1 Chronicles
http://earlyjewishwritings.com/2esdras.html
See also:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Esdras%202&version=CEB for another Translation
[Written around 100 A.D.(C.E.)]
Bible, King James Version
*[And he spake unto the] (?)
4Ezra.1
[1] The second book of the prophet Esdras, the son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Helchias, the son of Sadamias, the son of Sadoc, the son of Achitob,
[2] The son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of [*was inserted here] Borith, the son of Abisei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,
[3] The son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artexerxes king of the Persians.
[4] And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
[5] Go thy way, and shew my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children's children:
[6] Because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto strange gods.
[7] Am not I even he that brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and despised my counsels.
[8] Pull thou off then the hair of thy head, and cast all evil upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people.
[9] How long shall I forbear them, into whom I have done so much good?
[10] Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes; Pharaoh with his servants and all his power have I smitten down.
[11] All the nations have I destroyed before them, and in the east I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon, and have slain all their enemies.
[12] Speak thou therefore unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord,
[13] I led you through the sea and in the beginning gave you a large and safe passage; I gave you Moses for a leader, and Aaron for a priest.
[14] I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you; yet have ye forgotten me, saith the Lord.
[15] Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as a token to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard: nevertheless ye murmured there,
[16] And triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur.
[17] Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when ye were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry unto me,
[18] Saying, Why hast thou brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness.
[19] Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave you manna to eat; so ye did eat angels' bread.
[20] When ye were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees.
[21] I divided among you a fruitful land, I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you: what shall I yet do more for you? saith the Lord.
[22] Thus saith the Almighty Lord, When ye were in the wilderness, in the river of the Amorites, being athirst, and blaspheming my name,
[23] I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but cast a tree in the water, and made the river sweet.
[24] What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? thou, Juda, wouldest not obey me: I will turn me to other nations, and unto those will I give my name, that they may keep my statutes.
[25] Seeing ye have forsaken me, I will forsake you also; when ye desire me to be gracious unto you, I shall have no mercy upon you.
[26] Whensoever ye shall call upon me, I will not hear you: for ye have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit manslaughter.
[27] Ye have not as it were forsaken me, but your own selves, saith the Lord.
[28] Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have I not prayed you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes,
[29] That ye would be my people, and I should be your God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your father?
[30] I gathered you together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do unto you? I will cast you out from my face.
[31] When ye offer unto me, I will turn my face from you: for your solemn feast days, your new moons, and your circumcisions, have I forsaken.
[32] I sent unto you my servants the prophets, whom ye have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require of your hands, saith the Lord.
[33] Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is desolate, I will cast you out as the wind doth stubble.
[34] And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have despised my commandment, and done the thing that is an evil before me.
[35] Your houses will I give to a people that shall come; which not having heard of me yet shall believe me; to whom I have shewed no signs, yet they shall do that I have commanded them.
[36] They have seen no prophets, yet they shall call their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them.
[37] I take to witness the grace of the people to come, whose little ones rejoice in gladness: and though they have not seen me with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they believe the thing that I say.
[38] And now, brother, behold what glory; and see the people that come from the east:
[39] Unto whom I will give for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,
[40] Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggeus, Zachary, and Malachy, which is called also an angel of the Lord.
4Ezra.2
[1] Thus saith the Lord, I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave them my commandments by menservants the prophets; whom they would not hear, but despised my counsels.
[2] The mother that bare them saith unto them, Go your way, ye children; for I am a widow and forsaken.
[3] I brought you up with gladness; but with sorrow and heaviness have I lost you: for ye have sinned before the Lord your God, and done that thing that is evil before him.
[4] But what shall I now do unto you? I am a widow and forsaken: go your way, O my children, and ask mercy of the Lord.
[5] As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness over the mother of these children, which would not keep my covenant,
[6] That thou bring them to confusion, and their mother to a spoil, that there may be no offspring of them.
[7] Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen, let their names be put out of the earth: for they have despised my covenant.
[8] Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the unrighteous in thee! O thou wicked people, remember what I did unto Sodom and Gomorrah;
[9] Whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so also will I do unto them that hear me not, saith the Almighty Lord.
[10] Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given unto Israel.
[11] Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them.
[12] They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary.
[13] Go, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already prepared for you: watch.
[14] Take heaven and earth to witness; for I have broken the evil in pieces, and created the good: for I live, saith the Lord.
[15] Mother, embrace thy children, and bring them up with gladness, make their feet as fast as a pillar: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.
[16] And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of the graves: for I have known my name in Israel.
[17] Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.
[18] For thy help will I send my servants Esau and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits,
[19] And as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill thy children with joy.
[20] Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,
[21] Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness.
[22] Keep the old and young within thy walls.
[23] Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.
[24] Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness still come.
[25] Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish their feet.
[26] As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number.
[27] Be not weary: for when the day of trouble and heaviness cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance.
[28] The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord.
[29] My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children shall not see hell.
[30] Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, saith the Lord.
[31] Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the sides of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty.
[32] Embrace thy children until I come and shew mercy unto them: for my wells run over, and my grace shall not fail.
[33] I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord.
[34] And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.
[35] Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.
[36] Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly.
[37] O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom.
[38] Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;
[39] Which are departed from the shadow of the world, and have received glorious garments of the Lord.
[40] Take thy number, O Sion, and shut up those of thine that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord.
[41] The number of thy children, whom thou longedst for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that thy people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.
[42] I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs.
[43] And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly.
[44] So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?
[45] He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms.
[46] Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?
[47] So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord.
[48] Then the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast seen.
4Ezra.3
[1] In the thirtieth year after the ruin of the city I was in Babylon, and lay troubled upon my bed, and my thoughts came up over my heart:
[2] For I saw the desolation of Sion, and the wealth of them that dwelt at Babylon.
[3] And my spirit was sore moved, so that I began to speak words full of fear to the most High, and said,
[4] O Lord, who bearest rule, thou spakest at the beginning, when thou didst plant the earth, and that thyself alone, and commandedst the people,
[5] And gavest a body unto Adam without soul, which was the workmanship of thine hands, and didst breathe into him the breath of life, and he was made living before thee.
[6] And thou leadest him into paradise, which thy right hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward.
[7] And unto him thou gavest commandment to love thy way: which he transgressed, and immediately thou appointedst death in him and in his generations, of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds, out of number.
[8] And every people walked after their own will, and did wonderful things before thee, and despised thy commandments.
[9] And again in process of time thou broughtest the flood upon those that dwelt in the world, and destroyedst them.
[10] And it came to pass in every of them, that as death was to Adam, so was the flood to these.
[11] Nevertheless one of them thou leftest, namely, Noah with his household, of whom came all righteous men.
[12] And it happened, that when they that dwelt upon the earth began to multiply, and had gotten them many children, and were a great people, they began again to be more ungodly than the first.
[13] Now when they lived so wickedly before thee, thou didst choose thee a man from among them, whose name was Abraham.
[14] Him thou lovedst, and unto him only thou shewedst thy will:
[15] And madest an everlasting covenant with him, promising him that thou wouldest never forsake his seed.
[16] And unto him thou gavest Isaac, and unto Isaac also thou gavest Jacob and Esau. As for Jacob, thou didst choose him to thee, and put by Esau: and so Jacob became a great multitude.
[17] And it came to pass, that when thou leadest his seed out of Egypt, thou broughtest them up to the mount Sinai.
[18] And bowing the heavens, thou didst set fast the earth, movedst the whole world, and madest the depths to tremble, and troubledst the men of that age.
[19] And thy glory went through four gates, of fire, and of earthquake, and of wind, and of cold; that thou mightest give the law unto the seed of Jacob, and diligence unto the generation of Israel.
[20] And yet tookest thou not away from them a wicked heart, that thy law might bring forth fruit in them.
[21] For the first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed, and was overcome; and so be all they that are born of him.
[22] Thus infirmity was made permanent; and the law (also) in the heart of the people with the malignity of the root; so that the good departed away, and the evil abode still.
[23] So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end: then didst thou raise thee up a servant, called David:
[24] Whom thou commandedst to build a city unto thy name, and to offer incense and oblations unto thee therein.
[25] When this was done many years, then they that inhabited the city forsook thee,
[26] And in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done: for they also had a wicked heart:
[27] And so thou gavest thy city over into the hands of thine enemies.
[28] Are their deeds then any better that inhabit Babylon, that they should therefore have the dominion over Sion?
[29] For when I came thither, and had seen impieties without number, then my soul saw many evildoers in this thirtieth year, so that my heart failed me.
[30] For I have seen how thou sufferest them sinning, and hast spared wicked doers: and hast destroyed thy people, and hast preserved thine enemies, and hast not signified it.
[31] I do not remember how this way may be left: Are they then of Babylon better than they of Sion?
[32] Or is there any other people that knoweth thee beside Israel? or what generation hath so believed thy covenants as Jacob?
[33] And yet their reward appeareth not, and their labour hath no fruit: for I have gone here and there through the heathen, and I see that they flow in wealth, and think not upon thy commandments.
[34] Weigh thou therefore our wickedness now in the balance, and their's also that dwell the world; and so shall thy name no where be found but in Israel.
[35] Or when was it that they which dwell upon the earth have not sinned in thy sight? or what people have so kept thy commandments?
[36] Thou shalt find that Israel by name hath kept thy precepts; but not the heathen.
4Ezra.4
[1] And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,
[2] And said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High?
[3] Then said I, Yea, my lord. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to shew thee three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before thee:
[4] Whereof if thou canst declare me one, I will shew thee also the way that thou desirest to see, and I shall shew thee from whence the wicked heart cometh.
[5] And I said, Tell on, my lord. Then said he unto me, Go thy way, weigh me the weight of the fire, or measure me the blast of the wind, or call me again the day that is past.
[6] Then answered I and said, What man is able to do that, that thou shouldest ask such things of me?
[7] And he said unto me, If I should ask thee how great dwellings are in the midst of the sea, or how many springs are in the beginning of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or which are the outgoings of paradise:
[8] Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.
[9] Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day wherethrough thou hast passed, and of things from which thou canst not be separated, and yet canst thou give me no answer of them.
[10] He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;
[11] How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?
[12] Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore.
[13] He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,
[14] And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods.
[15] The floods of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the woods of the plain, that there also we may make us another country.
[16] The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it.
[17] The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped them.
[18] If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom wouldest thou condemn?
[19] I answered and said, Verily it is a foolish thought that they both have devised, for the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea also hath his place to bear his floods.
[20] Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, but why judgest thou not thyself also?
[21] For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.
[22] Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:
[23] For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pass by us daily, namely, wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,
[24] And we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear, and we are not worthy to obtain mercy.
[25] What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked.
[26] Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast to pass away,
[27] And cannot comprehend the things that are promised to the righteous in time to come: for this world is full of unrighteousness and infirmities.
[28] But as concerning the things whereof thou askest me, I will tell thee; for the evil is sown, but the destruction thereof is not yet come.
[29] If therefore that which is sown be not turned upside down, and if the place where the evil is sown pass not away, then cannot it come that is sown with good.
[30] For the grain of evil seed hath been sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much ungodliness hath it brought up unto this time? and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come?
[31] Ponder now by thyself, how great fruit of wickedness the grain of evil seed hath brought forth.
[32] And when the ears shall be cut down, which are without number, how great a floor shall they fill?
[33] Then I answered and said, How, and when shall these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and evil?
[34] And he answered me, saying, Do not thou hasten above the most Highest: for thy haste is in vain to be above him, for thou hast much exceeded.
[35] Did not the souls also of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, How long shall I hope on this fashion? when cometh the fruit of the floor of our reward?
[36] And unto these things Uriel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance.
[37] By measure hath he measured the times; and by number hath he numbered the times; and he doth not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled.
[38] Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, even we all are full of impiety.
[39] And for our sakes peradventure it is that the floors of the righteous are not filled, because of the sins of them that dwell upon the earth.
[40] So he answered me, and said, Go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she hath fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer within her.
[41] Then said I, No, Lord, that can she not. And he said unto me, In the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb of a woman:
[42] For like as a woman that travaileth maketh haste to escape the necessity of the travail: even so do these places haste to deliver those things that are committed unto them.
[43] From the beginning, look, what thou desirest to see, it shall be shewed thee.
[44] Then answered I and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, and if it be possible, and if I be meet therefore,
[45] Shew me then whether there be more to come than is past, or more past than is to come.
[46] What is past I know, but what is for to come I know not.
[47] And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side, and I shall expound the similitude unto thee.
[48] So I stood, and saw, and, behold, an hot burning oven passed by before me: and it happened that when the flame was gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke remained still.
[49] After this there passed by before me a watery cloud, and sent down much rain with a storm; and when the stormy rain was past, the drops remained still.
[50] Then said he unto me, Consider with thyself; as the rain is more than the drops, and as the fire is greater than the smoke; but the drops and the smoke remain behind: so the quantity which is past did more exceed.
[51] Then I prayed, and said, May I live, thinkest thou, until that time? or what shall happen in those days?
[52] He answered me, and said, As for the tokens whereof thou askest me, I may tell thee of them in part: but as touching thy life, I am not sent to shew thee; for I do not know it.
4Ezra.5
[1] Nevertheless as coming the tokens, behold, the days shall come, that they which dwell upon earth shall be taken in a great number, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith.
[2] But iniquity shall be increased above that which now thou seest, or that thou hast heard long ago.
[3] And the land, that thou seest now to have root, shalt thou see wasted suddenly.
[4] But if the most High grant thee to live, thou shalt see after the third trumpet that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night, and the moon thrice in the day:
[5] And blood shall drop out of wood, and the stone shall give his voice, and the people shall be troubled:
[6] And even he shall rule, whom they look not for that dwell upon the earth, and the fowls shall take their flight away together:
[7] And the Sodomitish sea shall cast out fish, and make a noise in the night, which many have not known: but they shall all hear the voice thereof.
[8] There shall be a confusion also in many places, and the fire shall be oft sent out again, and the wild beasts shall change their places, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters:
[9] And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall destroy one another; then shall wit hide itself, and understanding withdraw itself into his secret chamber,
[10] And shall be sought of many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied upon earth.
[11] One land also shall ask another, and say, Is righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through thee? And it shall say, No.
[12] At the same time shall men hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper.
[13] To shew thee such tokens I have leave; and if thou wilt pray again, and weep as now, and fast even days, thou shalt hear yet greater things.
[14] Then I awaked, and an extreme fearfulness went through all my body, and my mind was troubled, so that it fainted.
[15] So the angel that was come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet.
[16] And in the second night it came to pass, that Salathiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where hast thou been? and why is thy countenance so heavy?
[17] Knowest thou not that Israel is committed unto thee in the land of their captivity?
[18] Up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd that leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves.
[19] Then said I unto him, Go thy ways from me, and come not nigh me. And he heard what I said, and went from me.
[20] And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me.
[21] And after seven days so it was, that the thoughts of my heart were very grievous unto me again,
[22] And my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began to talk with the most High again,
[23] And said, O Lord that bearest rule, of every wood of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, thou hast chosen thee one only vine:
[24] And of all lands of the whole world thou hast chosen thee one pit: and of all the flowers thereof one lily:
[25] And of all the depths of the sea thou hast filled thee one river: and of all builded cities thou hast hallowed Sion unto thyself:
[26] And of all the fowls that are created thou hast named thee one dove: and of all the cattle that are made thou hast provided thee one sheep:
[27] And among all the multitudes of people thou hast gotten thee one people: and unto this people, whom thou lovedst, thou gavest a law that is approved of all.
[28] And now, O Lord, why hast thou given this one people over unto many? and upon the one root hast thou prepared others, and why hast thou scattered thy only one people among many?
[29] And they which did gainsay thy promises, and believed not thy covenants, have trodden them down.
[30] If thou didst so much hate thy people, yet shouldest thou punish them with thine own hands.
[31] Now when I had spoken these words, the angel that came to me the night afore was sent unto me,
[32] And said unto me, Hear me, and I will instruct thee; hearken to the thing that I say, and I shall tell thee more.
[33] And I said, Speak on, my Lord. Then said he unto me, Thou art sore troubled in mind for Israel's sake: lovest thou that people better than he that made them?
[34] And I said, No, Lord: but of very grief have I spoken: for my reins pain me every hour, while I labour to comprehend the way of the most High, and to seek out part of his judgment.
[35] And he said unto me, Thou canst not. And I said, Wherefore, Lord? whereunto was I born then? or why was not my mother's womb then my grave, that I might not have seen the travail of Jacob, and the wearisome toil of the stock of Israel?
[36] And he said unto me, Number me the things that are not yet come, gather me together the dross that are scattered abroad, make me the flowers green again that are withered,
[37] Open me the places that are closed, and bring me forth the winds that in them are shut up, shew me the image of a voice: and then I will declare to thee the thing that thou labourest to know.
[38] And I said, O Lord that bearest rule, who may know these things, but he that hath not his dwelling with men?
[39] As for me, I am unwise: how may I then speak of these things whereof thou askest me?
[40] Then said he unto me, Like as thou canst do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so canst thou not find out my judgment, or in the end the love that I have promised unto my people.
[41] And I said, Behold, O Lord, yet art thou nigh unto them that be reserved till the end: and what shall they do that have been before me, or we that be now, or they that shall come after us?
[42] And he said unto me, I will liken my judgment unto a ring: like as there is no slackness of the last, even so there is no swiftness of the first.
[43] So I answered and said, Couldest thou not make those that have been made, and be now, and that are for to come, at once; that thou mightest shew thy judgment the sooner?
[44] Then answered he me, and said, The creature may not haste above the maker; neither may the world hold them at once that shall be created therein.
[45] And I said, As thou hast said unto thy servant, that thou, which givest life to all, hast given life at once to the creature that thou hast created, and the creature bare it: even so it might now also bear them that now be present at once.
[46] And he said unto me, Ask the womb of a woman, and say unto her, If thou bringest forth children, why dost thou it not together, but one after another? pray her therefore to bring forth ten children at once.
[47] And I said, She cannot: but must do it by distance of time.
[48] Then said he unto me, Even so have I given the womb of the earth to those that be sown in it in their times.
[49] For like as a young child may not bring forth the things that belong to the aged, even so have I disposed the world which I created.
[50] And I asked, and said, Seeing thou hast now given me the way, I will proceed to speak before thee: for our mother, of whom thou hast told me that she is young, draweth now nigh unto age.
[51] He answered me, and said, Ask a woman that beareth children, and she shall tell thee.
[52] Say unto her, Wherefore are unto they whom thou hast now brought forth like those that were before, but less of stature?
[53] And she shall answer thee, They that be born in the the strength of youth are of one fashion, and they that are born in the time of age, when the womb faileth, are otherwise.
[54] Consider thou therefore also, how that ye are less of stature than those that were before you.
[55] And so are they that come after you less than ye, as the creatures which now begin to be old, and have passed over the strength of youth.
[56] Then said I, Lord, I beseech thee, if I have found favour in thy sight, shew thy servant by whom thou visitest thy creature.
4Ezra.6
[1] And he said unto me, In the beginning, when the earth was made, before the borders of the world stood, or ever the winds blew,
[2] Before it thundered and lightened, or ever the foundations of paradise were laid,
[3] Before the fair flowers were seen, or ever the moveable powers were established, before the innumerable multitude of angels were gathered together,
[4] Or ever the heights of the air were lifted up, before the measures of the firmament were named, or ever the chimneys in Sion were hot,
[5] And ere the present years were sought out, and or ever the inventions of them that now sin were turned, before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure:
[6] Then did I consider these things, and they all were made through me alone, and through none other: by me also they shall be ended, and by none other.
[7] Then answered I and said, What shall be the parting asunder of the times? or when shall be the end of the first, and the beginning of it that followeth?
[8] And he said unto me, From Abraham unto Isaac, when Jacob and Esau were born of him, Jacob's hand held first the heel of Esau.
[9] For Esau is the end of the world, and Jacob is the beginning of it that followeth.
[10] The hand of man is betwixt the heel and the hand: other question, Esdras, ask thou not.
[11] I answered then and said, O Lord that bearest rule, if I have found favour in thy sight,
[12] I beseech thee, shew thy servant the end of thy tokens, whereof thou shewedst me part the last night.
[13] So he answered and said unto me, Stand up upon thy feet, and hear a mighty sounding voice.
[14] And it shall be as it were a great motion; but the place where thou standest shall not be moved.
[15] And therefore when it speaketh be not afraid: for the word is of the end, and the foundation of the earth is understood.
[16] And why? because the speech of these things trembleth and is moved: for it knoweth that the end of these things must be changed.
[17] And it happened, that when I had heard it I stood up upon my feet, and hearkened, and, behold, there was a voice that spake, and the sound of it was like the sound of many waters.
