14
Then he sent and summoned all the nobles of Persia and Media and the satraps and generals and governors and prefects,
15
and he took his seat in the council chamber, and the writing was read in their presence.
16
And he said, "Call the young men, and they shall explain their statements." So they were summoned, and came in.
17
And they said to them, "Explain to us what you have written." Then the first, who had spoken of the strength of wine, began and said:
18
"Gentlemen, how is wine the strongest? It leads astray the minds of all who drink it.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.