Chapter 126: Parable of the place in battle

1 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 2 When thou art bidden of any man to join a battle, rush not to the point; lest a hoard overrun thou before ye are ready; 3 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Join the battle; and thou begin with shame to fight at the back of the line. 4  But when thou art ready, go and fight near the head; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, thy considered strategy has put down many of the risen. 5 For whosoever exalteth himself shall fall; and he that humbleth himself shall be prepared.

6 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a defense or a hunting party, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy proud neighbours; lest they protect thy life or you their own, and lose sight of the battle. 7 But when thou makest a pact of war, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 8 And thou shalt be blessed; for they know what can be lost: and thou shalt be recompensed by the fierce strikes of the just.

9 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall break bread in the army of God.