CHAPTER XII.
1 The women upbraid one another. 5 The virgins that made them munitions for the war. 12 Their anger. 14 They are appeased. 15 Concerning the choice of an habitation. 25 A chief factor donneth wondrous apparel. 33 Wherefor one believeth him to be the keeper of the gate.
Now in the seventh month of the year and the first week of the month upon the second day, all the women of the land rose up together and they made them an outcry, the one against the other.
2 And they upbraided them that were barren, because they bore not children; and those that had begotten a few, they exhorted them to continue along the way.
3 And the hearts of the women were stirred within them, and the cry of their sisters, it filled them with zeal for the undertaking.
4 Nevertheless, there were certain men in the land that scoffed aloud, saying, By the fruits of their labour only shall ye know them; and the words that flow from a woman's mouth, what man shall give them a meaning?
5 ¶ Now there was a certain place in the land of En and it was full up of workers that did make them munitions for the war.
6 And there were many women amongst them also; and some of them were married unto men; and the others, they were virgins.
7 Wherefore it came to pass that the ruler of that place, he made him a plan; and, behold, it was after this manner.
8 And he did design that whosoever amongst them should conceive and be with child, there should be provision made for that woman to sustain her during the time.
9 And whosoever amongst them should be spoken for in marriage, unto her there should be given so much for her portion.
10 Now the tongue of rumour was very busy in that place, being a place where women were, and many strange things were noised abroad amongst them.
11 And it was reported that all the virgins, they must straightway get themselves with child; also, that there was offered a reward unto her that was the first amongst them for to do it; and the reward, it was in fifty shekels of gold.
12 ¶ And when the virgins heard about it, they waxed very wroth. And they did tear their hair in the violence of their rage; and with their mouths they did utter terrible sayings.
13 And they did say, Are we, then, women of Hu that we should do this wicked thing? Nay, the price of a virtuous woman, it is far above fifty shekels of gold.
14 ¶ And after they had vented the violence of their indignation, then was the matter expounded unto them; and their anger, it was appeased.
15 ¶ Now it came to pass that the rulers did make them councillors for to be over the fighters of the air.
16 And after it was done, and they beheld their handiwork, they said, the one unto the other, Let us now get them an habitation lest the rain come down and they be spoilt.
17 So they sent out messengers through all the city of Lon bidding them spy out the land for to find an house that was suitable unto the purpose.
18 And on the seventh day the messengers returned unto them, bringing word that they had found them an house, and suitable. And, behold, they did purport to put the councillors inside a large building, being a museum.
19 And when the rulers spake unto the people, and told them about it, a great clamour arose on the instant. And all the wise men did take up their pens, and they did write. And the foolish, also, they did write them epistles as well.
20. And because in the eyes of the rulers it was a proper habitation, and suitable, therefore did they stand up against the voice of the people for a long time. And they said unto them,
21 Who are ye to make a noise and in what manner doth it concern you? Ye know full well that in that place are men of Egypt, ancient in years and full of wisdom. Nevertheless, they complain not, neither do they cry out.
22 But the people ceased not from their clamouring; and the wise men wrote them more epistles, and the foolish wrote in likewise. But the men of Egypt spake no word, being ancient in years and full of wisdom.
23 And it came to pass in time that the rulers, they relented their resolve. And they found them another house for the councillors, saying, Because it is necessary to get them an habitation, lest the rain come down and they be spoilt.
24 Nevertheless, the house that we did choose before, it was a proper house, and suitable, because it was big; also, it was a museum.
25 ¶ Now there was a certain merchant that dwelt in the city of Lon. And he had taken unto him a chief factor, a bumptious man that was full of a great conceit.
26 And when the rulers commanded the men of En that they should go up for to be with the host, then did the chief factor cast about in his mind for a means whereby he might remain whole.
27 And he arrayed himself in a wonderful coat, being of a blue colour; and his legs did he cover—even down to his knees did he cover them—with cloth of a similar hue. And he put on ornaments of braid, and trappings of divers kind.
28 And because his legs were thin, being like unto straws of a bad harvest, therefore was he unstable upon them. Yea, notwithstanding the glory of his apparel, nevertheless, he was wonky upon his feet.
29 Now it came to pass that he was sent unto a certain man with whom his master was wont to make business; and he came upon him suddenly in all his fine array.
30 And he spake unto him, saying, This and that, saith my master. And the man knew not that he was the chief factor, thinking only, This man, he showeth some understanding; peradventure he will get him on.
31 Wherefore when another occasion arose, he sent word unto the merchant, saying, Send thou unto me that man, thy servant, whom thou didst send unto me before, for he is a worthy fellow, knowing also a little of that concerning which he speaketh.
32 And the merchant said unto him, Tell me further, that I may know what man it is concerning whom thou speakest. Then will I search him out and I send him unto thee.
33 ¶ And he answered him, saying, Verily, it is that man whom thou hast arrayed in wonderful raiment. By his legs thou shalt know him; and is he not the keeper of thy door?
34 And the merchant was filled with the light of a great understanding, and he knew the man, whom it was; nevertheless, he spake no word concerning it, thinking,
35 Assuredly, it is better to have a doorkeeper that possesses wit, than a factor that hath wonky legs. Therefore did he open not his mouth.