40
And it came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and I had not come again into the city, they gathered them all together, from the least unto the greatest, and came unto me and said,
41
"How have we offended thee? And what evil have we done against thee, that thou forsakest us and sittest here in this place?
42
For of all the prophets thou only art left to us, as a cluster of the vintage, and as a candle in a dark place, and as a haven or ship preserved from the tempest.
43
Are not the evils which have come to us sufficient?
44
If thou shalt forsake us, how much better had it been for us if we also had been burned in the midst of Zion?
45
For we are not better than those who died there." And they wept with a loud voice. Then answered I them and said,
46
"Be of good comfort, O Israel; and be not heavy, thou house of Jacob.Œ
47
For the Highest hath you in remembrance, and the Mighty hath not forgotten you in temptation.
48
As for me, I have not forsaken you, neither have I departed from you, but have come into this place to pray for the desolation of Zion, and that I might seek mercy for the low estate of your sanctuary.
49
And now go your way home every man, and after these days will I come unto you."
50
So the people went their way into the city, as I commanded them.