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"There was once a rich man who habitually arrayed himself in purple and fine linen, and enjoyed a splendid banquet every day,
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while at his outer door there lay a beggar, Lazarus by name,
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covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and lick his sores.
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"But in course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and had a funeral.
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And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms.
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So he cried aloud, and said, "`Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
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"`Remember, my child,' said Abraham, `that you had all your good things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and you are in agony.
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And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over from your side to us.'
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"`I entreat you then, father,' said he, `to send him to my father's house.
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For I have five brothers. Let him earnestly warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'
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"`They have Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; `let them hear them.'
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"`No, father Abraham,' he pleaded; `but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
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"`If they are deaf to Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham, `they would not be led to believe even if some one should rise from the dead.'"