[18] And it said, Behold, the days come, that I will begin to draw nigh, and to visit them that dwell upon the earth,
[19] And will begin to make inquisition of them, what they be that have hurt unjustly with their unrighteousness, and when the affliction of Sion shall be fulfilled;
[20] And when the world, that shall begin to vanish away, shall be finished, then will I shew these tokens: the books shall be opened before the firmament, and they shall see all together:
[21] And the children of a year old shall speak with their voices, the women with child shall bring forth untimely children of three or four months old, and they shall live, and be raised up.
[22] And suddenly shall the sown places appear unsown, the full storehouses shall suddenly be found empty:
[23] And the trumpet shall give a sound, which when every man heareth, they shall be suddenly afraid.
[24] At that time shall friends fight one against another like enemies, and the earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein, the springs of the fountains shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run.
[25] Whosoever remaineth from all these that I have told thee shall escape, and see my salvation, and the end of your world.
[26] And the men that are received shall see it, who have not tasted death from their birth: and the heart of the inhabitants shall be changed, and turned into another meaning.
[27] For evil shall be put out, and deceit shall be quenched.
[28] As for faith, it shall flourish, corruption shall be overcome, and the truth, which hath been so long without fruit, shall be declared.
[29] And when he talked with me, behold, I looked by little and little upon him before whom I stood.
[30] And these words said he unto me; I am come to shew thee the time of the night to come.
[31] If thou wilt pray yet more, and fast seven days again, I shall tell thee greater things by day than I have heard.
[32] For thy voice is heard before the most High: for the Mighty hath seen thy righteous dealing, he hath seen also thy chastity, which thou hast had ever since thy youth.
[33] And therefore hath he sent me to shew thee all these things, and to say unto thee, Be of good comfort and fear not
[34] And hasten not with the times that are past, to think vain things, that thou mayest not hasten from the latter times.
[35] And it came to pass after this, that I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, that I might fulfil the three weeks which he told me.
[36] And in the eighth night was my heart vexed within me again, and I began to speak before the most High.
[37] For my spirit was greatly set on fire, and my soul was in distress.
[38] And I said, O Lord, thou spakest from the beginning of the creation, even the first day, and saidst thus; Let heaven and earth be made; and thy word was a perfect work.
[39] And then was the spirit, and darkness and silence were on every side; the sound of man's voice was not yet formed.
[40] Then commandedst thou a fair light to come forth of thy treasures, that thy work might appear.
[41] Upon the second day thou madest the spirit of the firmament, and commandedst it to part asunder, and to make a division betwixt the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath.
[42] Upon the third day thou didst command that the waters should be gathered in the seventh part of the earth: six parts hast thou dried up, and kept them, to the intent that of these some being planted of God and tilled might serve thee.
[43] For as soon as thy word went forth the work was made.
[44] For immediately there was great and innumerable fruit, and many and divers pleasures for the taste, and flowers of unchangeable colour, and odours of wonderful smell: and this was done the third day.
[45] Upon the fourth day thou commandedst that the sun should shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars should be in order:
[46] And gavest them a charge to do service unto man, that was to be made.
[47] Upon the fifth day thou saidst unto the seventh part, where the waters were gathered that it should bring forth living creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it came to pass.
[48] For the dumb water and without life brought forth living things at the commandment of God, that all people might praise thy wondrous works.
[49] Then didst thou ordain two living creatures, the one thou calledst Behemoth, and the other Leviathan;
[50] And didst separate the one from the other: for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both.
[51] Unto Behemoth thou gavest one part, which was dried up the third day, that he should dwell in the same part, wherein are a thousand hills:
[52] But unto Leviathan thou gavest the seventh part, namely, the moist; and hast kept him to be devoured of whom thou wilt, and when.
[53] Upon the sixth day thou gavest commandment unto the earth, that before thee it should bring forth beasts, cattle, and creeping things:
[54] And after these, Adam also, whom thou madest lord of all thy creatures: of him come we all, and the people also whom thou hast chosen.
[55] All this have I spoken before thee, O Lord, because thou madest the world for our sakes
[56] As for the other people, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that they are nothing, but be like unto spittle: and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falleth from a vessel.
[57] And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been reputed as nothing, have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us.
[58] But we thy people, whom thou hast called thy firstborn, thy only begotten, and thy fervent lover, are given into their hands.
[59] If the world now be made for our sakes, why do we not possess an inheritance with the world? how long shall this endure?
4Ezra.7
[1] And when I had made an end of speaking these words, there was sent unto me the angel which had been sent unto me the nights afore:
[2] And he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee.
[3] And I said, Speak on, my God. Then said he unto me, The sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deep and great.
[4] But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river;
[5] Who then could go into the sea to look upon it, and to rule it? if he went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad?
[6] There is also another thing; A city is builded, and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things:
[7] The entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water:
[8] And one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once.
[9] If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance?
[10] And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said he unto me, Even so also is Israel's portion.
[11] Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that now is done.
[12] Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, full of sorrow and travail: they are but few and evil, full of perils,: and very painful.
[13] For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure, and brought immortal fruit.
[14] If then they that live labour not to enter these strait and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them.
[15] Now therefore why disquietest thou thyself, seeing thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou moved, whereas thou art but mortal?
[16] Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
[17] Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, thou hast ordained in thy law, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish.
[18] Nevertheless the righteous shall suffer strait things, and hope for wide: for they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide.
[19] And he said unto me. There is no judge above God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
[20] For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them.
[21] For God hath given strait commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
[22] Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but spake against him, and imagined vain things;
[23] And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds; and said of the most High, that he is not; and knew not his ways:
[24] But his law have they despised, and denied his covenants; in his statutes have they not been faithful, and have not performed his works.
[25] And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.
[26] Behold, the time shall come, that these tokens which I have told thee shall come to pass, and the bride shall appear, and she coming forth shall be seen, that now is withdrawn from the earth.
[27] And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils shall see my wonders.
[28] For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred years.
[29] After these years shall my son Christ die, and all men that have life.
[30] And the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the former judgments: so that no man shall remain.
[31] And after seven days the world, that yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is corrupt
[32] And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliver those souls that were committed unto them.
[33] And the most High shall appear upon the seat of judgment, and misery shall pass away, and the long suffering shall have an end:
[34] But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong:
[35] And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall bear no rule.
[36] Then said I, Abraham prayed first for the Sodomites, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in the wilderness:
[37] And Jesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan:
[38] And Samuel and David for the destruction: and Solomon for them that should come to the sanctuary:
[39] And Helias for those that received rain; and for the dead, that he might live:
[40] And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib: and many for many.
[41] Even so now, seeing corruption is grown up, and wickedness increased, and the righteous have prayed for the ungodly: wherefore shall it not be so now also?
[42] He answered me, and said, This present life is not the end where much glory doth abide; therefore have they prayed for the weak.
[43] But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past,
[44] Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.
[45] Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.
[46] I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning.
[47] For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment?
[48] O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen alone, but we all that come of thee.
[49] For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that bring death?
[50] And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are made vain?
[51] And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly?
[52] And that the glory of the most High is kept to defend them which have led a wary life, whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all?
[53] And that there should be shewed a paradise, whose fruit endureth for ever, wherein is security and medicine, since we shall not enter into it?
[54] (For we have walked in unpleasant places.)
[55] And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness?
[56] For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.
[57] Then answered he me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight;
[58] That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I say.
[59] For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live.
[60] Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor me which have spoken unto them,
[61] That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation.
[62] I answered then, and said, I know, Lord, that the most High is called merciful, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world,
[63] And upon those also that turn to his law;
[64] And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that have sinned, as his creatures;
[65] And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give where it needeth;
[66] And that he is of great mercy, for he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and also to them which are to come.
[67] For if he shall not multiply his mercies, the world would not continue with them that inherit therein.
[68] And he pardoneth; for if he did not so of his goodness, that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousandth part of men should not remain living.
[69] And being judge, if he should not forgive them that are cured with his word, and put out the multitude of contentions,
[70] There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude.
4Ezra.8
[1] And he answered me, saying, The most High hath made this world for many, but the world to come for few.
[2] I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world.
[3] There be many created, but few shall be saved.
[4] So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom.
[5] For thou hast agreed to give ear, and art willing to prophesy: for thou hast no longer space than only to live.
[6] O Lord, if thou suffer not thy servant, that we may pray before thee, and thou give us seed unto our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it; how shall each man live that is corrupt, who beareth the place of a man?
[7] For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of thine hands, like as thou hast said.
[8] For when the body is fashioned now in the mother's womb, and thou givest it members, thy creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her.
[9] But that which keepeth and is kept shall both be preserved: and when the time cometh, the womb preserved delivereth up the things that grew in it.
[10] For thou hast commanded out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, milk to be given, which is the fruit of the breasts,
[11] That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy.
[12] Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness, and nurturedst it in thy law, and reformedst it with thy judgment.
[13] And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy work.
[14] If therefore thou shalt destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by thy commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved.
[15] Now therefore, Lord, I will speak; touching man in general, thou knowest best; but touching thy people, for whose sake I am sorry;
[16] And for thine inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled;
[17] Therefore will I begin to pray before thee for myself and for them: for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land.
[18] But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come.
[19] Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before thee. This is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up: and I said,
[20] O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the air;
[21] Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling,
[22] Whose service is conversant in wind and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful;
[23] Whose look drieth up the depths, and indignation maketh the mountains to melt away; which the truth witnesseth:
[24] O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature.
[25] For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer.
[26] O look not upon the sins of thy people; but on them which serve thee in truth.
[27] Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in afflictions.
[28] Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will have known thy fear.
[29] Let it not be thy will to destroy them which have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught thy law.
[30] Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that always put their trust in thy righteousness and glory.
[31] For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful.
[32] For if thou hast a desire to have mercy upon us, thou shalt be called merciful, to us namely, that have no works of righteousness.
[33] For the just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward.
[34] For what is man, that thou shouldest take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible generation, that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it?
[35] For in truth them is no man among them that be born, but he hath dealt wickedly; and among the faithful there is none which hath not done amiss.
[36] For in this, O Lord, thy righteousness and thy goodness shall be declared, if thou be merciful unto them which have not the confidence of good works.
[37] Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be.
[38] For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction:
[39] But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have.
[40] Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.
[41] For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet the thing that is sown good in his season cometh not up, neither doth all that is planted take root: even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be saved.
[42] I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let me speak.
[43] Like as the husbandman's seed perisheth, if it come not up, and receive not thy rain in due season; or if there come too much rain, and corrupt it:
[44] Even so perisheth man also, which is formed with thy hands, and is called thine own image, because thou art like unto him, for whose sake thou hast made all things, and likened him unto the husbandman's seed.
[45] Be not wroth with us but spare thy people, and have mercy upon thine own inheritance: for thou art merciful unto thy creature.
[46] Then answered he me, and said, Things present are for the present, and things to cometh for such as be to come.
[47] For thou comest far short that thou shouldest be able to love my creature more than I: but I have ofttimes drawn nigh unto thee, and unto it, but never to the unrighteous.
[48] In this also thou art marvelous before the most High:
[49] In that thou hast humbled thyself, as it becometh thee, and hast not judged thyself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous.
[50] For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in great pride.
[51] But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee.
[52] For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom.
[53] The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten:
[54] Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of immortality.
[55] And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish.
[56] For when they had taken liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways.
[57] Moreover they have trodden down his righteous,
[58] And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die.
[59] For as the things aforesaid shalt receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them: for it was not his will that men should come to nought:
[60] But they which be created have defiled the name of him that made them, and were unthankful unto him which prepared life for them.
[61] And therefore is my judgment now at hand.
[62] These things have I not shewed unto all men, but unto thee, and a few like thee. Then answered I and said,
[63] Behold, O Lord, now hast thou shewed me the multitude of the wonders, which thou wilt begin to do in the last times: but at what time, thou hast not shewed me.
4Ezra.9
[1] He answered me then, and said, Measure thou the time diligently in itself: and when thou seest part of the signs past, which I have told thee before,
[2] Then shalt thou understand, that it is the very same time, wherein the Highest will begin to visit the world which he made.
[3] Therefore when there shall be seen earthquakes and uproars of the people in the world:
[4] Then shalt thou well understand, that the most High spake of those things from the days that were before thee, even from the beginning.
[5] For like as all that is made in the world hath a beginning and an end, and the end is manifest:
[6] Even so the times also of the Highest have plain beginnings in wonder and powerful works, and endings in effects and signs.
[7] And every one that shall be saved, and shall be able to escape by his works, and by faith, whereby ye have believed,
[8] Shall be preserved from the said perils, and shall see my salvation in my land, and within my borders: for I have sanctified them for me from the beginning.
[9] Then shall they be in pitiful case, which now have abused my ways: and they that have cast them away despitefully shall dwell in torments.
[10] For such as in their life have received benefits, and have not known me;
[11] And they that have loathed my law, while they had yet liberty, and, when as yet place of repentance was open unto them, understood not, but despised it;
[12] The same must know it after death by pain.
[13] And therefore be thou not curious how the ungodly shall be punished, and when: but enquire how the righteous shall be saved, whose the world is, and for whom the world is created.
[14] Then answered I and said,
[15] I have said before, and now do speak, and will speak it also hereafter, that there be many more of them which perish, than of them which shall be saved:
[16] Like as a wave is greater than a drop.
[17] And he answered me, saying, Like as the field is, so is also the seed; as the flowers be, such are the colours also; such as the workman is, such also is the work; and as the husbandman is himself, so is his husbandry also: for it was the time of the world.
[18] And now when I prepared the world, which was not yet made, even for them to dwell in that now live, no man spake against me.
[19] For then every one obeyed: but now the manners of them which are created in this world that is made are corrupted by a perpetual seed, and by a law which is unsearchable rid themselves.
[20] So I considered the world, and, behold, there was peril because of the devices that were come into it.
[21] And I saw, and spared it greatly, and have kept me a grape of the cluster, and a plant of a great people.
[22] Let the multitude perish then, which was born in vain; and let my grape be kept, and my plant; for with great labour have I made it perfect.
[23] Nevertheless, if thou wilt cease yet seven days more, (but thou shalt not fast in them,
[24] But go into a field of flowers, where no house is builded, and eat only the flowers of the field; taste no flesh, drink no wine, but eat flowers only;)
[25] And pray unto the Highest continually, then will I come and talk with thee.
[26] So I went my way into the field which is called Ardath, like as he commanded me; and there I sat among the flowers, and did eat of the herbs of the field, and the meat of the same satisfied me.
[27] After seven days I sat upon the grass, and my heart was vexed within me, like as before:
[28] And I opened my mouth, and began to talk before the most High, and said,
[29] O Lord, thou that shewest thyself unto us, thou wast shewed unto our fathers in the wilderness, in a place where no man treadeth, in a barren place, when they came out of Egypt.
[30] And thou spakest saying, Hear me, O Israel; and mark my words, thou seed of Jacob.
[31] For, behold, I sow my law in you, and it shall bring fruit in you, and ye shall be honoured in it for ever.
[32] But our fathers, which received the law, kept it not, and observed not thy ordinances: and though the fruit of thy law did not perish, neither could it, for it was thine;
[33] Yet they that received it perished, because they kept not the thing that was sown in them.
[34] And, lo, it ls a custom, when the ground hath received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, that, that being perished wherein it was sown or cast into,
[35] That thing also which was sown, or cast therein, or received, doth perish, and remaineth not with us: but with us it hath not happened so.
[36] For we that have received the law perish by sin, and our heart also which received it
[37] Notwithstanding the law perisheth not, but remaineth in his force.
[38] And when I spake these things in my heart, I looked back with mine eyes, and upon the right side I saw a woman, and, behold, she mourned and wept with a loud voice, and was much grieved in heart, and her clothes were rent, and she had ashes upon her head.
[39] Then let I my thoughts go that I was in, and turned me unto her,
[40] And said unto her, Wherefore weepest thou? why art thou so grieved in thy mind?
[41] And she said unto me, Sir, let me alone, that I may bewail myself, and add unto my sorrow, for I am sore vexed in my mind, and brought very low.
[42] And I said unto her, What aileth thee? tell me.
[43] She said unto me, I thy servant have been barren, and had no child, though I had an husband thirty years,
[44] And those thirty years I did nothing else day and night, and every hour, but make my, prayer to the Highest.
[45] After thirty years God heard me thine handmaid, looked upon my misery, considered my trouble, and gave me a son: and I was very glad of him, so was my husband also, and all my neighbours: and we gave great honour unto the Almighty.
[46] And I nourished him with great travail.
[47] So when he grew up, and came to the time that he should have a wife, I made a feast.
4Ezra.10
[1] And it so came to pass, that when my son was entered into his wedding chamber, he fell down, and died.
[2] Then we all overthrew the lights, and all my neighbours rose up to comfort me: so I took my rest unto the second day at night.
[3] And it came to pass, when they had all left off to comfort me, to the end I might be quiet; then rose I up by night and fled, and came hither into this field, as thou seest.
[4] And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.
[5] Then left I the meditations wherein I was, and spake to her in anger, saying,
[6] Thou foolish woman above all other, seest thou not our mourning, and what happeneth unto us?
[7] How that Sion our mother is full of all heaviness, and much humbled, mourning very sore?
[8] And now, seeing we all mourn and are sad, for we are all in heaviness, art thou grieved for one son?
[9] For ask the earth, and she shall tell thee, that it is she which ought to mourn for the fall of so many that grow upon her.
[10] For out of her came all at the first, and out of her shall all others come, and, behold, they walk almost all into destruction, and a multitude of them is utterly rooted out.
[11] Who then should make more mourning than she, that hath lost so great a multitude; and not thou, which art sorry but for one?
[12] But if thou sayest unto me, My lamentation is not like the earth's, because I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth with pains, and bare with sorrows;
[13] But the earth not so: for the multitude present in it according to the course of the earth is gone, as it came:
[14] Then say I unto thee, Like as thou hast brought forth with labour; even so the earth also hath given her fruit, namely, man, ever since the beginning unto him that made her.
[15] Now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee.
[16] For if thou shalt acknowledge the determination of God to be just, thou shalt both receive thy son in time, and shalt be commended among women.
[17] Go thy way then into the city to thine husband.
[18] And she said unto me, That will I not do: I will not go into the city, but here will I die.
[19] So I proceeded to speak further unto her, and said,
[20] Do not so, but be counselled. by me: for how many are the adversities of Sion? be comforted in regard of the sorrow of Jerusalem.
[21] For thou seest that our sanctuary is laid waste, our altar broken down, our temple destroyed;
[22] Our psaltery is laid on the ground, our song is put to silence, our rejoicing is at an end, the light of our candlestick is put out, the ark of our covenant is spoiled, our holy things are defiled, and the name that is called upon us is almost profaned: our children are put to shame, our priests are burnt, our Levites are gone into captivity, our virgins are defiled, and our wives ravished; our righteous men carried away, our little ones destroyed, our young men are brought in bondage, and our strong men are become weak;
[23] And, which is the greatest of all, the seal of Sion hath now lost her honour; for she is delivered into the hands of them that hate us.
[24] And therefore shake off thy great heaviness, and put away the multitude of sorrows, that the Mighty may be merciful unto thee again, and the Highest shall give thee rest and ease from thy labour.
[25] And it came to pass while I was talking with her, behold, her face upon a sudden shined exceedingly, and her countenance glistered, so that I was afraid of her, and mused what it might be.
[26] And, behold, suddenly she made a great cry very fearful: so that the earth shook at the noise of the woman.
[27] And I looked, and, behold, the woman appeared unto me no more, but there was a city builded, and a large place shewed itself from the foundations: then was I afraid, and cried with a loud voice, and said,
[28] Where is Uriel the angel, who came unto me at the first? for he hath caused me to fall into many trances, and mine end is turned into corruption, and my prayer to rebuke.
[29] And as I was speaking these words behold, he came unto me, and looked upon me.
[30] And, lo, I lay as one that had been dead, and mine understanding was taken from me: and he took me by the right hand, and comforted me, and set me upon my feet, and said unto me,
[31] What aileth thee? and why art thou so disquieted? and why is thine understanding troubled, and the thoughts of thine heart?
[32] And I said, Because thou hast forsaken me, and yet I did according to thy words, and I went into the field, and, lo, I have seen, and yet see, that I am not able to express.
[33] And he said unto me, Stand up manfully, and I will advise thee.
[34] Then said I, Speak on, my lord, in me; only forsake me not, lest I die frustrate of my hope.
[35] For I have seen that I knew not, and hear that I do not know.
[36] Or is my sense deceived, or my soul in a dream?
[37] Now therefore I beseech thee that thou wilt shew thy servant of this vision.
[38] He answered me then, and said, Hear me, and I shall inform thee, and tell thee wherefore thou art afraid: for the Highest will reveal many secret things unto thee.
