Chapter 5
1But Abimelech took the figs in the burning heat; and coming upon a tree, he sat under its shade to rest a bit.
2And leaning his head on the basket of figs, he fell asleep and slept for 66 years; and he was not awakened from his slumber.
3And afterward, when he awoke from his sleep, he said: I slept sweetly for a little while, but my head is heavy because I did not get enough sleep.
4Then he uncovered the basket of figs and found them dripping milk.
5And he said: I would like to sleep a little longer, because my head is heavy. But I am afraid that I might fall asleep and be late in awakening and my father Jeremiah would think badly of me; for if he were not in a hurry, he would not have sent me today at daybreak.
6So I will get up, and proceed in the burning heat; for isn't there heat, isn't there toil every day?
7So he got up and took the basket of figs and placed it on his shoulders, and he entered into Jerusalem and did not recognize it -- neither his own house, nor the place -- nor did he find his own family or any of his acquaintances.
8And he said: The Lord be blessed, for a great trance has come over me today!
9This is not the city Jerusalem -- and I have lost my way because I came by the mountain road when I arose from my sleep; and since my head was heavy because I did not get enough sleep, I lost my way.
10It will seem incredible to Jeremiah that I lost my way!
11And he departed from the city; and as he searched he saw the landmarks of the city, and he said: Indeed, this is the city; I lost my way.
12And again he returned to the city and searched, and found no one of his own people; and he said: The Lord be blessed, for a great trance has come over me!
13And again he departed from the city, and he stayed there grieving, not knowing where he should go.
14And he put down the basket, saying: I will sit here until the Lord takes this trance from me.
15And as he sat, he saw an old man coming from the field; and Abimelech said to him: I say to you, old man, what city is this?
16And he said to him: It is Jerusalem.
17And Abimelech said to him: Where is Jeremiah the priest, and Baruch the secretary, and all the people of this city, for I could not find them?
18And the old man said to him: Are you not from this city, seeing that you remember Jeremiah today, because you are asking about him after such a long time?
19For Jeremiah is in Babylon with the people; for they were taken captive by king Nebuchadnezzar, and Jeremiah is with them to preach the good news to them and to teach them the word.
20As soon as Abimelech heard this from the old man, he said: If you were not an old man, and if it were not for the fact that it is not lawful for a man to upbraid one older than himself, I would laugh at you and say that you are out of your mind -- since you say that the people have been taken captive into Babylon.
21Even if the heavenly torrents had descended on them, there has not yet been time for them to go into Babylon!
22For how much time has passed since my father Jeremiah sent me to the estate of Agrippa to bring a few figs, so that I might give them to the sick among the people?
23And I went and got them, and when I came to a certain tree in the burning heat, I sat to rest a little; and I leaned my head on the basket and fell asleep.
24And when I awoke I uncovered the basket of figs, supposing that I was late; and I found the figs dripping milk, just as I had collected them.
25But you claim that the people have been taken captive into Babylon.
26But that you might know, take the figs and see!
27And he uncovered the basket of figs for the old man, and he saw them dripping milk.
28And when the old man saw them, he said: O my son, you are a righteous man, and God did not want you to see the desolation of the city, so he brought this trance upon you.
29For behold it is 66 years today since the people were taken captive into Babylon.
30But that you might learn, my son, that what I tell you is true -- look into the field and see that the ripening of the crops has not appeared.
31And notice that the figs are not in season, and be enlightened.
32Then Abimelech cried out in a loud voice, saying: I bless you, God of heaven and earth, the Rest of the souls of the righteous in every place!
33Then he said to the old man: What month is this?
34And he said: Nisan (which is Abib).
35And taking some of figs, he gave them to the old man and said to him: May God illumine your way to the city above, Jerusalem.