2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 4:22 Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:

2 Esdr 4:23 For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pa.s.s 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 unG.o.dly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,

2 Esdr 4:24 And we pa.s.s away out of the world as gra.s.shoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear, and we are not worthy to obtain mercy.

2 Esdr 4:25 What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked.

2 Esdr 4:26 Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast to pa.s.s away,

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 4:29 If therefore that which is sown be not turned upside down, and if the place where the evil is sown pa.s.s not away, then cannot it come that is sown with good.

2 Esdr 4:30 For the grain of evil seed hath been sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much unG.o.dliness hath it brought up unto this time? and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come?

2 Esdr 4:31 Ponder now by thyself, how great fruit of wickedness the grain of evil seed hath brought forth.

2 Esdr 4:32 And when the ears shall be cut down, which are without number, how great a floor shall they fill?

2 Esdr 4:33 Then I answered and said, How, and when shall these things come to pa.s.s? wherefore are our years few and evil?

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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?

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 4:38 Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, even we all are full of impiety.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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:

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 4:43 From the beginning, look, what thou desirest to see, it shall be shewed thee.

2 Esdr 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,

2 Esdr 4:45 Shew me then whether there be more to come than is past, or more past than is to come.

2 Esdr 4:46 What is past I know, but what is for to come I know not.

2 Esdr 4:47 And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side, and I shall expound the similitude unto thee.

2 Esdr 4:48 So I stood, and saw, and, behold, an hot burning oven pa.s.sed by before me: and it happened that when the flame was gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke remained still.

2 Esdr 4:49 After this there pa.s.sed 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.

2 Esdr 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 quant.i.ty which is past did more exceed.

2 Esdr 4:51 Then I prayed, and said, May I live, thinkest thou, until that time? or what shall happen in those days?

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 5:1 Nevertheless as coming the tokens, behold, the days shall come, that they which dwell upon earth shall be taken in a great number, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith.

2 Esdr 5:2 But iniquity shall be increased above that which now thou seest, or that thou hast heard long ago.

2 Esdr 5:3 And the land, that thou seest now to have root, shalt thou see wasted suddenly.

2 Esdr 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:

2 Esdr 5:5 And blood shall drop out of wood, and the stone shall give his voice, and the people shall be troubled:

2 Esdr 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:

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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:

2 Esdr 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,

2 Esdr 5:10 And shall be sought of many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied upon earth.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 5:12 At the same time shall men hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 5:14 Then I awaked, and an extreme fearfulness went through all my body, and my mind was troubled, so that it fainted.

2 Esdr 5:15 So the angel that was come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet.

2 Esdr 5:16 And in the second night it came to pa.s.s, that Salathiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where hast thou been? and why is thy countenance so heavy?

2 Esdr 5:17 Knowest thou not that Israel is committed unto thee in the land of their captivity?

2 Esdr 5:18 Up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd that leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves.