would say, "I have not wherewith to help the poor, but let me wait
upon them to-day at your table." And at evening, when he was
departing, I used to say to him, "I know that you are a labouring
man, and look to your wages." And so I paid him wages for the day and
let him go.

I had also psalteries and a ten-stringed lute, and every day when the
widows and the poor had dined I would play to them and put them in
mind of God, that they should praise Him. And if ever my handmaidens
murmured at the work they had to do, I took a psaltery and sang to
them of the recompense of the reward. And they were comforted, and
ceased from their murmuring.

As for my children, they took part every day in the ministry, and
after that they gathered together in the house of their eldest
brother, and feasted there. But every morning I offered up sacrifices
for them, even thirty doves, fifty kids of the goats, and twelve
sheep, and a choice bullock. All of these, after I had offered up
prayer, I caused to be prepared for the poor, and gave to them,
saying, "Take these over and above that which you have had, and pray
for my children, lest they perchance have said in their hearts,
'We are the children of a wealthy father, and these goods are ours.
Wherefore should we wait upon the poor and waste our substance in
this manner?'" For indeed pride is an abomination unto the Lord.

Now this was my manner of life for seven years after that the angel
had come to me. But when Satan had obtained from the Lord power
against me, he came down in great wrath; and first he burnt up the
7000 sheep, and 3000 camels, and 500 asses, and 500 yoke of oxen; and
the rest were carried away by the men of the country to whom I had