their swords drawn and dripping with blood. And she was greatly
afraid, and said, "Lord God, who didst save me from false gods and
from the corruption of death, and didst say, 'Thy soul shall live
for ever,' save me now from the hands of these wicked men!" And God
heard her prayer, and straightway the swords of the men fell out of
their hands and crumbled into dust.

Then they were very sore afraid, saying, "The Lord fighteth against
us." And they fell down on their faces and besought Aseneth, saying,
"We have imagined evil against you, and the Lord hath brought it
back upon us. But now have pity upon us, and save us from the wrath
of our brethren." And she said, "Go then and hide yourselves in the
reeds until I appease them and turn away their anger. Only the Lord
be judge betwixt me and you." Then they ran and hid among the reeds;
and their brethren the sons of Leah came running like harts to
overtake them. And Aseneth lighted down from her chariot and fell on
their necks weeping and rejoicing; and they said, "Where are our
brothers the sons of the handmaids?" that they might kill them. But
Aseneth said, "I beseech you, spare them, for the Lord saved me out
of their hands and broke their swords, and, behold, there they lie,
like wax melted before the fire. Let it suffice you that the Lord
hath fought against them on our behalf, and spare them, for they are
your brethren and the sons of your father Israel." Then said Simeon,
"Why doth our sister say so? Nay, but we will hew them in pieces
with our swords, for they have done evil against Joseph and against
our father and against thee also this day." And Aseneth took hold
upon Simeon's beard and kissed him, and said, "Do not, my brother, in
anywise render evil for evil: the Lord shall judge between us; and
now, see, they are fled afar off. Forgive them, therefore, and spare
their lives." Then Levi came near and kissed her right hand; for he