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CHAPTER ESDRAS 4
Then the second, that had spoken of the strength of the king, began to say,
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O ye men, do not men excel in strength that bear rule over sea and land and all things in them?
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But yet the king is more mighty: for he is lord of all these things, and hath dominion over them;
and whatsoever he commandeth them they do.
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If he bid them make war the one against the other, they do it: if he send them out against the
enemies, they go, and break down mountains walls and towers.
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They slay and are slain, and transgress not the king's commandment: if they get the victory,
they bring all to the king, as well the spoil, as all things else.
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Likewise for those that are no soldiers, and have not to do with wars, but use husbundry, when
they have reaped again that which they had sown, they bring it to the king, and compel one another
to pay tribute unto the king.
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And yet he is but one man: if he command to kill, they kill; if he command to spare, they spare;
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If he command to smite, they smite; if he command to make desolate, they make desolate; if
he command to build, they build;
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If he command to cut down, they cut down; if he command to plant, they plant.
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So all his people and his armies obey him: furthermore he lieth down, he eateth and drinketh,
and taketh his rest:
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And these keep watch round about him, neither may any one depart, and do his own business,
neither disobey they him in any thing.
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O ye men, how should not the king be mightiest, when in such sort he is obeyed? And he held
his tongue.
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Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of the truth, (this was Zorobabel) began to
speak.
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O ye men, it is not the great king, nor the multitude of men, neither is it wine, that excelleth;
who is it then that ruleth them, or hath the lordship over them? are they not women?
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Women have borne the king and all the people that bear rule by sea and land.
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Even of them came they: and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards, from whence
the wine cometh.
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These also make garments for men; these bring glory unto men; and without women cannot
men be.
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Yea, and if men have gathered together gold and silver, or any other goodly thing, do they
not love a woman which is comely in favour and beauty?
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And letting all those things go, do they not gape, and even with open mouth fix their eyes fast
on her; and have not all men more desire unto her than unto silver or gold, or any goodly thing
whatsoever?
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A man leaveth his own father that brought him up, and his own country, and cleaveth unto
his wife.
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KJV Bible