1 He answered me, “The Most High has made this world for many, but the world to come for few. (WEB) 2 Now I will tell you a parable, Esdras. Just as when you ask the earth, it will say to you that it gives very much clay from which earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold comes from. Even so is the course of the present world. (WEB) 3 Many have been created, but few will be saved.” (WEB) 4 I answered, “Drink your fill of understanding then, O my soul, and let my heart devour wisdom. (WEB) 5 For you have come here apart from your will, and depart against your will, for you have only been given a short time to live. (WEB) 6 O Lord over us, grant to your servant that we may pray before you, and give us seed for our heart and cultivation for our understanding, that fruit may grow from it, by which everyone who is corrupt, who bears the likeness of a man, may live. (WEB) 7 For you alone exist, and we all one workmanship of your hands, just as you have said. (WEB) 8 Because you give life to the body that is now fashioned in the womb, and give it members, your creature is preserved in fire and water, and your workmanship endures nine months as your creation which is created in it. (WEB) 9 But that which keeps and that which is kept will both be kept by your keeping. When the womb gives up again what has grown in it, (WEB) 10 you have commanded that out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, be given milk, which is the fruit of the breasts, (WEB) 11 that the body that is fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterwards you guide it in your mercy. (WEB) 12 Yes, you have brought it up in your righteousness, nurtured it in your law, and corrected it with your judgment. (WEB) 13 You put it to death as your creation, and make it live as your work. (WEB) 14 If therefore you lightly and suddenly destroy him which with so great labor was fashioned by your commandment, to what purpose was he made? (WEB) 15 Now therefore I will speak. About man in general, you know best, but about your people for whose sake I am sorry, (WEB) 16 and for your inheritance, for whose cause I mourn, for Israel, for whom I am heavy, and for the seed of Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled, (WEB) 17 therefore I will begin to pray before you for myself and for them; for I see the failings of us who dwell in the land; (WEB) 18 but I have heard the swiftness of the judgment which is to come. (WEB) 19 Therefore hear my voice, and understand my saying, and I will speak before you.” The beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up. He said, (WEB) 20 “O Lord, you who remain forever, whose eyes are exalted, and whose chambers are in the air, (WEB) 21 whose throne is beyond measure, whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the army of a… (WEB)
2 Esdras 8:1–63
Semantically similar passages
2 Baruch 15:3–5
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2 Esdras 7:121–123
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2 Baruch 21:19–21
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Isaiah 2:8–10
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2 Esdras 12:3–5
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Wisdom of Solomon 12:12–14
12 For who will say, “What have you done?” Or “Who will withstand your judgment?” Who will accuse you for the perishing of nations which you caused? Or who will come and stand before you as an avenger for unrighteous men? (WEB) 13 For there isn’t any God beside you that c… (WEB)
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