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 YRENIUS NOW said to Joseph, 'Noble friend and brother! I have found my greatest good fortune in your house in every respect! Now tell me what reward you would have for yourself from me.
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Oh say, how can I recompense you even in the least degree for all that you have done for me?
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But do not in any case mention this villa which would surely be something too little and mean as a reward for you.'
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And Joseph replied, 'Oh brother and friend, what do you take me for?
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Do you think me to be a trader in good deeds who does good only for the sake of a reward?
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Oh how greatly do you err if you think that about me.
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See, I know nothing meaner than a paid-for benefactor and a paid-for good deed!
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Truly, may I and the day and the hour be cursed when I was born if I were to take from you even one stater!
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Do you therefore take your wife, the cleansed Tullia, to yourself in all good cheer. What you will do for her and many other poor souls, that I shall always consider and accept as a good reward for my deeds to you.
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But please spare this house from any endowment, for what I have is enough for all of us. Of what use then is any more?
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You think perhaps that I will request some sort of board money for Eudokia? - Oh, do not speak of that!
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I take her in as a daughter and shall rear her in the grace of God.
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Now where indeed is the father who allowed himself to be paid anything by anyone for bringing up his daughter?
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I tell you, Eudokia is worth more than all the world, so there is no reward in the world which could be offered as acceptable for her.
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And the great reward which I have for all my dealings, see, He now lies in the arms of Eudokia.'
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When Cyrenius perceived this great unselfishness of Joseph, he was deeply stirred and asserted,
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'Truly, before God and all the people of the earth you stand alone as a man of all men.
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To praise you with words would be a vain effort, for you stand exalted above every word of man.
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But I now know what to do so I may show you how very greatly I honor and value you.
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I shall make you a present which you will surely not refuse.
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See, in Tyre I have three girls and five boys from very poor parents who are deceased.
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I shall have these dear children brought here to you so they may be brought up by you.
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That I shall see to their upkeep you may be fully assured of.
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Will you deny me that also? No, Joseph, my noble brother, that you surely will not do!'
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And Joseph replied, deeply moved, 'No, brother, that I shall never deny you! Therefore send these children here as soon as possible and they shall receive the best care in everything they may need.'
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