13. When the king woke up, they gave the written statements to him, and he read them.
14. Then he sent for all the officials of Persia and Media and the administrators, generals, district governors, and civil authorities. He sat in the council room, and the written statements were read before them all.
15. He said, "Call in the young men to explain their statements."So they were called together.
16. He said to them, "Give us an explanation for what you wrote."
17. So the first young man, who had spoken of the strength of wine, started:
18. "Gentlemen, how is it that wine is so superior? It misleads the minds of all who drink it.
19. It makes the mind of the king the same as that of the orphan, likewise of the slave and the free, of the poor and the rich.
20. It changes every thought to feasting and cheerfulness, and forgets all grief and every obligation.
21. It fattens all hearts, makes one remember neither kings nor administrators, and makes everyone talk in outrageous sums.