Then the angel guarding the sheep said to the people: 'Present the sticks you received.'

2And they presented them. And as he received them, he examined each of the sticks. And some of the sticks he found dry and, so to speak, eaten by worms. The angel ordered those who presented such sticks to stand apart.

3And others presented dry sticks, but they were not eaten by worms. The angel ordered these also to stand apart.

4And others presented half-dry sticks; these also stood apart. And others presented sticks half-dry and having cracks; these also stood apart.

5And others presented sticks that were green and having cracks; these also stood apart. And others presented sticks half green and half dry; these also stood apart.

6And others brought their sticks two-thirds green and one-third dry; these also stood apart. And others brought their sticks two-thirds dry and one-third green; these also stood apart.

7And others presented their sticks almost all green, but a very small part of them was dry, and they had cracks; these also stood apart.

8And others brought their sticks green, just as they had received them from the angel. And the majority of the crowd presented such sticks; and the angel rejoiced exceedingly with these; these also stood apart.

9And others presented their sticks green and having shoots; these also stood apart. And over these also the angel rejoiced exceedingly.

10And others presented their sticks green and having shoots, and the shoots had, so to speak, some fruit. And the men whose sticks were found such were exceedingly joyful; and the angel exulted over them, and the shepherd was also very joyful over them.