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From all the nations of the world, you chose this one nation to be your own, and you gave its people your Law, which is honored by people everywhere.
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"And now, Lord, since all of this is true, why have you dishonored this one people more than all others by handing them over to many nations? Why have you scattered your own people,
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who believed in your covenants? Why have you let them be trampled by people who rejected your promises?
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If you are so angry with your own people, you yourself ought to punish them."
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When I had finished speaking, the angel who had come to me on a previous night was sent to me again.
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He said, "Listen carefully to me, and I will teach you more."
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"Please go on, sir," I said. So he continued, "Are you worried about the people of Israel? Do you think you love them more than God, who made them?"
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"No, sir," I replied. "I spoke as I did because I was so confused and upset. I am always troubled whenever I try to think about the ways of God Most High or to understand even a small part of what he does."
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"You cannot understand!" he answered.
1 And I asked, "Why not, sir? In that case, why was I born? Why didn't I die before I was born? Then I wouldn't have seen the sufferings and troubles of the people of Israel."
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The angel said to me, "I will answer you if you can do the following things: Tell me how many people are yet to be born; collect scattered raindrops for me; make dead flowers bloom again;
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open the rooms where the winds are locked up and make them blow for me; show me the picture of a sound. If you can do these things, I will answer your questions about the sufferings of the people of Israel."