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 that leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves.
19
Then said I unto him, Go thy ways 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, like 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 that bearest rule, of every wood of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, thou hast chosen thee one only vine:
24
And of all lands of the whole world thou hast chosen thee one pit: and of all the flowers thereof one lily:
25
And of all the depths of the sea thou hast filled thee one river: and of all builded cities thou hast hallowed Sion unto thyself:
26
And of all the fowls that are created thou hast named thee one dove: and of all the cattle that are made thou hast provided thee one sheep:
27
And among all the multitudes of people thou hast gotten thee one people: and unto this people, whom thou lovedst, thou gavest a law that is approved of all.