Глава 42

Then the princes and the people all together ask the Prophet, saying the following: Jer.42:2. Let our mercy 20 fall before your face, and pray for us to the Lord your God for those who remain: for there are few left from many, for your eyes see us. (Jer.42:3). “And may the Lord God tell us your way, so let us go, and the word we will create.” Although they rightly ask and want to know what to do; however, according to custom, they do not obey and resist God’s laws. The Prophet promised to pray and inform what would be commanded; and they promised to obey in everything, and they confirmed their promise with an oath. For they say: Jer.42:5. May the Lord listen to us truthfully and faithfully, as according to the word, if the Lord God sends to us, we will do so.” Jer.42:6. Whether there is good or evil, the voice of our Lord, we send you to Him, let us listen, so that it will be better for us, as if we listen to the voice of the Lord our God. These words are full of piety; but actions do not agree with words. After ten days, the Prophet received an answer; and the slowness of the answer, I think, was done for the benefit of those asking, so that they knew that God barely accepted the prayer of the Prophet. Therefore, the Prophet himself says that God commanded them to remain in this land, saying: I will grant you every care for you. Jer.42:10. And I will build you, and not destroy you, and I will plant you, and not pluck you out, for I have ceased from the evils that rekh "do to you". Rejects fear and commands to be trustworthy. For he says: Jer.42:11. Do not be afraid on behalf of the king of Babylon; you are afraid of him on his behalf, for I am with you to deliver you and save you from his hand. He even promises return to those who have become prisoners. If you resist My words, says God, and move to Egypt, trying to avoid enemies through this, then I will send the enemies you fear there too. For he says: Jer.42:16. And it will be, the sword, you are afraid of it because of it there “you will find” in the land of Egypt, “and” again “the famine from which you will receive salvation” will visit you in that land. And having spoken about seven in more detail, he adds the following: Jeremiah 42:18. Just as My wrath has heaped up on those who live in Jerusalem, so will My wrath be heaped up on you who entered into Egypt: and you will be impenetrable, and a curse, and a reproach, and no one will see this place. God showed the greatness of His power as far as it is possible for people to see; because he called the disasters to which he subjected the Jews “drops of wrath,” that is, punitive force. Then the Prophet reminds them of their promises and oaths. For he says: (Jer.42:20). You sent “me to the Lord your God, saying: pray for us to the Lord” our God, “and according to everything the Lord our God commands you, so tell us, and we will do it.” (Jer.42:21). “And I will tell you this day, and you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God in everything, his messenger to you.” (Jer.42:22). “And now know that by sword and famine and pestilence you will perish in this place, where you do not want to live there.” What you try to avoid, you will find in Egypt. According to the Slavic translation: “our prayer.”