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 2nd ESDRAS OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE 1611

2nd Esdras

The Second Book of Esdras
{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 sou of Sadoc, the son of Achitob,
{1:2} 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 And he spake unto the of Borith, the
son of Abisei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,
{1:3} 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.
{1:4} And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
{1:5} 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:
{1:6} Because the sins of their fathers are increased in
them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto
strange gods.
{1:7} 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.
{1:8} 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.
{1:9} How long shall I forbear them, into whom I have
done so much good?
{1:10} Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes;
Pharaoh with his servants and all his power have I smitten
down.
{1:11} 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.
{1:12} Speak thou therefore unto them, saying, Thus saith
the Lord,
{1:13} 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.
{1:14} 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.
{1:15} Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as
a token to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard:
nevertheless ye murmured there,
{1:16} And triumphed not in my name for the destruction
of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur.
{1:17} 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,
{1:18} 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.
{1:19} Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave
you manna to eat; so ye did eat angels’ bread.
{1:20} 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.
{1:21} 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.
{1:22} Thus saith the Almighty Lord, When ye were in
the wilderness, in the river of the Amorites, being athirst,
and blaspheming my name,
{1:23} I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but cast a
tree in the water, and made the river sweet.
{1:24} 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.
{1:25} 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.
{1:26} 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.
{1:27} Ye have not as it were forsaken me, but your own
selves, saith the Lord.
{1:28} 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,
{1:29} That ye would be my people, and I should be your
God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your
father?
{1:30} 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.
{1:31} When ye offer unto me, I will turn my face from
you: for your solemn feastdays, your new moons, and your
circumcisions, have I forsaken.
{1:32} 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.
{1:33} Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is
desolate, I will cast you out as the wind doth stubble.
{1:34} And your children shall not be fruitful; for they
have despised my commandment, and done the thing that is
an evil before me.
{1:35} 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.
{1:36} They have seen no prophets, yet they shall call
their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them.
{1:37} 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.
{1:38} And now, brother, behold what glory; and see the
people that come from the east:
{1:39} Unto whom I will give for leaders, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias,
and Jonas,
{1:40} Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggeus, Zachary,
and Malachy, which is called also an angel of the Lord.
{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.
{2:2} The mother that bare them saith unto them, Go your
way, ye children; for I am a widow and forsaken.
{2:3} 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.
{2:4} 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.
{2:5} As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness
over the mother of these children, which would not keep my
covenant,
{2:6} That thou bring them to confusion, and their mother
to a spoil, that there may be no offspring of them.
{2:7} Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen, let
their names be put out of the earth: for they have despised
my covenant.
{2:8} Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the
unrighteous in thee! O thou wicked people, remember what
I did unto Sodom and Gomorrha;
{2:9} 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.
{2:10} 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.
{2:11} Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these
the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them.
{2:12} They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of
sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary.
{2:13} Go, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto
you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already
prepared for you: watch.
{2:14} Take heaven and earth to witness; for I have
broken the evil in pieces, and created the good: for I live,
saith the Lord.
{2:15} 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.
{2:16} 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.
{2:17} Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have
chosen thee, saith the Lord.
{2:18} 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,
{2:19} 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.
{2:20} Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless,
give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,
{2:21} 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.
{2:22} Keep the old and young within thy walls.
{2:23} Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and
bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my
resurrection.
{2:24} Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy
quietness still come.
{2:25} Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish
their feet.
{2:26} 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.
{2:27} 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.
{2:28} The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able
to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord.
{2:29} My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children
shall not see hell.
{2:30} Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I
will deliver thee, saith the Lord.
{2:31} 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.
{2:32} Embrace thy children until I come and shew mercy
unto them: for my wells run over, and my grace shall not
fail.
{2:33} 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.
{2:34} 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.
{2:35} Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the
everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.
{2:36} Flee the shadow of this world, receive the
joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly.
{2:37} O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad,
giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly
kingdom.
{2:38} Arise up and stand, behold the number of those
that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;
{2:39} Which are departed from the shadow of the world,
and have received glorious garments of the Lord.
{2:40} Take thy number, O Sion, and shut up those of
thine that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law
of the Lord.
{2:41} 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.
{2:42} I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people,
whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord
with songs.
{2:43} 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.
{2:44} So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?
{2:45} 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.
{2:46} Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it
that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?
{2:47} 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.
{2:48} 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.
{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:
{3:2} For I saw the desolation of Sion, and the wealth of
them that dwelt at Babylon.
{3:3} And my spirit was sore moved, so that I began to
speak words full of fear to the most High, and said,
{3:4} O Lord, who bearest rule, thou spakest at the
beginning, when thou didst plant the earth, and that thyself
alone, and commandedst the people,
{3:5} 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.
{3:6} And thou leadest him into paradise, which thy right
hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward.
{3:7} 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.
{3:8} And every people walked after their own will, and
did wonderful things before thee, and despised thy
commandments.
{3:9} And again in process of time thou broughtest the
flood upon those that dwelt in the world, and destroyedst
them.
{3:10} And it came to pass in every of them, that as death
was to Adam, so was the flood to these.
{3:11} Nevertheless one of them thou leftest, namely,
Noah with his household, of whom came all righteous men.
{3:12} 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.
{3:13} Now when they lived so wickedly before thee,
thou didst choose thee a man from among them, whose
name was Abraham.
{3:14} Him thou lovedst, and unto him only thou
shewedst thy will:
{3:15} And madest an everlasting covenant with him,
promising him that thou wouldest never forsake his seed.
{3:16} 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.
{3:17} And it came to pass, that when thou leadest his
seed out of Egypt, thou broughtest them up to the mount
Sinai.
{3:18} 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.
{3:19} 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.
{3:20} And yet tookest thou not away from them a
wicked heart, that thy law might bring forth fruit in them.
{3:21} For the first Adam bearing a wicked heart
transgressed, and was overcome; and so be all they that are
born of him.
{3:22} 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.
{3:23} So the times passed away, and the years were
brought to an end: then didst thou raise thee up a servant,
called David:
{3:24} Whom thou commandedst to build a city unto thy
name, and to offer incense and oblations unto thee therein.
{3:25} When this was done many years, then they that
inhabited the city forsook thee,
{3:26} And in all things did even as Adam and all his
generations had done: for they also had a wicked heart:
{3:27} And so thou gavest thy city over into the hands of
thine enemies.
{3:28} Are their deeds then any better that inhabit
Babylon, that they should therefore have the dominion over
Sion?
{3:29} 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.
