1
Families gathered their goods and prepared for the road.
2
Elders counted households, priests examined genealogies, and leaders arranged the journey.
3
Some remained in Bavel because their lives had become rooted there.
4
Others said, “How can we hear that the way to Tziyon is open and choose not to see it?”
5
The company departed with songs, tears, animals, vessels, children, and the memories of those who had died in exile.