When righteous people came into the world, good comes into the world, and retribution departs from the world. And when they take their leave from the world, retribution comes into the world, and goodness departs from the world. When bad people come into the world, retribution comes into the world, and goodness departs from the world. And when they depart from the world, goodness comes back into the world, and retribution departs from the world. How do we know that, when righteous people come into the world, goodness comes into the world, and retribution departs from the world? Since it is said, and he called him Noah, Saying, this one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands. And how do we know that, when they take their leave of the world, retribution comes into the world and goodness departs from the world? Since it is said, the righteous man perishes and no one lays it to heart, and it says, He enters into peace, they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. He goes in peace. To the grave. And it says, but you, draw near Heather, Sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer, and the harlot. And how do we know that when bad people come into the world, retribution comes into the world and goodness departs from the world? Since it is said, when the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy, reproach. And how do we know that, when he departs from the world, Goodness comes into the world and retribution leaves the world? Since it says, and when the wicked perish, there is exaltation. And it says, so that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion on you. So long as bad people are in the world, fierce anger is in the world. When they perish from the world, retribution and fierce wrath depart from the world. And it is not that the righteous people support the world when they are alive. Only, but even after death, as it says, and after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the Earth. Now what is the meaning of these seven days? These are the seven days of mourning for Methuselah, the righteous man, which held back the retribution from coming upon the world. Therefore, it is said, and after seven days. Another matter: What is the meaning of these seven days? Scripture thereby teaches that the omnipresent gave them seven days after the decree, so that they might repent, but they did not do so. Therefore they said, and after seven days. Another matter: and after seven days - This teaches that the omnipresent changed the order of the world for them, so that the sun came up in the West and set in the East. On that account it is said, and it came to pass after seven days. Another matter: It teaches that the omnipresent gave them food and drink, and they ate and drank, and he showed them a glimpse of the world to come. All this why? So they might understand and perceive and know what it is they had lost. All the time that Abraham was alive, there was plenty, since it says, and Abraham was old, while advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. But once Abraham had died, there was famine in the land. When Isaac came along,⁠a there was plenty, as it is said, and Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year onehundred fold. So long as Abraham was alive, the wells gushed forth water. When Abraham had died, What does it say? Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with Earth all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father. For they said, “Now that they do not gush forth water, they are only a hazard for travelers.” They therefore went and stopped them up. Isaac came along, and the wells gushed water, as it is said, and Isaac dug again the wells of water, which had been dug in the days of Abraham his father. And Isaac's servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. Before Jacob went down to Aram Naharaim, the House of Laban the Aramaean had not received a blessing, as it is said, for you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. Once he came down, what does it say? And the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. And it says, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. Before Joseph went down to Egypt, the House of Potiphar had not received a blessing. But once he went down, what does it say? From the time that he made them overseer in his house, and overall that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptians House for Joseph's sake. Before Jacob went down to Egypt, there had been famine, as it is said, for the famine has been in the land. These two years. Once he came down there, What does it say? Now here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. Said R. Yose, “when Jacob, our Patriarch died, the famine came back where it had been, as it is said, so do not fear; I will provide for you and for your little ones.” providing is stated here, and providing is stated later on. Just as in this context, it is a situation of famine, So in the other context, It is a situation of famine. So long as Joseph and the tribes were alive, the Israelites enjoyed greatness and honor, as it is said, and the children of Israel were fruitful and multiplied. When Joseph died, what does it say? And Joseph died. , and a new king arose. Who knew not Joseph, and he said to his people, come, Let us take counsel against him.