Jubilees 18

Travel back in time to the days of old with the book of Jubilees, a unique retelling of biblical history and a guide to righteous living. Written as a series of jubilee cycles, this text presents a chronological account of creation, the lives of the patriarchs, and the formation of Israel as a nation. Alongside historical narratives, Jubilees also jumps into legal and ritual matters, offering insights into the observance of the Sabbath, festivals, and dietary laws. Through its blend of history, theology, and legal instruction, Jubilees serves as a comprehensive guide to the divine plan for humanity, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the enduring covenant between God and His people.

1And God said to him, 'Abraham, Abraham'; and he said, Behold, (here) am I.'
2And he said, Take thy beloved son whom thou lovest, (even) Isaac, and go unto the high country, and offer him on one of the mountains which I will point out unto thee.'
3And he rose early in the morning and saddled his ass, and took his two young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood of the burnt offering, and he went to the place on the third day, and he saw the place afar off.
4And he came to a well of water, and he said to his young men, 'Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad shall go (yonder), and when we have worshipped we shall come again to you.'
5And he took the wood of the burnt-offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife, and they went both of them together to that place.
6And Isaac said to his father, 'Father;' and he said, 'Here am I, my son.' And he said unto him, 'Behold the fire, and the knife, and the wood; but where is the sheep for the burnt-offering, father?'
7And he said, 'God will provide for himself a sheep for a burnt-offering, my son.' And he drew near to the place of the mount of God.
8And he built an altar, and he placed the wood on the altar, and bound Isaac his son, and placed him on the wood which was upon the altar, and stretched forth his hand to take the knife to slay Isaac his son.
9And I stood before him, and before the prince Mastêmâ, and the Lord said, 'Bid him not to lay his hand on the lad, nor to do anything to him, for I have shown that he fears the Lord.'
10And I called to him from heaven, and said unto him: 'Abraham, Abraham;' and he was terrified and said: 'Behold, (here) am I.'
11And I said unto him: 'Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything to him; for now I have shown that thou fearest the Lord, and hast not withheld thy son, thy first-born son, from me.'
12And the prince Mastêmâ was put to shame; and Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold a ram caught ... by his horns, and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.
13And Abraham called that place 'The Lord hath seen', so that it is said in the mount the Lord hath seen: that is Mount Sion.
14And the Lord called Abraham by his name a second time from heaven, as he caused us to appear to speak to him in the name of the Lord.
15And he said: 'By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thy beloved son, from Me, that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, And as the sand which is on the seashore. And thy seed shall inherit the cities of its enemies,
16And in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice, and I have shown to all that thou art faithful unto Me in all that I have said unto thee: Go in peace.'
17And Abraham went to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba, and Abraham [2010 A.M.] dwelt by the Well of the Oath.
18And he celebrated this festival every year, seven days with joy, and he called it the festival of the Lord according to the seven days during which he went and returned in peace.
19And accordingly has it been ordained and written on the heavenly tablets regarding Israel and its seed that they should observe this festival seven days with the joy of festival.