[39] He hath seen that thy way is right: for that thou sorrowest continually for thy people, and makest great lamentation for Sion.
[40] This therefore is the meaning of the vision which thou lately sawest:
[41] Thou sawest a woman mourning, and thou begannest to comfort her:
[42] But now seest thou the likeness of the woman no more, but there appeared unto thee a city builded.
[43] And whereas she told thee of the death of her son, this is the solution:
[44] This woman, whom thou sawest is Sion: and whereas she said unto thee, even she whom thou seest as a city builded,
[45] Whereas, I say, she said unto thee, that she hath been thirty years barren: those are the thirty years wherein there was no offering made in her.
[46] But after thirty years Solomon builded the city and offered offerings: and then bare the barren a son.
[47] And whereas she told thee that she nourished him with labour: that was the dwelling in Jerusalem.
[48] But whereas she said unto thee, That my son coming into his marriage chamber happened to have a fail, and died: this was the destruction that came to Jerusalem.
[49] And, behold, thou sawest her likeness, and because she mourned for her son, thou begannest to comfort her: and of these things which have chanced, these are to be opened unto thee.
[50] For now the most High seeth that thou art grieved unfeignedly, and sufferest from thy whole heart for her, so hath he shewed thee the brightness of her glory, and the comeliness of her beauty:
[51] And therefore I bade thee remain in the field where no house was builded:
[52] For I knew that the Highest would shew this unto thee.
[53] Therefore I commanded thee to go into the field, where no foundation of any building was.
[54] For in the place wherein the Highest beginneth to shew his city, there can no man's building be able to stand.
[55] And therefore fear not, let not thine heart be affrighted, but go thy way in, and see the beauty and greatness of the building, as much as thine eyes be able to see:
[56] And then shalt thou hear as much as thine ears may comprehend.
[57] For thou art blessed above many other, and art called with the Highest; and so are but few.
[58] But to morrow at night thou shalt remain here;
[59] And so shall the Highest shew thee visions of the high things, which the most High will do unto them that dwell upon the earth in the last days. So I slept that night and another, like as he commanded me.
4Ezra.11
[1] Then saw I a dream, and, behold, there came up from the sea an eagle, which had twelve feathered wings, and three heads.
[2] And I saw, and, behold, she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of the air blew on her, and were gathered together.
[3] And I beheld, and out of her feathers there grew other contrary feathers; and they became little feathers and small.
[4] But her heads were at rest: the head in the midst was greater than the other, yet rested it with the residue.
[5] Moreover I beheld, and, lo, the eagle flew with her feathers, and reigned upon earth, and over them that dwelt therein.
[6] And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her, and no man spake against her, no, not one creature upon earth.
[7] And I beheld, and, lo, the eagle rose upon her talons, and spake to her feathers, saying,
[8] Watch not all at once: sleep every one in his own place, and watch by course:
[9] But let the heads be preserved for the last.
[10] And I beheld, and, lo, the voice went not out of her heads, but from the midst of her body.
[11] And I numbered her contrary feathers, and, behold, there were eight of them.
[12] And I looked, and, behold, on the right side there arose one feather, and reigned over all the earth;
[13] And so it was, that when it reigned, the end of it came, and the place thereof appeared no more: so the next following stood up. and reigned, and had a great time;
[14] And it happened, that when it reigned, the end of it came also, like as the first, so that it appeared no more.
[15] Then came there a voice unto it, and said,
[16] Hear thou that hast borne rule over the earth so long: this I say unto thee, before thou beginnest to appear no more,
[17] There shall none after thee attain unto thy time, neither unto the half thereof.
[18] Then arose the third, and reigned as the other before, and appeared no more also.
[19] So went it with all the residue one after another, as that every one reigned, and then appeared no more.
[20] Then I beheld, and, lo, in process of time the feathers that followed stood up upon the right side, that they might rule also; and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more:
[21] For some of them were set up, but ruled not.
[22] After this I looked, and, behold, the twelve feathers appeared no more, nor the two little feathers:
[23] And there was no more upon the eagle's body, but three heads that rested, and six little wings.
[24] Then saw I also that two little feathers divided themselves from the six, and remained under the head that was upon the right side: for the four continued in their place.
[25] And I beheld, and, lo, the feathers that were under the wing thought to set up themselves and to have the rule.
[26] And I beheld, and, lo, there was one set up, but shortly it appeared no more.
[27] And the second was sooner away than the first.
[28] And I beheld, and, lo, the two that remained thought also in themselves to reign:
[29] And when they so thought, behold, there awaked one of the heads that were at rest, namely, it that was in the midst; for that was greater than the two other heads.
[30] And then I saw that the two other heads were joined with it.
[31] And, behold, the head was turned with them that were with it, and did eat up the two feathers under the wing that would have reigned.
[32] But this head put the whole earth in fear, and bare rule in it over all those that dwelt upon the earth with much oppression; and it had the governance of the world more than all the wings that had been.
[33] And after this I beheld, and, lo, the head that was in the midst suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings.
[34] But there remained the two heads, which also in like sort ruled upon the earth, and over those that dwelt therein.
[35] And I beheld, and, lo, the head upon the right side devoured it that was upon the left side.
[36] Then I head a voice, which said unto me, Look before thee, and consider the thing that thou seest.
[37] And I beheld, and lo, as it were a roaring lion chased out of the wood: and I saw that he sent out a man's voice unto the eagle, and said,
[38] Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the Highest shall say unto thee,
[39] Art not thou it that remainest of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of their times might come through them?
[40] And the fourth came, and overcame all the beasts that were past, and had power over the world with great fearfulness, and over the whole compass of the earth with much wicked oppression; and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit.
[41] For the earth hast thou not judged with truth.
[42] For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm.
[43] Therefore is thy wrongful dealing come up unto the Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty.
[44] The Highest also hath looked upon the proud times, and, behold, they are ended, and his abominations are fulfilled.
[45] And therefore appear no more, thou eagle, nor thy horrible wings, nor thy wicked feathers nor thy malicious heads, nor thy hurtful claws, nor all thy vain body:
[46] That all the earth may be refreshed, and may return, being delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him that made her.
4Ezra.12
[1] And it came to pass, whiles the lion spake these words unto the eagle, I saw,
[2] And, behold, the head that remained and the four wings appeared no more, and the two went unto it and set themselves up to reign, and their kingdom was small, and fill of uproar.
[3] And I saw, and, behold, they appeared no more, and the whole body of the eagle was burnt so that the earth was in great fear: then awaked I out of the trouble and trance of my mind, and from great fear, and said unto my spirit,
[4] Lo, this hast thou done unto me, in that thou searchest out the ways of the Highest.
[5] Lo, yet am I weary in my mind, and very weak in my spirit; and little strength is there in me, for the great fear wherewith I was afflicted this night.
[6] Therefore will I now beseech the Highest, that he will comfort me unto the end.
[7] And I said, Lord that bearest rule, if I have found grace before thy sight, and if I am justified with thee before many others, and if my prayer indeed be come up before thy face;
[8] Comfort me then, and shew me thy servant the interpretation and plain difference of this fearful vision, that thou mayest perfectly comfort my soul.
[9] For thou hast judged me worthy to shew me the last times.
[10] And he said unto me, This is the interpretation of the vision:
[11] The eagle, whom thou sawest come up from the sea, is the kingdom which was seen in the vision of thy brother Daniel.
[12] But it was not expounded unto him, therefore now I declare it unto thee.
[13] Behold, the days will come, that there shall rise up a kingdom upon earth, and it shall be feared above all the kingdoms that were before it.
[14] In the same shall twelve kings reign, one after another:
[15] Whereof the second shall begin to reign, and shall have more time than any of the twelve.
[16] And this do the twelve wings signify, which thou sawest.
[17] As for the voice which thou heardest speak, and that thou sawest not to go out from the heads but from the midst of the body thereof, this is the interpretation:
[18] That after the time of that kingdom there shall arise great strivings, and it shall stand in peril of failing: nevertheless it shall not then fall, but shall be restored again to his beginning.
[19] And whereas thou sawest the eight small under feathers sticking to her wings, this is the interpretation:
[20] That in him there shall arise eight kings, whose times shall be but small, and their years swift.
[21] And two of them shall perish, the middle time approaching: four shall be kept until their end begin to approach: but two shall be kept unto the end.
[22] And whereas thou sawest three heads resting, this is the interpretation:
[23] In his last days shall the most High raise up three kingdoms, and renew many things therein, and they shall have the dominion of the earth,
[24] And of those that dwell therein, with much oppression, above all those that were before them: therefore are they called the heads of the eagle.
[25] For these are they that shall accomplish his wickedness, and that shall finish his last end.
[26] And whereas thou sawest that the great head appeared no more, it signifieth that one of them shall die upon his bed, and yet with pain.
[27] For the two that remain shall be slain with the sword.
[28] For the sword of the one shall devour the other: but at the last shall he fall through the sword himself.
[29] And whereas thou sawest two feathers under the wings passing over the head that is on the right side;
[30] It signifieth that these are they, whom the Highest hath kept unto their end: this is the small kingdom and full of trouble, as thou sawest.
[31] And the lion, whom thou sawest rising up out of the wood, and roaring, and speaking to the eagle, and rebuking her for her unrighteousness with all the words which thou hast heard;
[32] This is the anointed, which the Highest hath kept for them and for their wickedness unto the end: he shall reprove them, and shall upbraid them with their cruelty.
[33] For he shall set them before him alive in judgment, and shall rebuke them, and correct them.
[34] For the rest of my people shall he deliver with mercy, those that have been pressed upon my borders, and he shall make them joyful until the coming of the day of judgment, whereof I have spoken unto thee from the the beginning.
[35] This is the dream that thou sawest, and these are the interpretations.
[36] Thou only hast been meet to know this secret of the Highest.
[37] Therefore write all these things that thou hast seen in a book, and hide them:
[38] And teach them to the wise of the people, whose hearts thou knowest may comprehend and keep these secrets.
[39] But wait thou here thyself yet seven days more, that it may be shewed thee, whatsoever it pleaseth the Highest to declare unto thee. And with that he went his way.
[40] And it came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and I not come again into the city, they gathered them all together, from the least unto the greatest, and came unto me, and said,
[41] What have we offended thee? and what evil have we done against thee, that thou forsakest us, and sittest here in this place?
[42] For of all the prophets thou only art left us, as a cluster of the vintage, and as a candle in a dark place, and as a haven or ship preserved from the tempest.
[43] Are not the evils which are come to us sufficient?
[44] If thou shalt forsake us, how much better had it been for us, if we also had been burned in the midst of Sion?
[45] For we are not better than they that died there. And they wept with a loud voice. Then answered I them, and said,
[46] Be of good comfort, O Israel; and be not heavy, thou house of Jacob:
[47] For the Highest hath you in remembrance, and the Mighty hath not forgotten you in temptation.
[48] As for me, I have not forsaken you, neither am I departed from you: but am come into this place, to pray for the desolation of Sion, and that I might seek mercy for the low estate of your sanctuary.
[49] And now go your way home every man, and after these days will I come unto you.
[50] So the people went their way into the city, like as I commanded them:
[51] But I remained still in the field seven days, as the angel commanded me; and did eat only in those days of the flowers of the field, and had my meat of the herbs
4Ezra.13
[1] And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night:
[2] And, lo, there arose a wind from the sea, that it moved all the waves thereof.
[3] And I beheld, and, lo, that man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him.
[4] And whensoever the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, like as the earth faileth when it feeleth the fire.
[5] And after this I beheld, and, lo, there was gathered together a multitude of men, out of number, from the four winds of the heaven, to subdue the man that came out of the sea
[6] But I beheld, and, lo, he had graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it.
[7] But I would have seen the region or place whereout the hill was graven, and I could not.
[8] And after this I beheld, and, lo, all they which were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and yet durst fight.
[9] And, lo, as he saw the violence of the multitude that came, he neither lifted up his hand, nor held sword, nor any instrument of war:
[10] But only I saw that he sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and tempests.
[11] And they were all mixed together; the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and the great tempest; and fell with violence upon the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them up every one, so that upon a sudden of an innumerable multitude nothing was to be perceived, but only dust and smell of smoke: when I saw this I was afraid.
[12] Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and call unto him another peaceable Multitude.
[13] And there came much people unto him, whereof some were glad, some were sorry, and some of them were bound, and other some brought of them that were offered: then was I sick through great fear, and I awaked, and said,
[14] Thou hast shewed thy servant these wonders from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy that thou shouldest receive my prayer:
[15] Shew me now yet the interpretation of this dream.
[16] For as I conceive in mine understanding, woe unto them that shall be left in those days and much more woe unto them that are not left behind!
[17] For they that were not left were in heaviness.
[18] Now understand I the things that are laid up in the latter days, which shall happen unto them, and to those that are left behind.
[19] Therefore are they come into great perils and many necessities, like as these dreams declare.
[20] Yet is it easier for him that is in danger to come into these things, than to pass away as a cloud out of the world, and not to see the things that happen in the last days. And he answered unto me, and said,
[21] The interpretation of the vision shall I shew thee, and I will open unto thee the thing that thou hast required.
[22] Whereas thou hast spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation:
[23] He that shall endure the peril in that time hath kept himself: they that be fallen into danger are such as have works, and faith toward the Almighty.
[24] Know this therefore, that they which be left behind are more blessed than they that be dead.
[25] This is the meaning of the vision: Whereas thou sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea:
[26] The same is he whom God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creature: and he shall order them that are left behind.
[27] And whereas thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came as a blast of wind, and fire, and storm;
[28] And that he held neither sword, nor any instrument of war, but that the rushing in of him destroyed the whole multitude that came to subdue him; this is the interpretation:
[29] Behold, the days come, when the most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth.
[30] And he shall come to the astonishment of them that dwell on the earth.
[31] And one shall undertake to fight against another, one city against another, one place against another, one people against another, and one realm against another.
[32] And the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending.
[33] And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another.
[34] And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting.
[35] But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Sion.
[36] And Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill graven without hands.
[37] And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest;
[38] And shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like unto a flame: and he shall destroy them without labour by the law which is like unto me.
[39] And whereas thou sawest that he gathered another peaceable multitude unto him;
[40] Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so came they into another land.
[41] But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,
[42] That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.
[43] And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow places of the river.
[44] For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over.
[45] For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth.
[46] Then dwelt they there until the latter time; and now when they shall begin to come,
[47] The Highest shall stay the springs of the stream again, that they may go through: therefore sawest thou the multitude with peace.
[48] But those that be left behind of thy people are they that are found within my borders.
[49] Now when he destroyeth the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he shall defend his people that remain.
[50] And then shall he shew them great wonders.
[51] Then said I, O Lord that bearest rule, shew me this: Wherefore have I seen the man coming up from the midst of the sea?
[52] And he said unto me, Like as thou canst neither seek out nor know the things that are in the deep of the sea: even so can no man upon earth see my Son, or those that be with him, but in the day time.
[53] This is the interpretation of the dream which thou sawest, and whereby thou only art here lightened.
[54] For thou hast forsaken thine own way, and applied thy diligence unto my law, and sought it.
[55] Thy life hast thou ordered in wisdom, and hast called understanding thy mother.
[56] And therefore have I shewed thee the treasures of the Highest: after other three days I will speak other things unto thee, and declare unto thee mighty and wondrous things.
[57] Then went I forth into the field, giving praise and thanks greatly unto the most High because of his wonders which he did in time;
[58] And because he governeth the same, and such things as fall in their seasons: and there I sat three days.
4Ezra.14
[1] And it came to pass upon the third day, I sat under an oak, and, behold, there came a voice out of a bush over against me, and said, Esdras, Esdras.
[2] And I said, Here am I, Lord And I stood up upon my feet.
[3] Then said he unto me, In the bush I did manifestly reveal myself unto Moses, and talked with him, when my people served in Egypt:
[4] And I sent him and led my people out of Egypt, and brought him up to the mount of where I held him by me a long season,
[5] And told him many wondrous things, and shewed him the secrets of the times, and the end; and commanded him, saying,
[6] These words shalt thou declare, and these shalt thou hide.
[7] And now I say unto thee,
[8] That thou lay up in thy heart the signs that I have shewed, and the dreams that thou hast seen, and the interpretations which thou hast heard:
[9] For thou shalt be taken away from all, and from henceforth thou shalt remain with my Son, and with such as be like thee, until the times be ended.
[10] For the world hath lost his youth, and the times begin to wax old.
[11] For the world is divided into twelve parts, and the ten parts of it are gone already, and half of a tenth part:
[12] And there remaineth that which is after the half of the tenth part.
[13] Now therefore set thine house in order, and reprove thy people, comfort such of them as be in trouble, and now renounce corruption,
[14] Let go from thee mortal thoughts, cast away the burdens of man, put off now the weak nature,
[15] And set aside the thoughts that are most heavy unto thee, and haste thee to flee from these times.
[16] For yet greater evils than those which thou hast seen happen shall be done hereafter.
[17] For look how much the world shall be weaker through age, so much the more shall evils increase upon them that dwell therein.
[18] For the time is fled far away, and leasing is hard at hand: for now hasteth the vision to come, which thou hast seen.
[19] Then answered I before thee, and said,
[20] Behold, Lord, I will go, as thou hast commanded me, and reprove the people which are present: but they that shall be born afterward, who shall admonish them? thus the world is set in darkness, and they that dwell therein are without light.
[21] For thy law is burnt, therefore no man knoweth the things that are done of thee, or the work that shall begin.
[22] But if I have found grace before thee, send the Holy Ghost into me, and I shall write all that hath been done in the world since the beginning, which were written in thy law, that men may find thy path, and that they which will live in the latter days may live.
[23] And he answered me, saying, Go thy way, gather the people together, and say unto them, that they seek thee not for forty days.
[24] But look thou prepare thee many box trees, and take with thee Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ecanus, and Asiel, these five which are ready to write swiftly;
[25] And come hither, and I shall light a candle of understanding in thine heart, which shall not be put out, till the things be performed which thou shalt begin to write.
[26] And when thou hast done, some things shalt thou publish, and some things shalt thou shew secretly to the wise: to morrow this hour shalt thou begin to write.
[27] Then went I forth, as he commanded, and gathered all the people together, and said,
[28] Hear these words, O Israel.
[29] Our fathers at the beginning were strangers in Egypt, from whence they were delivered:
[30] And received the law of life, which they kept not, which ye also have transgressed after them.
[31] Then was the land, even the land of Sion, parted among you by lot: but your fathers, and ye yourselves, have done unrighteousness, and have not kept the ways which the Highest commanded you.
[32] And forasmuch as he is a righteous judge, he took from you in time the thing that he had given you.
[33] And now are ye here, and your brethren among you.
[34] Therefore if so be that ye will subdue your own understanding, and reform your hearts, ye shall be kept alive and after death ye shall obtain mercy.
[35] For after death shall the judgment come, when we shall live again: and then shall the names of the righteous be manifest, and the works of the ungodly shall be declared.
[36] Let no man therefore come unto me now, nor seek after me these forty days.
[37] So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went into the field, and remained there.
[38] And the next day, behold, a voice called me, saying, Esdras, open thy mouth, and drink that I give thee to drink.
[39] Then opened I my mouth, and, behold, he reached me a full cup, which was full as it were with water, but the colour of it was like fire.
[40] And I took it, and drank: and when I had drunk of it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my breast, for my spirit strengthened my memory:
[41] And my mouth was opened, and shut no more.
[42] The Highest gave understanding unto the five men, and they wrote the wonderful visions of the night that were told, which they knew not: and they sat forty days, and they wrote in the day, and at night they ate bread.
[43] As for me. I spake in the day, and I held not my tongue by night.
[44] In forty days they wrote two hundred and four books.
[45] And it came to pass, when the forty days were filled, that the Highest spake, saying, The first that thou hast written publish openly, that the worthy and unworthy may read it:
[46] But keep the seventy last, that thou mayest deliver them only to such as be wise among the people:
[47] For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge.
[48] And I did so.
4Ezra.15
[1] Behold, speak thou in the ears of my people the words of prophecy, which I will put in thy mouth, saith the Lord:
[2] And cause them to be written in paper: for they are faithful and true.
[3] Fear not the imaginations against thee, let not the incredulity of them trouble thee, that speak against thee.
[4] For all the unfaithful shall die in their unfaithfulness.
[5] Behold, saith the Lord, I will bring plagues upon the world; the sword, famine, death, and destruction.
[6] For wickedness hath exceedingly polluted the whole earth, and their hurtful works are fulfilled.
[7] Therefore saith the Lord,
[8] I will hold my tongue no more as touching their wickedness, which they profanely commit, neither will I suffer them in those things, in which they wickedly exercise themselves: behold, the innocent and righteous blood crieth unto me, and the souls of the just complain continually.
