1 I said to him, “Sir, tell me what this tree is. I am puzzled about it, because, although so many branches were cut off, the tree is sound, and nothing appears to have been cut from it; so I am perplexed about it.” 2 “Listen,” he said, “this great tree that overshadows plains and mountains and all the earth is the law of God given to the whole world; and this law is the Son of God proclaimed to the ends of the earth. But the people who are under its shadow are those who heard the preaching and believed in Him. 3 And the great and glorious angel is Michael, who has power over these people and is their leader. For he is the one who places the law in the hearts of believers; that is why he examines those to whom he gave it, to see if they have followed it.⁠a 4 But you see each person’s rods; for the rods are the law. You see many rods made useless, and you will recognize all those who have not followed the law, and you will see each person’s place in turn.” 5 I said to him, “Then why, Sir, did he send some into the tower, and leave others for you?” “Those who violated the law they received from him,” he said, “he left under my authority for repentance; but those who satisfied the law and kept it he keeps under his own authority.” 6 “Then who,” I said, “are those who have been crowned and gone into the tower?” “All who fought the devil and overcame him in their struggle,” he said, “are crowned: these are the ones who suffered for the law. 7 But the others, who likewise returned their rods green and with shoots, though not bearing fruit, are those who were persecuted for the law, but did not suffer to the point of death, and did not deny their law. 8 But those who returned them green just as they received them are upright and righteous people, who always walked with a pure heart and have kept the Lord’s commandments. You will learn everything else when I have examined the rods that were planted and watered.”