2 Esdras 5:17-19

Revised Standard Version

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.