But, taking off her mourning garment and washing her head, she dressed in finery, and at the ninth hour she went down to walk in the garden. She saw there a laurel, sat in its shade and prayed to the Lord, saying: 'God of our fathers, bless me and hear my prayer, just as you opened the womb of Sarah and gave her a son, Isaac.'
2And, turning her eyes to heaven, she saw in the laurel a nest of sparrows and exclaimed, lamenting: 'Woe is me, who gave me life? What womb was it that produced me? Because I was born to be cursed before the children of Israel, blasphemed and mocked and repudiated in the temple of my God.'
3'Woe is me! To whom am I comparable? Not even to the birds of heaven, because the birds of heaven are fruitful before you, Lord.'
4'Woe is me! To whom am I comparable? Not even to the animals of the earth, because they too are fertile before you, Lord.'
5'Woe is me! To whom do I compare myself? Not even to this earth, because it too is fruitful, giving its fruits in due season, and blesses you, Lord.'