2 Esdras 12:40-51
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40 And it came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and I not come again into the city, they gathered them all together, from the least unto the greatest, and came unto me, and said,
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41 What have we offended thee? and what evil have we done against thee, that thou forsakest us, and sittest here in this place?
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42 For of all the prophets thou only art left us, as a cluster of the vintage, and as a candle in a dark place, and as a haven or ship preserved from the tempest.
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43 Are not the evils which are come to us sufficient?
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44 If thou shalt forsake us, how much better had it been for us, if we also had been burned in the midst of Sion?
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45 For we are not better than they that died there. And they wept with a loud voice. Then answered I them, and said,
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46 Be of good comfort, O Israel; and be not heavy, thou house of Jacob:
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47 For the Highest hath you in remembrance, and the Mighty hath not forgotten you in temptation.
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48 As for me, I have not forsaken you, neither am I departed from you: but am come into this place, to pray for the desolation of Sion, and that I might seek mercy for the low estate of your sanctuary.
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49 And now go your way home every man, and after these days will I come unto you.
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50 So the people went their way into the city, like as I commanded them:
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51 But I remained still in the field seven days, as the angel commanded me; and did eat only in those days of the flowers of the field, and had my meat of the herbs