20
But we know no other god; therefore we trust that He will not despise us nor any of our nation.
21
For if we are so taken, all Judea shall lie waste and our sanctuary shall be despoiled, and He will require the profanation thereof at our mouth.
22
And the slaughter of our brethren, and the captivity of the country, and the desolation of our inheritance will He turn upon our heads among the Gentiles, wheresoever we shall be in bondage; and we shall be an offense and a reproach to all those who possess us.
23
For our servitude shall not be directed to favor, but the Lord our God shall turn it to dishonor.
24
"Now therefore, O brethren, let us show an example to our brethren, because their hearts depend upon us, and the sanctuary and the house and the altar rest upon us.
25
Moreover let us give thanks to the Lord our God, who trieth us even as He did our fathers.
26
Remember what things He did to Abraham, and how He tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia in Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother's brother.
27
For He hath not tried us in the fire, as He did them, for the examination of their hearts, neither hath He taken vengeance on us; but the Lord doth scourge those who come near unto Him, to admonish them."
28
Then said Uzziah to her: "All that thou hast spoken hast thou spoken with a good heart, and there is none who may gainsay thy words.
29
For this is not the first day wherein thy wisdom is manifested; but from the beginning of thy days all thy people have known thy understanding, because the disposition of thine heart is good.
30
But the people were very thirsty, and compelled us to do unto them as we have spoken, and to bring an oath upon ourselves, which we will not break.