37. Joseph will spring forth: he will spring as by a fountain, the [sprouts or] daughters pass on to the government; and although the archers be angry, and fight against him and persecute him, yet his bow holds strong, and his arms and hands in strength, through the hands of the mighty in Jacob; from whom have proceeded the shepherds and stone in Israel. You are helped by your father's God, and from the Almighty you are blessed with blessings from heaven above, and with blessings from the deep that lies beneath, with blessings of the breasts and womb: the blessings of your father have prevailed more than the blessings of my ancestors, according to the desire of the lofty in the world; and shall come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of his head that was separate from his brethren (Gen. xlix. 22-26).
38. In this testament of Joseph the spirit in the Covenant represents the figure of a right divine governor, in whom the spirit of God rules, who is not the son of the maid-servant, but of the free woman, who serves God and his brethren, in his office, who governs in truth and righteousness, who suffers not tale-bearers, sycophants and flatterers about him, who seeks not his own profit, credit and honour, but God's honour, and his brethren's profit: This the spirit has powerfully prefigured by Joseph.
39. for Joseph was not an intruding governor, but one rightly called, not out of policy, subtlety and plausible speeches and pretences, so that he can draw and turn the horse about by the tail and yet persuade the simple people that he turns him about by the head: and the flattering hypocrite also says of such governors and rulers, they are the head; and they do this only that they may eat their fat bread from the court. He sat not with adorned, eloquent, acute speeches in the office of judicature, but by divine understanding: if he would have flattered and have been a lascivious adulterer he could well have been a governor with Potiphar: but that ought not to be. For in him stood the figure of a true Christian man, showing how such a one would regulate his life, and also his office, and how the good well-spring, Christ, would flow forth through him, and judge and rule through him.
40. For Jacob began that testament and said: Joseph will spring, he will spring as by a fountain; that is, his wisdom will spring in God's power, and flow forth from him; so that he will find wise counsel; also the [sprouts or] daughters pass on to the government, that is, his wise words, counsels and determinations go forth, as a fair daughter in her virgin chastity and virtue.
41. Also, though the archers be enraged, and fight against him and persecute him, yet his bow remains strong, and his arms and hands in strength, by the hands of the mighty one in Jacob; that is, though the devil with his crew set upon him and despise him, so that he seeks not his own honour and profit, and though wicked people shoot their arrows upon him, who bring forth lies under the specious pretence of truth, against him, yet his wisdom remains under the divine arms, and his will to righteousness stands as a strong bow, through the co-habitation of the mighty God.
42. Also, from him are proceeded shepherds and the stone in Israel; that is, from him, from his wisdom, are proceeded other wise, righteous, understanding rulers, viz. faithful counsellors who are near him, shepherds and pillars in the government: for such as the prince is, such are his counsellors, as the proverb is. When the council sees that the prince loves righteousness, and that he will not be served with hypocrisy and flattery, and that only honest, trusty and understanding wise people bear sway with him, then they diligently labour for wisdom and righteousness, that they may please him therein: and then that land and country has good shepherds.
37. Joseph will spring forth: he will spring as by a fountain, the [sprouts or] daughters pass on to the government; and although the archers be angry, and fight against him and persecute him, yet his bow holds strong, and his arms and hands in strength, through the hands of the mighty in Jacob; from whom have proceeded the shepherds and stone in Israel. You are helped by your father's God, and from the Almighty you are blessed with blessings from heaven above, and with blessings from the deep that lies beneath, with blessings of the breasts and womb: the blessings of your father have prevailed more than the blessings of my ancestors, according to the desire of the lofty in the world; and shall come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of his head that was separate from his brethren (Gen. xlix. 22-26).
38. In this testament of Joseph the spirit in the Covenant represents the figure of a right divine governor, in whom the spirit of God rules, who is not the son of the maid-servant, but of the free woman, who serves God and his brethren, in his office, who governs in truth and righteousness, who suffers not tale-bearers, sycophants and flatterers about him, who seeks not his own profit, credit and honour, but God's honour, and his brethren's profit: This the spirit has powerfully prefigured by Joseph.
39. for Joseph was not an intruding governor, but one rightly called, not out of policy, subtlety and plausible speeches and pretences, so that he can draw and turn the horse about by the tail and yet persuade the simple people that he turns him about by the head: and the flattering hypocrite also says of such governors and rulers, they are the head; and they do this only that they may eat their fat bread from the court. He sat not with adorned, eloquent, acute speeches in the office of judicature, but by divine understanding: if he would have flattered and have been a lascivious adulterer he could well have been a governor with Potiphar: but that ought not to be. For in him stood the figure of a true Christian man, showing how such a one would regulate his life, and also his office, and how the good well-spring, Christ, would flow forth through him, and judge and rule through him.
40. For Jacob began that testament and said: Joseph will spring, he will spring as by a fountain; that is, his wisdom will spring in God's power, and flow forth from him; so that he will find wise counsel; also the [sprouts or] daughters pass on to the government, that is, his wise words, counsels and determinations go forth, as a fair daughter in her virgin chastity and virtue.
41. Also, though the archers be enraged, and fight against him and persecute him, yet his bow remains strong, and his arms and hands in strength, by the hands of the mighty one in Jacob; that is, though the devil with his crew set upon him and despise him, so that he seeks not his own honour and profit, and though wicked people shoot their arrows upon him, who bring forth lies under the specious pretence of truth, against him, yet his wisdom remains under the divine arms, and his will to righteousness stands as a strong bow, through the co-habitation of the mighty God.
42. Also, from him are proceeded shepherds and the stone in Israel; that is, from him, from his wisdom, are proceeded other wise, righteous, understanding rulers, viz. faithful counsellors who are near him, shepherds and pillars in the government: for such as the prince is, such are his counsellors, as the proverb is. When the council sees that the prince loves righteousness, and that he will not be served with hypocrisy and flattery, and that only honest, trusty and understanding wise people bear sway with him, then they diligently labour for wisdom and righteousness, that they may please him therein: and then that land and country has good shepherds.
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