And my son and the elders of the people answered and said unto me: "Has the Mighty One humiliated us to such a degree as to take thee from us quickly?
And truly we shall be in darkness, and there will be no light to the people who are left.
For where again shall we seek the law, or who will distinguish for us between death and life?"
And I said unto them: "The throne of the Mighty One I cannot resist: nevertheless, there shall not be wanting to Israel a wise man nor a son of the law to the race of Jacob.
But only prepare ye your hearts, that ye may hear the law, and be subject to those who in fear are wise and understanding; and prepare your souls that ye may not depart from them.
For if ye do these things, good tidings will come unto you, which I before told you of; nor will ye fall into the torment, of which I testified to you before." [
But with regard to the word that I was to be taken, I did not make (it) known to them or to my son.]