The Holy Scripture
Chapter XXXI
And it came to pass after these things: that I went to the people and said unto them: 'Assemble unto me all your elders and I will speak words unto them.'
And they all assembled in the valley of the Kidron.
And I answered and said unto them: Hear, O Israel, and I will speak to you, And give ear, O seed of Jacob, and I will instruct you.
Forget not Zion, But hold in remembrance the anguish of Jerusalem.
For lo! the days come, When everything that is shall become the prey of corruption And be as though it had not been. Chapter 32 1 'But as for you, if you prepare your hearts, so as to sow in them the fruits of the law, it shall protect you in that time in which the Mighty One is to shake the whole creation. 2 [Because after a little time the building of Zion will be shaken in order that it may be built again. 3 But that building will not remain, but will again after a time be rooted out, and will remain desolate until the time. 4 And afterwards it must be renewed in glory, and perfected for evermore.] 5 Therefore we should not be distressed so much over the evil which has now come as over that which is still to be. 6 For there will be a greater trial than these two tribulations when the Mighty One will renew His creation. 7 And now do not draw near to me for a few days, nor seek me till I come to you.' 8 And it came to pass when I had spoken to them all these words, that I, Baruch, went my way, and when the people saw me setting out, they lifted up their voice and lamented and said: 9 To where are you departing from us, Baruch, and are you forsaking us as a father who forsakes his orphan children, and departs from them? Chapter 33 1 'Are these the commands which your companion, Jeremiah the prophet, commanded you, and said unto you: 2 "Look to this people till I go and make ready the rest of the brethren in Babylon against whom has gone forth the sentence that they should be led into captivity"? 3 And now if you also forsake us, it were good for us all to die before you, and then that you should withdraw from us.' 34-35. Lament of Baruch