{3:30} 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.
{3:31} I do not remember how this way may be left: Are
they then of Babylon better than they of Sion?
{3:32} Or is there any other people that knoweth thee
beside Israel? or what generation hath so believed thy
covenants as Jacob?
{3:33} 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.
{3:34} 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.
{3:35} 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?
{3:36} Thou shalt find that Israel by name hath kept thy
precepts; but not the heathen.
{4:1} And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name
was Uriel, gave me an answer,
{4:2} And said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world,
and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High?
{4:3} 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:
{4:4} 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.
{4:5} 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.
{4:6} Then answered I and said, What man is able to do
that, that thou shouldest ask such things of me?
{4:7} 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:
{4:8} 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.
{4:9} 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.
{4:10} He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and
such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;
{4:11} 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?
{4:12} 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.
{4:13} He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into
a plain, and the trees took counsel,
{4:14} 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.
{4:15} 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.
{4:16} The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire
came and consumed it.
{4:17} The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise
to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped them.
{4:18} If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom
wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom wouldest thou
condemn?
{4:19} 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.
{4:20} Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a
right judgment, but why judgest thou not thyself also?
{4:21} 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.
{4:22} Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord,
let me have understanding:
{4:23} 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,
{4:24} 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.
{4:25} What will he then do unto his name whereby we
are called? of these things have I asked.
{4:26} Then answered he me, and said, The more thou
searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth
fast to pass away,
{4:27} And cannot comprehend the things that are
promised to the righteous in time to come: for this world is
full of unrighteousness and infirmities.
{4:28} 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.
{4:29} 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.
{4:30} 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?
{4:31} Ponder now by thyself, how great fruit of
wickedness the grain of evil seed hath brought forth.
{4:32} And when the ears shall be cut down, which are
without number, how great a floor shall they fill?
{4:33} Then I answered and said, How, and when shall
these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and
evil?
{4:34} 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.
{4:35} 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?
{4:36} 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.
{4:37} 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.
{4:38} Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest
rule, even we all are full of impiety.
{4:39} 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.
{4:40} 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.
{4:41} 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:
{4:42} 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.
{4:43} From the beginning, look, what thou desirest to
see, it shall be shewed thee.
{4:44} Then answered I and said, If I have found favour
in thy sight, and if it be possible, and if I be meet therefore,
{4:45} Shew me then whether there be more to come than
is past, or more past than is to come.
{4:46} What is past I know, but what is for to come I
know not.
{4:47} And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side,
and I shall expound the similitude unto thee.
{4:48} 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.
{4:49} 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.
{4:50} 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.
{4:51} Then I prayed, and said, May I live, thinkest thou,
until that time? or what shall happen in those days?
{4:52} 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.
{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.
{5:2} But iniquity shall be increased above that which
now thou seest, or that thou hast heard long ago.
{5:3} And the land, that thou seest now to have root, shalt
thou see wasted suddenly.
{5:4} 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:
{5:5} And blood shall drop out of wood, and the stone
shall give his voice, and the people shall be troubled:
{5:6} And even he shall rule, whom they look not for that
dwell upon the earth, and the fowls shall take their flight
away together:
{5:7} 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.
{5:8} 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:
{5:9} 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,
{5:10} And shall be sought of many, and yet not be
found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be
multiplied upon earth.
{5:11} One land also shall ask another, and say, Is
righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through
thee? And it shall say, No.
{5:12} At the same time shall men hope, but nothing
obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper.
{5:13} 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.
{5:14} Then I awaked, and an extreme fearfulness went
through all my body, and my mind was troubled, so that it
fainted.
{5:15} So the angel that was come to talk with me held
me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet.
{5:16} 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?
{5:17} Knowest thou not that Israel is committed unto
thee in the land of their captivity?
{5:18} Up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the
shepherd that leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves.
{5:19} 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.
{5:20} And so I fasted seven days, mourning and
weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me.
{5:21} And after seven days so it was, that the thoughts of
my heart were very grievous unto me again,
{5:22} And my soul recovered the spirit of understanding,
and I began to talk with the most High again,
{5:23} 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:
{5:24} And of all lands of the whole world thou hast
chosen thee one pit: and of all the flowers thereof one lily:
{5:25} 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:
{5:26} 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:
{5:27} 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.
{5:28} 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?
{5:29} And they which did gainsay thy promises, and
believed not thy covenants, have trodden them down.
{5:30} If thou didst so much hate thy people, yet
shouldest thou punish them with thine own hands.
{5:31} Now when I had spoken these words, the angel
that came to me the night afore was sent unto me,
{5:32} And said unto me, Hear me, and I will instruct
thee; hearken to the thing that I say, and I shall tell thee
more.
{5:33} 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?
{5:34} 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.
{5:35} 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?
{5:36} 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,
{5:37} 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.
{5:38} And I said, O Lord that bearest rule, who may
know these things, but he that hath not his dwelling with
men?
{5:39} As for me, I am unwise: how may I then speak of
these things whereof thou askest me?
{5:40} 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.
{5:41} 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?
{5:42} 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.
{5:43} 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?
{5:44} 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.
{5:45} 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.
{5:46} 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.
{5:47} And I said, She cannot: but must do it by distance
of time.
{5:48} 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.
{5:49} 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.
{5:50} 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.
{5:51} He answered me, and said, Ask a woman that
beareth children, and she shall tell thee.
{5:52} Say unto her, Wherefore are unto they whom thou
hast now brought forth like those that were before, but less
of stature?
{5:53} 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.
{5:54} Consider thou therefore also, how that ye are less
of stature than those that were before you.
{5:55} 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.
{5:56} Then said I, Lord, I beseech thee, if I have found
favour in thy sight, shew thy servant by whom thou visitest
thy creature.
{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,
{6:2} Before it thundered and lightened, or ever the
foundations of paradise were laid,
{6:3} Before the fair flowers were seen, or ever the
moveable powers were established, before the innumerable
multitude of angels were gathered together,
{6:4} 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,
{6:5} 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:
{6:6} 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.
{6:7} 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?
{6:8} 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.
{6:9} For Esau is the end of the world, and Jacob is the
beginning of it that followeth.
{6:10} The hand of man is betwixt the heel and the hand:
other question, Esdras, ask thou not.
{6:11} I answered then and said, O Lord that bearest rule,
if I have found favour in thy sight,
{6:12} I beseech thee, shew thy servant the end of thy
tokens, whereof thou shewedst me part the last night.
