Why should we and our land perish before your very eyes? Take us and our land in exchange for food, and we will become Pharaoh’s slaves and our land his property; only give us seed, that we may survive and not perish, and that our land may not turn into a waste.”
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand be idle: For you do not know which of the two will be successful, or whether both alike will turn out well. Poem on Youth and Old Age.
Yet just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats,
“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the reward of loyalty; Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord, till he comes and rains justice upon you.”
for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.