17
And he said unto them, Declare unto us your mind concerning the writings. Then began the first, who had spoken of the strength of wine;
18
And he said thus, O ye men, how exceeding strong is wine! it causeth all men to err that drink it:
19
It maketh the mind of the king and of the fatherless child to be all one; of the bondman and of the freeman, of the poor man and of the rich:
20
It turneth also every thought into jollity and mirth, so that a man remembereth neither sorrow nor debt:
21
And it maketh every heart rich, so that a man remembereth neither king nor governor; and it maketh to speak all things by talents:
22
And when they are in their cups, they forget their love both to friends and brethren, and a little after draw out swords:
23
But when they are from the wine, they remember not what they have done.
24
O ye men, is not wine the strongest, that enforceth to do thus? And when he had so spoken, he held his peace.