CHAPTER LIX.
[Of Moab's daughters.]
I wiƚƚ teƚƚ you an ensaumple of Moabis doughtres, the whiche were fuƚƚe of the synne of lecherie; for Balam, that was [fol/col 25b/1] of the fals lawe, toke hem and arraied hem gayly, and sent hem into the oste of the children of Israel, the whiche were the children of God, forto haue made hem synned with these euel women, forto haue God turne ayenst hem. And whanne the women come thus gaily and fresshely into the oste, ther was mani tempted on hem, and dede her foule wiƚƚ with hem. And the prince that had the gouernaunce of the ost lete hem allone, and made as they he hadde take none hede therof, and suffered suche felthe to be done; and God wratthed therwith, and bade Moyses that the princes that had knowlege therof, and suffered suche synne to be done, that they shulde anone be hanged and slayne. And Moyses made crye Goddes biddinge, and it was done, for thei were slaine for the sufferaunce of that foule synne of lechery. And therfor here is an ensaumple that no folke of auctorite shalde suffre no suche synne to be done that they might lette it ; and lete hem be ware that God ponisshe not hem therfor. But there is now a dayes that haue the gouernaunce are gladde that folke are of suche harlottry.