28
"Where is the angel Uriel, who came to me at first? For it was he who brought me into this overpowering bewilderment; my end has become corruption, and my prayer a reproach."
29
As I was speaking these words, behold, the angel who had come to me at first came to me, and he looked upon me;
30
and behold, I lay there like a corpse and I was deprived of my understanding. Then he grasped my right hand and strengthened me and set me on my feet, and said to me,
31
"What is the matter with you? And why are you troubled? And why are your understanding and the thoughts of your mind troubled?"
32
I said, "Because you have forsaken me! I did as you directed, and went out into the field, and behold, I saw, and still see, what I am unable to explain."
33
He said to me, "Stand up like a man, and I will instruct you."
34
I said, "Speak, my lord; only do not forsake me, lest I die before my time.
35
For I have seen what I did not know, and I have heard what I do not understand.
36
Or is my mind deceived, and my soul dreaming?
37
Now therefore I entreat you to give your servant an explanation of this bewildering vision."
38
He answered me and said, "Listen to me and I will inform you, and tell you about the things which you fear, for the Most High has revealed many secrets to you.
39
For he has seen your righteous conduct, that you have sorrowed continually for your people, and mourned greatly over Zion.
40
This therefore is the meaning of the vision.
41
The woman who appeared to you a little while ago, whom you saw mourning and began to console --
42
but you do not now see the form of a woman, but an established city has appeared to you --
43
and as for her telling you about the misfortune of her son, this is the interpretation:
44
This woman whom you saw, whom you now behold as an established city, is Zion.
45
And as for her telling you that she was barren for thirty years, it is because there were three thousand years in the world before any offering was offered in it.
46
And after three thousand years Solomon built the city, and offered offerings; then it was that the barren woman bore a son.
47
And as for her telling you that she brought him up with much care, that was the period of residence in Jerusalem.
48
And as for her saying to you , `When my son entered his wedding chamber he died,' and that misfortune had overtaken her, that was the destruction which befell Jerusalem.
49
And behold, you saw her likeness, how she mourned for her son, and you began to console her for what had happened.
50
For now the Most High, seeing that you are sincerely grieved and profoundly distressed for her, has shown you the brilliance of her glory, and the loveliness of her beauty.
51
Therefore I told you to remain in the field where no house had been built,
52
for I knew that the Most High would reveal these things to you.
53
Therefore I told you to go into the field where there was no foundation of any building,
54
for no work of man's building could endure in a place where the city of the Most High was to be revealed.
55
"Therefore do not be afraid, and do not let your heart be terrified; but go in and see the splendor and vastness of the building, as far as it is possible for your eyes to see it,
56
and afterward you will hear as much as your ears can hear.
57
For you are more blessed than many, and you have been called before the Most High, as but few have been.
58
But tomorrow night you shall remain here,