{6:13} So he answered and said unto me, Stand up upon
thy feet, and hear a mighty sounding voice.
{6:14} And it shall be as it were a great motion; but the
place where thou standest shall not be moved.
{6:15} And therefore when it speaketh be not afraid: for
the word is of the end, and the foundation of the earth is
understood.
{6:16} And why? because the speech of these things
trembleth and is moved: for it knoweth that the end of these
things must be changed.
{6:17} 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.
{6:18} And it said, Behold, the days come, that I will
begin to draw nigh, and to visit them that dwell upon the
earth,
{6:19} 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;
{6:20} 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:
{6:21} 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.
{6:22} And suddenly shall the sown places appear
unsown, the full storehouses shall suddenly be found empty:
{6:23} And tha trumpet shall give a sound, which when
every man heareth, they shall be suddenly afraid.
{6:24} 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.
{6:25} Whosoever remaineth from all these that I have
told thee shall escape, and see my salvation, and the end of
your world.
{6:26} 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.
{6:27} For evil shall be put out, and deceit shall be
quenched.
{6:28} As for faith, it shall flourish, corruption shall be
overcome, and the truth, which hath been so long without
fruit, shall be declared.
{6:29} And when he talked with me, behold, I looked by
little and little upon him before whom I stood.
{6:30} And these words said he unto me; I am come to
shew thee the time of the night to come.
{6:31} If thou wilt pray yet more, and fast seven days
again, I shall tell thee greater things by day than I have
heard.
{6:32} 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.
{6:33} And therefore hath he sent me to shew thee all
these things, and to say unto thee, Be of good comfort and
fear not
{6:34} And hasten not with the times that are past, to
think vain things, that thou mayest not hasten from the latter
times.
{6:35} 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.
{6:36} And in the eighth night was my heart vexed within
me again, and I began to speak before the most High.
{6:37} For my spirit was greatly set on fire, and my soul
was in distress.
{6:38} 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.
{6:39} And then was the spirit, and darkness and silence
were on every side; the sound of man’s voice was not yet
formed.
{6:40} Then commandedst thou a fair light to come forth
of thy treasures, that thy work might appear.
{6:41} 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.
{6:42} Upon the third day thou didst command that the
waters should be gathered in the seventh part of the earth:
six pats hast thou dried up, and kept them, to the intent that
of these some being planted of God and tilled might serve
thee.
{6:43} For as soon as thy word went forth the work was
made.
{6:44} 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.
{6:45} Upon the fourth day thou commandedst that the
sun should shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars
should be in order:
{6:46} And gavest them a charge to do service unto man,
that was to be made.
{6:47} 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.
{6:48} For the dumb water and without life brought forth
living things at the commandment of God, that all people
might praise thy wondrous works.
{6:49} Then didst thou ordain two living creatures, the
one thou calledst Enoch, and the other Leviathan;
{6:50} And didst separate the one from the other: for the
seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered
together, might not hold them both.
{6:51} Unto Enoch thou gavest one part, which was dried
up the third day, that he should dwell in the same part,
wherein are a thousand hills:
{6:52} But unto Leviathan thou gavest the seventh part,
namely, the moist; and hast kept him to be devoured of
whom thou wilt, and when.
{6:53} Upon the sixth day thou gavest commandment
unto the earth, that before thee it should bring forth beasts,
cattle, and creeping things:
{6:54} 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.
{6:55} All this have I spoken before thee, O Lord,
because thou madest the world for our sakes
{6:56} 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.
{6:57} 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.
{6:58} But we thy people, whom thou hast called thy
firstborn, thy only begotten, and thy fervent lover, are given
into their hands.
{6:59} If the world now be made for our sakes, why do
we not possess an inheritance with the world? how long
shall this endure?
{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:
{7:2} And he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the
words that I am come to tell thee.
{7:3} 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.
{7:4} But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like
a river;
{7:5} 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?
{7:6} There is also another thing; A city is builded, and
set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things:
{7:7} 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:
{7:8} 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.
{7:9} 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?
{7:10} And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said he unto me,
Even so also is Israel’s portion.
{7:11} Because for their sakes I made the world: and
when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that
now is done.
{7:12} 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.
{7:13} For the entrances of the elder world were wide and
sure, and brought immortal fruit.
{7:14} 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.
{7:15} Now therefore why disquietest thou thyself, seeing
thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou moved,
whereas thou art but mortal?
{7:16} Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this
thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
{7:17} 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.
{7:18} 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.
{7:19} And he said unto me. There is no judge above
God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
{7:20} For there be many that perish in this life, because
they despise the law of God that is set before them.
{7:21} 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.
{7:22} Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but
spake against him, and imagined vain things;
{7:23} And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds;
and said of the most High, that he is not; and knew not his
ways:
{7:24} But his law have they despised, and denied his
covenants; in his statutes have they not been faithful, and
have not performed his works.
{7:25} And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty
things, and for the full are the full things.
{7:26} 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.
{7:27} And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils
shall see my wonders.
{7:28} For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that
be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four
hundred years.
{7:29} After these years shall my son Christ die, and all
men that have life.
{7:30} And the world shall be turned into the old silence
seven days, like as in the former judgments: so that no man
shall remain.
{7:31} And after seven days the world, that yet awaketh
not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is corrupt
{7:32} 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.
{7:33} And the most High shall appear upon the seat of
judgment, and misery shall pass away, and the long
suffering shall have an end:
{7:34} But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand,
and faith shall wax strong:
{7:35} 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.
{7:36} Then said I, Abraham prayed first for the
Sodomites, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in the
wilderness:
{7:37} And Jesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan:
{7:38} And Samuel and David for the destruction: and
Solomon for them that should come to the sanctuary:
{7:39} And Helias for those that received rain; and for the
dead, that he might live:
{7:40} And Ezechias for the people in the time of
Sennacherib: and many for many.
{7:41} 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?
{7:42} He answered me, and said, This present life is not
the end where much glory doth abide; therefore have they
prayed for the weak.
{7:43} 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,
{7:44} Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off,
righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.
{7:45} Then shall no man be able to save him that is
destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.
{7:46} 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.
{7:47} For what profit is it for men now in this present
time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for
punishment?
{7:48} 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.
{7:49} For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised
us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that
bring death?
{7:50} And that there is promised us an everlasting hope,
whereas ourselves being most wicked are made vain?
{7:51} And that there are laid up for us dwellings of
health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly?
{7:52} 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?
{7:53} 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?
{7:54} (For we have walked in unpleasant places.)
