f envy, to give
order that I should be slain: my father earnestly pressed me also in his
letter to come to him, for that he longed to see his son before he died.
I informed my friends of these things, and that in three days' time I
should leave the country, and go home. Upon hearing this, they were all
very sorry, and desired me, with tears in their eyes, not to leave them
to be destroyed; for so they thought they should be, if I were deprived
of the command over them: but as I did not grant their request, but was
taking care of my own safety, the Galileans, out of their dread of the
consequence of my departure, that they should then be at the mercy
of the robbers, sent messengers over all Galilee to inform them of my
resolution to leave them. Whereupon, as soon as they heard it, they
got together in great numbers, from all parts, with their wives and
children; and this they did, as it appeared to me, not more out of their
affection to me, than out of their fear on their own account; for while
I staid with them, they supposed that they should suffer no harm. So
they all came into the great plain, wherein I lived, the name of which
was Asochis.

42. But wonderful it was what a dream I saw that very night; for when I
had betaken myself to my bed, as grieved and disturbed at the news that
had been written to me, it seemed to me, that a certain person stood by
me, [18] and said, "O Josephus! leave off to afflict thy soul, and
put away all fear; for what now grieves thee will render thee very
considerable, and in all respects most happy; for thou shalt get over
not only these difficulties, but many others, with great success.
However, be not cast down, but remember that thou art to fight with the
Romans." When I had seen this dream, I got up with an intention of going
down to the plain. Now, when the whole multitude of the Galileans, among
whom were the women and children, saw me, they threw themselves down
upon their faces, and, with tears in their eyes, besought me not to
leave them exposed to their enemies, nor to go away and permit their
country to be injured by them. But when I did not comply, with their
entreaties, they compelled me to take an oath, that I would stay
with them: they also cast abundance of reproaches upon the people of
Jerusalem, that they would not let their country enjoy peace.

43. When I heard this, and saw what sorrow the people were in, I was
moved with compassion to them, and thought it became m