[9] And therefore, saith the Lord, I will surely avenge them, and receive unto me all the innocent blood from among them.
[10] Behold, my people is led as a flock to the slaughter: I will not suffer them now to dwell in the land of Egypt:
[11] But I will bring them with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm, and smite Egypt with plagues, as before, and will destroy all the land thereof.
[12] Egypt shall mourn, and the foundation of it shall be smitten with the plague and punishment that God shall bring upon it.
[13] They that till the ground shall mourn: for their seeds shall fail through the blasting and hail, and with a fearful constellation.
[14] Woe to the world and them that dwell therein!
[15] For the sword and their destruction draweth nigh, and one people shall stand up and fight against another, and swords in their hands.
[16] For there shall be sedition among men, and invading one another; they shall not regard their kings nor princes, and the course of their actions shall stand in their power.
[17] A man shall desire to go into a city, and shall not be able.
[18] For because of their pride the cities shall be troubled, the houses shall be destroyed, and men shall be afraid.
[19] A man shall have no pity upon his neighbour, but shall destroy their houses with the sword, and spoil their goods, because of the lack of bread, and for great tribulation.
[20] Behold, saith God, I will call together all the kings of the earth to reverence me, which are from the rising of the sun, from the south, from the east, and Libanus; to turn themselves one against another, and repay the things that they have done to them.
[21] Like as they do yet this day unto my chosen, so will I do also, and recompense in their bosom. Thus saith the Lord God;
[22] My right hand shall not spare the sinners, and my sword shall not cease over them that shed innocent blood upon the earth.
[23] The fire is gone forth from his wrath, and hath consumed the foundations of the earth, and the sinners, like the straw that is kindled.
[24] Woe to them that sin, and keep not my commandments! saith the Lord.
[25] I will not spare them: go your way, ye children, from the power, defile not my sanctuary.
[26] For the Lord knoweth all them that sin against him, and therefore delivereth he them unto death and destruction.
[27] For now are the plagues come upon the whole earth and ye shall remain in them: for God shall not deliver you, because ye have sinned against him.
[28] Behold an horrible vision, and the appearance thereof from the east:
[29] Where the nations of the dragons of Arabia shall come out with many chariots, and the multitude of them shall be carried as the wind upon earth, that all they which hear them may fear and tremble.
[30] Also the Carmanians raging in wrath shall go forth as the wild boars of the wood, and with great power shall they come, and join battle with them, and shall waste a portion of the land of the Assyrians.
[31] And then shall the dragons have the upper hand, remembering their nature; and if they shall turn themselves, conspiring together in great power to persecute them,
[32] Then these shall be troubled bled, and keep silence through their power, and shall flee.
[33] And from the land of the Assyrians shall the enemy besiege them, and consume some of them, and in their host shall be fear and dread, and strife among their kings.
[34] Behold clouds from the east and from the north unto the south, and they are very horrible to look upon, full of wrath and storm.
[35] They shall smite one upon another, and they shall smite down a great multitude of stars upon the earth, even their own star; and blood shall be from the sword unto the belly,
[36] And dung of men unto the camel's hough.
[37] And there shall be great fearfulness and trembling upon earth: and they that see the wrath shall be afraid, and trembling shall come upon them.
[38] And then shall there come great storms from the south, and from the north, and another part from the west.
[39] And strong winds shall arise from the east, and shall open it; and the cloud which he raised up in wrath, and the star stirred to cause fear toward the east and west wind, shall be destroyed.
[40] The great and mighty clouds shall be puffed up full of wrath, and the star, that they may make all the earth afraid, and them that dwell therein; and they shall pour out over every high and eminent place an horrible star,
[41] Fire, and hail, and flying swords, and many waters, that all fields may be full, and all rivers, with the abundance of great waters.
[42] And they shall break down the cities and walls, mountains and hills, trees of the wood, and grass of the meadows, and their corn.
[43] And they shall go steadfastly unto Babylon, and make her afraid.
[44] They shall come to her, and besiege her, the star and all wrath shall they pour out upon her: then shall the dust and smoke go up unto the heaven, and all they that be about her shall bewail her.
[45] And they that remain under her shall do service unto them that have put her in fear.
[46] And thou, Asia, that art partaker of the hope of Babylon, and art the glory of her person:
[47] Woe be unto thee, thou wretch, because thou hast made thyself like unto her; and hast decked thy daughters in whoredom, that they might please and glory in thy lovers, which have always desired to commit whoredom with thee.
[48] Thou hast followed her that is hated in all her works and inventions: therefore saith God,
[49] I will send plagues upon thee; widowhood, poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence, to waste thy houses with destruction and death.
[50] And the glory of thy Power shall be dried up as a flower, the heat shall arise that is sent over thee.
[51] Thou shalt be weakened as a poor woman with stripes, and as one chastised with wounds, so that the mighty and lovers shall not be able to receive thee.
[52] Would I with jealousy have so proceeded against thee, saith the Lord,
[53] If thou hadst not always slain my chosen, exalting the stroke of thine hands, and saying over their dead, when thou wast drunken,
[54] Set forth the beauty of thy countenance?
[55] The reward of thy whoredom shall be in thy bosom, therefore shalt thou receive recompence.
[56] Like as thou hast done unto my chosen, saith the Lord, even so shall God do unto thee, and shall deliver thee into mischief
[57] Thy children shall die of hunger, and thou shalt fall through the sword: thy cities shall be broken down, and all thine shall perish with the sword in the field.
[58] They that be in the mountains shall die of hunger, and eat their own flesh, and drink their own blood, for very hunger of bread, and thirst of water.
[59] Thou as unhappy shalt come through the sea, and receive plagues again.
[60] And in the passage they shall rush on the idle city, and shall destroy some portion of thy land, and consume part of thy glory, and shall return to Babylon that was destroyed.
[61] And thou shalt be cast down by them as stubble, and they shall be unto thee as fire;
[62] And shall consume thee, and thy cities, thy land, and thy mountains; all thy woods and thy fruitful trees shall they burn up with fire.
[63] Thy children shall they carry away captive, and, look, what thou hast, they shall spoil it, and mar the beauty of thy face.
4Ezra.16
[1] Woe be unto thee, Babylon, and Asia! woe be unto thee, Egypt and Syria!
[2] Gird up yourselves with cloths of sack and hair, bewail your children, and be sorry; for your destruction is at hand.
[3] A sword is sent upon you, and who may turn it back?
[4] A fire is sent among you, and who may quench it?
[5] Plagues are sent unto you, and what is he that may drive them away?
[6] May any man drive away an hungry lion in the wood? or may any one quench the fire in stubble, when it hath begun to burn?
[7] May one turn again the arrow that is shot of a strong archer?
[8] The mighty Lord sendeth the plagues and who is he that can drive them away?
[9] A fire shall go forth from his wrath, and who is he that may quench it?
[10] He shall cast lightnings, and who shall not fear? he shall thunder, and who shall not be afraid?
[11] The Lord shall threaten, and who shall not be utterly beaten to powder at his presence?
[12] The earth quaketh, and the foundations thereof; the sea ariseth up with waves from the deep, and the waves of it are troubled, and the fishes thereof also, before the Lord, and before the glory of his power:
[13] For strong is his right hand that bendeth the bow, his arrows that he shooteth are sharp, and shall not miss, when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
[14] Behold, the plagues are sent, and shall not return again, until they come upon the earth.
[15] The fire is kindled, and shall not be put out, till it consume the foundation of the earth.
[16] Like as an arrow which is shot of a mighty archer returneth not backward: even so the plagues that shall be sent upon earth shall not return again.
[17] Woe is me! woe is me! who will deliver me in those days?
[18] The beginning of sorrows and great mournings; the beginning of famine and great death; the beginning of wars, and the powers shall stand in fear; the beginning of evils! what shall I do when these evils shall come?
[19] Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment.
[20] But for all these things they shall not turn from their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
[21] Behold, victuals shall be so good cheap upon earth, that they shall think themselves to be in good case, and even then shall evils grow upon earth, sword, famine, and great confusion.
[22] For many of them that dwell upon earth shall perish of famine; and the other, that escape the hunger, shall the sword destroy.
[23] And the dead shall be cast out as dung, and there shall be no man to comfort them: for the earth shall be wasted, and the cities shall be cast down.
[24] There shall be no man left to till the earth, and to sow it
[25] The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them?
[26] The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? for all places shall be desolate of men:
[27] So that one man shall desire to see another, and to hear his voice.
[28] For of a city there shall be ten left, and two of the field, which shall hide themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks.
[29] As in an orchard of Olives upon every tree there are left three or four olives;
[30] Or as when a vineyard is gathered, there are left some clusters of them that diligently seek through the vineyard:
[31] Even so in those days there shall be three or four left by them that search their houses with the sword.
[32] And the earth shall be laid waste, and the fields thereof shall wax old, and her ways and all her paths shall grow full of thorns, because no man shall travel therethrough.
[33] The virgins shall mourn, having no bridegrooms; the women shall mourn, having no husbands; their daughters shall mourn, having no helpers.
[34] In the wars shall their bridegrooms be destroyed, and their husbands shall perish of famine.
[35] Hear now these things and understand them, ye servants of the Lord.
[36] Behold, the word of the Lord, receive it: believe not the gods of whom the Lord spake.
[37] Behold, the plagues draw nigh, and are not slack.
[38] As when a woman with child in the ninth month bringeth forth her son, with two or three hours of her birth great pains compass her womb, which pains, when the child cometh forth, they slack not a moment:
[39] Even so shall not the plagues be slack to come upon the earth, and the world shall mourn, and sorrows shall come upon it on every side.
[40] O my people, hear my word: make you ready to thy battle, and in those evils be even as pilgrims upon the earth.
[41] He that selleth, let him be as he that fleeth away: and he that buyeth, as one that will lose:
[42] He that occupieth merchandise, as he that hath no profit by it: and he that buildeth, as he that shall not dwell therein:
[43] He that soweth, as if he should not reap: so also he that planteth the vineyard, as he that shall not gather the grapes:
[44] They that marry, as they that shall get no children; and they that marry not, as the widowers.
[45] And therefore they that labour labour in vain:
[46] For strangers shall reap their fruits, and spoil their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captives, for in captivity and famine shall they get children.
[47] And they that occupy their merchandise with robbery, the more they deck their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons:
[48] The more will I be angry with them for their sin, saith the Lord.
[49] Like as a whore envieth a right honest and virtuous woman:
[50] So shall righteousness hate iniquity, when she decketh herself, and shall accuse her to her face, when he cometh that shall defend him that diligently searcheth out every sin upon earth.
[51] And therefore be ye not like thereunto, nor to the works thereof.
[52] For yet a little, and iniquity shall be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness shall reign among you.
[53] Let not the sinner say that he hath not sinned: for God shall burn coals of fire upon his head, which saith before the Lord God and his glory, I have not sinned.
[54] Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts:
[55] Which spake but the word, Let the earth be made; and it was made: Let the heaven be made; and it was created.
[56] In his word were the stars made, and he knoweth the number of them.
[57] He searcheth the deep, and the treasures thereof; he hath measured the sea, and what it containeth.
[58] He hath shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and with his word hath he hanged the earth upon the waters.
[59] He spreadeth out the heavens like a vault; upon the waters hath he founded it.
[60] In the desert hath he made springs of water, and pools upon the tops of the mountains, that the floods might pour down from the high rocks to water the earth.
[61] He made man, and put his heart in the midst of the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding.
[62] Yea and the Spirit of Almighty God, which made all things, and searcheth out all hidden things in the secrets of the earth,
[63] Surely he knoweth your inventions, and what ye think in your hearts, even them that sin, and would hide their sin.
[64] Therefore hath the Lord exactly searched out all your works, and he will put you all to shame.
[65] And when your sins are brought forth, ye shall be ashamed before men, and your own sins shall be your accusers in that day.
[66] What will ye do? or how will ye hide your sins before God and his angels?
[67] Behold, God himself is the judge, fear him: leave off from your sins, and forget your iniquities, to meddle no more with them for ever: so shall God lead you forth, and deliver you from all trouble.
[68] For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed you, being idle, with things offered unto idols.
[69] And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and trodden under foot.
[70] For there shall be in every place, and in the next cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord.
[71] They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but still spoiling and destroying those that fear the Lord.
[72] For they shall waste and take away their goods, and cast them out of their houses.
[73] Then shall they be known, who are my chosen; and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire.
[74] Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at hand, but I will deliver you from the same.
[75] Be ye not afraid neither doubt; for God is your guide,
[76] And the guide of them who keep my commandments and precepts, saith the Lord God: let not your sins weigh you down, and let not your iniquities lift up themselves.
[77] Woe be unto them that are bound with their sins, and covered with their iniquities like as a field is covered over with bushes, and the path thereof covered with thorns, that no man may travel through!
[78] It is left undressed, and is cast into the fire to be consumed therewith.
Another Translation
http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/2esdr.htm
2 Esdras
4Ezra.1
[1] The second book of the prophet Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
[2] son of Ahijah, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, son of Azariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Arna, son of Uzzi, son of Borith, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar,
[3] son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, who was a captive in the country of the Medes in the reign of Artaxerxes, king of the Persians.
[4] The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
[5] "Go and declare to my people their evil deeds, and to their children the iniquities which they have committed against me, so that they may tell their children's children
[6] that the sins of their parents have increased in them, for they have forgotten me and have offered sacrifices to strange gods.
[7] Was it not I who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But they have angered me and despised my counsels.
[8] Pull out the hair of your head and hurl all evils upon them, for they have not obeyed my law -- they are a rebellious people.
[9] How long shall I endure them, on whom I have bestowed such great benefits?
[10] For their sake I have overthrown many kings: I struck down Pharaoh with his servants, and all his army.
[11] I have destroyed all nations before them, and scattered in the east the people of two provinces, Tyre and Sidon; I have slain all their enemies.
[12] "But speak to them and say, Thus says the Lord:
[13] Surely it was I who brought you through the sea, and made safe highways for you where there was no road; I gave you Moses as leader and Aaron as priest;
[14] I provided light for you from a pillar of fire, and did great wonders among you. Yet you have forgotten me, says the Lord.
[15] "Thus says the Lord Almighty: The quails were a sign to you; I gave you camps for your protection, and in them you complained.
[16] You have not exulted in my name at the destruction of your enemies, but to this day you still complain.
[17] Where are the benefits which I bestowed on you? When you were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did you not cry out to me,
[18] saying, `Why hast thou led us into this wilderness to kill us? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.'
[19] I pitied your groanings and gave you manna for food; you ate the bread of angels.
[20] When you were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock so that waters flowed in abundance? Because of the heat I covered you with the leaves of trees.
[21] I divided fertile lands among you; I drove out the Canaanites, the Perizzites, and the Philistines before you. What more can I do for you? says the Lord.
[22] Thus says the Lord Almighty: When you were in the wilderness, at the bitter stream, thirsty and blaspheming my name,
[23] I did not send fire upon you for your blasphemies, but threw a tree into the water and made the stream sweet.
[24] "What shall I do to you, O Jacob? You would not obey me, O Judah. I will turn to other nations and will give them my name, that they may keep my statutes.
[25] Because you have forsaken me, I also will forsake you. When you beg mercy of me, I will show you no mercy.
[26] When you call upon me, I will not listen to you; for you have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit murder.
[27] It is not as though you had forsaken me; you have forsaken yourselves, says the Lord.
[28] "Thus says the Lord Almighty: Have I not entreated you as a father entreats his sons or a mother her daughters or a nurse her children,
[29] that you should be my people and I should be your God, and that you should be my sons and I should be your father?
[30] I gathered you as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. But now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence.
[31] When you offer oblations to me, I will turn my face from you; for I have rejected your feast days, and new moons, and circumcisions of the flesh.
[32] I sent to you my servants the prophets, but you have taken and slain them and torn their bodies in pieces; their blood I will require of you, says the Lord.
[33] "Thus says the Lord Almighty: Your house is desolate; I will drive you out as the wind drives straw;
[34] and your sons will have no children, because with you they have neglected my commandment and have done what is evil in my sight.
[35] I will give your houses to a people that will come, who without having heard me will believe. Those to whom I have shown no signs will do what I have commanded.
[36] They have seen no prophets, yet will recall their former state.
[37] I call to witness the gratitude of the people that is to come, whose children rejoice with gladness; though they do not see me with bodily eyes, yet with the spirit they will believe the things I have said.
[38] "And now, father, look with pride and see the people coming from the east;
[39] to them I will give as leaders Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and Hosea and Amos and Micah and Joel and Obadiah and Jonah
[40] and Nahum and Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, who is also called the messenger of the Lord.
2
[1] "Thus says the Lord: I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave them commandments through my servants the prophets; but they would not listen to them, and made my counsels void.
[2] The mother who bore them says to them, `Go, my children, because I am a widow and forsaken.
[3] I brought you up with gladness; but with mourning and sorrow I have lost you, because you have sinned before the Lord God and have done what is evil in my sight.
[4] But now what can I do for you? For I am a widow and forsaken. Go, my children, and ask for mercy from the Lord.'
[5] I call upon you, father, as a witness in addition to the mother of the children, because they would not keep my covenant,
[6] that you may bring confusion upon them and bring their mother to ruin, so that they may have no offspring.
[7] Let them be scattered among the nations, let their names be blotted out from the earth, because they have despised my covenant.
[8] "Woe to you, Assyria, who conceal the unrighteous in your midst! O wicked nation, remember what I did to Sodom and Gomorrah,
[9] whose land lies in lumps of pitch and heaps of ashes. So will I do to those who have not listened to me, says the Lord Almighty."
[10] Thus says the Lord to Ezra: "Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I was going to give to Israel.
[11] Moreover, I will take back to myself their glory, and will give to these others the everlasting habitations, which I had prepared for Israel.
[12] The tree of life shall give them fragrant perfume, and they shall neither toil nor become weary.
[13] Ask and you will receive; pray that your days may be few, that they may be shortened. The kingdom is already prepared for you; watch!
[14] Call, O call heaven and earth to witness, for I left out evil and created good, because I live, says the Lord.
[15] "Mother, embrace your sons; bring them up with gladness, as does the dove; establish their feet, because I have chosen you, says the Lord.
[16] And I will raise up the dead from their places, and will bring them out from their tombs, because I recognize my name in them.
[17] Do not fear, mother of sons, for I have chosen you, says the Lord.
[18] I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to their counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded with various fruits,
[19] and the same number of springs flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains on which roses and lilies grow; by these I will fill your children with joy.
[20] Guard the rights of the widow, secure justice for the fatherless, give to the needy, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,
[21] care for the injured and the weak, do not ridicule a lame man, protect the maimed, and let the blind man have a vision of my splendor.
[22] Protect the old and the young within your walls;
[23] When you find any who are dead, commit them to the grave and mark it, and I will give you the first place in my resurrection.
[24] Pause and be quiet, my people, because your rest will come.
[25] Good nurse, nourish your sons, and strengthen their feet.
[26] Not one of the servants whom I have given you will perish, for I will require them from among your number.
[27] Do not be anxious, for when the day of tribulation and anguish comes, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but you shall rejoice and have abundance.
[28] The nations shall envy you but they shall not be able to do anything against you, says the Lord.
[29] My hands will cover you, that your sons may not see Gehenna.
[30] Rejoice, O mother, with your sons, because I will deliver you, says the Lord.
[31] Remember your sons that sleep, because I will bring them out of the hiding places of the earth, and will show mercy to them; for I am merciful, says the Lord Almighty.
[32] Embrace your children until I come, and proclaim mercy to them; because my springs run over, and my grace will not fail."
[33] I, Ezra, received a command from the Lord on Mount Horeb to go to Israel. When I came to them they rejected me and refused the Lord's commandment.
[34] Therefore I say to you, O nations that hear and understand, "Await your shepherd; he will give you everlasting rest, because he who will come at the end of the age is close at hand.
[35] Be ready for the rewards of the kingdom, because the eternal light will shine upon you for evermore.
[36] Flee from the shadow of this age, receive the joy of your glory; I publicly call on my Savior to witness.
[37] Receive what the Lord has entrusted to you and be joyful, giving thanks to him who has called you to heavenly kingdoms.
[38] Rise and stand, and see at the feast of the Lord the number of those who have been sealed.
[39] Those who have departed from the shadow of this age have received glorious garments from the Lord.
[40] Take again your full number, O Zion, and conclude the list of your people who are clothed in white, who have fulfilled the law of the Lord.
[41] The number of your children, whom you desired, is full; beseech the Lord's power that your people, who have been called from the beginning, may be made holy."
[42] I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude, which I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs.
[43] In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound.
[44] Then I asked an angel, "Who are these, my lord?"
[45] He answered and said to me, "These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and they have confessed the name of God; now they are being crowned, and receive palms."
