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thou hast commanded that from the members themselves (that is, from the breasts) milk should be supplied which is the fruit of the breasts,
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so that what has been fashioned may be nourished for a time; and afterwards thou wilt guide him in thy mercy.
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Thou hast brought him up in thy righteousness, and instructed him in thy law, and reproved him in thy wisdom.
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Thou wilt take away his life, for he is thy creation; and thou wilt make him live, for he is thy work.
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If then thou wilt suddenly and quickly destroy him who with so great labor was fashioned by thy command, to what purpose was he made?
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And now I will speak out: About all mankind thou knowest best; but I will speak about thy people, for whom I am grieved,
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and about thy inheritance, for whom I lament, and about Israel, for whom I am sad, and about the seed of Jacob, for whom I am troubled.
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Therefore I will pray before thee for myself and for them, for I see the failings of us who dwell in the land,
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and I have heard of the swiftness of the judgment that is to come.
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Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I will speak before thee." The beginning of the words of Ezra's prayer, before he was taken up. He said:
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"O Lord who inhabitest eternity, whose eyes are exalted and whose upper chambers are in the air,