{7:55} And that the faces of them which have used
abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces
shall be blacker than darkness?
{7:56} For while we lived and committed iniquity, we
considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after
death.
{7:57} Then answered he me, and said, This is the
condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the
earth shall fight;
{7:58} 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.
{7:59} For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the
people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou
mayest live.
{7:60} Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the
prophets after him, no nor me which have spoken unto them,
{7:61} That there should not be such heaviness in their
destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to
salvation.
{7:62} 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,
{7:63} And upon those also that turn to his law;
{7:64} And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that
have sinned, as his creatures;
{7:65} And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give
where it needeth;
{7:66} 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.
{7:67} For if he shall not multiply his mercies, the world
would not continue with them that inherit therein.
{7:68} 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.
{7:69} And being judge, if he should not forgive them
that are cured with his word, and put out the multitude of
contentions,
{7:70} There should be very few left peradventure in an
innumerable multitude.
{8:1} And he answered me, saying, The most High hath
made this world for many, but the world to come for few.
{8:2} 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.
{8:3} There be many created, but few shall be saved.
{8:4} So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my
soul, understanding, and devour wisdom.
{8:5} For thou hast agreed to give ear, and art willing to
prophesy: for thou hast no longer space than only to live.
{8:6} 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?
{8:7} For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of
thine hands, like as thou hast said.
{8:8} 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.
{8:9} 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.
{8:10} 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,
{8:11} That the thing which is fashioned may be
nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy.
{8:12} Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness, and
nurturedst it in thy law, and reformedst it with thy judgment.
{8:13} And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, and
quicken it as thy work.
{8:14} 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.
{8:15} Now therefore, Lord, I will speak; touching man in
general, thou knowest best; but touching thy people, for
whose sake I am sorry;
{8:16} 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;
{8:17} 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.
{8:18} But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which
is to come.
{8:19} 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,
{8:20} O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness
which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the
air;
{8:21} Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not
be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand
with trembling,
{8:22} Whose service is conversant in wind and fire;
whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose
commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful;
{8:23} Whose look drieth up the depths, and indignation
maketh the mountains to melt away; which the truth
witnesseth:
{8:24} O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to
the petition of thy creature.
{8:25} For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have
understanding I will answer.
{8:26} O look not upon the sins of thy people; but on
them which serve thee in truth.
{8:27} Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen,
but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in
afflictions.
{8:28} Think not upon those that have walked feignedly
before thee: but remember them, which according to thy
will have known thy fear.
{8:29} 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.
{8:30} 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.
{8:31} For we and our fathers do languish of such
diseases: but because of us sinners thou shalt be called
merciful.
{8:32} 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.
{8:33} For the just, which have many good works laid up
with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward.
{8:34} 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?
{8:35} 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.
{8:36} 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.
{8:37} Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast
thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be.
{8:38} For indeed I will not think on the disposition of
them which have sinned before death, before judgment,
before destruction:
{8:39} 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.
{8:40} Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.
{8:41} 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.
{8:42} I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let
me speak.
{8:43} 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:
{8:44} 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.
{8:45} Be not wroth with us but spare thy people, and
have mercy upon thine own inheritance: for thou art
merciful unto thy creature.
{8:46} Then answered he me, and said, Things present are
for the present, and things to cometh for such as be to come.
{8:47} 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.
{8:48} In this also thou art marvellous before the most
High:
{8:49} In that thou hast humbled thyself, as it becometh
thee, and hast not judged thyself worthy to be much
glorified among the righteous.
{8:50} 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.
{8:51} But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the
glory for such as be like thee.
{8:52} 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.
{8:53} 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:
{8:54} Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the
treasure of immortality.
{8:55} And therefore ask thou no more questions
concerning the multitude of them that perish.
{8:56} For when they had taken liberty, they despised the
most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways.
{8:57} Moreover they have trodden down his righteous,
{8:58} And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea,
and that knowing they must die.
{8:59} 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:
{8:60} But they which be created have defiled the name
of him that made them, and were unthankful unto him
which prepared life for them.
{8:61} And therefore is my judgment now at hand.
{8:62} These things have I not shewed unto all men, but
unto thee, and a few like thee. Then answered I and said,
{8:63} 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.
{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,
{9:2} Then shalt thou understand, that it is the very same
time, wherein the Highest will begin to visit the world
which he made.
{9:3} Therefore when there shall be seen earthquakes and
uproars of the people in the world:
{9:4} Then shalt thou well understand, that the most High
spake of those things from the days that were before thee,
even from the beginning.
{9:5} For like as all that is made in the world hath a
beginning and an end, and the end is manifest:
{9:6} Even so the times also of the Highest have plain
beginnings in wonder and powerful works, and endings in
effects and signs.
{9:7} And every one that shall be saved, and shall be able
to escape by his works, and by faith, whereby ye have
believed,
{9:8} 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.
{9:9} 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.
{9:10} For such as in their life have received benefits, and
have not known me;
{9:11} 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;
{9:12} The same must know it after death by pain.
{9:13} 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.
{9:14} Then answered I and said,
{9:15} 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:
{9:16} Like as a wave is greater than a drop.
{9:17} 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 ls himself, so is his husbandry also: for it
was the time of the world.
{9:18} 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.
{9:19} 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.
{9:20} So I considered the world, and, behold, there was
peril because of the devices that were come into it.
{9:21} And I saw, and spared it greatly, and have kept me
a grape of the cluster, and a plant of a great people.
{9:22} 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.
{9:23} Nevertheless, if thou wilt cease yet seven days
more, (but thou shalt not fast in them,
{9:24} 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;)
{9:25} And pray unto the Highest continually, then will I
come and talk with thee.
{9:26} 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.
{9:27} After seven days I sat upon the grass, and my heart
was vexed within me, like as before:
{9:28} And I opened my mouth, and began to talk before
the most High, and said,
{9:29} 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.
{9:30} And thou spakest saying, Hear me, O Israel; and
mark my words, thou seed of Jacob.
{9:31} For, behold, I sow my law in you, and it shall
bring fruit in you, and ye shall be honoured in it for ever.
{9:32} 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;
{9:33} Yet they that received it perished, because they
kept not the thing that was sown in them.
{9:34} 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,
{9:35} 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.
{9:36} For we that have received the law perish by sin,
and our heart also which received it
{9:37} Notwithstanding the law perisheth not, but
remaineth in his force.
{9:38} 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.
{9:39} Then let I my thoughts go that I was in, and turned
me unto her,
{9:40} And said unto her, Wherefore weepest thou? why
art thou so grieved in thy mind?