[46] Then I said to the angel, "Who is that young man who places crowns on them and puts palms in their hands?"
[47] He answered and said to me, "He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world." So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord.
[48] Then the angel said to me, "Go, tell my people how great and many are the wonders of the Lord God which you have seen.”
3
[1] In the thirtieth year after the destruction of our city, I Salathiel, who am also called Ezra, was in Babylon. I was troubled as I lay on my bed, and my thoughts welled up in my heart,
[2] because I saw the desolation of Zion and the wealth of those who lived in Babylon.
[3] My spirit was greatly agitated, and I began to speak anxious words to the Most High, and said,
[4] "O sovereign Lord, didst thou not speak at the beginning when thou didst form the earth -- and that without help -- and didst command the dust
[5] and it gave thee Adam, a lifeless body? Yet he was the workmanship of thy hands, and thou didst breathe into him the breath of life, and he was made alive in thy presence.
[6] And thou didst lead him into the garden which thy right hand had planted before the earth appeared.
[7] And thou didst lay upon him one commandment of thine; but he transgressed it, and immediately thou didst appoint death for him and for his descendants. From him there sprang nations and tribes, peoples and clans without number.
[8] And every nation walked after its own will and did ungodly things before thee and scorned thee, and thou didst not hinder them.
[9] But again, in its time thou didst bring the flood upon the inhabitants of the world and destroy them.
[10] And the same fate befell them: as death came upon Adam, so the flood upon them.
[11] But thou didst leave one of them, Noah with his household, and all the righteous who have descended from him.
[12] "When those who dwelt on earth began to multiply, they produced children and peoples and many nations, and again they began to be more ungodly than were their ancestors.
[13] And when they were committing iniquity before thee, thou didst choose for thyself one of them, whose name was Abraham;
[14] and thou didst love him, and to him only didst thou reveal the end of the times, secretly by night.
[15] Thou didst make with him an everlasting covenant, and promise him that thou wouldst never forsake his descendants; and thou gavest to him Isaac, and to Isaac thou gavest Jacob and Esau.
[16] And thou didst set apart Jacob for thyself, but Esau thou didst reject; and Jacob became a great multitude.
[17] And when thou didst lead his descendants out of Egypt, thou didst bring them to Mount Sinai.
[18] Thou didst bend down the heavens and shake the earth, and move the world, and make the depths to tremble, and trouble the times.
[19] And thy glory passed through the four gates of fire and earthquake and wind and ice, to give the law to the descendants of Jacob, and thy commandment to the posterity of Israel.
[20] "Yet thou didst not take away from them their evil heart, so that thy law might bring forth fruit in them.
[21] For the first Adam, burdened with an evil heart, transgressed and was overcome, as were also all who were descended from him.
[22] Thus the disease became permanent; the law was in the people's heart along with the evil root, but what was good departed, and the evil remained.
[23] So the times passed and the years were completed, and thou didst raise up for thyself a servant, named David.
[24] And thou didst command him to build a city for thy name, and in it to offer thee oblations from what is thine.
[25] This was done for many years; but the inhabitants of the city transgressed,
[26] in everything doing as Adam and all his descendants had done, for they also had the evil heart.
[27] So thou didst deliver the city into the hands of thy enemies.
[28] "Then I said in my heart, Are the deeds of those who inhabit Babylon any better? Is that why she has gained dominion over Zion?
[29] For when I came here I saw ungodly deeds without number, and my soul has seen many sinners during these thirty years. And my heart failed me,
[30] for I have seen how thou dost endure those who sin, and hast spared those who act wickedly, and hast destroyed thy people, and hast preserved thy enemies,
[31] and hast not shown to any one how thy way may be comprehended. Are the deeds of Babylon better than those of Zion?
[32] Or has another nation known thee besides Israel? Or what tribes have so believed thy covenants as these tribes of Jacob?
[33] Yet their reward has not appeared and their labor has borne no fruit. For I have traveled widely among the nations and have seen that they abound in wealth, though they are unmindful of thy commandments.
[34] Now therefore weigh in a balance our iniquities and those of the inhabitants of the world; and so it will be found which way the turn of the scale will incline.
[35] When have the inhabitants of the earth not sinned in thy sight? Or what nation has kept thy commandments so well?
[36] Thou mayest indeed find individual men who have kept thy commandments, but nations thou wilt not find."
4
[1] Then the angel that had been sent to me, whose name was Uriel, answered
[2] and said to me, "Your understanding has utterly failed regarding this world, and do you think you can comprehend the way of the Most High?"
[3] Then I said, "Yes, my lord." And he replied to me, "I have been sent to show you three ways, and to put before you three problems.
[4] If you can solve one of them for me, I also will show you the way you desire to see, and will teach you why the heart is evil."
[5] I said, "Speak on, my lord." And he said to me, "Go, weigh for me the weight of fire, or measure for me a measure of wind, or call back for me the day that is past."
[6] I answered and said, "Who of those that have been born can do this, that you ask me concerning these things?"
[7] And he said to me, "If I had asked you, `How many dwellings are in the heart of the sea, or how many streams are at the source of the deep, or how many streams are above the firmament, or which are the exits of hell, or which are the entrances of paradise?'
[8] Perhaps you would have said to me, `I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever ascend into heaven.'
[9] But now I have asked you only about fire and wind and the day, things through which you have passed and without which you cannot exist, and you have given me no answer about them!"
[10] And he said to me, "You cannot understand the things with which you have grown up;
[11] how then can your mind comprehend the way of the Most High? And how can one who is already worn out by the corrupt world understand incorruption?" When I heard this, I fell on my face
[12] and said to him, "It would be better for us not to be here than to come here and live in ungodliness, and to suffer and not understand why."
[13] He answered me and said, "I went into a forest of trees of the plain, and they made a plan
[14] and said, `Come, let us go and make war against the sea, that it may recede before us, and that we may make for ourselves more forests.'
[15] And in like manner the waves of the sea also made a plan and said, `Come, let us go up and subdue the forest of the plain so that there also we may gain more territory for ourselves.'
[16] But the plan of the forest was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it;
[17] likewise also the plan of the waves of the sea, for the sand stood firm and stopped them.
[18] If now you were a judge between them, which would you undertake to justify, and which to condemn?"
[19] I answered and said, "Each has made a foolish plan, for the land is assigned to the forest, and to the sea is assigned a place to carry its waves."
[20] He answered me and said, "You have judged rightly, but why have you not judged so in your own case?
[21] For as the land is assigned to the forest and the sea to its waves, so also those who dwell upon earth can understand only what is on the earth, and he who is above the heavens can understand what is above the height of the heavens."
[22] Then I answered and said, "I beseech you, my lord, why have I been endowed with the power of understanding?
[23] For I did not wish to inquire about the ways above, but about those things which we daily experience: why Israel has been given over to the Gentiles as a reproach; why the people whom you loved has been given over to godless tribes, and the law of our fathers has been made of no effect and the written covenants no longer exist;
[24] and why we pass from the world like locusts, and our life is like a mist, and we are not worthy to obtain mercy.
[25] But what will he do for his name, by which we are called? It is about these things that I have asked."
[26] He answered me and said, "If you are alive, you will see, and if you live long, you will often marvel, because the age is hastening swiftly to its end.
[27] For it will not be able to bring the things that have been promised to the righteous in their appointed times, because this age is full of sadness and infirmities.
[28] For the evil about which you ask me has been sown, but the harvest of it has not yet come.
[29] If therefore that which has been sown is not reaped, and if the place where the evil has been sown does not pass away, the field where the good has been sown will not come.
[30] For a grain of evil seed was sown in Adam's heart from the beginning, and how much ungodliness it has produced until now, and will produce until the time of threshing comes!
[31] Consider now for yourself how much fruit of ungodliness a grain of evil seed has produced.
[32] When heads of grain without number are sown, how great a threshing floor they will fill!"
[33] Then I answered and said, "How long and when will these things be? Why are our years few and evil?"
[34] He answered me and said, "You do not hasten faster than the Most High, for your haste is for yourself, but the Highest hastens on behalf of many.
[35] Did not the souls of the righteous in their chambers ask about these matters, saying, `How long are we to remain here? And when will come the harvest of our reward?
[36] And Jeremiel the archangel answered them and said, `When the number of those like yourselves is completed; for he has weighed the age in the balance,
[37] and measured the times by measure, and numbered the times by number; and he will not move or arouse them until that measure is fulfilled.'"
[38] Then I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, but all of us also are full of ungodliness.
[39] And it is perhaps on account of us that the time of threshing is delayed for the righteous -- on account of the sins of those who dwell on earth."
[40] He answered me and said, "Go and ask a woman who is with child if, when her nine months have been completed, her womb can keep the child within her any longer."
[41] And I said, "No, lord, it cannot."
And he said to me, "In Hades the chambers of the souls are like the womb.
[42] For just as a woman who is in travail makes haste to escape the pangs of birth, so also do these places hasten to give back those things that were committed to them from the beginning.
[43] Then the things that you desire to see will be disclosed to you."
[44] I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, and if it is possible, and if I am worthy,
[45] show me this also: whether more time is to come than has passed, or whether for us the greater part has gone by.
[46] For I know what has gone by, but I do not know what is to come."
[47] And he said to me, "Stand at my right side, and I will show you the interpretation of a parable."
[48] So I stood and looked, and behold, a flaming furnace passed by before me, and when the flame had gone by I looked, and behold, the smoke remained.
[49] And after this a cloud full of water passed before me and poured down a heavy and violent rain, and when the rainstorm had passed, drops remained in the cloud.
[50] And he said to me, "Consider it for yourself; for as the rain is more than the drops, and the fire is greater than the smoke, so the quantity that passed was far greater; but drops and smoke remained."
[51] Then I prayed and said, "Do you think that I shall live until those days? Or who will be alive in those days?"
[52] He answered me and said, "Concerning the signs about which you ask me, I can tell you in part; but I was not sent to tell you concerning your life, for I do not know.
5
[1] "Now concerning the signs: behold, the days are coming when those who dwell on earth shall be seized with great terror, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith.
[2] And unrighteousness shall be increased beyond what you yourself see, and beyond what you heard of formerly.
[3] And the land which you now see ruling shall be waste and untrodden, and men shall see it desolate.
[4] But if the Most High grants that you live, you shall see it thrown into confusion after the third period; and the sun shall suddenly shine forth at night, and the moon during the day.
[5] Blood shall drip from wood, and the stone shall utter its voice; the peoples shall be troubled, and the stars shall fall.
[6] And one shall reign whom those who dwell on earth do not expect, and the birds shall fly away together;
[7] and the sea of Sodom shall cast up fish; and one whom the many do not know shall make his voice heard by night, and all shall hear his voice.
[8] There shall be chaos also in many places, and fire shall often break out, and the wild beasts shall roam beyond their haunts, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters.
[9] And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall conquer one another; then shall reason hide itself, and wisdom shall withdraw into its chamber,
[10] and it shall be sought by many but shall not be found, and unrighteousness and unrestraint shall increase on earth.
[11] And one country shall ask its neighbor, `Has righteousness, or any one who does right, passed through you?' And it will answer, `No.'
[12] And at that time men shall hope but not obtain; they shall labor but their ways shall not prosper.
[13] These are the signs which I am permitted to tell you, and if you pray again, and weep as you do now, and fast for seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these."
[14] Then I awoke, and my body shuddered violently, and my soul was so troubled that it fainted.
[15] But the angel who had come and talked with me held me and strengthened me and set me on my feet.
[16] Now on the second night Phaltiel, a chief of the people, came to me and said, "Where have you been? And why is your face sad?
[17] Or do you not know that Israel has been entrusted to you in the land of their exile?
[18] Rise therefore and eat some bread, so that you may not forsake us, like a shepherd who leaves his flock in the power of cruel wolves."
[19] Then I said to him, "Depart from me and do not come near me for seven days, and then you may come to me." He heard what I said and left me.
[20] So I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, as Uriel the angel had commanded me.
[21] And after seven days the thoughts of my heart were very grievous to me again.
[22] Then my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began once more to speak words in the presence of the Most High.
[23] And I said, "O sovereign Lord, from every forest of the earth and from all its trees thou hast chosen one vine,
[24] and from all the lands of the world thou hast chosen for thyself one region, and from all the flowers of the world thou hast chosen for thyself one lily,
[25] and from all the depths of the sea thou hast filled for thyself one river, and from all the cities that have been built thou hast consecrated Zion for thyself,
[26] and from all the birds that have been created thou hast named for thyself one dove, and from all the flocks that have been made thou hast provided for thyself one sheep,
[27] and from all the multitude of peoples thou hast gotten for thyself one people; and to this people, whom thou hast loved, thou hast given the law which is approved by all.
[28] And now, O Lord, why hast thou given over the one to the many, and dishonored the one root beyond the others, and scattered thine only one among the many?
[29] And those who opposed thy promises have trodden down those who believed thy covenants.
[30] If thou dost really hate thy people, they should be punished at thy own hands."
[31] When I had spoken these words, the angel who had come to me on a previous night was sent to me,
[32] and he said to me, "Listen to me, and I will instruct you; pay attention to me, and I will tell you more."
[33] And I said, "Speak, my lord." And he said to me, "Are you greatly disturbed in mind over Israel? Or do you love him more than his Maker does?"
[34] And I said, "No, my lord, but because of my grief I have spoken; for every hour I suffer agonies of heart, while I strive to understand the way of the Most High and to search out part of his judgment."
[35] And he said to me, "You cannot." And I said, "Why not, my lord? Why then was I born? Or why did not my mother's womb become my grave, that I might not see the travail of Jacob and the exhaustion of the people of Israel?"
[36] He said to me, "Count up for me those who have not yet come, and gather for me the scattered raindrops, and make the withered flowers bloom again for me;
[37] open for me the closed chambers, and bring forth for me the winds shut up in them, or show me the picture of a voice; and then I will explain to you the travail that you ask to understand."
[38] And I said, "O sovereign Lord, who is able to know these things except he whose dwelling is not with men?
[39] As for me, I am without wisdom, and how can I speak concerning the things which thou hast asked me?"
[40] He said to me, "Just as you cannot do one of the things that were mentioned, so you cannot discover my judgment, or the goal of the love that I have promised my people."
[41] And I said, "Yet behold, O Lord, thou dost have charge of those who are alive at the end, but what will those do who were before us, or we, or those who come after us?"
[42] He said to me, "I shall liken my judgment to a circle; just as for those who are last there is no slowness, so for those who are first there is no haste."
[43] Then I answered and said, "Couldst thou not have created at one time those who have been and those who are and those who will be, that thou mightest show thy judgment the sooner?"
[44] He replied to me and said, "The creation cannot make more haste than the Creator, neither can the world hold at one time those who have been created in it."
[45] And I said, "How hast thou said to thy servant that thou wilt certainly give life at one time to thy creation? If therefore all creatures will live at one time and the creation will sustain them, it might even now be able to support all of them present at one time."
[46] He said to me, "Ask a woman's womb, and say to it, `If you bear ten children, why one after another?' Request it therefore to produce ten at one time."
[47] I said, "Of course it cannot, but only each in its own time."
[48] He said to me, "Even so have I given the womb of the earth to those who from time to time are sown in it.
[49] For as an infant does not bring forth, and a woman who has become old does not bring forth any longer, so have I organized the world which I created."
[50] Then I inquired and said, "Since thou hast now given me the opportunity, let me speak before thee. Is our mother, of whom thou hast told me, still young? Or is she now approaching old age?"
[51] He replied to me, "Ask a woman who bears children, and she will tell you.
[52] Say to her, "Why are those whom you have borne recently not like those whom you bore before, but smaller in stature?'
[53] And she herself will answer you, `Those born in the strength of youth are different from those born during the time of old age, when the womb is failing.'
[54] Therefore you also should consider that you and your contemporaries are smaller in stature than those who were before you,
[55] and those who come after you will be smaller than you, as born of a creation which already is aging and passing the strength of youth."
[56] And I said, "O Lord, I beseech thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show thy servant through whom thou dost visit thy creation.”
6
[1] And he said to me, "At the beginning of the circle of the earth, before the portals of the world were in place, and before the assembled winds blew,
[2] and before the rumblings of thunder sounded, and before the flashes of lightning shone, and before the foundations of paradise were laid,
[3] and before the beautiful flowers were seen, and before the powers of movement were established, and before the innumerable hosts of angels were gathered together,
[4] and before the heights of the air were lifted up, and before the measures of the firmaments were named, and before the footstool of Zion was established,
[5] and before the present years were reckoned; and before the imaginations of those who now sin were estranged, and before those who stored up treasures of faith were sealed --
[6] then I planned these things, and they were made through me and not through another, just as the end shall come through me and not through another."
[7] And I answered and said, "What will be the dividing of the times? Or when will be the end of the first age and the beginning of the age that follows?"
[8] He said to me, "From Abraham to Isaac, because from him were born Jacob and Esau, for Jacob's hand held Esau's heel from the beginning.
[9] For Esau is the end of this age, and Jacob is the beginning of the age that follows.
[10] For the beginning of a man is his hand, and the end of a man is his heel; between the heel and the hand seek for nothing else, Ezra!"
[11] I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, if I have found favor in thy sight,
[12] show thy servant the end of thy signs which thou didst show me in part on a previous night."
[13] He answered and said to me, "Rise to your feet and you will hear a full, resounding voice.
[14] And if the place where you are standing is greatly shaken
[15] while the voice is speaking, do not be terrified; because the word concerns the end, and the foundations of the earth will understand
[16] that the speech concerns them. They will tremble and be shaken, for they know that their end must be changed."
[17] When I heard this, I rose to my feet and listened, and behold, a voice was speaking, and its sound was like the sound of many waters.
[18] And it said, "Behold, the days are coming, and it shall be that when I draw near to visit the inhabitants of the earth,
[19] and when I require from the doers of iniquity the penalty of their iniquity, and when the humiliation of Zion is complete,
[20] and when the seal is placed upon the age which is about to pass away, then I will show these signs: the books shall be opened before the firmament, and all shall see it together.
[21] Infants a year old shall speak with their voices, and women with child shall give birth to premature children at three and four months, and these shall live and dance.
[22] Sown places shall suddenly appear unsown, and full storehouses shall suddenly be found to be empty;
[23] and the trumpet shall sound aloud, and when all hear it, they shall suddenly be terrified.
[24] At that time friends shall make war on friends like enemies, and the earth and those who inhabit it shall be terrified, and the springs of the fountains shall stand still, so that for three hours they shall not flow.
[25] "And it shall be that whoever remains after all that I have foretold to you shall himself be saved and shall see my salvation and the end of my world.
[26] And they shall see the men who were taken up, who from their birth have not tasted death; and the heart of the earth's inhabitants shall be changed and converted to a different spirit.
[27] For evil shall be blotted out, and deceit shall be quenched;
[28] faithfulness shall flourish, and corruption shall be overcome, and the truth, which has been so long without fruit, shall be revealed."
[29] While he spoke to me, behold, little by little the place where I was standing began to rock to and fro.
[30] And he said to me, "I have come to show you these things this night.
[31] If therefore you will pray again and fast again for seven days, I will again declare to you greater things than these,
[32] because your voice has surely been heard before the Most High; for the Mighty One has seen your uprightness and has also observed the purity which you have maintained from your youth.
[33] Therefore he sent me to show you all these things, and to say to you: `Believe and do not be afraid!
[34] Do not be quick to think vain thoughts concerning the former times, lest you be hasty concerning the last times.'"
[35] Now after this I wept again and fasted seven days as before, in order to complete the three weeks as I had been told.
[36] And on the eighth night my heart was troubled within me again, and I began to speak in the presence of the Most High.
[37] For my spirit was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress.
[38] I said, "O Lord, thou didst speak at the beginning of creation, and didst say on the first day, `Let heaven and earth be made,' and thy word accomplished the work.
[39] And then the Spirit was hovering, and darkness and silence embraced everything; the sound of man's voice was not yet there.
[40] Then thou didst command that a ray of light be brought forth from thy treasuries, so that thy works might then appear.
[41] "Again, on the second day, thou didst create the spirit of the firmament, and didst command him to divide and separate the waters, that one part might move upward and the other part remain beneath.
[42] "On the third day thou didst command the waters to be gathered together in the seventh part of the earth; six parts thou didst dry up and keep so that some of them might be planted and cultivated and be of service before thee.
[43] For thy word went forth, and at once the work was done.
[44] For immediately fruit came forth in endless abundance and of varied appeal to the taste; and flowers of inimitable color; and odors of inexpressible fragrance. These were made on the third day.
[45] "On the fourth day thou didst command the brightness of the sun, the light of the moon, and the arrangement of the stars to come into being;
[46] and thou didst command them to serve man, who was about to be formed.
