16
And in the second night it came to pass that Phaltiel, the captain of the people, came unto me, saying, "Where hast thou been? And why is thy countenance so heavy?
17
Knowest thou not that Israel is committed unto thee in the land of their captivity?
18
Up then and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd who leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves."
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Then said I unto him, "Go thy way from me, and come not nigh me." And he heard what I said, and went from me.
20
And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, as Uriel the angel commanded me.
21
And after seven days, so it was that the thoughts of my heart were very grievous unto me again.
22
And my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began to talk with the Most High again,
23
and said, "O Lord who bearest rule, of every wood of the earth and of all the trees thereof Thou hast chosen Thee only one vine,
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and of all lands of the whole world Thou hast chosen Thee one pit, and of all the flowers thereof one lily,
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and from all the depths of the sea Thou hast filled Thee one river, and of all builded cities Thou hast hallowed Zion unto Thyself,
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and of all the fowls that are created Thou hast named Thee one dove, and of all the flocks that are made Thou hast provided Thee one sheep,