{9:41} 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.
{9:42} And I said unto her, What aileth thee? tell me.
{9:43} She said unto me, I thy servant have been barren,
and had no child, though I had an husband thirty years,
{9:44} And those thirty years I did nothing else day and
night, and every hour, but make my, prayer to the Highest.
{9:45} 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.
{9:46} And I nourished him with great travail.
{9:47} So when he grew up, and came to the time that he
should have a wife, I made a feast.
{10:1} And it so came to pass, that when my son was
entered into his wedding chamber, he fell down, and died.
{10:2} 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.
{10:3} 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.
{10:4} 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.
{10:5} Then left I the meditations wherein I was, and
spake to her in anger, saying,
{10:6} Thou foolish woman above all other, seest thou
not our mourning, and what happeneth unto us?
{10:7} How that Sion our mother is full of all heaviness,
and much humbled, mourning very sore?
{10:8} And now, seeing we all mourn and are sad, for we
are all in heaviness, art thou grieved for one son?
{10:9} 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.
{10:10} 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.
{10:11} Who then should make more mourning than she,
that hath lost so great a multitude; and not thou, which art
sorry but for one?
{10:12} 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;
{10:13} But the earth not so: for the multitude present in
it according to the course of the earth is gone, as it came:
{10:14} 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.
{10:15} Now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and
bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee.
{10:16} 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.
{10:17} Go thy way then into the city to thine husband.
{10:18} And she said unto me, That will I not do: I will
not go into the city, but here will I die.
{10:19} So I proceeded to speak further unto her, and said,
{10:20} 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.
{10:21} For thou seest that our sanctuary is laid waste,
our altar broken down, our temple destroyed;
{10:22} 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;
{10:23} 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.
{10:24} 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.
{10:25} 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.
{10:26} And, behold, suddenly she made a great cry very
fearful: so that the earth shook at the noise of the woman.
{10:27} 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,
{10:28} 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.
{10:29} And as I was speaking these words behold, he
came unto me, and looked upon me.
{10:30} 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,
{10:31} What aileth thee? and why art thou so disquieted?
and why is thine understanding troubled, and the thoughts
of thine heart?
{10:32} 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.
{10:33} And he said unto me, Stand up manfully, and I
will advise thee.
{10:34} Then said I, Speak on, my lord, in me; only
forsake me not, lest I die frustrate of my hope.
{10:35} For I have seen that I knew not, and hear that I do
not know.
{10:36} Or is my sense deceived, or my soul in a dream?
{10:37} Now therefore I beseech thee that thou wilt shew
thy servant of this vision.
{10:38} 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.
{10:39} He hath seen that thy way is right: for that thou
sorrowest continually for thy people, and makest great
lamentation for Sion.
{10:40} This therefore is the meaning of the vision which
thou lately sawest:
{10:41} Thou sawest a woman mourning, and thou
begannest to comfort her:
{10:42} But now seest thou the likeness of the woman no
more, but there appeared unto thee a city builded.
{10:43} And whereas she told thee of the death of her
son, this is the solution:
{10:44} This woman, whom thou sawest is Sion: and
whereas she said unto thee, even she whom thou seest as a
city builded,
{10:45} 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.
{10:46} But after thirty years Solomon builded the city
and offered offerings: and then bare the barren a son.
{10:47} And whereas she told thee that she nourished him
with labour: that was the dwelling in Jerusalem.
{10:48} 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.
{10:49} 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.
{10:50} 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:
{10:51} And therefore I bade thee remain in the field
where no house was builded:
{10:52} For I knew that the Highest would shew this unto
thee.
{10:53} Therefore I commanded thee to go into the field,
where no foundation of any building was.
{10:54} For in the place wherein the Highest beginneth to
shew his city, there can no man’s building be able to stand.
{10:55} 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:
{10:56} And then shalt thou hear as much as thine ears
may comprehend.
{10:57} For thou art blessed above many other, and art
called with the Highest; and so are but few.
{10:58} But to morrow at night thou shalt remain here;
{10:59} 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.
{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.
{11:2} 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.
{11:3} And I beheld, and out of her feathers there grew
other contrary feathers; and they became little feathers and
small.
{11:4} But her heads were at rest: the head in the midst
was greater than the other, yet rested it with the residue.
{11:5} Moreover I beheld, and, lo, the eagle flew with her
feathers, and reigned upon earth, and over them that dwelt
therein.
{11:6} And I saw that all things under heaven were
subject unto her, and no man spake against her, no, not one
creature upon earth.
{11:7} And I beheld, and, lo, the eagle rose upon her
talons, and spake to her feathers, saying,
{11:8} Watch not all at once: sleep every one in his own
place, and watch by course:
{11:9} But let the heads be preserved for the last.
{11:10} And I beheld, and, lo, the voice went not out of
her heads, but from the midst of her body.
{11:11} And I numbered her contrary feathers, and,
behold, there were eight of them.
{11:12} And I looked, and, behold, on the right side there
arose one feather, and reigned over all the earth;
{11:13} 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;
{11:14} And it happened, that when it reigned, the end of
it came also, like as the first, so that it appeared no more.
{11:15} Then came there a voice unto it, and said,
{11:16} Hear thou that hast borne rule over the earth so
long: this I say unto thee, before thou beginnest to appear no
more,
{11:17} There shall none after thee attain unto thy time,
neither unto the half thereof.
{11:18} Then arose the third, and reigned as the other
before, and appeared no more also.
{11:19} So went it with all the residue one after another,
as that every one reigned, and then appeared no more.
{11:20} 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:
{11:21} For some of them were set up, but ruled not.
{11:22} After this I looked, and, behold, the twelve
feathers appeared no more, nor the two little feathers:
{11:23} And there was no more upon the eagle’s body,
but three heads that rested, and six little wings.
{11:24} 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.
{11:25} And I beheld, and, lo, the feathers that were
under the wing thought to set up themselves and to have the
rule.
{11:26} And I beheld, and, lo, there was one set up, but
shortly it appeared no more.
{11:27} And the second was sooner away than the first.
{11:28} And I beheld, and, lo, the two that remained
thought also in themselves to reign:
{11:29} 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.
{11:30} And then I saw that the two other heads were
joined with it.
{11:31} 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.
{11:32} 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.
{11:33} And after this I beheld, and, lo, the head that was
in the midst suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings.
{11:34} But there remained the two heads, which also in
like sort ruled upon the earth, and over those that dwelt
therein.