[47] "On the fifth day thou didst command the seventh part, where the water had been gathered together, to bring forth living creatures, birds, and fishes; and so it was done.
[48] The dumb and lifeless water produced living creatures, as it was commanded, that therefore the nations might declare thy wondrous works.
[49] "Then thou didst keep in existence two living creatures; the name of one thou didst call Behemoth and the name of the other Leviathan.
[50] And thou didst separate one from the other, for the seventh part where the water had been gathered together could not hold them both.
[51] And thou didst give Behemoth one of the parts which had been dried up on the third day, to live in it, where there are a thousand mountains;
[52] but to Leviathan thou didst give the seventh part, the watery part; and thou hast kept them to be eaten by whom thou wilt, and when thou wilt.
[53] "On the sixth day thou didst command the earth to bring forth before thee cattle, beasts, and creeping things;
[54] and over these thou didst place Adam, as ruler over all the works which thou hadst made; and from him we have all come, the people whom thou hast chosen.
[55] "All this I have spoken before thee, O Lord, because thou hast said that it was for us that thou didst create this world.
[56] As for the other nations which have descended from Adam, thou hast said that they are nothing, and that they are like spittle, and thou hast compared their abundance to a drop from a bucket.
[57] And now, O Lord, behold, these nations, which are reputed as nothing, domineer over us and devour us.
[58] But we thy people, whom thou hast called thy first-born, only begotten, zealous for thee, and most dear, have been given into their hands.
[59] If the world has indeed been created for us, why do we not possess our world as an inheritance? How long will this be so?"
7
[1] When I had finished speaking these words, the angel who had been sent to me on the former nights was sent to me again,
[2] and he said to me, "Rise, Ezra, and listen to the words that I have come to speak to you."
[3] I said, "Speak, my lord." And he said to me, "There is a sea set in a wide expanse so that it is broad and vast,
[4] but it has an entrance set in a narrow place, so that it is like a river.
[5] If any one, then, wishes to reach the sea, to look at it or to navigate it, how can he come to the broad part unless he passes through the narrow part?
[6] Another example: There is a city built and set on a plain, and it is full of all good things;
[7] but the entrance to it is narrow and set in a precipitous place, so that there is fire on the right hand and deep water on the left;
[8] and there is only one path lying between them, that is, between the fire and the water, so that only one man can walk upon that path.
[9] If now that city is given to a man for an inheritance, how will the heir receive his inheritance unless he passes through the danger set before him?"
[10] I said, "He cannot, lord." And he said to me, "So also is Israel's portion.
[11] For I made the world for their sake, and when Adam transgressed my statutes, what had been made was judged.
[12] And so the entrances of this world were made narrow and sorrowful and toilsome; they are few and evil, full of dangers and involved in great hardships.
[13] But the entrances of the greater world are broad and safe, and really yield the fruit of immortality.
[14] Therefore unless the living pass through the difficult and vain experiences, they can never receive those things that have been reserved for them.
[15] But now why are you disturbed, seeing that you are to perish? And why are you moved, seeing that you are mortal?
[16] And why have you not considered in your mind what is to come, rather than what is now present?"
[17] Then I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, behold, thou hast ordained in thy law that the righteous shall inherit these things, but that the ungodly shall perish.
[18] The righteous therefore can endure difficult circumstances while hoping for easier ones; but those who have done wickedly have suffered the difficult circumstances and will not see the easier ones."
[19] And he said to me, "You are not a better judge than God, or wiser than the Most High!
[20] Let many perish who are now living, rather than that the law of God which is set before them be disregarded!
[21] For God strictly commanded those who came into the world, when they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
[22] Nevertheless they were not obedient, and spoke against him; they devised for themselves vain thoughts,
[23] and proposed to themselves wicked frauds; they even declared that the Most High does not exist, and they ignored his ways!
[24] They scorned his law, and denied his covenants; they have been unfaithful to his statutes, and have not performed his works.
[25] "Therefore, Ezra, empty things are for the empty, and full things are for the full.
[26] For behold, the time will come, when the signs which I have foretold to you will come to pass, that the city which now is not seen shall appear, and the land which now is hidden shall be disclosed.
[27] And every one who has been delivered from the evils that I have foretold shall see my wonders.
[28] For my son the Messiah shall be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain shall rejoice four hundred years.
[29] And after these years my son the Messiah shall die, and all who draw human breath.
[30] And the world shall be turned back to primeval silence for seven days, as it was at the first beginnings; so that no one shall be left.
[31] And after seven days the world, which is not yet awake, shall be roused, and that which is corruptible shall perish.
[32] And the earth shall give up those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who dwell silently in it; and the chambers shall give up the souls which have been committed to them.
[33] And the Most High shall be revealed upon the seat of judgment, and compassion shall pass away, and patience shall be withdrawn;
[34] but only judgment shall remain, truth shall stand, and faithfulness shall grow strong.
[35] And recompense shall follow, and the reward shall be manifested; righteous deeds shall awake, and unrighteous deeds shall not sleep.
[36] Then the pit of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest; and the furnace of hell shall be disclosed, and opposite it the paradise of delight.
[37] Then the Most High will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, `Look now, and understand whom you have denied, whom you have not served, whose commandments you have despised!
[38] Look on this side and on that; here are delight and rest, and there are fire and torments!' Thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment --
[39] a day that has no sun or moon or stars,
[40] or cloud or thunder or lightning or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning,
[41] or summer or spring or heat or winter or frost or cold or hail or rain or dew,
[42] or noon or night, or dawn or shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all shall see what has been determined for them.
[43] For it will last for about a week of years.
[44] This is my judgment and its prescribed order; and to you alone have I shown these things."
[45] I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, I said then and I say now: Blessed are those who are alive and keep thy commandments!
[46] But what of those for whom I prayed? For who among the living is there that has not sinned, or who among men that has not transgressed thy covenant?
[47] And now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many.
[48] For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has alienated us from God, and has brought us into corruption and the ways of death, and has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life -- and that not just a few of us but almost all who have been created!"
[49] He answered me and said, "Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct you, and will admonish you yet again.
[50] For this reason the Most High has made not one world but two.
[51] For whereas you have said that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound, hear the explanation for this.
[52] "If you have just a few precious stones, will you add to them lead and clay?"
[53] I said, "Lord, how could that be?"
[54] And he said to me, "Not only that, but ask the earth and she will tell you; defer to her, and she will declare it to you.
[55] Say to her, `You produce gold and silver and brass, and also iron and lead and clay;
[56] but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.'
[57] Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare?"
[58] I said, "O sovereign Lord, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what is more rare is more precious."
[59] He answered me and said, "Weigh within yourself what you have thought, for he who has what is hard to get rejoices more than he who has what is plentiful.
[60] So also will be the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few who shall be saved, because it is they who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them my name has now been honored.
[61] And I will not grieve over the multitude of those who perish; for it is they who are now like a mist, and are similar to a flame and smoke -- they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished."
[62] I replied and said, "O earth, what have you brought forth, if the mind is made out of the dust like the other created things!
[63] For it would have been better if the dust itself had not been born, so that the mind might not have been made from it.
[64] But now the mind grows with us, and therefore we are tormented, because we perish and know it.
[65] Let the human race lament, but let the beasts of the field be glad; let all who have been born lament, but let the four-footed beasts and the flocks rejoice!
[66] For it is much better with them than with us; for they do not look for a judgment, nor do they know of any torment or salvation promised to them after death.
[67] For what does it profit us that we shall be preserved alive but cruelly tormented?
[68] For all who have been born are involved in iniquities, and are full of sins and burdened with transgressions.
[69] And if we were not to come into judgment after death, perhaps it would have been better for us."
[70] He answered me and said, "When the Most High made the world and Adam and all who have come from him, he first prepared the judgment and the things that pertain to the judgment.
[71] And now understand from your own words, for you have said that the mind grows with us.
[72] For this reason, therefore, those who dwell on earth shall be tormented, because though they had understanding they committed iniquity, and though they received the commandments they did not keep them, and though they obtained the law they dealt unfaithfully with what they received.
[73] What, then, will they have to say in the judgment, or how will they answer in the last times?
[74] For how long the time is that the Most High has been patient with those who inhabit the world, and not for their sake, but because of the times which he has foreordained!"
[75] I answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord, show this also to thy servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?"
[76] He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented.
[77] For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times.
[78] Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High.
[79] And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear God --
[80] such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways.
[81] The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High.
[82] The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance that they may live.
[83] The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High.
[84] The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days.
[85] The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet.
[86] The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will pass over into torments.
[87] The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they sinned while they were alive, and before whom they are to be judged in the last times.
[88] "Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body.
[89] During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour, that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly.
[90] Therefore this is the teaching concerning them:
[91] First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders.
[92] The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was formed with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death.
[93] The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them.
[94] The third order, they see the witness which he who formed them bears concerning them, that while they were alive they kept the law which was given them in trust.
[95] The fourth order, they understand the rest which they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory which awaits them in the last days.
[96] The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible, and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they are to receive and enjoy in immortality.
[97] The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on.
[98] The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified.
[99] This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced; and the aforesaid are the ways of torment which those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter."
[100] I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?"
[101] He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations."
[102] I answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, show further to me, thy servant, whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the Most High for them,
[103] fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kinsmen, or friends for those who are most dear."
[104] He answered me and said, "Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead,
[105] so no one shall ever pray for another on that day, neither shall any one lay a burden on another; for then every one shall bear his own righteousness and unrighteousness."
[36(106)] I answered and said, "How then do we find that first Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for our fathers who sinned in the desert,
[37(107)] and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of Achan,
[38(108)] and Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the plague, and Solomon for those in the sanctuary,
[39(109)] and Elijah for those who received the rain, and for the one who was dead, that he might live,
[40(110)] and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many others prayed for many?
[41(111)] If therefore the righteous have prayed for the ungodly now, when corruption has increased and unrighteousness has multiplied, why will it not be so then as well?"
[42(112)] He answered me and said, "This present world is not the end; the full glory does not abide in it; therefore those who were strong prayed for the weak.
[43(113)] But the day of judgment will be the end of this age and the beginning of the immortal age to come, in which corruption has passed away,
[44(114)] sinful indulgence has come to an end, unbelief has been cut off, and righteousness has increased and truth has appeared.
[45(115)] Therefore no one will then be able to have mercy on him who has been condemned in the judgment, or to harm him who is victorious."
[46(116)] I answered and said, "This is my first and last word, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, had restrained him from sinning.
[47(117)] For what good is it to all that they live in sorrow now and expect punishment after death?
[48(118)] O Adam, what have you done? For though it was you who sinned, the fall was not yours alone, but ours also who are your descendants.
[49(119)] For what good is it to us, if an eternal age has been promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death?
[50(120)] And what good is it that an everlasting hope has been promised to us, but we have miserably failed?
[51(121)] Or that safe and healthful habitations have been reserved for us, but we have lived wickedly?
[52(122)] Or that the glory of the Most High will defend those who have led a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways?
[53(123)] Or that a paradise shall be revealed, whose fruit remains unspoiled and in which are abundance and healing, but we shall not enter it,
[54(124)] because we have lived in unseemly places?
[55(125)] Or that the faces of those who practiced self-control shall shine more than the stars, but our faces shall be blacker than darkness?
[56(126)] For while we lived and committed iniquity we did not consider what we should suffer after death."
[57(127)] He answered and said, "This is the meaning of the contest which every man who is born on earth shall wage,
[58(128)] that if he is defeated he shall suffer what you have said, but if he is victorious he shall receive what I have said.
[59(129)] For this is the way of which Moses, while he was alive, spoke to the people, saying, `Choose for yourself life, that you may live!'
[60(130)] But they did not believe him, or the prophets after him, or even myself who have spoken to them.
[61(131)] Therefore there shall not be grief at their destruction, so much as joy over those to whom salvation is assured."
[62(132)] I answered and said, "I know, O Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful, because he has mercy on those who have not yet come into the world;
[63(133)] and gracious, because he is gracious to those who turn in repentance to his law;
[64(134)] and patient, because he shows patience toward those who have sinned, since they are his own works;
[65(135)] and bountiful, because he would rather give than take away;
[66(136)] and abundant in compassion, because he makes his compassions abound more and more to those now living and to those who are gone and to those yet to come,
[67(137)] for if he did not make them abound, the world with those who inhabit it would not have life;
[68(138)] and he is called giver, because if he did not give out of his goodness so that those who have committed iniquities might be relieved of them, not one ten-thousandth of mankind could have life;
[69(139)] and judge, because if he did not pardon those who were created by his word and blot out the multitude of their sins,
[70(140)] there would probably be left only very few of the innumerable multitude."
8
[1] He answered me and said, "The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of few.
[2] But I tell you a parable, Ezra. Just as, when you ask the earth, it will tell you that it provides very much clay from which earthenware is made, but only a little dust from which gold comes; so is the course of the present world.
[3] Many have been created, but few shall be saved."
[4] I answered and said, "Then drink your fill of understanding, O my soul, and drink wisdom, O my heart!
[5] For not of your own will did you come into the world, and against your will you depart, for you have been given only a short time to live.
[6] O Lord who are over us, grant to thy servant that we may pray before thee, and give us seed for our heart and cultivation of our understanding so that fruit may be produced, by which every mortal who bears the likeness of a human being may be able to live.
[7] For thou alone dost exist, and we are a work of thy hands, as thou hast declared.
[8] And because thou dost give life to the body which is now fashioned in the womb, and dost furnish it with members, what thou hast created is preserved in fire and water, and for nine months the womb which thou has formed endures thy creation which has been created in it.
[9] But that which keeps and that which is kept shall both be kept by thy keeping. And when the womb gives up again what has been created in it,
[10] thou hast commanded that from the members themselves (that is, from the breasts) milk should be supplied which is the fruit of the breasts,
[11] so that what has been fashioned may be nourished for a time; and afterwards thou wilt guide him in thy mercy.
[12] Thou hast brought him up in thy righteousness, and instructed him in thy law, and reproved him in thy wisdom.
[13] Thou wilt take away his life, for he is thy creation; and thou wilt make him live, for he is thy work.
[14] If then thou wilt suddenly and quickly destroy him who with so great labor was fashioned by thy command, to what purpose was he made?
[15] And now I will speak out: About all mankind thou knowest best; but I will speak about thy people, for whom I am grieved,
[16] and about thy inheritance, for whom I lament, and about Israel, for whom I am sad, and about the seed of Jacob, for whom I am troubled.
[17] Therefore I will pray before thee for myself and for them, for I see the failings of us who dwell in the land,
[18] and I have heard of the swiftness of the judgment that is to come.
[19] Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I will speak before thee." The beginning of the words of Ezra's prayer, before he was taken up. He said:
[20] "O Lord who inhabitest eternity, whose eyes are exalted and whose upper chambers are in the air,
[21] whose throne is beyond measure and whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the hosts of angels stand trembling
[22] and at whose command they are changed to wind and fire, whose word is sure and whose utterances are certain, whose ordinance is strong and whose command is terrible,
[23] whose look dries up the depths and whose indignation makes the mountains melt away, and whose truth is established for ever --
[24] hear, O Lord, the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature; attend to my words.
[25] For as long as I live I will speak, and as long as I have understanding I will answer.
[26] O look not upon the sins of thy people, but at those who have served thee in truth.
[27] Regard not the endeavors of those who act wickedly, but the endeavors of those who have kept thy covenants amid afflictions.
[28] Think not on those who have lived wickedly in thy sight; but remember those who have willingly acknowledged that thou art to be feared.
[29] Let it not be thy will to destroy those who have had the ways of cattle; but regard those who have gloriously taught thy law.
[30] Be not angry with those who are deemed worse than beasts; but love those who have always put their trust in thy glory.
[31] For we and our fathers have passed our lives in ways that bring death, but thou, because of us sinners, are called merciful.
[32] For if thou hast desired to have pity on us, who have no works of righteousness, then thou wilt be called merciful.
[33] For the righteous, who have many works laid up with thee, shall receive their reward in consequence of their own deeds.
[34] But what is man, that thou art angry with him; or what is a corruptible race, that thou art so bitter against it?
[35] For in truth there is no one among those who have been born who has not acted wickedly, and among those who have existed there is no one who has not transgressed.
[36] For in this, O Lord, thy righteousness and goodness will be declared, when thou art merciful to those who have no store of good works."
[37] He answered me and said, "Some things you have spoken rightly, and it will come to pass according to your words.
[38] For indeed I will not concern myself about the fashioning of those who have sinned, or about their death, their judgment, or their destruction;
[39] but I will rejoice over the creation of the righteous, over their pilgrimage also, and their salvation, and their receiving their reward.
[40] As I have spoken, therefore, so it shall be.
[41] "For just as the farmer sows many seeds upon the ground and plants a multitude of seedlings, and yet not all that have been sown will come up in due season, and not all that were planted will take root; so also those who have been sown in the world will not all be saved."
[42] I answered and said, "If I have found favor before thee, let me speak.
[43] For if the farmer's seed does not come up, because it has not received thy rain in due season, or if it has been ruined by too much rain, it perishes.
[44] But man, who has been formed by thy hands and is called thy own image because he is made like thee, and for whose sake thou hast formed all things -- hast thou also made him like the farmer's seed?
[45] No, O Lord who art over us! But spare thy people and have mercy on thy inheritance, for thou hast mercy on thy own creation."
[46] He answered me and said, "Things that are present are for those who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live hereafter.
[47] For you come far short of being able to love my creation more than I love it. But you have often compared yourself to the unrighteous. Never do so!
[48] But even in this respect you will be praiseworthy before the Most High,
[49] because you have humbled yourself, as is becoming for you, and have not deemed yourself to be among the righteous in order to receive the greatest glory.
[50] For many miseries will affect those who inhabit the world in the last times, because they have walked in great pride.
[51] But think of your own case, and inquire concerning the glory of those who are like yourself,
[52] because it is for you that paradise is opened, the tree of life is planted, the age to come is prepared, plenty is provided, a city is built, rest is appointed, goodness is established and wisdom perfected beforehand.
[53] The root of evil is sealed up from you, illness is banished from you, and death is hidden; hell has fled and corruption has been forgotten;
[54] sorrows have passed away, and in the end the treasure of immortality is made manifest.
[55] Therefore do not ask any more questions about the multitude of those who perish.
[56] For they also received freedom , but they despised the Most High, and were contemptuous of his law, and forsook his ways.
[57] Moreover they have even trampled upon his righteous ones,
[58] and said in their hearts that there is not God -- though knowing full well that they must die.
[59] For just as the things which I have predicted await you, so the thirst and torment which are prepared await them. For the Most High did not intend that men should be destroyed;
[60] but they themselves who were created have defiled the name of him who made them, and have been ungrateful to him who prepared life for them.
[61] Therefore my judgment is now drawing near;
[62] I have not shown this to all men, but only to you and a few like you." Then I answered and said,
[63] "Behold, O Lord, thou hast now shown me a multitude of the signs which thou wilt do in the last times, but thou hast not shown me when thou wilt do them."
9
[1] He answered me and said, "Measure carefully in your mind, and when you see that a certain part of the predicted signs are past,
[2] then you will know that it is the very time when the Most High is about to visit the world which he has made.
[3] So when there shall appear in the world earthquakes, tumult of peoples, intrigues of nations, wavering of leaders, confusion of princes,
[4] then you will know that it was of these that the Most High spoke from the days that were of old, from the beginning.
[5] For just as with everything that has occurred in the world, the beginning is evident, and the end manifest;
[6] so also are the times of the Most High: the beginnings are manifest in wonders and mighty works, and the end in requital and in signs.
[7] And it shall be that every one who will be saved and will be able to escape on account of his works, or on account of the faith by which he has believed,
[8] will survive the dangers that have been predicted, and will see my salvation in my land and within my borders, which I have sanctified for myself from the beginning.
[9] Then those who have now abused my ways shall be amazed, and those who have rejected them with contempt shall dwell in torments.
[10] For as many as did not acknowledge me in their lifetime, although they received my benefits,
[11] and as many as scorned my law while they still had freedom, and did not understand but despised it while an opportunity of repentance was still open to them,
[12] these must in torment acknowledge it after death.
[13] Therefore, do not continue to be curious as to how the ungodly will be punished; but inquire how the righteous will be saved, those to whom the age belongs and for whose sake the age was made."
[14] I answered and said,
[15] "I said before, and I say now, and will say it again: there are more who perish than those who will be saved,
[16] as a wave is greater than a drop of water."
[17] He answered me and said, "As is the field, so is the seed; and as are the flowers, so are the colors; and as is the work, so is the product; and as is the farmer, so is the threshing floor.
[18] For there was a time in this age when I was preparing for those who now exist, before the world was made for them to dwell in, and no one opposed me then, for no one existed;
[19] but now those who have been created in this world which is supplied both with an unfailing table and an inexhaustible pasture, have become corrupt in their ways.
