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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.