19
"Once there was a rich man who used to dress in the most expensive clothing and spent his days in magnificent luxury.
20
At his gate had been laid a beggar named El`azar who was covered with sores.
21
He would have been glad to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table; but instead, even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
22
In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham's side; the rich man also died and was buried.
23
"In Sh'ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El`azar at his side.
24
He called out, `Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El`azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I'm in agony in this fire!'
25
However, Avraham said, `Son, remember that when you were alive, you got the good things while he got the bad; but now he gets his conso lation here, while you are the one in agony.
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Yet that isn't all: between you and us a deep rift has been established, so that those who would like to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
27
"He answered, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house,
28
where I have five brothers, to warn them; so that they may be spared having to come to this place of torment too.'
29
But Avraham said, `They have Moshe and the Prophets; they should listen to them.'
30
However, he said, `No, father Avraham, they need more. If someone from the dead goes to them, they'll repent!'
31
But he replied, `If they won't listen to Moshe and the Prophets, they won't be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!'"
