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351 b[ Codex. G. 256a].[ Another variant.] The mother ofking Solomon was angry with him for saying" One man outof a thousand have I found, but a woman have I not found."( Eccles. VII, 28). After Ashmedai had thrown the ring intothe sea, Solomon became changed. He had a thousand maidservants and a thousand men. He went to each of themand found them faithless save one servant. He wanderedto another country, and came to the house of Bar Kaparaand asked to be allowed to stay there for three days. Hehad brought jewellery and women's gold ornaments. Thewife of Bar Kapara was in love with a priest. When Solomontempted her, she refused. He asked her for a flask of bestwine and she brought it and he drank a little, made her agift and sealed the flask with the Ineffable Name. In theevening the priest came and she told him what had happened.He upbraided her for not listening to Solomon and for nottaking his property. She then brought the flask of wineand tried to open it but her hand remained stuck to it.The priest then took the flask but his hand stuck as well.They could find no remedy. After three months, Bar Kaparawas advised to take them to Jerusalem, King Solomonhaving regained his throne. The king placed them in theopen courtyard, assembled all the people and called hismother to be present. Then he said," Whichever womanhas not sinned, let her place her hand upon the flask andthe hands will be loosened." Not one came forward. He llevadot 66then asked his mother and she shrank back, rememberingher sin with David. He then asked the men and only thefaithful servant came forward and put his hand upon theflask. They were then released. King Solomon thus provedthe truth of his statement.

352( 14). A pious couple were childless for a long time.The man went to the cemetry and prayed on the tombs ofpious men. Demons came out and promised him a sonon condition that he had him circumcised there by them.The man agreed. On the way home he lost his wayand the same demons appeared and promised to lead him

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