13 And behold, when the king arose, they gave him this scripture, and he read it.

14 And having sent, he called all the nobles of Persia and Media, and the satraps, and the captains of the army, and the governors of the provinces, and the counsellors,

15 And he sat down in the deliberative chamber, and the Scripture was read before them.

16 And he said, 'Call these young men, let them explain their words.' And they were called and went in.

17 And he said to them, 'Explain to us what is written.' And the first one began, speaking of the power of wine, and spoke thus:

E-18 O men! How strong the wine! It darkens the minds of all people who drink it;

19 It makes the mind of the king and the fatherless, the slave and the free, the poor and the rich, one mind.

20 And every understanding maketh into gladness and joy, so that a man remembers no sorrow, nor any duty,

21 And it makes all hearts rich, so that no one thinks of king or satrap, but makes every one speak of his talents.

22 And when they are drunk, they do not remember their affection for friends and brothers, and soon draw their swords,

23 And when they are sober from wine, they do not remember what they did.

E-24 O men! Is not wine the strongest when it compels you to do so? And having said this, he fell silent.

Chapter 4

1 And the second began to speak, speaking of the king's power.

2 O men! Are not men strong who possess the land and the sea, and all that is contained therein?

3 But the king prevaileth and doth dominion over them, and commandeth them, and in all that he saith unto them, they obey.

4 If he says that they should take up arms against one another, they do; If he sends them against the enemy, they go and destroy the mountains, and the walls, and the towers;

5 And they kill and are killed, but they do not transgress the king's word; but if they are victorious, they bring everything to the king, what they get for booty, and all the rest.

6 And those who do not go to war, nor fight, but till the land, after sowing, having gathered the harvest, bring also to the king

7 And forcing one another, they bring tribute to the king.

8 And he alone, if he says to kill, they kill; if he says to let go, they let go; he said to beat – they beat him;