One man had been afflicted by an incurable disease for thirty-eight years, and he had repeatedly visited the pool. Those who pitied his helplessness would bear him to and fro at the time when the waters were supposed to be troubled. But those stronger than himself would rush in before him and seize the opportunity that he coveted. Thus the poor, palsied sufferer waited by the pool day and night, hoping that the favored moment would at length come when he could plunge into the water and be healed. His persistent efforts toward this object, and the doubt and anxiety of his mind, were fast wearing away the poor remnant of his strength. {2SP 157.3}

Der var en mand, som havde lidt af en uhelbredelig sygdom i otte og tredive år, og han havde gentagende gange besøgt dammen. De, som havde medlidenhed med denne hjælpeløse, førte ham hen til dammen på den tid, da man antog, at vandet ville blive oprørt. Men de, som var stærkere end ham, trængte frem for ham og benyttede den anledning, som han længtes efter at benytte. (158) Således ventede denne elendig lamme ved dammen dag og nat og håbede, at det gunstige øjeblik til sidst skulle komme, da han kunne stige ned i vandet og blive helbredt. Hans vedholdende bestræbelser i denne retning og den uvished og ængstelighed, som plagede hans sind, havde næsten fortæret levningerne af hans livskraft.