2 Esdras

7:1 And when I had made an ende of speaking these words, there was sent vnto mee the Angel which had beene sent vnto mee the nights afore.

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 vnto me, Up Esdras, and heare the wordes that I am come to tell thee.

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, Speake on, my God. Then said he vnto me, The Sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deepe and great.

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 riuer,

7:4 But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river;

7:5 Who then could goe into the Sea to looke vpon it, and to rule it? If hee went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad?

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 vpon a broad field, and is full of all good things.

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 deepe water.

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, euen betweene the fire and the water, [so small] that there could but one man goe there at once.

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 giuen vnto a man for an inheritance, if he neuer shall passe the danger set before it, how shall he receiue this inheritance?

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 vnto me, Euen so also is Israels portion:

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.

7:11 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 trauaile: they are but few and euill, full of perils, and very painefull.

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 immortall fruit.

7:13 For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure, and brought immortal fruit.

7:14 If then they that liue, labour not to enter these strait and vaine things, they can neuer receiue those that are laide vp for them.

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 thy selfe, seeing thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou mooued, whereas thou art but mortall?

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 minde this thing that is to come, rather then that which is present?

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 sayd, O Lord, that bearest rule, thou hast ordained in thy Law, that the righteous should inherite these things, but that the vngodly should perish:

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 Neuerthelesse, the righteous shal suffer strait things, and hope for wide: for they that haue done wickedly, haue suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide.

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 vnto me, There is no iudge aboue God, and none that hath vnderstanding aboue the highest.

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 Lawe of God that is set before them.

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 giuen strait commandement to such as came, what they should doe to liue, euen as they came, and what they should obserue to auoid punishment.

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 Neuerthelesse they were not obedient vnto him, but spake against him, and imagined vaine things:

7:22 Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but spake against him, and imagined vain things;

7:23 And deceiued themselues by their wicked deeds, and sayd of the most Hie, that he is not, and knew not his waies.

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 haue they despised, and denied his couenants in his statutes haue they not beene faithfull, and haue not performed his workes.

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 therfore Esdras, for the emptie, are emptie things, and for the ful, are the full things.

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 haue told thee, shall come to passe, and the bride shall appeare, and she comming forth shall be seene, that now is withdrawen from the earth.

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 whosoeuer is deliuered from the foresaid euils, shall see my wonders.

7:27 And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils shall see my wonders.

7:28 For my sonne Iesus shall be reuealed with those that be with him, and they that remaine shall reioyce within foure hundred yeeres.

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 yeeres shall my sonne Christ die, and all men that haue life.

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 seuen dayes, like as in the former iudgements: so that no man shall remaine.

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 seuen dayes, the world that yet awaketh not shall be raised vp, and that shall die, that is corrupt.

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 asleepe in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliuer those soules that were committed vnto them.

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 appeare vpon the seate of iudgement, and miserie shall passe away, and the long suffering shall haue an end.

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 iudgement onely shall remaine, trueth shall stand, and faith shall waxe strong.

7:34 But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong:

7:35 And the worke shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall beare no rule.

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 wildernesse:

7:36 Then said I, Abraham prayed first for the Sodomites, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in the wilderness:

7:37 And Iesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan,

7:37 And Jesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan:

7:38 And Samuel; and Dauid for the destruction: and Solomon for them that should come to the sanctuary.

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 receiued raine, & for the dead that hee might liue.

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.

7:40 And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib: and many for many.

7:41 Euen so now seeing corruption is growen vp, and wickednesse increased, and the righteous haue prayed for the vngodly: wherefore shall it not be so now also?

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 haue they prayed for the weake.

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 doome shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past.

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 Intemperancie is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousnesse is growen, and trueth is sprung vp.

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 saue him that is destroyed, nor to oppresse him that hath gotten the victory.

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 beene better not to haue giuen the earth vnto Adam: or else when it was giuen him, to haue restrained him from sinning.

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 liue in heauinesse, and after death to looke for punishment?

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.

7:48 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 vnto vs, if there be promised vs an immortall time, wheras we haue done the works that bring death?

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 their is promised vs an euerlasting hope, whereas our selues being most wicked are made vaine?

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 layd vp for vs dwellings of health and safety, whereas we haue liued wickedly?

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 haue led a wary life, whereas we haue walked in the most wicked wayes of all?

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 fruite endureth for euer, wherein is securitie and medicine, sith we shall not enter into it?

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 haue walked in vnpleasant places.

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

7:55 And that the faces of them which haue vsed abstinence, shall shine aboue the starres, whereas our faces shall bee blacker then darkenesse?

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 liued and committed iniquitie, we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.

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 saide, This is the condition of the battell, which man that is borne vpon the earth shall fight,

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 ouercome, he shall suffer as thou hast said, but if he get the victorie, he shall receiue the thing that I say.

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 vnto the people while hee liued, saying, Choose thee life that thou mayest liue.

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 Neuerthelesse they beleeued not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor me which haue spoken vnto them,

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 heauinesse in their destruction, as shall bee ioy ouer them that are perswaded to saluation.

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 saide, I know, Lord, that the most Hie is called mercifull, in that he hath mercy vpon them, which are not yet come into the world,

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 vpon those also that turne to his Law,

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

7:64 And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that haue sinned, as his creatures,

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

7:65 And that he is bountifull, for hee is ready to giue where it needeth,

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

7:66 And that is of great mercie, for he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, & also to them which are to come.

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 multiplie his mercies, the world would not continue with them that inherit therein.

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 hee did not so of his goodnesse, that they which haue committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousand part of men should not remaine liuing.

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 Iudge, if he should not forgiue them that are cured with his word, and put out the multitude of contentions,

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 bee very fewe left peraduenture in an innumerable multitude.

7:70 There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude.