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 HE THREE PRIESTS came at once, and one stated, 'Only a command of the governor may loose our tongue today,
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for we took an oath this morning to speak no word during this whole day and to take no bite of food.
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But, as stated, we now break this oath in the evening because we are forced to do so by the order of the governor. May he one day bear the responsibility for us!'
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Cyrenius retorted, 'Truly, I have not compelled you, but if your conscience bothers you in the matter then I will gladly bear the responsibility.
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For I am after all in the house of Him who is ultimately concerned with such accountabilities - and there I believe that in the rendering of this account I shall not fare as badly as you foolishly imagine it.'
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And Joseph said, 'Oh brother, the accounting is already completed, so just tell the three what you have to request of them.'
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At this one of the priests anticipated Cyrenius and asked him what they should do for him.
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And Cyrenius briefly presented his desire to the three.
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Here the three affirmed, 'The law is right and so is its fulfillment, but we are only lesser priests and our witness will not be acknowledged as binding.'
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And Cyrenius explained to them that because of the complete lack of a high priest, every lesser priest was then obligated to perform the official duties and administer the justice of a high priest in this instance.
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The priests thereupon admitted, 'That is right, but when we were to exercise the power of high priests two days ago you condemned us!
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If we now were again to exercise the prerogative of a high priest, would you then not condemn us again?'
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Cyrenius now replied in a somewhat aroused manner, 'At that time I condemned you because you wanted to exercise the prerogatives of high priests quite contrary to law;
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but now you have the legal right before you. If you act accordingly you certainly have no condemnation to fear on my part.
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Instead I will give you an offering which shall secure your livelihood. And an offering for Rome shall not be overlooked either.'
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Here the three priests said, 'Good! But we do not give allegiance to the gods any more and want nothing more to do with Rome's paganism!
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Will our certificate be valid if it becomes known in Rome that we have gone over to the faith of Israel?'
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And Cyrenius retorted, 'You know as well as I that in Rome every testimony is valid for money.
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Therefore do what I request of you. Anything else does not concern you and I shall see that it is taken care of.'
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This assurance moved the priests to make out the desired certificate for Cyrenius and to bless him therewith.
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When Cyrenius had the certificate, he gave Tullia his hand and lifted her up as now his lawful wife.
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Then he gave her a ring and thereupon had royal clothes brought for her from the city.
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