When therefore she had heard that Ozias had promised that he would deliver up the city after the fifth day, she sent to the ancients Chabri and Charmi. 10And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us? 11And who are you that tempt the Lord? 12This is not a word that may draw down mercy, but rather that may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation. 13You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure. 14But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon: 15For God will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man. 16And therefore let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service: 17Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also we may glorify in our humility. 18For we have not followed the sins of our fathers, who forsook their God, and worshipped strange gods. 19For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him. 20Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to disgrace. 21And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they worshipped their God truly. 22They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God. 23So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God, passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful. 24But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord, 25Were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents. 26As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things which we suffer. 27But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for our destruction.