Kebra Nagast

Concerning the Labourer ashes, who to-morrow will become worms and corrup- tion, and yet at this moment I appear like one who will never die. Who would make any complaint against God if He were to give unto this man as He hath given to me, and if He were to make me even as this man is As is Are we not both of us beings, that is to say men and as is his life [so] is my his death, [so] is my death life. Yet this man is stronger to work than I am, for God giveth power to those who are feeble just as it And Solomon said unto the pleaseth Him to do so." ? ? ; " labourer, Get thee to thy work." And he spake further unto the Queen, saying, " What is the use of us, the children of men, if we do not exerAre we not all cise kindness and love upon earth ? nothingness, mere grass of the field, which withereth in season and is burnt in the fire ? On the earth we with ourselves dainty meats, and [we wear] provide whilst we are alive we are stinkbut even costly apparel, ourselves we with sweet scents ing corruption ; provide and delicate unguents, but even whilst we are alive we are dead in sin and in transgressions ; being wise, we become fools through disobedience and deeds of iniquity ; being held in honour, we become contemptible through magic, and sorcery, and the worship of Now the man who is a being of honour, who was idols. created in the image of God, if he doeth that which is good becometh like God ; but the man who is a thing its of nothingness, if he committeth sin becometh like unto the arrogant Devil who refused to obey the command of his Creator and all the arrogant among men walk in his way, and they shall be judged with him. And God loveth the lowly-minded, and those who practhe Devil tise humility walk in His way, and they shall rejoice in His kingdom. Blessed is the man who knoweth wisdom, that is to say, compassion and the fear of God." And when the Queen heard this she said, " How thy voice doth please me ! And how greatly do thy words 27