The Book Of Second EZRA - ESDRAS - Chapter 3
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:1
Now when Darius reigned, he made a great feast to all his subjects, and to all
his household, and to all the princes of Media and Persia,
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:2
And to all the governors and captains and lieutenants that were under him, from
India to Ethiopia, of one hundred twenty seven provinces.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:3
And when they had eaten and drunken, and being satisfied were gone home, then
Darius the king went into his bedchamber, and slept, and soon after awakened.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:4
Then three young men, that were of the guard that kept the king's body, spoke
one to another;
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:5
Let everyone of us speak a sentence: he that shall overcome, and whose sentence
shall seem wiser than the others, to him the king Darius gave great gifts, and
great things in token of victory:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:6
As to be clothed in purple, to drink in gold, and to sleep in bridles of gold,
and a head-atire of fine linen, and a chain about his neck:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:7
And he shall sit next to Darius because of his wisdom, and shall be called
Darius his cousin.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:8
And then everyone wrote his sentence, sealed it, and laid it under king Darius
his pillow;
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:9
And said that, when the king is risen, some will give him the writings; and of
whose side the king and the three princes of Persia shall judge that his
sentence is the wisest, to him shall the victory be given, as was appointed.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:10
The first wrote, Wine is the strongest.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:11
The second wrote, The king is strongest.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:12
The third wrote, Women are strongest: but above all things Truth bears away the
victory.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:13
Now when the king was risen up, they took their writings, and delivered them to
him, and so he read them:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:14
And sending forth he called all the princes of Persia and Media, and the
governors, and the captains, and the lieutenants, and the chief officers;
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:15
And sat him down in the royal seat of judgment; and the writings were read
before them.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:16
And he said, Call the young men, and they shall declare their own sentences. So
they were called, and came in.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:17
And he said to them, Declare to us your mind concerning the writings. Then
began the first, who had spoken of the strength of wine;
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:18
And he said thus, O you men, how exceeding strong is wine! it causes all men to
err that drink it:
EZRA -2- ESDRAS 3:19
It
makes the mind of the king and of the fatherless child to be all one; of the
bondman and of the freeman, of the poor man and of the rich:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:20
It turns also every thought into jollity and mirth, so that a man remembers
neither sorrow nor debt:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:21
And it makes every heart rich, so that a man remembers neither king nor
governor; and it makes to speak all things by talents:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:22
And when they are in their cups, they forget their love both to friends and
brethren, and a little after draw out swords:
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:23
But when they are from the wine, they remember not what they have done.
EZRA
-2- ESDRAS 3:24
O you men, is not wine the strongest, that enforces to do thus? And when he had
so spoken, he held his peace.