43. Rightly, then, is it said:
“Who shall entreat for him?” It implies that it must
be such an one as Moses to offer himself for those who sin, or such as
Jeremiah, who, though the Lord said to him, “Pray not thou for
this people,” Jer. vii. 16. and yet he
prayed and obtained their forgiveness. For at the intercession of
the prophet, and the entreaty of so great a seer, the Lord was moved
and said to Jerusalem, which had meanwhile repented for its sins, and
had said: “O Almighty Lord God of Israel, the soul in
anguish, and the troubled spirit crieth unto Thee, hear, O Lord, and
have mercy.” Bar. iii. 1, 2. And the
Lord bids them lay aside the garments of mourning, and to cease the
groanings of repentance, saying: “Put off, O Jerusalem, the
garment of thy mourning and affliction. and clothe thyself in beauty,
the glory which God hath given thee for ever.” Bar. v. 1.