2 Esdras 5:16-18

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

¹⁶ Now on the second night Phaltiel, a chief of the people, came to me and said, ‘Where have you been? And why is your face sad? 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, and do not forsake us, like a shepherd who leaves the flock in the power of savage wolves.’