2 Esdr 7:54 (For we have walked in unpleasant places.)

2 Esdr 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?

2 Esdr 7:56 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.

2 Esdr 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;

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 7:59 For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live.

2 Esdr 7:60 Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor me which have spoken unto them,

2 Esdr 7:61 That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation.

2 Esdr 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,

2 Esdr 7:63 And upon those also that turn to his law;

2 Esdr 7:64 And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that have sinned, as his creatures;

2 Esdr 7:65 And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give where it needeth;

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 7:67 For if he shall not multiply his mercies, the world would not continue with them that inherit therein.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 7:69 And being judge, if he should not forgive them that are cured with his word, and put out the mult.i.tude of contentions,

2 Esdr 7:70 There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable mult.i.tude.

2 Esdr 8:1 And he answered me, saying, The most High hath made this world for many, but the world to come for few.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 8:3 There be many created, but few shall be saved.

2 Esdr 8:4 So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom.

2 Esdr 8:5 For thou hast agreed to give ear, and art willing to prophesy: for thou hast no longer s.p.a.ce than only to live.

2 Esdr 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?

2 Esdr 8:7 For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of thine hands, like as thou hast said.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 8:10 For thou hast commanded out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s, milk to be given, which is the fruit of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s,

2 Esdr 8:11 That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy.

2 Esdr 8:12 Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness, and nurturedst it in thy law, and reformedst it with thy judgment.

2 Esdr 8:13 And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy work.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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;

2 Esdr 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;

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 8:18 But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come.

2 Esdr 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,

2 Esdr 8:20 O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the air;

2 Esdr 8:21 Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling,

2 Esdr 8:22 Whose service is conversant in wind and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful;

2 Esdr 8:23 Whose look drieth up the depths, and indignation maketh the mountains to melt away; which the truth witnesseth:

2 Esdr 8:24 O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the pet.i.tion of thy creature.

2 Esdr 8:25 For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer.

2 Esdr 8:26 O look not upon the sins of thy people; but on them which serve thee in truth.

2 Esdr 8:27 Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in afflictions.

2 Esdr 8:28 Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will have known thy fear.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 8:31 For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful.

2 Esdr 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.

2 Esdr 8:33 For the just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward.