17
For look how much the world shall be weaker through age, so much the more shall evils increase upon them that dwell therein.
18
For the time is fled far away, and leasing is hard at hand: for now hasteth the vision to come, which thou hast seen.
19
Then answered I before thee, and said,
20
Behold, Lord, I will go, as thou hast commanded me, and reprove the people which are present: but they that shall be born afterward, who shall admonish them? thus the world is set in darkness, and they that dwell therein are without light.
21
For thy law is burnt, therefore no man knoweth the things that are done of thee, or the work that shall begin.
22
But if I have found grace before thee, send the Holy Ghost into me, and I shall write all that hath been done in the world since the beginning, which were written in thy law, that men may find thy path, and that they which will live in the latter days may live.
23
And he answered me, saying, Go thy way, gather the people together, and say unto them, that they seek thee not for forty days.
24
But look thou prepare thee many box trees, and take with thee Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ecanus, and Asiel, these five which are ready to write swiftly;
25
And come hither, and I shall light a candle of understanding in thine heart, which shall not be put out, till the things be performed which thou shalt begin to write.
26
And when thou hast done, some things shalt thou publish, and some things shalt thou shew secretly to the wise: to morrow this hour shalt thou begin to write.
27
Then went I forth, as he commanded, and gathered all the people together, and said,