17. And he answered me, saying, Like as the field is, so also the seed; and as the flowers be, such are the colors also; and such as the work is, such also is the judgement thereon; and as is the husbandman, so is his threshing floor also. For there was a time in the world,
18. even then when I was preparing for them that now live, before the world was made for them to dwell in; and then no man spoke against me,
19. for there was not any: but now they which are created in this world that is prepared, both with a table that fails not, and a law which is unsearchable, are corrupted in their manners.
20. So I considered my world, and, behold, it was destroyed, and my earth, and, behold, it was in peril, because of the devices that were come into it.
21. And I saw, and spared them, but not greatly, and saved me a grape out of a cluster, and a plant out of a great forest.
22. Let the multitude perish then, which was born in vain; and let my grape be saved, and my plant; for with great labor have I made them perfect.
23. Nevertheless if you will cease yet seven days more, (howbeit you shall not fast in them,
24. but shall go into a field of flowers, where no house is builded, and eat only of the flowers of the field; and you shall taste no flesh, and shall drink no wine, but shall eat flowers only;)
25. and pray to the Most High continually, then will I come and talk with you.
26. So I went my way, like as he commanded me, into the field which is called Ardat; and there I sat among the flowers, and did eat of the herbs of the field, and the meat of the same satisfied me.
27. And it came to pass after seven days that I lay upon the grass, and my heart was vexed again, like as before:
28. and my mouth was opened, and I began to speak before the Lord Most High, and said,
29. O Lord, you did show yourself among us, to our fathers in the wilderness, when they went forth out of Egypt, and when they came into the wilderness, where no man treadeth and that bears no fruit;
30. and you did say, Hear me, you Israel; and mark my words, O seed of Jacob.
31. For, behold, I sow my law in you, and it shall bring forth fruit in you, and you⌃ shall be glorified in it for ever.
32. But our fathers, which received the law, kept it not, and observed not the statutes: and the fruit of the law did not perish, neither could it, for it was your;