2 Esdras 10:22-24

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

²² our harp has been laid low, our song has been silenced, and our rejoicing has been ended; the light of our lampstand has been put out, the ark of our covenant has been plundered, our holy things have been polluted, and the name by which we are called has been almost profaned; our children^[a] have suffered abuse, our priests have been burned to death, our Levites have gone into exile, our virgins have been defiled, and our wives have been ravished; our righteous men^[b] have been carried off, our little ones have been cast out, our young men have been enslaved and our strong men made powerless. ²³ And, worst of all, the seal of Zion has been deprived of its glory, and given over into the hands of those that hate us. ²⁴ Therefore shake off your great sadness and lay aside your many sorrows, so that the Mighty One may be merciful to you again, and the Most High may give you rest, a respite from your troubles.’