D*****r
发帖数: 6791 | 1 In my youth I was told that in a certain city every one lived according to
the Scriptures.
And I said, "I will seek that city and the blessedness thereof." And it was
far. And I made great provision for my journey. And after forty-days I
beheld the city and on the forty-first day I entered into it.
And lo! the whole company of the inhabitants had each but a single eye and
but one hand. And I was astonished and said to myself, "Shall they of this
so holy city have but one eye and one hand?"
Then I saw that they too were astonished, for they were marvelling greatly
at my two hands and my two eyes. And as they were speaking together I
inquired of them saying, "Is this indeed the Blessed City, where each man
lives according to the Scriptures?" And they said, "Yes, this is that city."
"And what," said I, "hath befallen you, and where are your right eyes and
your right hands?"
And all the people were moved. And they said, "Come thou and see."
And they took me to the temple in the midst of the city. And in the temple I
saw a heap of hands and eyes. All withered. Then said I, "Alas! what
conqueror hath committed this cruelty upon you?"
And there went a murmur amongst them. And one of their elders stood forth
and said, "This doing is of ourselves. God hath made us conquerors over the
evil that was in us."
And he led me to a high altar, and all the people followed. And he showed me
above the alter and inscription graven, and I read:
"If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee; for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut
if off and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of th
members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
Then I understood. And I turned about to all the people and cried, "Hath no
man or woman among you two eyes or two hands?"
And they answered me saying, "No, not one. There is none whole save such as
are yet too young to read the Scripture and to understand its commandment."
And when we had comeout of the temple, I straightway left that Blessed City;
for I was not too young, and I could read the scripture. | E*****m
发帖数: 25615 | |
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