Chapter IX.
How Jezebel, who is greed, promises to rich people the possession that they desire against justice.
41. But what shall I say, lest you delay generosity? Would that you would not hasten to plunder: would that you would not extort what you desire: would that you would not seek what belongs to others, neglect what is denied, bear patiently what is excused, and not listen to that Jezebel, which is greed, saying with a flood of vanity: I will give you the possession you desire (III Kings 21:7). You are sad, because you want to consider the measure of justice; so as not to snatch away what belongs to others: I have my rights, I have my laws; I will resort to slander so as to plunder; and so that the possession of the poor may be taken away, life will be disturbed.
42. For what else is described in that story, if not the greed of the rich, which is a vain flood that carries away everything like a river and leads to no benefit? This is not one Jezabel, but many: not of one time, but of many times: she speaks to all, just as she spoke to her husband Achab. Rise, eat bread, and return to yourself: I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezraelite.
43. And he wrote a book named Achab, and signed it with his ring, and sent the book to the elders, and to the children who lived with Nabuthe. And it was written in the book: Fast a fast, and set up Nabuthe as the leader of the people, and appoint two men, sons of wickedness from among his people, to bear false witness against him, saying: He blessed God and the king; and bring him forth, and stone him (Ibid., 8 et seq.).