Rich
Man: Boo! Hiss!
Lazarus:
"Scratch, scratch, scratch!
Abraham:
"Father Abraham!"
Moses:
[crackle paper]
Prophets:
"Change your ways! Change your
ways!"
The
following is a work of fiction. It is a
parable and a metaphor. Any resemblance
to real people or events is entire coincidental. But may the listener be ware lest these
events happen to you!
There
was a Rich Man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted
sumptuously every day. At his gate lay a
poor man named Lazarus, who was covered in sores, who longed to satisfy
his hunger with what fell from the Rich Man's table; even the
dogs would come and lick his sores.
Though the Rich Man knew the laws of Moses, and heard the
cries of the prophets, he did not share his comfort and wealth.
Lazarus died and was carried away by the
angels to be with Abraham. The Rich
Man also died and was buried.
In
the underworld, where he was being tormented, the Rich Man looked up and
saw Abraham far away with Lazarus comfortably by his side.
The
Rich Man called out, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me and
send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue;
for I am in agony in these flames."
But
Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your lifetime you
received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but
now he is comforted here and you are in agony."
The
Rich Man said, "Then, Father Abraham, I beg you to send Lazarus
to my father's house - for I have five brothers - that he may warn them, so
that they will not also fall into torment."
Abraham replied, "They have Moses
and the prophets; they should listen to them."
But
the Rich Man said, "No, Father Abraham; but if someone goes
to them from the dead, they will change their ways."
And
Abraham replied, "If they do not listen to Moses and
the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from
the dead."
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