151. CONCERNING THE QUALITY OF THE JEWS The Jews in the other life are such as they are described by Jeremiah; that their nature is completely in agreement with that description has been shown to me by much experience. For of the Divine mercy of God Messiah very many of them were around me, and spoke with me after having been let into torments. But they were still insane, so that there was almost no remedy for them, unless, as I told them, they might be "hewers of wood and drawers of water", like those spoken of in the Book of Joshua [Josh. ix. 27]. 1747, Oct. 12, o.s. There was one who was with me for some time who could still perceive more interior things, and he was greatly astonished. It was told me that he was Nicodemus, and he could understand that these things were true. But after staying and conversing with me for a time, he either receded, or he was among those who do not speak. Oct. 11, o.s., 1747.