1 Esdras 4:9-19

9 if he command to cut down, they cut down; if he command to plant, they plant.
10 So all his people and his armies obey him. Furthermore, he lieth down, he eateth and drinketh, and taketh his rest;
11 and these keep watch round about him, neither may any one depart and do his own business, neither disobey they him in any thing.
12 O ye men, how should not the king be mightiest when in such manner he is obeyed?" And he held his tongue.
13 Then the third, who had spoken of women and of the truth (this was Zerubbabel), began to speak:
14 "O ye men, it is not the great king nor the multitude of men, neither is it wine that excelleth. Who is it then who ruleth them or hath the lordship over them? Are they not women?
15 Women have borne the king and all the people who bear rule by sea and land.
16 Even of them came they; and they nourished them up who planted the vineyards, from whence the wine cometh.
17 These also make garments for men; these bring glory unto men, and without women cannot men be.
18 "Yea, and if men have gathered together gold and silver or any other goodly thing, do they not love a woman who is comely in favor and beauty?Œ
19 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 for her than for silver or gold or any goodly thing whatsoever?
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.