And it maketh every heart rich, so that a man remembereth neither
king nor governor; and it maketh to speak all things by talents:

1 Esdr 3:22
And when they are in their cups, they forget their love both to
friends and brethren, and a little after draw out swords:

1 Esdr 3:23
But when they are from the wine, they remember not what they have done.

1 Esdr 3:24
O ye men, is not wine the strongest, that enforceth to do thus? And
when he had so spoken, he held his peace.

1 Esdr 4:1
Then the second, that had spoken of the strength of the king, began
to say,

1 Esdr 4:2
O ye men, do not men excel in strength that bear rule over sea and
land and all things in them?

1 Esdr 4:3
But yet the king is more mighty: for he is lord of all these things,
and hath dominion over them; and whatsoever he commandeth them they do.

1 Esdr 4:4
If he bid them make war the one against the other, they do it: if he
send them out against the enemies, they go, and break down mountains
walls and towers.

1 Esdr 4:5
They slay and are slain, and transgress not the king's commandment:
if they get the victory, they bring all to the king, as well the spoil,
as all things else.

1 Esdr 4:6
Likewise for those that are no soldiers, and have not to do
with wars, but use husbundry, when they have reaped again that
which they had sown, they bring it to the king, and compel one
another to pay tribute unto the king.

1 Esdr 4:7
And yet he is but one man: if he command to kill, they kill;
if he command to spare, they spare;

1 Esdr 4:8
If he command to smite, they smite; if he command to make desolate,
they make desolate; if he command to build, they build;

1 Esdr 4:9
If he command to cut down, they cut down; if he command to plant,
they plant.

1 Esdr 4:10
So all his people and his armies obey him: furthermore he lieth down,
he eateth and drinketh, and taketh his rest:

1 Esdr 4:11
And these keep watch round about him, neither may any one depart, and
do his own business, neither disobey they him in any thing.

1 Esdr 4:12
O ye men, how should not the king be mightiest, when in such sort
he is obeyed? And he held his tongue.

1 Esdr 4:13
Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of the truth, (this was
Zorobabel) began to speak.

1 Esdr 4:14
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?