2 Esdras 5:16-18

Common English Bible

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.”