8
And then every one wrote his sentence, sealed it, and laid it under King Darius' pillow,
9
and said, "When the king has risen, some will give him the writings; and of whose side the king and the three princes of Persia shall judge that his sentence is the wisest, to him shall the victory be given, as was appointed."
10
The first wrote, "Wine is the strongest."
11
The second wrote, "The king is strongest."
12
The third wrote, "Women are strongest but, above all things, truth beareth away the victory."
13
Now when the king had risen up, they took their writings and delivered them unto him, and so he read them.
14
And, sending forth, he called all the princes of Persia and Media, and the governors, and the captains, and the lieutenants, and the chief officers,
15
and sat down in the royal seat of judgment; and the writings were read before them.
16
And he said, "Call the young men, and they shall declare their own sentences." So they were called and came in.
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: