¹And my son and the elders of the people answered and said unto me: 'Has the Mighty One humiliated us to such a degree As to take you from us quickly?

²And truly we shall be in darkness, And there shall be no light to the people who are left,

³For where again shall we seek the law, Or who will distinguish for us between death and life?'

⁴And I said unto them: 'The throne of the Mighty One I cannot resist; Nevertheless, there shall not be wanting to Israel a wise man Nor a son of the law to the race of Jacob.

⁵But only prepare you thy hearts, that you may obey the law, And be subject to those who in fear are wise and understanding; And prepare thy souls that you may not depart from them.

⁶For if thou dost these things, Good tidings shall come unto you. 7 [Which I before told thee of; nor shall you fall into the torment, of which I testified unto thee before.'

⁷But with regard to the word that I was to be taken I did not make (it) known to them or to my son.]