Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

50 THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
"who would serve idols instead of God, Who is to
"be praised, so that the Devil, who hath counselled
"men to do the evil acts which they did for him in
"their old state, may not destroy me^ by any of
"his counsels, and so that God may preserve me
"from his wiles, and crafts, and snares. So likewise,
"then, do ye hearken unto my words and receive
"my doctrine, that mine anger may not have
"dominion over you, and that mercy may not be
"remote from my heart, and that ye may not be
"blotted out by the punishment which I may mete
"out. But, O men, put ye your trust in the know-
"ledge of God Almighty, and in His good pro-
"tection, and worship ye, O men, no other god
"besides the Lord our God. Forsake ye him whom
"in times past ye and your fathers trusted, and
"your mighty ones, ^ and your demons, who gave
"you counsel, for your mighty One is mightier
"than he. And now receive ye my commandments,
"and I will entreat God to have mercy, both upon
"myself and upon you, according to His desire and
"good pleasure; in Him is my help, and in Him
"is my trust."
Then Alexander wrote a letter to his army,^
saying:
"In the name of God, the Merciful and Gracious.
"From the servant of [p. 27] God Almighty, Alex-
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