1 Esdras 4:32-42

32 Gentlemen, if women can do all that, surely there can be nothing stronger in the world."
33 The emperor and his officials just looked at one another. Then Zerubbabel began to speak about truth.
34 "Yes, gentlemen," he said, "women are very strong. But think of how big the earth is, how high the sky is; think how fast the sun moves, as it rapidly circles the whole sky in a single day.
35 If the sun can do this, it is certainly great. But truth is greater and stronger than all of these things.
36 Everyone on earth honors truth; heaven praises it; all creation trembles in awe before it. "There is not the slightest injustice in truth.
37 You will find injustice in wine, the emperor, women, all human beings, in all they do, and in everything else. There is no truth in them; they are unjust and they will perish.
38 But truth endures and is always strong; it will continue to live and reign forever.
39 Truth shows no partiality or favoritism; it does what is right, rather than what is unjust or evil. Everyone approves what truth does;
40 its decisions are always fair. Truth is strong, royal, powerful, and majestic forever. Let all things praise the God of truth!"
41 When Zerubbabel had finished speaking, all the people shouted, "Truth is great - there is nothing stronger!"
42 Then the emperor said to him, "You may ask anything you want, even more than what was agreed, and I will give it to you. You will be my adviser, and you will be granted the title "Relative of the Emperor.' "

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. in truth; [some manuscripts have] with God.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.