21 Nevertheless there was no murmuring in the land, and the people did push, the one against the other, to be first at the receipt of custom, every man with his money in his hand.
22 And he that was the chief amongst all the tax gatherers was amazed. And he spake unto several concerning it, saying, Are not these that do shower their gold upon me the same that before did curse my name? When I asked for a mite, they reviled me shamefully; yet, now I ask for much, behold, they bring it flowing over. For he understood not that this was the spirit of the nation.
23 ¶ Now when there was any matter that was beyond the rulers so that they knew not what to do, they would appoint them a commission for to inquire concerning it.
24 And a commission was an assembly of wise men that were sometimes foolish; and they would gather themselves together, and they would question all and sundry, and they would talk.
25 But lest they should do some thing in their carryings on, the rulers would give them instruction and would speak unto them, saying,
26 Go ye into a room apart and gather round. And send the young men into the highways and into the byways that they may bring unto you all them that know aught concerning the matter. And whatsoever they may say unto you, that shall ye hear.
27 Afterwards, ye shall make us a report, for that doeth injury unto no man. But woe be unto you if ye shall do anything that exceedeth our commandment; verily shall our wrath burn thee up, and thy bones shall fall away into dust.
28 By this means did the rulers put away for a long time those things that were vexatious unto them, having faith in the memory of the people that it was short. Therefore was a commission unto the rulers as a bag of sand unto him that fighteth, for it was a shield. And the day was not known whereon the rulers appointed them not a commission.
29 ¶ But there was a certain man and his name was Northcliffe. And the people were divided into two camps concerning him, some saying that he was a raiser of scares, whilst others did say that he knew things. And all were agreed that he was a thorn in the side of the rulers.
30 And when a commission did bring its report unto the rulers, then did these retire unto the privacy of their bedchambers. And the report they did take with them for to be a pillow unto their heads.