And in front of him, looking inquisitively, the Lord's angel suddenly appeared.
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- You prayed to the Lord, - he said, - to reveal to you His deeds:
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Why do some people live in sorrow, while others do not know evil.
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2. And so, the messenger of God led him far beyond the village:
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There was a spring by the road and a tree with a large hollow.
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-Sit, my friend, in the hollow until I return, and watch:
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A lot of people come here, just don't give yourself away.
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3. And the angel seemed to dissolve... The old man climbed into the hollow and waited.
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Suddenly he sees: a rich traveler has stopped for a halt.
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I sat down on the carpet, cut the fat, took out a full wallet,
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And he counted the gold for a long time, chewing on a salted piece.
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4. When the rich man, having drunk tea, collected the remaining ration,
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He did not notice how he accidentally dropped his wallet.
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The old man sits in a hollow and sees: the rich man left, another came:
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The clothes are modest in appearance, in a knapsack there is bread and water.
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5. He spread the handkerchief on the grass, washed down the bread with some water ...
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When I saw the wallet, I was so glad that I even forgot where I was going.
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He went home, satisfied... The old man is still sitting in a hollow.
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He looks: a poor man in rags is walking along the valley road - a pitiful sight.
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6. But the poor fellow had not yet had time to wash his forehead in the spring, —
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The rich man returned and impudently began to demand his wallet.
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And being in a fit of anger, he beat him mercilessly...
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The poor man fell on a sharp stone and quietly gave up his spirit.
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7. But not finding his loss, the rich man fled - and that was it!
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The old man in the hollow even began to cry, when suddenly the angel appeared again.
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I asked him: "Well, what did you see?" |
“There is only one injustice!
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Unbearable, angel, to see my guilt unpunished!
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8. “Now, old man, listen to me,” he said, starting his story, “
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The one who found the wallet was once the best friend of the rich man.
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But that rich man was too greedy, he was cunning and treacherous,
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And with the help of deceit, he completely ruined his friend.
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9. And that poor man himself once robbed his brother and killed him,
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But, having repented, he gave it away and asked for the same death.
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And the Lord heeded his prayers: he gave him a martyr's crown.
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And then the old man exclaimed in tears: “Heavenly Father is just!” |