{11:35} And I beheld, and, lo, the head upon the right
side devoured it that was upon the left side.
{11:36} Then I head a voice, which said unto me, Look
before thee, and consider the thing that thou seest.
{11:37} 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,
{11:38} Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the Highest
shall say unto thee,
{11:39} 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?
{11:40} 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.
{11:41} For the earth hast thou not judged with truth.
{11:42} 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.
{11:43} Therefore is thy wrongful dealing come up unto
the Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty.
{11:44} The Highest also hath looked upon the proud
times, and, behold, they are ended, and his abominations are
fulfilled.
{11:45} 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:
{11:46} 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.
{12:1} And it came to pass, whiles the lion spake these
words unto the eagle, I saw,
{12:2} 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.
{12:3} 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,
{12:4} Lo, this hast thou done unto me, in that thou
searchest out the ways of the Highest.
{12:5} 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.
{12:6} Therefore will I now beseech the Highest, that he
will comfort me unto the end.
{12:7} 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;
{12:8} Comfort me then, and shew me thy servant the
interpretation and plain difference of this fearful vision, that
thou mayest perfectly comfort my soul.
{12:9} For thou hast judged me worthy to shew me the
last times.
{12:10} And he said unto me, This is the interpretation of
the vision:
{12:11} The eagle, whom thou sawest come up from the
sea, is the kingdom which was seen in the vision of thy
brother Daniel.
{12:12} But it was not expounded unto him, therefore
now I declare it unto thee.
{12:13} 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.
{12:14} In the same shall twelve kings reign, one after
another:
{12:15} Whereof the second shall begin to reign, and
shall have more time than any of the twelve.
{12:16} And this do the twelve wings signify, which thou
sawest.
{12:17} 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:
{12:18} 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.
{12:19} And whereas thou sawest the eight small under
feathers sticking to her wings, this is the interpretation:
{12:20} That in him there shall arise eight kings, whose
times shall be but small, and their years swift.
{12:21} 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.
{12:22} And whereas thou sawest three heads resting, this
is the interpretation:
{12:23} 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,
{12:24} 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.
{12:25} For these are they that shall accomplish his
wickedness, and that shall finish his last end.
{12:26} 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.
{12:27} For the two that remain shall be slain with the
sword.
{12:28} For the sword of the one shall devour the other:
but at the last shall he fall through the sword himself.
{12:29} And whereas thou sawest two feathers under the
wings passing over the head that is on the right side;
{12:30} 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.
{12:31} 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;
{12:32} 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.
{12:33} For he shall set them before him alive in
judgment, and shall rebuke them, and correct them.
{12:34} 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.
{12:35} This is the dream that thou sawest, and these are
the interpretations.
{12:36} Thou only hast been meet to know this secret of
the Highest.
{12:37} Therefore write all these things that thou hast
seen in a book, and hide them:
{12:38} And teach them to the wise of the people, whose
hearts thou knowest may comprehend and keep these
secrets.
{12:39} 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.
{12:40} 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,
{12:41} What have we offended thee? and what evil have
we done against thee, that thou forsakest us, and sittest here
in this place?
{12:42} 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.
{12:43} Are not the evils which are come to us sufficient?
{12:44} If thou shalt forsake us, how much better had it
been for us, if we also had been burned in the midst of Sion?
{12:45} For we are not better than they that died there.
And they wept with a loud voice. Then answered I them,
and said,
{12:46} Be of good comfort, O Israel; and be not heavy,
thou house of Jacob:
{12:47} For the Highest hath you in remembrance, and
the Mighty hath not forgotten you in temptation.
{12:48} 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.
{12:49} And now go your way home every man, and after
these days will I come unto you.
{12:50} So the people went their way into the city, like as
I commanded them:
{12:51} 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
{13:1} And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a
dream by night:
{13:2} And, lo, there arose a wind from the sea, that it
moved all the waves thereof.
{13:3} 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.
{13:4} 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.
{13:5} 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
{13:6} But I beheld, and, lo, he had graved himself a great
mountain, and flew up upon it.
{13:7} But I would have seen the region or place
whereout the hill was graven, and I could not.
{13:8} And after this I beheld, and, lo, all they which
were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and
yet durst fight.
{13:9} 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:
{13:10} 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.
{13:11} 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.
{13:12} Afterward saw I the same man come down from
the mountain, and call unto him another peaceable
Multitude.
{13:13} 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,
{13:14} Thou hast shewed thy servant these wonders
from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy that thou
shouldest receive my prayer:
{13:15} Shew me now yet the interpretation of this dream.
{13:16} 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!
{13:17} For they that were not left were in heaviness.
{13:18} 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.
{13:19} Therefore are they come into great perils and
many necessities, like as these dreams declare.
{13:20} 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,
{13:21} The interpretation of the vision shall I shew thee,
and I will open unto thee the thing that thou hast required.
{13:22} Whereas thou hast spoken of them that are left
behind, this is the interpretation:
{13:23} 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.
{13:24} Know this therefore, that they which be left
behind are more blessed than they that be dead.
{13:25} This is the meaning of the vision: Whereas thou
sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea:
{13:26} 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.
{13:27} And whereas thou sawest, that out of his mouth
there came as a blast of wind, and fire, and storm;
{13:28} 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:
{13:29} Behold, the days come, when the most High will
begin to deliver them that are upon the earth.
{13:30} And he shall come to the astonishment of them
that dwell on the earth.
{13:31} 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.
{13:32} 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.
{13:33} And when all the people hear his voice, every
man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one
against another.
{13:34} And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered
together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to
overcome him by fighting.
{13:35} But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Sion.
{13:36} And Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all
men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill
graven without hands.
{13:37} And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked
inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are
fallen into the tempest;
{13:38} 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.
{13:39} And whereas thou sawest that he gathered
another peaceable multitude unto him;
{13:40} 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.
{13:41} 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,
{13:42} That they might there keep their statutes, which
they never kept in their own land.
{13:43} And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow
places of the river.
{13:44} For the most High then shewed signs for them,
and held still the flood, till they were passed over.
{13:45} 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.
{13:46} Then dwelt they there until the latter time; and
now when they shall begin to come,
{13:47} The Highest shall stay the springs of the stream
again, that they may go through: therefore sawest thou the
multitude with peace.
{13:48} But those that be left behind of thy people are
they that are found within my borders.
{13:49} Now when he destroyeth the multitude of the
nations that are gathered together, he shall defend his people
that remain.
{13:50} And then shall he shew them great wonders.
