“Now in the second vision you saw her standing with a youthful countenance, and more joyful than before; still she had the skin and hair of an aged woman. Hear,” said he, “this parable also. When one becomes somewhat old, he despairs of himself on account of his weakness and poverty, and looks forward to nothing but the last day of his life. Then suddenly an inheritance is left him; and hearing of this, he rises up, and becoming exceeding joyful, he puts on strength. And now he no longer reclines, but stands up; and his spirit, already destroyed by his previous actions, is renewed,[1609] and he no longer sits, but acts with vigour. So happened it with you on hearing the revelation which God gave you. For the Lord had compassion on you, and renewed your spirit, and ye laid aside your infirmities. Vigour arose within you, and ye grew strong in faith; and the Lord[1610] seeing your strength, rejoiced. On this account He showed you the building of the tower; and He will show you other things, if you continue at peace with each other with all your heart.” CHAP. XIII. “Now, in the third vision, you saw her still younger, and she was noble and joyful, and her shape was beautiful.[1611] For, just as when some good news comes suddenly to one who is sad, immediately he forgets his former sorrows, and looks for nothing else than the good news which he has heard, and for the future is made strong for good, and his spirit is renewed on account of the joy which he has received; so ye also have received the renewal of your spirits by seeing these good things. As to your seeing her sitting on a seat, that means that her position is one of strength, for a seat has four feet and stands firmly. For the world also is kept together by means of four elements. Those, therefore, who repent completely and with the whole heart, will become young and firmly established. You now have the revelation completely given you. Make no further demands for revelations. If anything ought to be revealed, it will be revealed to you.” Footnote 1587: _Fifth._ Sixth.—_Vat._ Footnote 1588: _My elders._ Perhaps the translation should be: the presbyter. Footnote 1589: _Others had been made too short_, not in Vat. Footnote 1590: _That ... glory._ And that they may be made more joyful, and, hearing this, may greatly glorify the Lord.—_Vat._ Footnote 1591: _God._ Lord.—_Vat._ Footnote 1592: I said to you before, that you were cunning, diligently inquiring in regard to the Scriptures.—_Vat._ You are cunning in regard to the Scriptures.—_Lips._ In some of the MSS. of the common Latin version “structures” is read instead of “Scriptures.” Footnote 1593: _The Lord._ God.—_Vat._ Footnote 1594: _The building._ When therefore the building of the tower is finished, all.—_Vat._ Footnote 1595: _Not because you are better._ Are you better?—_Vat._ Footnote 1596: