1
The bodyguard who had written about the strength of the emperor spoke next.
2
"Gentlemen," he began, "nothing in the world is stronger than men, since they rule over land and sea and, in fact, over everything in the world.
3
But the emperor is the strongest of them all; he is their lord and master, and men obey him, no matter what he commands.
4
If he tells them to make war on one another, they do it. If he sends them out against his enemies, they go, even if they have to break down mountains, walls, or towers.
5
They may kill or be killed, but they never disobey the emperor's orders. If they are victorious, they bring him all their loot and everything else they have taken in battle.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.