They had been insulting calamity itself.
"Balak!" shouted the soldier, and the crier cried once more, and the procession moved again.
It was the hour of Israel's last temptation.

Not a glance in his face disclosed passion, but his heart was afire.

The devil seemed to be jarring at his ear, "Look! Listen! Is it for people like these that you have come to this?
Were they worth the sacrifice?
You might have been rich and great, and riding on their heads.

They would have honoured you then, but now they despise you.

Fool! You have sold all and given to the poor, and this is the end of it." But in the throes and last gasp of his agony, hearing his voice in his ear, and seeing Naomi going barefooted on the stones before him, an angel seemed to come to him and whisper, "Be strong.