{13:51} 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?
{13:52} 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.
{13:53} This is the interpretation of the dream which thou
sawest, and whereby thou only art here lightened.
{13:54} For thou hast forsaken thine own way, and
applied thy diligence unto my law, and sought it.
{13:55} Thy life hast thou ordered in wisdom, and hast
called understanding thy mother.
{13:56} 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.
{13:57} 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;
{13:58} And because he governeth the same, and such
things as fall in their seasons: and there I sat three days.
{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.
{14:2} And I said, Here am I, Lord And I stood up upon
my feet.
{14:3} 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:
{14:4} 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,
{14:5} And told him many wondrous things, and shewed
him the secrets of the times, and the end; and commanded
him, saying,
{14:6} These words shalt thou declare, and these shalt
thou hide.
{14:7} And now I say unto thee,
{14:8} 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:
{14:9} 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.
{14:10} For the world hath lost his youth, and the times
begin to wax old.
{14:11} For the world is divided into twelve parts, and the
ten parts of it are gone already, and half of a tenth part:
{14:12} And there remaineth that which is after the half
of the tenth part.
{14:13} Now therefore set thine house in order, and
reprove thy people, comfort such of them as be in trouble,
and now renounce corruption,
{14:14} Let go from thee mortal thoughts, cast away the
burdens of man, put off now the weak nature,
{14:15} And set aside the thoughts that are most heavy
unto thee, and haste thee to flee from these times.
{14:16} For yet greater evils than those which thou hast
seen happen shall be done hereafter.
{14:17} For look how much the world shall be weaker
through age, so much the more shall evils increase upon
them that dwell therein.
{14:18} For the time is fled far away, and leasing is hard
at hand: for now hasteth the vision to come, which thou hast
seen.
{14:19} Then answered I before thee, and said,
{14:20} 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.
{14:21} For thy law is burnt, therefore no man knoweth
the things that are done of thee, or the work that shall begin.
{14:22} 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.
{14:23} And he answered me, saying, Go thy way, gather
the people together, and say unto them, that they seek thee
not for forty days.
{14:24} 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;
{14:25} 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.
{14:26} 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.
{14:27} Then went I forth, as he commanded, and
gathered all the people together, and said,
{14:28} Hear these words, O Israel.
{14:29} Our fathers at the beginning were strangers in
Egypt, from whence they were delivered:
{14:30} And received the law of life, which they kept not,
which ye also have transgressed after them.
{14:31} 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.
{14:32} And forasmuch as he is a righteous judge, he
took from you in time the thing that he had given you.
{14:33} And now are ye here, and your brethren among
you.
{14:34} 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.
{14:35} 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.
{14:36} Let no man therefore come unto me now, nor
seek after me these forty days.
{14:37} So I took the five men, as he commanded me,
and we went into the field, and remained there.
{14:38} And the next day, behold, a voice called me,
saying, Esdras, open thy mouth, and drink that I give thee to
drink.
{14:39} 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.
{14:40} 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:
{14:41} And my mouth was opened, and shut no more.
{14:42} 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.
{14:43} As for me. I spake in the day, and I held not my
tongue by night.
{14:44} In forty days they wrote two hundred and four
books.
{14:45} 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:
{14:46} But keep the seventy last, that thou mayest
deliver them only to such as be wise among the people:
{14:47} For in them is the spring of understanding, the
fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge.
{14:48} And I did so.
{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:
{15:2} And cause them to be written in paper: for they are
faithful and true.
{15:3} Fear not the imaginations against thee, let not the
incredulity of them trouble thee, that speak against thee.
{15:4} For all the unfaithful shall die in their
unfaithfulness.
{15:5} Behold, saith the Lord, I will bring plagues upon
the world; the sword, famine, death, and destruction.
{15:6} For wickedness hath exceedingly polluted the
whole earth, and their hurtful works are fulfilled.
{15:7} Therefore saith the Lord,
{15:8} 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.
{15:9} And therefore, saith the Lord, I will surely avenge
them, and receive unto me all the innocent blood from
among them.
{15:10} Behold, my people is led as a flock to the
slaughter: I will not suffer them now to dwell in the land of
Egypt:
{15:11} 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.
{15:12} Egypt shall mourn, and the foundation of it shall
be smitten with the plague and punishment that God shall
bring upon it.
{15:13} They that till the ground shall mourn: for their
seeds shall fail through the blasting and hail, and with a
fearful constellation.
{15:14} Woe to the world and them that dwell therein!
{15:15} For the sword and their destruction draweth nigh,
and one people shall stand up and fight against another, and
swords in their hands.
{15:16} 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.
{15:17} A man shall desire to go into a city, and shall not
be able.
{15:18} For because of their pride the cities shall be
troubled, the houses shall be destroyed, and men shall be
afraid.
{15:19} 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.
{15:20} 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.
{15:21} 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;
{15:22} My right hand shall not spare the sinners, and my
sword shall not cease over them that shed innocent blood
upon the earth.
{15:23} 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.
{15:24} Woe to them that sin, and keep not my
commandments! saith the Lord.
{15:25} I will not spare them: go your way, ye children,
from the power, defile not my sanctuary.
{15:26} For the Lord knoweth all them that sin against
him, and therefore delivereth he them unto death and
destruction.
{15:27} 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.
{15:28} Behold an horrible vision, and the appearance
thereof from the east:
{15:29} 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.
{15:30} 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.
{15:31} 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,
{15:32} Then these shall be troubled bled, and keep
silence through their power, and shall flee.
{15:33} 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.
{15:34} 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.
{15:35} 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,
{15:36} And dung of men unto the camel’s hough.
{15:37} 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.
{15:38} And then shall there come great storms from the
south, and from the north, and another part from the west.
{15:39} 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.
{15:40} 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,
{15:41} Fire, and hail, and flying swords, and many
waters, that all fields may be full, and all rivers, with the
abundance of great waters.
{15:42} And they shall break down the cities and walls,
mountains and hills, trees of the wood, and grass of the
meadows, and their corn.
{15:43} And they shall go stedfastly unto Babylon, and
make her afraid.
{15:44} 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.
{15:45} And they that remain under her shall do service
unto them that have put her in fear.
{15:46} And thou, Asia, that art partaker of the hope of
Babylon, and art the glory of her person:
{15:47} 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.
{15:48} Thou hast followed her that is hated in all her
works and inventions: therefore saith God,
{15:49} I will send plagues upon thee; widowhood,
poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence, to waste thy houses
with destruction and death.
