5 “Nevertheless, about the signs, look, the days will come when those who live on earth will be taken with[fn] great amazement, and the way of truth will be hidden, and the land will be barren of faith. 2 Iniquity will be increased above what now you see, and beyond what you’ve heard long ago. 3 The land that you now see ruling will be a trackless waste, and men will see it desolate. 4 But if the Most High grants you to live, you’ll see what’s after the third period will be troubled. The sun will suddenly shine in the night, and the moon in the day. 5 Blood will drop out of wood, and the stone will utter its voice. The peoples will be troubled, and the stars will fall. 6 He’ll rule whom those who live on the earth don’t expect, and the birds will fly away together. 7 The Sodomite sea will throw out fish, and make a noise in the night, which many haven’t known; but all will hear its voice. 8 There’ll also be chaos in many places. Fires will break out often, and the wild animals will change their places, and women will bring forth monsters. 9 Salt waters will be found in the sweet, and all friends will destroy one another. Then reason will hide itself, and understanding withdraw itself into its chamber. 10 It’ll be sought by many, and won’t be found. Unrighteousness and lack of restraint will be multiplied on earth. 11 One country will ask another, ‘Has righteousness, or a man that does righteousness, gone through you?’ And it’ll say, ‘No.’ 12 It’ll happen at that time that men will hope, but won’t obtain. They’ll labour, but their ways won’t prosper. 13 I’m permitted to show you such signs. If you’ll pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days, you’ll hear yet greater things than these.”

14 Then I woke up, and an extreme trembling went through my body, and my mind was so troubled that it fainted. 15 So the angel who’d come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me on my feet.

16 On the second night, Paltiel[fn] the people’s captain came to me, saying, “Where have you been? Why is your face sad? 17 Or don’t you know that Yisrael (Israel) is committed to you in the land of their captivity? 18 Get up then, and eat some bread, and don’t forsake us, like a shepherd who leaves the flock in the power of cruel wolves.”

19 Then I said to him, “Go away from me and don’t come near me for seven days, and then come to me.” He heard what I said and left me.