[20] So I considered my world, and behold, it was lost, and my earth, and behold, it was in peril because of the devices of those who had come into it.
[21] And I saw and spared some with great difficulty, and saved for myself one grape out of a cluster, and one plant out of a great forest.
[22] So let the multitude perish which has been born in vain, but let my grape and my plant be saved, because with much labor I have perfected them.
[23] But if you will let seven days more pass -- do not fast during them, however;
[24] but go into a field of flowers where no house has been built, and eat only of the flowers of the field, and taste no meat and drink no wine, but eat only flowers,
[25] and pray to the Most High continually -- then I will come and talk with you."
[26] So I went, as he directed me, into the field which is called Ardat; and there I sat among the flowers and ate of the plants of the field, and the nourishment they afforded satisfied me.
[27] And after seven days, as I lay on the grass, my heart was troubled again as it was before.
[28] And my mouth was opened, and I began to speak before the Most High, and said,
[29] "O Lord, thou didst show thyself among us, to our fathers in the wilderness when they came out from Egypt and when they came into the untrodden and unfruitful wilderness;
[30] and thou didst say, `Hear me, O Israel, and give heed to my words, O descendants of Jacob.
[31] For behold, I sow my law in you, and it shall bring forth fruit in you and you shall be glorified through it for ever.'
[32] But though our fathers received the law, they did not keep it, and did not observe the statutes; yet the fruit of the law did not perish -- for it could not, because it was thine.
[33] Yet those who received it perished, because they did not keep what had been sown in them.
[34] And behold, it is the rule that, when the ground has received seed, or the sea a ship, or any dish food or drink, and when it happens that what was sown or what was launched or what was put in is destroyed,
[35] they are destroyed, but the things that held them remain; yet with us it has not been so.
[36] For we who have received the law and sinned will perish, as well as our heart which received it;
[37] the law, however, does not perish but remains in its glory."
[38] When I said these things in my heart, I lifted up my eyes and saw a woman on my right, and behold, she was mourning and weeping with a loud voice, and was deeply grieved at heart, and her clothes were rent, and there were ashes on her head.
[39] Then I dismissed the thoughts with which I had been engaged, and turned to her
[40] and said to her, "Why are you weeping, and why are you grieved at heart?"
[41] And she said to me, "Let me alone, my lord, that I may weep for myself and continue to mourn, for I am greatly embittered in spirit and deeply afflicted."
[42] And I said to her, "What has happened to you? Tell me."
[43] And she said to me, "Your servant was barren and had no child, though I lived with my husband thirty years.
[44] And every hour and every day during those thirty years I besought the Most High, night and day.
[45] And after thirty years God heard your handmaid, and looked upon my low estate, and considered my distress, and gave me a son. And I rejoiced greatly over him, I and my husband and all my neighbors; and we gave great glory to the Mighty One.
[46] And I brought him up with much care.
[47] So when he grew up and I came to take a wife for him, I set a day for the marriage feast.
10
[1] "But it happened that when my son entered his wedding chamber, he fell down and died.
[2] Then we all put out the lamps, and all my neighbors attempted to console me; and I remained quiet until evening of the second day.
[3] But when they all had stopped consoling me, that I might be quiet, I got up in the night and fled, and came to this field, as you see.
[4] And now I intend not to return to the city, but to stay here, and I will neither eat nor drink, but without ceasing mourn and fast until I die."
[5] Then I broke off the reflections with which I was still engaged, and answered her in anger and said,
[6] "You most foolish of women, do you not see our mourning, and what has happened to us?
[7] For Zion, the mother of us all, is in deep grief and great affliction.
[8] It is most appropriate to mourn now, because we are all mourning, and to be sorrowful, because we are all sorrowing; you are sorrowing for one son, but we, the whole world, for our mother.
[9] Now ask the earth, and she will tell you that it is she who ought to mourn over so many who have come into being upon her.
[10] And from the beginning all have been born of her, and others will come; and behold, almost all go to perdition, and a multitude of them are destined for destruction.
[11] Who then ought to mourn the more, she who lost so great a multitude, or you who are grieving for one?
[12] But if you say to me, `My lamentation is not like the earth's, for I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth in pain and bore in sorrow;
[13] but it is with the earth according to the way of the earth -- the multitude that is now in it goes as it came';
[14] then I say to you, `As you brought forth in sorrow, so the earth also has from the beginning given her fruit, that is, man, to him who made her.'
[15] Now, therefore, keep your sorrow to yourself, and bear bravely the troubles that have come upon you.
[16] For if you acknowledge the decree of God to be just, you will receive your son back in due time, and will be praised among women.
[17] Therefore go into the city to your husband."
[18] She said to me, "I will not do so; I will not go into the city, but I will die here."
[19] So I spoke again to her, and said,
[20] "Do not say that, but let yourself be persuaded because of the troubles of Zion, and be consoled because of the sorrow of Jerusalem.
[21] For you see that our sanctuary has been laid waste, our altar thrown down, our temple destroyed;
[22] our harp has been laid low, our song has been silenced, and our rejoicing has been ended; the light of our lampstand has been put out, the ark of our covenant has been plundered, our holy things have been polluted, and the name by which we are called has been profaned; our free men have suffered abuse, our priests have been burned to death, our Levites have gone into captivity, our virgins have been defiled, and our wives have been ravished; our righteous men have been carried off, our little ones have been cast out, our young men have been enslaved and our strong men made powerless.
[23] And, what is more than all, the seal of Zion -- for she has now lost the seal of her glory, and has been given over into the hands of those that hate us.
[24] Therefore shake off your great sadness and lay aside your many sorrows, so that the Mighty One may be merciful to you again, and the Most High may give you rest, a relief from your troubles."
[25] While I was talking to her, behold, her face suddenly shone exceedingly, and her countenance flashed like lightning, so that I was too frightened to approach her, and my heart was terrified. While I was wondering what this meant,
[26] behold, she suddenly uttered a loud and fearful cry, so that the earth shook at the sound.
[27] And I looked, and behold, the woman was no longer visible to me, but there was an established city, and a place of huge foundations showed itself. Then I was afraid, and cried with a loud voice and said,
[28] "Where is the angel Uriel, who came to me at first? For it was he who brought me into this overpowering bewilderment; my end has become corruption, and my prayer a reproach."
[29] As I was speaking these words, behold, the angel who had come to me at first came to me, and he looked upon me;
[30] and behold, I lay there like a corpse and I was deprived of my understanding. Then he grasped my right hand and strengthened me and set me on my feet, and said to me,
[31] "What is the matter with you? And why are you troubled? And why are your understanding and the thoughts of your mind troubled?"
[32] I said, "Because you have forsaken me! I did as you directed, and went out into the field, and behold, I saw, and still see, what I am unable to explain."
[33] He said to me, "Stand up like a man, and I will instruct you."
[34] I said, "Speak, my lord; only do not forsake me, lest I die before my time.
[35] For I have seen what I did not know, and I have heard what I do not understand.
[36] Or is my mind deceived, and my soul dreaming?
[37] Now therefore I entreat you to give your servant an explanation of this bewildering vision."
[38] He answered me and said, "Listen to me and I will inform you, and tell you about the things which you fear, for the Most High has revealed many secrets to you.
[39] For he has seen your righteous conduct, that you have sorrowed continually for your people, and mourned greatly over Zion.
[40] This therefore is the meaning of the vision.
[41] The woman who appeared to you a little while ago, whom you saw mourning and began to console --
[42] but you do not now see the form of a woman, but an established city has appeared to you --
[43] and as for her telling you about the misfortune of her son, this is the interpretation:
[44] This woman whom you saw, whom you now behold as an established city, is Zion.
[45] And as for her telling you that she was barren for thirty years, it is because there were three thousand years in the world before any offering was offered in it.
[46] And after three thousand years Solomon built the city, and offered offerings; then it was that the barren woman bore a son.
[47] And as for her telling you that she brought him up with much care, that was the period of residence in Jerusalem.
[48] And as for her saying to you , `When my son entered his wedding chamber he died,' and that misfortune had overtaken her, that was the destruction which befell Jerusalem.
[49] And behold, you saw her likeness, how she mourned for her son, and you began to console her for what had happened.
[50] For now the Most High, seeing that you are sincerely grieved and profoundly distressed for her, has shown you the brilliance of her glory, and the loveliness of her beauty.
[51] Therefore I told you to remain in the field where no house had been built,
[52] for I knew that the Most High would reveal these things to you.
[53] Therefore I told you to go into the field where there was no foundation of any building,
[54] for no work of man's building could endure in a place where the city of the Most High was to be revealed.
[55] "Therefore do not be afraid, and do not let your heart be terrified; but go in and see the splendor and vastness of the building, as far as it is possible for your eyes to see it,
[56] and afterward you will hear as much as your ears can hear.
[57] For you are more blessed than many, and you have been called before the Most High, as but few have been.
[58] But tomorrow night you shall remain here,
[59] and the Most High will show you in those dream visions what the Most High will do to those who dwell on earth in the last days." So I slept that night and the following one, as he had commanded me.
11
[1] On the second night I had a dream, and behold, there came up from the sea an eagle that had twelve feathered wings and three heads.
[2] And I looked, and behold, he spread his wings over all the earth, and all the winds of heaven blew upon him, and the clouds were gathered about him.
[3] And I looked, and out of his wings there grew opposing wings; but they became little, puny wings.
[4] But his heads were at rest; the middle head was larger than the other heads, but it also was at rest with them.
[5] And I looked, and behold, the eagle flew with his wings, to reign over the earth and over those who dwell in it.
[6] And I saw how all things under heaven were subjected to him, and no one spoke against him, not even one creature that was on the earth.
[7] And I looked, and behold, the eagle rose upon his talons, and uttered a cry to his wings, saying,
[8] "Do not all watch at the same time; let each sleep in his own place, and watch in his turn;
[9] but let the heads be reserved for the last."
[10] And I looked, and behold, the voice did not come from his heads, but from the midst of his body.
[11] And I counted his opposing wings, and behold, there were eight of them.
[12] And I looked, and behold, on the right side one wing arose, and it reigned over all the earth.
[13] And while it was reigning it came to its end and disappeared, so that its place was not seen. Then the next wing arose and reigned, and it continued to reign a long time.
[14] And while it was reigning its end came also, so that it disappeared like the first.
[15] And behold, a voice sounded, saying to it.
[16] "Hear me, you who have ruled the earth all this time; I announce this to you before you disappear.
[17] After you no one shall rule as long as you, or even half as long."
[18] Then the third wing raised itself up, and held the rule like the former ones, and it also disappeared.
[19] And so it went with all the wings; they wielded power one after another and then were never seen again.
[20] And I looked, and behold, in due course the wings that followed also rose up on the right side, in order to rule. There were some of them that ruled, yet disappeared suddenly;
[21] and others of them rose up, but did not hold the rule.
[22] And after this I looked, and behold, the twelve wings and the two little wings disappeared;
[23] and nothing remained on the eagle's body except the three heads that were at rest and six little wings.
[24] And I looked, and behold, two little wings separated from the six and remained under the head that was on the right side; but four remained in their place.
[25] And I looked, and behold, these little wings planned to set themselves up and hold the rule.
[26] And I looked, and behold, one was set up, but suddenly disappeared;
[27] a second also, and this disappeared more quickly than the first.
[28] And I looked, and behold, the two that remained were planning between themselves to reign together;
[29] and while they were planning, behold, one of the heads that were at rest (the one which was in the middle) awoke; for it was greater than the other two heads.
[30] And I saw how it allied the two heads with itself,
[31] and behold, the head turned with those that were with it, and it devoured the two little wings which were planning to reign.
[32] Moreover this head gained control of the whole earth, and with much oppression dominated its inhabitants; and it had greater power over the world than all the wings that had gone before.
[33] And after this I looked, and behold, the middle head also suddenly disappeared, just as the wings had done.
[34] But the two heads remained, which also ruled over the earth and its inhabitants.
[35] And I looked, and behold, the head on the right side devoured the one on the left.
[36] Then I heard a voice saying to me, "Look before you and consider what you see."
[37] And I looked, and behold, a creature like a lion was aroused out of the forest, roaring; and I heard how he uttered a man's voice to the eagle, and spoke, saying,
[38] "Listen and I will speak to you. The Most High says to you,
[39] `Are you not the one that remains of the four beasts which I had made to reign in my world, so that the end of my times might come through them?
[40] You, the fourth that has come, have conquered all the beasts that have gone before; and you have held sway over the world with much terror, and over all the earth with grievous oppression; and for so long you have dwelt on the earth with deceit.
[41] And you have judged the earth, but not with truth;
[42] for you have afflicted the meek and injured the peaceable; you have hated those who tell the truth, and have loved liars; you have destroyed the dwellings of those who brought forth fruit, and have laid low the walls of those who did you no harm.
[43] And so your insolence has come up before the Most High, and your pride to the Mighty One.
[44] And the Most High has looked upon his times, and behold, they are ended, and his ages are completed!
[45] Therefore you will surely disappear, you eagle, and your terrifying wings, and your most evil little wings, and your malicious heads, and your most evil talons, and your whole worthless body,
[46] so that the whole earth, freed from your violence, may be refreshed and relieved, and may hope for the judgment and mercy of him who made it.'"
12
[1] While the lion was saying these words to the eagle, I looked,
[2] and behold, the remaining head disappeared. And the two wings that had gone over to it arose and set themselves up to reign, and their reign was brief and full of tumult.
[3] And I looked, and behold, they also disappeared, and the whole body of the eagle was burned, and the earth was exceedingly terrified. Then I awoke in great perplexity of mind and great fear, and I said to my spirit,
[4] "Behold, you have brought this upon me, because you search out the ways of the Most High.
[5] Behold, I am still weary in mind and very weak in my spirit, and not even a little strength is left in me, because of the great fear with which I have been terrified this night.
[6] Therefore I will now beseech the Most High that he may strengthen me to the end."
[7] And I said, "O sovereign Lord, if I have found favor in thy sight, and if I have been accounted righteous before thee beyond many others, and if my prayer has indeed come up before thy face,
[8] strengthen me and show me, thy servant, the interpretation and meaning of this terrifying vision, that thou mayest fully comfort my soul.
[9] For thou hast judged me worthy to be shown the end of the times and the last events of the times."
[10] He said to me, "This is the interpretation of this vision which you have seen:
[11] The eagle which you saw coming up from the sea is the fourth kingdom which appeared in a vision to your brother Daniel.
[12] But it was not explained to him as I now explain or have explained it to you.
[13] Behold, the days are coming when a kingdom shall arise on earth, and it shall be more terrifying than all the kingdoms that have been before it.
[14] And twelve kings shall reign in it, one after another.
[15] But the second that is to reign shall hold sway for a longer time than any other of the twelve.
[16] This is the interpretation of the twelve wings which you saw.
[17] As for your hearing a voice that spoke, coming not from the eagle's heads but from the midst of his body, this is the interpretation:
[18] In the midst of the time of that kingdom great struggles shall arise, and it shall be in danger of falling; nevertheless it shall not fall then, but shall regain its former power.
[19] As for your seeing eight little wings clinging to his wings, this is the interpretation:
[20] Eight kings shall arise in it, whose times shall be short and their years swift;
[21] and two of them shall perish when the middle of its time draws near; and four shall be kept for the time when its end approaches; but two shall be kept until the end.
[22] As for your seeing three heads at rest, this is the interpretation:
[23] In its last days the Most High will raise up three kings, and they shall renew many things in it, and shall rule the earth
[24] and its inhabitants more oppressively than all who were before them; therefore they are called the heads of the eagle.
[25] For it is they who shall sum up his wickedness and perform his last actions.
[26] As for your seeing that the large head disappeared, one of the kings shall die in his bed, but in agonies.
[27] But as for the two who remained, the sword shall devour them.
[28] For the sword of one shall devour him who was with him; but he also shall fall by the sword in the last days.
[29] As for your seeing two little wings passing over to the head which was on the right side,
[30] this is the interpretation: It is these whom the Most High has kept for the eagle's end; this was the reign which was brief and full of tumult, as you have seen.
[31] "And as for the lion whom you saw rousing up out of the forest and roaring and speaking to the eagle and reproving him for his unrighteousness, and as for all his words that you have heard,
[32] this is the Messiah whom the Most High has kept until the end of days, who will arise from the posterity of David, and will come and speak to them; he will denounce them for their ungodliness and for their wickedness, and will cast up before them their contemptuous dealings.
[33] For first he will set them living before his judgment seat, and when he has reproved them, then he will destroy them.
[34] But he will deliver in mercy the remnant of my people, those who have been saved throughout my borders, and he will make them joyful until the end comes, the day of judgment, of which I spoke to you at the beginning.
[35] This is the dream that you saw, and this is its interpretation.
[36] And you alone were worthy to learn this secret of the Most High.
[37] Therefore write all these things that you have seen in a book, and put it in a hidden place;
[38] and you shall teach them to the wise among your people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep these secrets.
[39] But wait here seven days more, so that you may be shown whatever it pleases the Most High to show you." Then he left me.
[40] When all the people heard that the seven days were past and I had not returned to the city, they all gathered together, from the least to the greatest, and came to me and spoke to me, saying,
[41] "How have we offended you, and what harm have we done you, that you have forsaken us and sit in this place?
[42] For of all the prophets you alone are left to us, like a cluster of grapes from the vintage, and like a lamp in a dark place, and like a haven for a ship saved from a storm.
[43] Are not the evils which have befallen us sufficient?
[44] Therefore if you forsake us, how much better it would have been for us if we also had been consumed in the burning of Zion!
[45] For we are no better than those who died there." And they wept with a loud voice. Then I answered them and said,
[46] "Take courage, O Israel; and do not be sorrowful, O house of Jacob;
[47] for the Most High has you in remembrance, and the Mighty One has not forgotten you in your struggle.
[48] As for me, I have neither forsaken you nor withdrawn from you; but I have come to this place to pray on account of the desolation of Zion, and to seek mercy on account of the humiliation of our sanctuary.
[49] Now go, every one of you to his house, and after these days I will come to you."
[50] So the people went into the city, as I told them to do.
[51] But I sat in the field seven days, as the angel had commanded me; and I ate only of the flowers of the field, and my food was of plants during those days.
13
[1] After seven days I dreamed a dream in the night;
[2] and behold, a wind arose from the sea and stirred up all its waves.
[3] And I looked, and behold, this wind made something like the figure of a man come up out of the heart of the sea. And I looked, and behold, that man flew with the clouds of heaven; and wherever he turned his face to look, everything under his gaze trembled,
[4] and whenever his voice issued from his mouth, all who heard his voice melted as wax melts when it feels the fire.
[5] After this I looked, and behold, an innumerable multitude of men were gathered together from the four winds of heaven to make war against the man who came up out of the sea.
[6] And I looked, and behold, he carved out for himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it. And I tried to see the region or place from which the mountain was carved, but I could not.
[8] After this I looked, and behold, all who had gathered together against him, to wage war with him, were much afraid, yet dared to fight.
[9] And behold, when he saw the onrush of the approaching multitude, he neither lifted his hand nor held a spear or any weapon of war;
[10] but I saw only how he sent forth from his mouth as it were a stream of fire, and from his lips a flaming breath, and from his tongue he shot forth a storm of sparks.
[11] All these were mingled together, the stream of fire and the flaming breath and the great storm, and fell on the onrushing multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them all up, so that suddenly nothing was seen of the innumerable multitude but only the dust of ashes and the smell of smoke. When I saw it, I was amazed.
[12] After this I saw the same man come down from the mountain and call to him another multitude which was peaceable.
[13] Then many people came to him, some of whom were joyful and some sorrowful; some of them were bound, and some were bringing others as offerings. Then in great fear I awoke; and I besought the Most High, and said,
[14] "From the beginning thou hast shown thy servant these wonders, and hast deemed me worthy to have my prayer heard by thee;
[15] now show me also the interpretation of this dream.
[16] For as I consider it in my mind, alas for those who will be left in those days! And still more, alas for those who are not left!
[17] For those who are not left will be sad,
[18] because they understand what is reserved for the last days, but cannot attain it.
[19] But alas for those also who are left, and for that very reason! For they shall see great dangers and much distress, as these dreams show.
[20] Yet it is better to come into these things, though incurring peril, than to pass from the world like a cloud, and not to see what shall happen in the last days." He answered me and said,
[21] "I will tell you the interpretation of the vision, and I will also explain to you the things which you have mentioned.
[22] As for what you said about those who are left, this is the interpretation:
[23] He who brings the peril at that time will himself protect those who fall into peril, who have works and have faith in the Almighty.
[24] Understand therefore that those who are left are more blessed than those who have died.
