28. And now do you⌃ not believe me? is not the king great in his power? do not all regions fear to touch him?
29. Yet did I see him and Apame the king’s concubine, the daughter of the illustrious Barticus, sitting at the right hand of the king,
30. and taking the crown from the king’s head, and setting it upon her own head; yes, she struck the king with her left hand:
31. and therewithal the king gaped and gazed upon her with open mouth: if she laughed upon him, he laughed also: but if she took any displeasure at him, he was fain to flatter, that she might be reconciled to him again.
32. O sirs, how can it be but women should be strong, seeing they do thus?
33. Then the king and the nobles looked one upon another: so he began to speak concerning truth.
34. O sirs, are not women strong? great is the earth, high is the heaven, swift is the sun in his course, for he encircles the heavens round about, and fetches his course again to his own place in one day.
35. Is he not great that makes these things? therefore great is truth, and stronger than all things.
36. All the earth calls upon truth, and the heaven blesses her: all works shake and tremble, but with her is no unrighteous thing.
37. Wine is unrighteous, the king is unrighteous, women are unrighteous, all the children of men are unrighteous, and unrighteous are all such their works; and there is no truth in them; in their unrighteousness also they shall perish.
38. But truth remains, and is strong forever; she lives and conquers forevermore.
39. With her there is no accepting of persons or rewards; but she does the things that are just, and refrains from all unrighteous and wicked things; and all men do well like of her works.
40. Neither in her judgment is any unrighteousness; and she is the strength, and the kingdom, and the power, and the majesty, of all ages. Blessed be the God of truth.
41. And with that he held his tongue. And all the people then shouted, and said, Great is truth, and strong above all things.
42. Then said the king to him, Ask what you will more than is appointed in writing, and we will give it you, inasmuch as you are found wisest; and you shall sit next me, and shall be called my cousin.