1 Esdras 3:17-24

1. 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;

2. 18 And he said thus, O ye men, how exceeding strong is wine! it causeth all men to err that drink it:

3. 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:

4. 20 It turneth also every thought into jollity and mirth, so that a man remembereth neither sorrow nor debt:

5. 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:

6. 22 And when they are in their cups, they forget their love both to friends and brethren, and a little after draw out swords:

7. 23 But when they are from the wine, they remember not what they have done.

8. 24 O ye men, is not wine the strongest, that enforceth to do thus? And when he had so spoken, he held his peace.

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