“O my young friend!
“Thy letter which beareth grievous tidings hath just come to my hand from a Phœnician ship which hath arrived from Cæsarea.
“We before have had good report from Saulus, and our hearts are bruised by this evil which hath befallen him.
“O daughter of Israel! We are comforted that he is so tenderly ministered unto, and we beseech the God of our fathers that his life may be spared. His mother and Rebecca are sorely distressed and bowed down, for their love for him is exceeding great.
“Saulus! my son! my son! How do the uncircumcised and heathen triumph! Our people are afflicted, and our groaning ascendeth to the ears of Jehovah!
“O friend of my son! My soul is cast down within me! How long, O Lord, shall the wicked prevail? Shall he blaspheme thy name forever? The evil doers boast themselves, and the righteous are ill requited!
“But, O my Cassia! I will cease lamentation. Peradventure the chosen of the Lord will live, and his horn be exalted, and his desire exercised upon his enemies.
“ ‘Let them be confounded and perish that contemn the counsel of the Most High!’
“ ‘With his mighty arm will he yet set up the godly, and establish him forever!’
“ ‘Sing unto the Lord, and declare his glory among the nations!’