2 Esdras 9:32-42

32 But our fathers who received the law kept it not, and observed not Thy ordinances; and though the fruit of Thy law did not perish--neither could it, for it was Thine--
33 yet those who received it perished, because they kept not the thing that was sown in them.
34 And lo, it is a custom: when the ground hath received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, having perished wherein it was sown or cast into,
35 that thing also, which was sown or cast therein or received, doth perish and remaineth not with us; but with us it hath not happened so.
36 For we who have received the law perish by sin, and our heart also which received it.
37 Notwithstanding, the law perisheth not, but remaineth in his force."
38 And when I spoke these things in my heart, I looked back with mine eyes, and upon the right side I saw a woman; and behold, she mourned and wept with a loud voice, and was much grieved at heart, and her clothes were rent, and she had ashes upon her head.
39 Then let I my thoughts go that were in me, and turned unto her
40 and said unto her "Why weepest thou? Why art thou so grieved in thy mind?"
41 And she said unto me, "Sir, let me alone, that I may bewail myself and add unto my sorrow, for I am sore vexed in my mind and brought very low."
42 And I said unto her, "What aileth thee? Tell me."
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.