1 Esdras 4:8-24
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8 If he command to smite, they smite; if he command to make desolate, they make desolate; if he command to build, they build;
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9 If he command to cut down, they cut down; if he command to plant, they plant.
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10 So all his people and his armies obey him: furthermore he lieth down, he eateth and drinketh, and taketh his rest:
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11 And these keep watch round about him, neither may any one depart, and do his own business, neither disobey they him in any thing.
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12 O ye men, how should not the king be mightiest, when in such sort he is obeyed? And he held his tongue.
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13 Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of the truth, (this was Zorobabel) began to speak.
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14 O ye men, it is not the great king, nor the multitude of men, neither is it wine, that excelleth; who is it then that ruleth them, or hath the lordship over them? are they not women?
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15 Women have borne the king and all the people that bear rule by sea and land.
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16 Even of them came they: and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards, from whence the wine cometh.
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17 These also make garments for men; these bring glory unto men; and without women cannot men be.
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18 Yea, and if men have gathered together gold and silver, or any other goodly thing, do they not love a woman which is comely in favour and beauty?
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19 And letting all those things go, do they not gape, and even with open mouth fix their eyes fast on her; and have not all men more desire unto her than unto silver or gold, or any goodly thing whatsoever?
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20 A man leaveth his own father that brought him up, and his own country, and cleaveth unto his wife.
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21 He sticketh not to spend his life with his wife. and remembereth neither father, nor mother, nor country.
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22 By this also ye must know that women have dominion over you: do ye not labour and toil, and give and bring all to the woman?
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23 Yea, a man taketh his sword, and goeth his way to rob and to steal, to sail upon the sea and upon rivers;
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24 And looketh upon a lion, and goeth in the darkness; and when he hath stolen, spoiled, and robbed, he bringeth it to his love.