5. And he said to the others, in my hearing: "Cross through the city after him, and strike! Your eye shall not be lenient, and you shall not take pity.
6. Kill, even to utter destruction, old men, young men, and virgins, little ones, and women. But all upon whom see the Tau, you shall not kill. And begin from my sanctuary." Therefore, they began with the men among the elders, who were before the face of the house.
7. And he said to them: "Defile the house, and fill its courts with the slain! Go forth!" And they went forth and struck down those who were in the city.
8. And when the slaughter was completed, I remained. And I fell upon my face, and crying out, I said: "Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God! Will you now destroy the entire remnant of Israel, by pouring out your fury upon Jerusalem?"
9. And he said to me: "The iniquity of the house of Israel, and of Judah, is vast and exceedingly great, and the land has been filled with blood, and the city has been filled with what is abhorrent. For they have said: 'The Lord has forsaken the earth,' and, 'The Lord does not see.'
10. Therefore, my eye will not be lenient, and I will not take pity. I will repay their own way upon their head."
11. And behold, the man who was clothed with linen, who had a writing instrument at his back, responded a word, saying: "I have done just as you instructed me."