2 Esdras 5:16-19

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

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?^{(A) 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.”^(B)

¹⁹ Then I said to him, “Go away from me and do not come near me for seven days; then you may come to me.”

He heard what I said and left me.^(C)