The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 265

Cornelius reassures an anxious Joseph when the latter asks questions about the new and cruel king Archelaus. 27 July 1844

01] After breakfast, Joseph talked with Cornelius about king Archelaus and made detailed inquiries about what kind of man he was and how he ruled.

02] And Cornelius said to Joseph: "Most noble man and friend! If my brother Cyrenius and I would not control him, he would be ten times more cruel than his father was.

03] But with good reason we have restricted his power and so he is only allowed to collect his taxes, and that too only according to our judgment!

04] And in case a taxpayer refuses to pay his taxes for any reason, he is obliged to consult us;

05] failing which we can at any moment serve him the emperor's certificate of deposition, which I always keep in my hands, with which he could be declared outlawed before all people.

06] Therefore you do not have to be afraid of this king in the least;

07] for it would be not advisable for him to act against the existing rules,

08] otherwise tomorrow he is not a king anymore, but an ostracized, outlawed slave of Rome!

09] Friend! I think, you do not need much more for your reassurance.

10] I am the governor of Jerusalem now, and my brother Cyrenius is more or less the vice- emperor of Asia and Africa and we are your friends!

11] I think, in a worldly sense, there cannot be any better guarantee than this for anyone, anywhere.

12] And the greatest guarantee for your security and peace lives in this house!

13] Therefore be calm now and carry out your work, well known to me, without fear!

14] And during the assessment of your taxes I will select a category for you that will not hurt you!"

15] When Joseph heard this from Cornelius, he became very happy and calm again.

16] Cornelius discovered Cyrenius' five girls and Eudokia, who seemed to be well known to him, but whom he did not recognise here.

17] Therefore he asked Joseph some further details about these individuals.

18] And Joseph told him the whole truth without any reserve.

19] And when Cornelius came to know how humane and unselfish Joseph had behaved towards his brother Cyrenius, Cornelius was beside himself also.

20] He was absolutely delighted and kissed Joseph a hundred times and called his brother's children and caressed and kissed them as well.

21] And he said to Joseph: "When your relation with my brother is such, you shall be tax- exempted for all times like every citizen of Rome; and today I will fix the imperial letter of privilege to your house myself!" – Joseph was moved to tears at this and everybody wept with him for joy.