The rich man …

“21… orders persons of low character, crooked, one-eyed, maimed, ill-clad, and blackish, to go and

search that man who shall do menial work.

22.Enter my service and cleanse the putrid heap of dirt, replete with faeces and urine; I will give

thee a double salary'' (are the words of the message).

23.On hearing this call the poor man comes and cleanses the said spot; he takes up his abode there

in a hovel near the mansion.

24.The rich man continually observes him through the windows (and thinks): There is my son

engaged in a low occupation, cleansing the heap of dirt.

25. Then he descends, takes a basket, puts on dirty garments, and goes near the man. He chides him,

saying: Thou dost not perform thy work.

26. I will give thee double salary and twice more ointment for the feet; I will give thee food with salt,

potherbs, and, besides, a cloak.

27. So he chides him at the time, but afterwards he wisely conciliates him (by saying): Thou dost thy

work very well, indeed; thou art my son, surely; there is no doubt of it.

28. Little by little he makes the man enter the house, and employs him in his service for fully twenty

years, in the course of which time he succeeds in inspiring him with confidence.

29.At the same time he lays up in the house gold, pearls, and crystal, draws up the sum total, and is

always occupied in his mind with all that property.

30.The ignorant man, who is living outside the mansion, alone in a hovel, cherishes no other ideas

but of poverty, and thinks to himself: Mine are no such possessions!”

Text based on the translation of J H C Kern