Volume 2

Cure of Lepers 239
step aside. He did in like manner to the second, and so
on even to the fifth and last. They now removed their
masks, uncovered their hands, and the crust of the
leprosy peeled entirely off. Jesus warned them against the
sins by which they had brought upon themselves that
sickness, told them how they should henceforth conduct
themselves, and commanded them not to say anything
about His having cured them. But they replied: HLord,
Thou didst come so suddenly to us! So long have we
hoped for Thee, so long sighed for Thee, and we had no
one to tell Thee of our misery, no one to bring Thee to
us! Lord, Thou didst come to us so unexpectedly! How
can we restrain our joy? How can we be silent about Thy
miracle!" Jesus repeated that they nlust not speak of it
until they had fulfilled the Law. They should show themselves
to the priests that they might see they were clean,
offer the prescribed sacrifices, and perform the prescribed
purifications; then they might proclaim their
cure. At these words the five men again fell on their
knees giving thanks, and then went back to their cells.
Jesus continued His way to the Jordan and there rejoined
the disciples. These five lepers were not closely confined.
There was a certain space marked out for them around
which:.they could go. No one went near them, and it was
only from a distance that anyone spoke to them. Their
food was deposited in a certain place on platters, which
were not used a second time. The lepers broke and
buried them. A new dish of little value was given them
with every fresh supply of food.
Jesus walked with the disciples some distance toward
the Jordan through delightful groves and avenues, and in
a retired spot rested and took some refreshment. After
that they crossed the river in a little boat. Boats of this
kind lay at intervals along the shore for the accommodation
of travellers, who could by that means ferry themselves
over. The workmen, living at different distances