1 Esdras 3:13 (Read 3:1-13 for context) “There is nothing stronger than a woman, but truth can conquer anything.” (You will never again claim that women have no power or are powerless again after you read this). But TRUTH is far more powerful ⚖️🗽than anything.

God wanted me to see this message today. I was praying for guidance and opened my bible to this. After reading it I understand why….. † I needed this and I think so do some of you. There is a message in the message. One could even say that the message is speaking about another “emperor” 🇺🇲??? 🦅🗽✉️📬.

“13 When the emperor woke up, the written statements were given to him, and he read them. 14 Then he sent messengers and called together all the leading officials of Persia and Media, including the chief officers, administrators, governors, and commissioners. 15 He took his seat in the council chamber and had the three statements read aloud. 16“Bring in the three young men,” he said, “and let them explain their answers.” So when they were brought in, 17 they were asked to explain what they had written.”

1 Esdras 4:13
The Speech about Women

13 The bodyguard who had written about women and the truth — it was Zerubbabel — spoke last. 14“Gentlemen,” he began, “the emperor is certainly powerful, men are numerous, and wine is strong, but who rules and controls them all? It is women! 15 Women gave birth to the emperor and all the men who rule over land and sea. 16 Women brought them into the world. Women brought up the men who planted the vineyards from which wine comes. 17 Women make the clothes that men wear; women bring honour to men; in fact, without women, men couldn’t live.

18“Men may accumulate silver or gold or other beautiful things, but if they see a woman with a pretty face or a good figure, 19 they will leave it all to gape and stare, and they will desire her more than their wealth. 20 A man will leave his own father, who brought him up, and leave his own country to get married. 21 He will forget his father, his mother, and his country to spend the rest of his life with his wife. 22 So you must recognize that women are your masters. Don’t you work and sweat and then take all that you have earned and give it to your wives? 23A man will take his sword and go out to attack, rob and steal, and sail the seas and rivers. 24 He may have to face lions or travel in the dark, but when he has robbed, stolen, and plundered, he will bring the loot home to the woman he loves.

25“A man loves his wife more than his parents. 26 Some men are driven out of their minds on account of a woman, and others become slaves for the sake of a woman. 27 Others have been put to death, have ruined their lives, or have committed crimes because of a woman. 28 So now do you believe me?

“The emperor’s power is certainly great — no nation has the courage to attack him. 29 But once I saw him with Apame, his concubine, the daughter of the famous Bartacus. While she was sitting at the emperor’s right, 30 she took his crown off his head, put it on her own, and then slapped his face with her left hand. 31 All the emperor did was look at her with his mouth open. Whenever she smiles at him, he smiles back; and when she gets angry with him, he flatters her and teases her until she is in a good mood again. 32 Gentlemen, if women can do all that, surely there can be nothing stronger in the world.” 33 The emperor and his officials just looked at one another.

The Speech about Truth

Then Zerubbabel began to speak about truth. 34“Yes, gentlemen,” he said, “women are very strong. But think how big the earth is, how high the sky is; think how fast the sun moves, as it rapidly circles the whole sky in a single day. 35 If the sun can do this, it is certainly great. But truth is greater and stronger than all of these things. 36 Everyone on earth honours truth; heaven praises it; all creation trembles in awe before it.

“There is not the slightest injustice in truth. 37 You will find injustice in wine, the emperor, women, all human beings, in all they do, and in everything else. There is no truth in them; they are unjust and they will perish. 38 But truth endures and is always strong; it will continue to live and reign for ever. 39 Truth shows no partiality or favouritism; it does what is right, rather than what is unjust or evil. Everyone approves what truth does; 40 its decisions are always fair. Truth is strong, royal, powerful, and majestic for ever. Let all things praise the God of truth!”

The Response

41 When Zerubbabel had finished speaking, all the people shouted, “Truth is great — there is nothing stronger!”

42 Then the emperor said to him, “You may ask anything you want, even more than what was agreed, and I will give it to you. You will be my adviser, and you will be granted the title ‘Relative of the Emperor.’ ”

43 Zerubbabel replied, “Your Majesty, permit me to remind you of the solemn vow you took on the day you became emperor. You promised to ……”

God is the truth. God is truth. †

Juliet A.O