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.
21
And after seven days the thoughts of my heart were very grievous to me again.
22
Then my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began once more to speak words in the presence of the Most High.
23
And I said, "O sovereign Lord, from every forest of the earth and from all its trees thou hast chosen one vine,
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and from all the lands of the world thou hast chosen for thyself one region, and from all the flowers of the world thou hast chosen for thyself one lily,
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and from all the depths of the sea thou hast filled for thyself one river, and from all the cities that have been built thou hast consecrated Zion for thyself,
26
and from all the birds that have been created thou hast named for thyself one dove, and from all the flocks that have been made thou hast provided for thyself one sheep,