[25] This is the interpretation of the vision: As for your seeing a man come up from the heart of the sea,
[26] this is he whom the Most High has been keeping for many ages, who will himself deliver his creation; and he will direct those who are left.
[27] And as for your seeing wind and fire and a storm coming out of his mouth,
[28] and as for his not holding a spear or weapon of war, yet destroying the onrushing multitude which came to conquer him, this is the interpretation:
[29] Behold, the days are coming when the Most High will deliver those who are on the earth.
[30] And bewilderment of mind shall come over those who dwell on the earth.
[31] And they shall plan to make war against one another, city against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom.
[32] And when these things come to pass and the signs occur which I showed you before, then my Son will be revealed, whom you saw as a man coming up from the sea.
[33] And when all the nations hear his voice, every man shall leave his own land and the warfare that they have against one another;
[34] and an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as you saw, desiring to come and conquer him.
[35] But he shall stand on the top of Mount Zion.
[36] And Zion will come and be made manifest to all people, prepared and built, as you saw the mountain carved out without hands.
[37] And he, my Son, will reprove the assembled nations for their ungodliness (this was symbolized by the storm),
[38] and will reproach them to their face with their evil thoughts and the torments with which they are to be tortured (which were symbolized by the flames), and will destroy them without effort by the law (which was symbolized by the fire).
[39] And as for your seeing him gather to himself another multitude that was peaceable,
[40] these are the ten tribes which were led away from their own land into captivity in the days of King Hoshea, whom Shalmaneser the king of the Assyrians led captive; he took them across the river, and they were taken into another land.
[41] But they formed this plan for themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the nations and go to a more distant region, where mankind had never lived,
[42] that there at least they might keep their statutes which they had not kept in their own land.
[43] And they went in by the narrow passages of the Euphrates river.
[44] For at that time the Most High performed signs for them, and stopped the channels of the river until they had passed over.
[45] Through that region there was a long way to go, a journey of a year and a half; and that country is called Arzareth.
[46] "Then they dwelt there until the last times; and now, when they are about to come again,
[47] the Most High will stop the channels of the river again, so that they may be able to pass over. Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together in peace.
[48] But those who are left of your people, who are found within my holy borders, shall be saved.
[49] Therefore when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he will defend the people who remain.
[50] And then he will show them very many wonders."
[51] I said, "O sovereign Lord, explain this to me: Why did I see the man coming up from the heart of the sea?"
[52] He said to me, "Just as no one can explore or know what is in the depths of the sea, so no one on earth can see my Son or those who are with him, except in the time of his day.
[53] This is the interpretation of the dream which you saw. And you alone have been enlightened about this,
[54] because you have forsaken your own ways and have applied yourself to mine, and have searched out my law;
[55] for you have devoted your life to wisdom, and called understanding your mother.
[56] Therefore I have shown you this, for there is a reward laid up with the Most High. And after three more days I will tell you other things, and explain weighty and wondrous matters to you."
[57] Then I arose and walked in the field, giving great glory and praise to the Most High because of his wonders, which he did from time to time,
[58] and because he governs the times and whatever things come to pass in their seasons. And I stayed there three days.
14
[1] On the third day, while I was sitting under an oak, behold, a voice came out of a bush opposite me and said, "Ezra, Ezra."
[2] And I said, "Here I am, Lord," and I rose to my feet.
[3] Then he said to me, "I revealed myself in a bush and spoke to Moses, when my people were in bondage in Egypt;
[4] and I sent him and led my people out of Egypt; and I led him up on Mount Sinai, where I kept him with me many days;
[5] and I told him many wondrous things, and showed him the secrets of the times and declared to him the end of the times. Then I commanded him, saying,
[6] `These words you shall publish openly, and these you shall keep secret.'
[7] And now I say to you;
[8] Lay up in your heart the signs that I have shown you, the dreams that you have seen, and the interpretations that you have heard;
[9] for you shall be taken up from among men, and henceforth you shall live with my Son and with those who are like you, until the times are ended.
[10] For the age has lost its youth, and the times begin to grow old.
[11] For the age is divided into twelve parts, and nine of its parts have already passed,
[12] as well as half of the tenth part; so two of its parts remain, besides half of the tenth part.
[13] Now therefore, set your house in order, and reprove your people; comfort the lowly among them, and instruct those that are wise. And now renounce the life that is corruptible,
[14] and put away from you mortal thoughts; cast away from you the burdens of man, and divest yourself now of your weak nature,
[15] and lay to one side the thoughts that are most grievous to you, and hasten to escape from these times.
[16] For evils worse than those which you have now seen happen shall be done hereafter.
[17] For the weaker the world becomes through old age, the more shall evils be multiplied among its inhabitants.
[18] For truth shall go farther away, and falsehood shall come near. For the eagle which you saw in the vision is already hastening to come."
[19] Then I answered and said, "Let me speak in thy presence, Lord.
[20] For behold, I will go, as thou hast commanded me, and I will reprove the people who are now living; but who will warn those who will be born hereafter? For the world lies in darkness, and its inhabitants are without light.
[21] For thy law has been burned, and so no one knows the things which have been done or will be done by thee.
[22] If then I have found favor before thee, send the Holy Spirit into me, and I will write everything that has happened in the world from the beginning, the things which were written in thy law, that men may be able to find the path, and that those who wish to live in the last days may live."
[23] He answered me and said, "Go and gather the people, and tell them not to seek you for forty days.
[24] But prepare for yourself many writing tablets, and take with you Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel -- these five, because they are trained to write rapidly;
[25] and you shall come here, and I will light in your heart the lamp of understanding, which shall not be put out until what you are about to write is finished.
[26] And when you have finished, some things you shall make public, and some you shall deliver in secret to the wise; tomorrow at this hour you shall begin to write."
[27] Then I went as he commanded me, and I gathered all the people together, and said,
[28] "Hear these words, O Israel
[29] At first our fathers dwelt as aliens in Egypt, and they were delivered from there,
[30] and received the law of life, which they did not keep, which you also have transgressed after them.
[31] Then land was given to you for a possession in the land of Zion; but you and your fathers committed iniquity and did not keep the ways which the Most High commanded you.
[32] And because he is a righteous judge, in due time he took from you what he had given.
[33] And now you are here, and your brethren are farther in the interior.
[34] If you, then, will rule over your minds and discipline your hearts, you shall be kept alive, and after death you shall obtain mercy.
[35] For after death the judgment will come, when we shall live again; and then the names of the righteous will become manifest, and the deeds of the ungodly will be disclosed.
[36] But let no one come to me now, and let no one seek me for forty days."
[37] So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we proceeded to the field, and remained there.
[38] And on the next day, behold, a voice called me, saying, "Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink."
[39] Then I opened my mouth, and behold, a full cup was offered to me; it was full of something like water, but its color was like fire.
[40] And I took it and drank; and when I had drunk it, my heart poured forth understanding, and wisdom increased in my breast, for my spirit retained its memory;
[41] and my mouth was opened, and was no longer closed.
[42] And the Most High gave understanding to the five men, and by turns they wrote what was dictated, in characters which they did not know. They sat forty days, and wrote during the daytime, and ate their bread at night.
[43] As for me, I spoke in the daytime and was not silent at night.
[44] So during the forty days ninety-four books were written.
[45] And when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke to me, saying, "Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first and let the worthy and the unworthy read them;
[46] but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people.
[47] For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge."
[48] And I did so.
15
[1] The Lord says, "Behold, speak in the ears of my people the words of the prophecy which I will put in your mouth,
[2] and cause them to be written on paper; for they are trustworthy and true.
[3] Do not fear the plots against you, and do not be troubled by the unbelief of those who oppose you.
[4] For every unbeliever shall die in his unbelief."
[5] "Behold," says the Lord, "I bring evils upon the world, the sword and famine and death and destruction.
[6] For iniquity has spread throughout every land, and their harmful deeds have reached their limit.
[7] Therefore," says the Lord,
[8] "I will be silent no longer concerning their ungodly deeds which they impiously commit, neither will I tolerate their wicked practices. Behold, innocent and righteous blood cries out to me, and the souls of the righteous cry out continually.
[9] I will surely avenge them," says the Lord, "and will receive to myself all the innocent blood from among them.
[10] Behold, my people is led like a flock to the slaughter; I will not allow them to live any longer in the land of Egypt,
[11] but I will bring them out with a mighty hand and with an uplifted arm, and will smite Egypt with plagues, as before, and will destroy all its land."
[12] Let Egypt mourn, and its foundations, for the plague of chastisement and punishment that the Lord will bring upon it.
[13] Let the farmers that till the ground mourn, because their seed shall fail and their trees shall be ruined by blight and hail and by a terrible tempest.
[14] Alas for the world and for those who live in it!
[15] For the sword and misery draw near them, and nation shall rise up to fight against nation, with swords in their hands.
[16] For there shall be unrest among men; growing strong against one another, they shall in their might have no respect for their king or the chief of their leaders.
[17] For a man will desire to go into a city, and shall not be able.
[18] For because of their pride the cities shall be in confusion, the houses shall be destroyed, and people shall be afraid.
[19] A man shall have no pity upon his neighbors, but shall make an assault upon their houses with the sword, and plunder their goods, because of hunger for bread and because of great tribulation.
[20] "Behold," says God, "I call together all the kings of the earth to fear me, from the rising sun and from the south, from the east and from Lebanon; to turn and repay what they have given them.
[21] Just as they have done to my elect until this day, so I will do, and will repay into their bosom." Thus says the Lord God:
[22] "My right hand will not spare the sinners, and my sword will not cease from those who shed innocent blood on earth."
[23] And a fire will go forth from his wrath, and will consume the foundations of the earth, and the sinners, like straw that is kindled.
[24] "Woe to those who sin and do not observe my commandments," says the Lord;
[25] "I will not spare them. Depart, you faithless children! Do not pollute my sanctuary."
[26] For the Lord knows all who transgress against him; therefore he will hand them over to death and slaughter.
[27] For now calamities have come upon the whole earth, and you shall remain in them; for God will not deliver you, because you have sinned against him.
[28] Behold, a terrifying sight, appearing from the east!
[29] The nations of the dragons of Arabia shall come out with many chariots, and from the day that they set out, their hissing shall spread over the earth, so that all who hear them fear and tremble.
[30] Also the Carmonians, raging in wrath, shall go forth like wild boars of the forest, and with great power they shall come, and engage them in battle, and shall devastate a portion of the land of the Assyrians with their teeth.
[31] And then the dragons, remembering their origin, shall become still stronger; and if they combine in great power and turn to pursue them,
[32] then these shall be disorganized and silenced by their power, and shall turn and flee.
[33] And from the land of the Assyrians an enemy in ambush shall beset them and destroy one of them, and fear and trembling shall come upon their army, and indecision upon their kings.
[34] Behold, clouds from the east, and from the north to the south; and their appearance is very threatening, full of wrath and storm.
[35] They shall dash against one another and shall pour out a heavy tempest upon the earth, and their own tempest; and there shall be blood from the sword as high as a horse's belly
[36] and a man's thigh and a camel's hock.
[37] And there shall be fear and great trembling upon the earth; and those who see that wrath shall be horror-stricken, and they shall be seized with trembling.
[38] And, after that, heavy storm clouds shall be stirred up from the south, and from the north, and another part from the west.
[39] And the winds from the east shall prevail over the cloud that was raised in wrath, and shall dispel it; and the tempest that was to cause destruction by the east wind shall be driven violently toward the south and west.
[40] And great and mighty clouds, full of wrath and tempest, shall rise, to destroy all the earth and its inhabitants, and shall pour out upon every high and lofty place a terrible tempest,
[41] fire and hail and flying swords and floods of water, that all the fields and all the streams may be filled with the abundance of those waters.
[42] And they shall destroy cities and walls, mountains and hills, trees of the forests, and grass of the meadows, and their grain.
[43] And they shall go on steadily to Babylon, and shall destroy her.
[44] They shall come to her and surround her; they shall pour out the tempest and all its wrath upon her; then the dust and smoke shall go up to heaven, and all who are about her shall wail over her.
[45] And those who survive shall serve those who have destroyed her.
[46] And you, Asia, who share in the glamour of Babylon and the glory of her person --
[47] woe to you, miserable wretch! For you have made yourself like her; you have decked out your daughters in harlotry to please and glory in your lovers, who have always lusted after you.
[48] You have imitated that hateful harlot in all her deeds and devices; therefore God says,
[49] "I will send evils upon you, widowhood, poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence, to lay waste your houses and bring you to destruction and death.
[50] And the glory of your power shall wither like a flower, when the heat rises that is sent upon you.
[51] You shall be weakened like a wretched woman who is beaten and wounded, so that you cannot receive your mighty lovers.
[52] Would I have dealt with you so violently," says the Lord,
[53] "If you had not always killed my chosen people, exulting and clapping your hands and talking about their death when you were drunk?
[54] Trick out the beauty of your face!
[55] The reward of a harlot is in your bosom, therefore you shall receive your recompense.
[56] As you will do to my chosen people," says the Lord, "so God will do to you, and will hand you over to adversities.
[57] Your children shall die of hunger, and you shall fall by the sword, and your cities shall be wiped out, and all your people who are in the open country shall fall by the sword.
[58] And those who are in the mountains and highlands shall perish of hunger, and they shall eat their own flesh in hunger for bread and drink their own blood in thirst for water.
[59] Unhappy above all others, you shall come and suffer fresh afflictions.
[60] And as they pass they shall wreck the hateful city, and shall destroy a part of your land and abolish a portion of your glory, as they return from devastated Babylon.
[61] And you shall be broken down by them like stubble, and they shall be like fire to you.
[62] And they shall devour you and your cities, your land and your mountains; they shall burn with fire all your forests and your fruitful trees.
[63] They shall carry your children away captive, and shall plunder your wealth, and abolish the glory of your countenance.”
16
[1] Woe to you, Babylon and Asia! Woe to you, Egypt and Syria!
[2] Gird yourselves with sackcloth and haircloth, and wail for your children, and lament for them; for your destruction is at hand.
[3] The sword has been sent upon you, and who is there to turn it back?
[4] A fire has been sent upon you, and who is there to quench it?
[5] Calamities have been sent upon you, and who is there to drive them away?
[6] Can one drive off a hungry lion in the forest, or quench a fire in the stubble, when once it has begun to burn?
[7] Can one turn back an arrow shot by a strong archer?
[8] The Lord God sends calamities, and who will drive them away?
[9] Fire will go forth from his wrath, and who is there to quench it?
[10] He will flash lightning, and who will not be afraid? He will thunder, and who will not be terrified?
[11] The Lord will threaten, and who will not be utterly shattered at his presence?
[12] The earth and its foundations quake, the sea is churned up from the depths, and its waves and the fish also shall be troubled at the presence of the Lord and before the glory of his power.
[13] For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, and his arrows that he shoots are sharp and will not miss when they begin to be shot to the ends of the world.
[14] Behold, calamities are sent forth and shall not return until they come over the earth.
[15] The fire is kindled, and shall not be put out until it consumes the foundations of the earth.
[16] Just as an arrow shot by a mighty archer does not return, so the calamities that are sent upon the earth shall not return.
[17] Alas for me! Alas for me! Who will deliver me in those days?
[18] The beginning of sorrows, when there shall be much lamentation; the beginning of famine, when many shall perish; the beginning of wars, when the powers shall be terrified; the beginning of calamities, when all shall tremble. What shall they do in these circumstances, when the calamities come?
[19] Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish are sent as scourges for the correction of men.
[20] Yet for all this they will not turn from their iniquities, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
[21] Behold, provision will be so cheap upon earth that men will imagine that peace is assured for them, and then the calamities shall spring up on the earth -- the sword, famine, and great confusion.
[22] For many of those who live on the earth shall perish by famine; and those who survive the famine shall die by the sword.
[23] And the dead shall be cast out like dung, and there shall be no one to console them; for the earth shall be left desolate, and its cities shall be demolished.
[24] No one shall be left to cultivate the earth or to sow it.
[25] The trees shall bear fruit, and who will gather it?
[26] The grapes shall ripen, and who will tread them? For in all places there shall be great solitude;
[27] one man will long to see another, or even to hear his voice.
[28] For out of a city, ten shall be left; and out of the field, two who have hidden themselves in thick groves and clefts in the rocks.
[29] As in an olive orchard three or four olives may be left on every tree,
[30] or as when a vineyard is gathered some clusters may be left by those who search carefully through the vineyard,
[31] so in those days three or four shall be left by those who search their houses with the sword.
[32] And the earth shall be left desolate, and its fields shall be for briers, and its roads and all its paths shall bring forth thorns, because no sheep will go along them.
[33] Virgins shall mourn because they have no bridegrooms; women shall mourn because they have no husbands; their daughters shall mourn, because they have no helpers.
[34] Their bridegrooms shall be killed in war, and their husbands shall perish of famine.
[35] Listen now to these things, and understand them, O servants of the Lord.
[36] Behold the word of the Lord, receive it; do not disbelieve what the Lord says.
[37] Behold, the calamities draw near, and are not delayed.
[38] Just as a woman with child, in the ninth month, when the time of her delivery draws near, has great pains about her womb for two or three hours beforehand, and when the child comes forth from the womb, there will not be a moment's delay,
[39] so the calamities will not delay in coming forth upon the earth, and the world will groan, and pains will seize it on every side.
[40] "Hear my words, O my people; prepare for battle, and in the midst of the calamities be like strangers on the earth.
[41] Let him that sells be like one who will flee; let him that buys be like one who will lose;
[42] let him that does business be like one who will not make a profit; and let him that builds a house be like one who will not live in it;
[43] let him that sows be like one who will not reap; so also him that prunes the vines, like one who will not gather the grapes;
[44] them that marry, like those who will have no children; and them that do not marry, like those who are widowed.
[45] Because those who labor, labor in vain;
[46] for strangers shall gather their fruits, and plunder their goods, and overthrow their houses, and take their children captive; for in captivity and famine they will beget their children.
[47] Those who conduct business, do it only to be plundered; the more they adorn their cities, their houses and possessions, and their persons,
[48] the more angry I will be with them for their sins," says the Lord.
[49] Just as a respectable and virtuous woman abhors a harlot,
[50] so righteousness shall abhor iniquity, when she decks herself out, and shall accuse her to her face, when he comes who will defend him who searches out every sin on earth.
[51] Therefore do not be like her or her works.
[52] For behold, just a little while, and iniquity will be removed from the earth, and righteousness will reign over us.
[53] Let no sinner say that he has not sinned; for God will burn coals of fire on the head of him who says, "I have not sinned before God and his glory."
[54] Behold, the Lord knows all the works of men, their imaginations and their thoughts and their hearts.
[55] He said, "Let the earth be made," and it was made; "Let the heaven be made," and it was made.
[56] At his word the stars were fixed, and he knows the number of the stars.
[57] It is he who searches the deep and its treasures, who has measured the sea and its contents;
[58] who has enclosed the sea in the midst of the waters, and by his word has suspended the earth over the water;
[59] who has spread out the heaven like an arch, and founded it upon the waters;
[60] who has put springs of water in the desert, and pools on the tops of the mountains, to send rivers from the heights to water the earth;
[61] who formed man, and put a heart in the midst of his body, and gave him breath and life and understanding
[62] and the spirit of Almighty God; who made all things and searches out hidden things in hidden places.
[63] Surely he knows your imaginations and what you think in your hearts! Woe to those who sin and want to hide their sins!
[64] Because the Lord will strictly examine all their works, and will make a public spectacle of all of you.
[65] And when your sins come out before men, you shall be put to shame; and your own iniquities shall stand as your accusers in that day.
[66] What will you do? Or how will you hide your sins before God and his angels?
[67] Behold, God is the judge, fear him! Cease from your sins, and forget your iniquities, never to commit them again; so God will lead you forth and deliver you from all tribulation.
[68] For behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall carry off some of you and shall feed you what was sacrificed to idols.
[69] And those who consent to eat shall be held in derision and contempt, and be trodden under foot.
[70] For in many places and in neighboring cities there shall be a great insurrection against those who fear the Lord.
[71] They shall be like mad men, sparing no one, but plundering and destroying those who continue to fear the Lord.
[72] For they shall destroy and plunder their goods, and drive them out of their houses.
[73] Then the tested quality of my elect shall be manifest, as gold that is tested by fire.
[74] "Hear, my elect," says the Lord. "Behold, the days of tribulation are at hand, and I will deliver you from them.
[75] Do not fear or doubt, for God is your guide.
[76] You who keep my commandments and precepts," says the Lord God, "do not let your sins pull you down, or your iniquities prevail over you."
[77] Woe to those who are choked by their sins and overwhelmed by their iniquities, as a field is choked with underbrush and its path overwhelmed with thorns, so that no one can pass through!
[78] It is shut off and given up to be consumed by fire.
Additional Reading on 4th Ezra and 2 Baruch [their translations and origins]
