16. For yet worse evils than those which you have seen happen shall be done hereafter.
17. For look, how much the world shall be weaker through age, so much the more shall evils increase upon them that dwell therein.
18. For the truth shall withdraw itself further off, and leasing be hard at hand: for now hastens the eagle to come, which you saw in vision.
19. Then answered I and said, I will speak before you, O Lord.
20. Behold, I will go, as you have commanded me, and reprove the people that now be: but they that shall be born afterward, who shall admonish them? for the world is set in darkness, and they that dwell therein are without light.
21. For your law is burned, therefore no man knows the things that are done of you, or the works that shall be done.
22. But if I have found favor before you, send the Holy Spirit to me, and I shall write all that has been done in the world since the beginning, even the things that were written in your law, that men may be able to find the path, and that they which would live in the latter days may live.
23. And he answered me and said, Go your way, gather the people together, and say to them, that they seek you not for forty days.
24. But look you prepare you many tablets, and take with you Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel, these five, which are ready to write swiftly;
25. and come here, and I shall light a lamp of understanding in your heart, which shall not be put out, till the things be ended which you shall write.
26. And when you have done, some things shall you publish openly, and some things shall you deliver in secret to the wise: tomorrow this hour shall you begin to write.
27. Then went I forth, as he commanded me, and gathered all the people together, and said,
28. Hear these words, O Israel.