2 Esdras 5:18

18 Rise therefore and eat some bread, so that you may not forsake us, like a shepherd who leaves his flock in the power of cruel wolves."

2 Esdras 5:18 In-Context

16 Now on the second night Phaltiel, a chief of the people, came to me and said, "Where have you been? And why is your face sad?

17 Or do you not know that Israel has been entrusted to you in the land of their exile?

18 Rise therefore and eat some bread, so that you may not forsake us, like a shepherd who leaves his flock in the power of cruel wolves."

19 Then I said to him, "Depart from me and do not come near me for seven days, and then you may come to me." He heard what I said and left me.

20 So I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, as Uriel the angel had commanded me.