After a few days I saw him in the same plain where I had also seen the shepherds, and he said to me, "What are you looking for?" "I am here, sir," I said, "that you may command the shepherd who punishes to depart from my house, for he afflicts me greatly." "You must be afflicted," he said; "for so the glorious angel commanded concerning you, for he wishes you to be tested." "What have I done, sir," I said, "that is so wicked, that I should be handed over to this angel?"
"Listen," he said: "your sins are many, but not so many that you should be handed over to this angel; but your household has committed great iniquities and sins, and the glorious angel was embittered at their deeds, and for this reason he commanded that you be afflicted for a time, so that they too may repent and cleanse themselves from every desire of this age. When, therefore, they repent and are cleansed, then the angel of punishment will depart from you."
I said to him, "Sir, if they have done such things that the glorious angel was embittered, what have I done?" "They cannot be afflicted in any other way," he said, "unless you, the head of the house, are afflicted; for when you are afflicted they too will of necessity be afflicted, but while you are at ease they can have no affliction."
"But behold, sir," I said, "they have repented with their whole heart." "I too know," he said, "that they have repented with their whole heart; but do you suppose that the sins of those who repent are forgiven at once? Not entirely: rather, the one who repents must torment his own soul, and be deeply humble-minded in his every action, and be afflicted with all sorts of various afflictions; and if he endures the afflictions that come upon him, then surely He who created all things and gave them strength will have compassion, and will grant him some healing—
—and this surely, if He sees the heart of the one who repents pure from every evil thing. But it is profitable for you and your household to be afflicted now. Why should I say much to you? You must be afflicted, just as that angel of the Lord commanded—he who handed you over to me; and for this give thanks to the Lord, that He has counted you worthy to reveal the affliction to you beforehand, so that, foreknowing it, you may endure it bravely."
I said to him, "Sir, be with me, and I shall be able to endure every affliction." "I will be with you," he said; "and I will also ask the angel who punishes to afflict you more lightly; but you shall be afflicted for a short time, and then you shall be restored again to your house. Only continue to be humble-minded and to serve the Lord with a wholly pure heart, you and your children and your household, and walk in the commandments which I command you, and your repentance will be able to be strong and pure—
—and if you keep these together with your household, every affliction will depart from you. And affliction," he said, "will depart from all—as many as walk in these my commandments."