32. Our ancestors received the Law, but they disobeyed its commands. Yet the fruit of the Law was not destroyed — it could not be destroyed because it was yours.
33. Those who had received the Law were destroyed because they did not guard the good seed that was sown in them.
34-35. The usual thing is that the container remains after its contents have been destroyed, for example, seed in the ground, a ship on the sea, or food in a bowl. But this is not the case with us sinners.
36. The Law was placed in our hearts, and we are the ones who will be destroyed because we have sinned.
37. The Law will not be destroyed; it will remain in all its glory.”
38. While I was saying these things to myself, I looked round and saw a woman on my right. She was weeping and wailing, terribly upset; her clothes were torn, and there were ashes on her head.
39. I immediately put my own troubles out of my mind, turned to the woman,
40. and asked, “Why are you crying? Why are you so upset?”
41. “Please, sir,” she answered, “leave me alone and let me go on crying and mourning; I am bitter and depressed.”
42. “Tell me what's wrong,” I said.
43. She answered, “Sir, I was married for thirty years, but I was never able to have a child.