Jesus and Ashbina visit Babylon and remark its desolation. The two masters remain in company seven days; then Jesus resumes his homeward journey. Arrives in Nazareth. His mother gives a feast in his honor. His brothers are displeased. Jesus tells his mother and aunt the story of his journeys.
The ruined Babylon was near, and Jesus and the sage went through her gates and walked among her fallen palaces.
2 They trod the streets where Israel once was held in base captivity.
3 They saw where Judah’s sons and daughters hung their harps upon the willows, and refused to sing.
4 They saw where Daniel and the Hebrew children stood as living witnesses of faith.
5 And Jesus lifted up his hands and said, Behold the grandeur of the works of man!
6 The king of Babylon destroyed the temple of the Lord in old Jerusalem; he burned the holy city, bound in chains my people and my kin, and brought them here as slaves.
7 But retribution comes; for whatsoever men shall do to other men the righteous Judge will do to them.
8 The sun of Babylon has gone down; the songs of pleasure will be heard no more within her walls.
9 And every kind of creeping thing and unclean bird will, in these ruins, find their homes.