38
When I said these things in my heart, I looked around, and on my right I saw a woman; she was mourning and weeping with a loud voice, and was deeply grieved at heart; her clothes were torn, and there were ashes on her head.
39
Then I dismissed the thoughts with which I had been engaged, and turned to her
40
and said to her, "Why are you weeping, and why are you grieved at heart?"
41
She said to me, "Let me alone, my lord, so that I may weep for myself and continue to mourn, for I am greatly embittered in spirit and deeply distressed."
42
I said to her, "What has happened to you? Tell me."
43
And she said to me, "Your servant was barren and had no child, though I lived with my husband for thirty years.
44
Every hour and every day during those thirty years I prayed to the Most High, night and day.
45
And after thirty years God heard your servant, and looked upon my low estate, and considered my distress, and gave me a son. I rejoiced greatly over him, I and my husband and all my neighbors; and we gave great glory to the Mighty One.
46
And I brought him up with much care.
47
So when he grew up and I came to take a wife for him, I set a day for the marriage feast.