his children before his eyes."
20 And Pharaoh's son was delighted when he heard this, and he sent two thousand soldiers after them
21 And they came to the brook and hid in the woods on the banks, and five hundred men took up their position in front; and in between them was a highway.