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.
44. During those thirty years I prayed every day and every hour, day and night, to God Most High for a child.
45. After thirty years God answered my prayer; he saw my suffering, took away my distress, and gave me a son. What great joy this brought to my husband and me and to all our neighbours! We sang the praises of the Almighty.
46. I brought our son up with the greatest care,
47. and when he was grown, I chose a wife for him and prepared for the wedding.