Abraham: Here am I, my son.
Isaac: My father, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt-offering?
Abraham: O my son, God will provide the sacrifice. (Bends over him.) O my son, before thou wert born I longed for thee, and since thou wast a little lad I have loved thee with a greater love than I have given my God. Now I am punished. For the Lord hath commanded me, saying: "Take thou thine son, thine only son whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and offer him up for a burnt-offering upon the mountains." O my son, I shall do even as the Lord hath commanded me, for all his ways are perfect. Fare thee well. (He embraces him.)
Isaac (fearfully): Father—father—I—I fear—
Abraham: Kneel thou upon the wood.
(Isaac kneels; Abraham raises his knife to slay; a voice calls from distance.)
Voice of Messenger: Abraham! Abraham!
Isaac: Hark, O my father! A voice calls, "Abraham."
Abraham (with knife still raised): Here am I, Lord!
(The Messenger enters and stays Abraham's hand.)