15
and he took his seat in the council chamber, and the writing was read in their presence.
16
And he said, "Call the young men, and they shall explain their statements." So they were summoned, and came in.
17
And 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.
19
It makes equal the mind of the king and the orphan, of the slave and the free, of the poor and the rich.
20
It turns every thought to feasting and mirth, and forgets all sorrow and debt.
21
It makes all hearts feel rich, forgets kings and satraps, and makes every one talk in millions.
22
When men drink they forget to be friendly with friends and brothers, and before long they draw their swords.
23
And when they recover from the wine, they do not remember what they have done.
24
Gentlemen, is not wine the strongest, since it forces men to do these things?" When he had said this, he stopped speaking.
1Esdr.4