2 Esdras

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

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 vnto thee, that it giueth much mold wherof earthen vessels are made, but litle dust that golde commeth of: euen so is ye course of this present world.

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 saued.

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

8:4 So answered I and said, Swallow then downe O my soule, vnderstanding, and deuoure wisedome.

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

8:5 For thou hast agreed to giue eare, and art willing to prophesie: for thou hast no longer space then onely to liue.

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 seruant that we may pray before thee, and thou giue vs seed vnto our heart, and culture to our vnderstanding, that there may come fruit of it, howe shall each man liue that is corrupt, who beareth the place of a man?

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 workemanship of thine hands, like as thou hast said.

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 mothers wombe, and thou giuest it members, thy creature is preserued in fire & water, and nine months doeth thy workemanship endure thy creature which is created in her.

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 preserued: and when the time commeth, the wombe preserued, deliuereth vp the things that grew in it.

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 milke to be giuen, which is the fruit of the breasts,

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 bee nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy.

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 vp with thy righteousnesse, and nourturedst it in thy Law, and reformedst it with thy iudgement.

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 mortifie it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy worke.

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 easie thing to be ordeined by thy Commaundement, that the thing which was made might be preserued.

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 speake (touchiug man in generall, thou knowest best) but touching thy people, for whose sake I am sory,

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 mourne, and for Israel, for whom I am heauy, and for Iacob, for whose sake I am troubled:

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 my selfe, and for them: for I see the falles of vs that dwell in the land.

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 haue heard the swiftnesse of the Iudge which is to come.

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

8:19 Therefore heare my voyce, and vnderstand my wordes, and I shall speake before thee: this is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken vp: and I said;

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 euerlastingnes, which beholdest from aboue, things in the heauen, & in the aire,

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,

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

8:22 (Whose seruice is conuersant in wind and fire,) whose word is true, and sayings constant, whose Commandement is strong, and ordinance fearefull,

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 looke drieth vp the depths, and indignation maketh the mountaines to melt away, which the trueth witnesseth:

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

8:24 O heare the prayer of thy seruant, and giue eare to the petition of thy creature.

8:24 O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature.

8:25 For while I liue, I will speake, and so long as I haue vnderstanding, I wil answere.

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

8:26 O looke not vpon the sinnes of thy people: but on them which serue thee in trueth.

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 inuentions of the heathen: but the desire of those that keepe thy Testimonies in afflictions.

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

8:28 Thinke not vpon those that haue walked fainedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will haue knowen thy feare.

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 bee thy will to destroy them, which haue liued like beasts: but to looke vpon them that haue clearely taught thy Law.

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 then beasts: but loue them that alway put their trust in thy righteousnesse, and glory.

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 doe languish of such diseases; but because of vs sinners, thou shalt be called mercifull.

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 haue mercy vpon vs, thou shalt bee called mercifull, to vs namely, that haue no workes of righteousnesse.

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 iust which haue many good workes layed vp with thee, shall out of their owne deedes receiue reward.

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?

8:34 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 trueth there is no man among them that be borne, but he hath dealt wickedly, and among the faithfull, there is none which hath not done amisse.

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 righteousnesse, and thy goodnesse shalbe declared, if thou be mercifull vnto them which haue not the confidence of good workes.

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 mee, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according vnto thy words it shalbe.

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 thinke on the disposition of them which haue sinned before death, before iudgement, before destruction.

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 reioyce ouer the disposition of the righteous, and I wil remember also their pilgrimage, and the saluation, and the reward that they shall haue.

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 haue spoken now, so shall it come to passe.

8:40 Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.

8:41 For as the husbandmau soweth much seed vpon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet the thing that is sowen good in his season, commeth not vp, neither doeth all that is planted take root: euen so is it of them that are sowen in the world, they shall not all be saued.

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 haue found grace, let me speake.

8:42 I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let me speak.

8:43 Like as the husbandmans seede perisheth, if it come not vp, and receiue not the raine in due season, or if there come too much raine and corrupt it:

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 Euen so perisheth man also which is formed with thy hands, and is called thine owne image, because thou art like vnto him, for whose sake thou hast made all things, and likened him vnto the husbandmans seede.

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 vs, but spare thy people, and haue mercy vpon thine owne inheritance: for thou art mercifull vnto thy creature.

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 come, for such as be to come.

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 commest farre short, that thou shouldest be able to loue my creature more then I: but I haue oft times drawen nigh vnto thee, and vnto it, but neuer to the vnrighteous.

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 marueilous before the most high;

8:48 In this also thou art marvellous before the most High:

8:49 In that thou hast humbled thy selfe as it becommeth thee, and hast not iudged thy selfe worthy to be much glorified among the righteous.

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 shal dwell in the world, because they haue walked in great pride.

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 vnderstand thou for thy selfe, and seeke out the glory for such as be like thee.

8:51 But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee.

8:52 For vnto you is Paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousnesse is made ready, a citie is builded, and rest is allowed, yea perfect goodnesse and wisedome.

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 euil is sealed vp from you, weakenesse and the moth is hidde from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten.

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, & in the end is shewed the treasure of immortalitie.

8:54 Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of immortality.

8:55 And therefore aske thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish.

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 scorne of his Lawe, and forsooke his wayes.

8:56 For when they had taken liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways.

8:57 Moreouer, they haue troden downe his righteous,

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.

8:58 And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die.

8:59 For as the things aforesaid shall receiue you, so thirst and paine are prepared for them; for it was not his will that men should come to nought.

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, haue defiled the Name of him that made them, and were vnthankefull vnto him which prepared life for them.

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 iudgement now at hand.

8:61 And therefore is my judgment now at hand.

8:62 These things haue I not shewed vnto all men, but vnto thee, and a fewe like thee. Then answered I, and said,

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 doe in the last times: but at what time, thou hast not shewed me.

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.