6 And when the ruler asked for proof of his messiahship, and why he went not to the synagogue when he was bidden, Jesus said, 7 I am not slave to any man; I am not called unto this ministry by priest. It is not mine to answer when men call. I come the Christ of God; I answer unto God alone. 8 Who gave you right to ask for proof of my messiahship? My proof lies in my words and works, and so if you will follow me you will not lack for proof. 9 And then the ruler went his way; he asked himself, What manner of a man is this to disregard the ruler of the synagogue? 10 The people of the town came out in throngs to see the Christ, and hear him speak; but Jesus said, 11 A prophet has no honor in his native town, among his kin. 12 I will not speak in Nazareth until the words I speak, and works I do in other towns have won the faith of men, 13 Until men know that God has christed me to manifest eternal love. 14 Good will to you, my kin; I bless you with a boundless love, and I bespeak for you abundant joy and happiness. 15 He said no more, and all the people marveled much because he would not speak in Nazareth. CHAPTER 70. _Jesus and his disciples at a marriage feast in Cana. Jesus speaks on marriage. He turns water into wine. The people are amazed._ In Cana, Galilee, there was a marriage feast, and Mary and her sister Miriam, and Jesus and his six disciples were among the guests. 2 The ruler of the feast had heard that Jesus was a master sent from God, and he requested him to speak. 3 And Jesus said, There is no tie more sacred than the marriage tie. 4 The chain that binds two souls in love is made in heaven, and man can never sever it in twain, 5 The lower passions of the twain may cause a union of the twain, a union as when oil and water meet. 6 And then a priest may forge a chain, and bind the twain. This is not marriage genuine; it is a counterfeit. 7 The twain are guilty of adultery; the priest is party to the crime. And that was all that Jesus said. 8 As Jesus stood apart in silent thought his mother came and said to him, The wine has failed; what shall we do? 9 And Jesus said, Pray what is wine? It is but water with the flavoring of grapes. 10 And what are grapes? They are but certain kinds of thought made manifest, and I can manifest that thought, and water will be wine. 11 He called the servants, and he said to them, Bring in six water pots of stone, a pot for each of these, my followers, and fill them up with water to the brims, 12 The servants brought the water pots, and filled them to their brims. 13 And Jesus with a mighty thought stirred up the ethers till they reached the manifest, and, lo, the water blushed, and turned to wine. 14 The servants took the wine and gave it to the ruler of the feast who called the bridegroom in and said to him,