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will have occasion to use them at some future time." 

 Some of those who heard the voice, exercised, prudence, 

 and carried off' as many stones as they could ; others for 

 the sake of saving themselves trouble, carried off only a 

 few. Others still, did not carry away any, saying, " it is 

 folly to take pains and trouble for the sake of an advantage 

 that is future and prospective : indeed it is not clear that 

 there will be any advantage at all." Besides, they treated 

 as stupid and foolish those who did carry any away, and 

 said, " look at those insane people, who, from pure cupidity 

 and craving for what is impossible, load themselves down 

 like asses, and give themselves useless pains. We are the 

 comfortable ones, who go on our way free, joyful and with- 

 out concern for the future." "When the light of day dawned, 

 they saw that all the stones were invaluable rubies and 

 sapphires, each one of which was worth at least three 

 thousand drachms of silver. Then those who had brought 

 away stones, exclaimed, " alas ! that we were not able to 

 bring away any more." But those who had brought away 

 nothing and had traveled with comfort and ease, were over- 

 whelmed with the fire of reprobation ; they strike their heads 

 upon the ground with the energy of remorse, and are filled 

 with sighs and lamentations. Those who had brought away 

 stones, arrived at the city whither they had been going, and 

 bought estates and slaves, jewels and rich and pleasant 

 eatables and all kinds of raiment, and gave themselves up 

 to banqueting and enjoyment, while those who had not 

 brought away any stones, became so hungry, destitute and 

 naked, that they went about desiring to perform for them 

 some kind of service. But when they begged of them 

 either food or drink, they said, in accordance with what 

 God says in his ancient word. " The dwellers in fire shall 

 call out to the inhabitants of Paradise, * pour out upon us 

 a little of your water and of the enjoyments God has be- 

 stowed upon you.' " They will answer, " God has forbidden 