{15:50} And the glory of thy Power shall be dried up as a
flower, the heat shall arise that is sent over thee.
{15:51} 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.
{15:52} Would I with jealousy have so proceeded against
thee, saith the Lord,
{15:53} If thou hadst not always slain my chosen,
exalting the stroke of thine hands, and saying over their
dead, when thou wast drunken,
{15:54} Set forth the beauty of thy countenance?
{15:55} The reward of thy whoredom shall be in thy
bosom, therefore shalt thou receive recompence.
{15:56} Like as thou hast done unto my chosen, saith the
Lord, even so shall God do unto thee, and shall deliver thee
into mischief
{15:57} 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.
{15:58} 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.
{15:59} Thou as unhappy shalt come through the sea, and
receive plagues again.
{15:60} 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.
{15:61} And thou shalt be cast down by them as stubble,
and they shall be unto thee as fire;
{15:62} 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.
{15:63} Thy children shall they carry away captive, and,
look, what thou hast, they shall spoil it, and mar the beauty
of thy face.
{16:1} Woe be unto thee, Babylon, and Asia! woe be unto
thee, Egypt and Syria!
{16:2} Gird up yourselves with cloths of sack and hair,
bewail your children, and be sorry; for your destruction is at
hand.
{16:3} A sword is sent upon you, and who may turn it
back?
{16:4} A fire is sent among you, and who may quench it?
{16:5} Plagues are sent unto you, and what is he that may
drive them away?
{16:6} 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?
{16:7} May one turn again the arrow that is shot of a
strong archer?
{16:8} The mighty Lord sendeth the plagues and who is
he that can drive them away?
{16:9} A fire shall go forth from his wrath, and who is he
that may quench it?
{16:10} He shall cast lightnings, and who shall not fear?
he shall thunder, and who shall not be afraid?
{16:11} The Lord shall threaten, and who shall not be
utterly beaten to powder at his presence?
{16:12} 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:
{16:13} 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.
{16:14} Behold, the plagues are sent, and shall not return
again, until they come upon the earth.
{16:15} The fire is kindled, and shall not be put out, till it
consume the foundation of the earth.
{16:16} 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.
{16:17} Woe is me! woe is me! who will deliver me in
those days?
{16:18} 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?
{16:19} Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and
anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment.
{16:20} But for all these things they shall not turn from
their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
{16:21} 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.
{16:22} For many of them that dwell upon earth shall
perish of famine; and the other, that escape the hunger, shall
the sword destroy.
{16:23} 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.
{16:24} There shall be no man left to till the earth, and to
sow it
{16:25} The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather
them?
{16:26} The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them?
for all places shall be desolate of men:
{16:27} So that one man shall desire to see another, and
to hear his voice.
{16:28} 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.
{16:29} As in an orchard of Olives upon every tree there
are left three or four olives;
{16:30} Or as when a vineyard is gathered, there are left
some clusters of them that diligently seek through the
vineyard:
{16:31} Even so in those days there shall be three or four
left by them that search their houses with the sword.
{16:32} 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.
{16:33} The virgins shall mourn, having no bridegrooms;
the women shall mourn, having no husbands; their
daughters shall mourn, having no helpers.
{16:34} In the wars shall their bridegrooms be destroyed,
and their husbands shall perish of famine.
{16:35} Hear now these things and understand them, ye
servants of the Lord.
{16:36} Behold, the word of the Lord, receive it: believe
not the gods of whom the Lord spake.
{16:37} Behold, the plagues draw nigh, and are not slack.
{16:38} 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:
{16:39} 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.
{16:40} O my people, hear my word: make you ready to
thy battle, and in those evils be even as pilgrims upon the
earth.
{16:41} He that selleth, let him be as he that fleeth away:
and he that buyeth, as one that will lose:
{16:42} He that occupieth merchandise, as he that hath no
profit by it: and he that buildeth, as he that shall not dwell
therein:
{16:43} He that soweth, as if he should not reap: so also
he that planteth the vineyard, as he that shall not gather the
grapes:
{16:44} They that marry, as they that shall get no
children; and they that marry not, as the widowers.
{16:45} And therefore they that labour labour in vain:
{16:46} 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.
{16:47} And they that occupy their merchandise with
robbery, the more they deck their cities, their houses, their
possessions, and their own persons:
{16:48} The more will I be angry with them for their sin,
saith the Lord.
{16:49} Like as a whore envieth a right honest and
virtuous woman:
{16:50} 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.
{16:51} And therefore be ye not like thereunto, nor to the
works thereof.
{16:52} For yet a little, and iniquity shall be taken away
out of the earth, and righteousness shall reign among you.
{16:53} 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.
{16:54} Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works of men,
their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts:
{16:55} Which spake but the word, Let the earth be made;
and it was made: Let the heaven be made; and it was created.
{16:56} In his word were the stars made, and he knoweth
the number of them.
{16:57} He searcheth the deep, and the treasures thereof;
he hath measured the sea, and what it containeth.
{16:58} He hath shut the sea in the midst of the waters,
and with his word hath he hanged the earth upon the waters.
{16:59} He spreadeth out the heavens like a vault; upon
the waters hath he founded it.
{16:60} 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.
{16:61} He made man, and put his heart in the midst of
the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding.
{16:62} Yea and the Spirit of Almighty God, which made
all things, and searcheth out all hidden things in the secrets
of the earth,
{16:63} Surely he knoweth your inventions, and what ye
think in your hearts, even them that sin, and would hide
their sin.
{16:64} Therefore hath the Lord exactly searched out all
your works, and he will put you all to shame.
{16:65} And when your sins are brought forth, ye shall be
ashamed before men, and your own sins shall be your
accusers in that day.
{16:66} What will ye do? or how will ye hide your sins
before God and his angels?
{16:67} 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.
{16:68} 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.
{16:69} And they that consent unto them shall be had in
derision and in reproach, and trodden under foot.
{16:70} For there shall be in every place, and in the next
cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord.
{16:71} They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but
still spoiling and destroying those that fear the Lord.
{16:72} For they shall waste and take away their goods,
and cast them out of their houses.
{16:73} Then shall they be known, who are my chosen;
and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire.
{16:74} Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the Lord: behold,
the days of trouble are at hand, but I will deliver you from
the same.
{16:75} Be ye not afraid neither doubt; for God is your
guide,
{16:76} 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.
{16:77} 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!
{16:78} It is left undressed, and is cast into the fire to be
consumed therewith.
APOCRYPHA 2nd ESDRAS OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE 1611

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