2 Esdras 5:14-20

Common English Bible

¹⁴ I awoke, my body shuddered greatly, and my spirit labored so that it fainted. ¹⁵ The angel who came and talked to me held me, comforted me, and set me on my feet.

¹⁶ On the second night, Phaltiel a leader of the people came to me and said, “Where were you, and why is your face sad? ¹⁷ Don’t you realize that Israel has been entrusted to you while it is in exile in this land? ¹⁸ Arise then, and take some food so that you may not abandon us like a shepherd who leaves his flock in the power of cruel wolves.”

¹⁹ I said to him, “Leave me and don’t come near me again for seven days. After that, you will come to me.” He heard how I spoke and withdrew from me.

Second dialogue

²⁰ I didn’t eat food for seven days, wailing and weeping, as the angel Uriel had commanded me.