14
Then he sent and summoned all the nobles of Persia and Media and the satraps and generals and governors and prefects,
15
and he took his seat in the council chamber, and the writing was read in their presence.
16
He said, "Call the young men, and they shall explain their statements." So they were summoned, and came in.
17
They said to them, "Explain to us what you have written." Then the first, who had spoken of the strength of wine, began and said:
18
"Gentlemen, how is wine the strongest? It leads astray the minds of all who drink it.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.