We went on our travel. I having got one handful of ground nuts, for my support that day, they gave me my load, and I went on cheerfully (with the thoughts of going homeward), having my burden more on my back than my spirit. We came to Banquang river again that day, near which we abode a few days. Sometimes one of them would give me a pipe, another a little tobacco, another a little salt: which I would change for a little victuals. I cannot but think what a wolvish appetite persons have in a starving condition; for many times when they gave me that which was hot, I was so greedy, that I should burn my mouth, that it would trouble me hours after, and yet I should quickly do the same again. And after I was thoroughly hungry, I was never again satisfied. For though sometimes it fell out, that I got enough, and did eat till I could eat no more, yet I was as unsatisfied as I was when I began. And now could I see that Scripture verified (there being many Scriptures which we do not take notice of, or understand till we are afflicted) "Thou shalt eat and not be satisfied" (Micah 6.14). Now might I see more than ever before, the miseries that sin hath brought upon us. Many times I should be ready to run against the heathen, but the Scripture would quiet me again, "Shall there be evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it?" (Amos 3.6). The Lord help me to make a right improvement of His word, and that I might learn that great lesson: "He hath showed thee (Oh Man) what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God? Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it" (Micah 6.8-9).
We continued our journey. I had gathered one handful of ground nuts to sustain me that day. My captors gave me my load, and I went on cheerfully, thinking of going home. My burden weighed more on my back than on my spirit. That day we came again to Banquang river, where we stayed nearby for a few days. Sometimes one of my captors would give me a pipe, another a little tobacco, another a little salt. I would trade these things for a little food. I cannot help thinking what a wolfish appetite people have when they are starving. Often, when they gave me hot food, I was so greedy that I burned my mouth. The burns would hurt for hours afterward, yet I would soon do the same thing again. And once I had known severe hunger, I was never satisfied again. Although I sometimes got enough food and ate until I could eat no more, I remained as unsatisfied as when I began. Now I could see the truth of this Scripture: "You will eat and not be satisfied" (Micah 6.14). There are many Scriptures we do not notice or understand until we suffer. Now, more than ever before, I could see the miseries that sin has brought upon us. Many times I was ready to lash out at the heathen, but Scripture would calm me again: "Does disaster come upon a city unless the Lord has brought it?" (Amos 3.6). May the Lord help me apply his word rightly and learn this great lesson: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God? Listen to the rod of punishment and to the one who appointed it" (Micah 6.8-9).