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Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

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THE UNCERTAINTY OF FORTUNE. 1/7<br />

"He sent thee to do what He desired. And,<br />

"moreover, victory hath been given unto thee<br />

"over them because their days had come to an<br />

"end, and because the period of their existence<br />

"had been brought to a close; for this reason He<br />

"willed to destroy them out of the world. And<br />

"fate hath exalted thee and hath abased them,<br />

"because God Almighty hath given unto thee<br />

"what He hath never given unto any who were<br />

"before thee, or shall give unto any who<br />

"shall come after thee. Now, do thou thyself<br />

"consider and know these things, and let not thy<br />

"position in this world lead thee astray, for fortune is<br />

"a fickle thing. And it hath, moreover, destroyed<br />

"those who were before thee; and it will come<br />

"upon thee, in thy turn, although thou hast been<br />

"master of it; and do not thou put confidence in<br />

"it, for it will depart from thee [to go] to another<br />

"man, and thou wilt pass away naked. Further,<br />

"it will destroy thee thyself, together with those<br />

"nations whose days have passed and whose time<br />

"is ended. Thou imaginest that it is by thy<br />

"mighty men of war and by thy strength that <strong>Alexander</strong>'s<br />

"thou hast conquered them, but it is God Almighty Xln""<br />

"who hath sent thee against them as a mark of<br />

"punishment for their sins. Now as concerning<br />

"thy message that I should come to thee, behold,<br />

"thy ambassador and servant hath delivered it<br />

"unto me, but be not angry with me because I<br />

"do not come unto thee in the flesh, for my speech<br />

"Cometh unto thee as befitteth thy command, and

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