2 Esdras 6
6
1He said to me: “In the beginning of the earthly world—#6.1 Lat in the beginning, the earthly world; Syr and other versions The beginning is through man and the end is through me.
before the world’s exits were made,
before the gathered winds blew,
2before the voices
of the thunders sounded,
before the flashes of lightning shone,
before paradise’s foundations
were made firm,
3before beautiful flowers were seen,
before the powers of movement
were established,
before the innumerable heavenly armies of angels were assembled,
4before the heights of the air
were lifted up,
before the measures
of the firmament were named,
before Zion’s footstool was established,
5before the present years
were reckoned,
before the imaginations of those
who now sin were alienated,
before those who stored up faith
as a treasure were sealed—
6then I planned these things. As they were done by me and not by another, so also the end will come by me and not through another.”
7I answered, “What separates the times? When is the end of the first and the beginning of that which follows?”
8He said to me: “From Abraham to Abraham, because Jacob and Esau were born from him, but Jacob’s hand held Esau’s heel from the outset. 9Esau represents the end of this age, and Jacob represents the beginning of the following. 10The beginning of the one man is his hand, and the end of the other man is his heel.#6.10 Syr; Lat uncertain Don’t look for anything else between heel and hand, Ezra.”
11I answered: “Supreme Lord, if only you looked so favorably upon me 12that you would show your servant your final signs,#6.12 Lat the end of your signs which you showed me in part on a previous night.”
13He answered: “Get up on your feet. You’ll hear a loud, echoing voice. 14Don’t be afraid if the place on which you stand is greatly moved 15while the voice is speaking. Since the word concerns the end, and since the foundations of the earth will understand 16that the speech is about them, the place will tremble and shake, because it knows that it is destined to be transformed.”
17When I heard, I rose on my feet and listened. There was a voice speaking, and its sound was like the sound of deep waters. 18It said: “Look! The days are coming when I will begin to come near to visit those who live on earth, 19when I will begin to examine those who unjustly inflicted harm in their cruelty. When the humiliation of Zion is complete, 20when the seal is placed on the age that begins to pass away, I will perform these signs: Scrolls will be opened in view of the firmament, and all will see together. 21Infants a year old will speak with their voices, and pregnant women will give birth to premature babies of three and four months, but they will live and dance. 22Fields that were not sown will suddenly appear sown,#6.22 or the reverse; Lat uncertain and full warehouses will suddenly be found empty. 23A trumpet will sound with a blast; when all hear it they will suddenly be terrified. 24In that time friends will make war on friends like enemies, the earth along with those who live on it will be terrified, and the sources of rivers will stand still so that they don’t run for three hours. 25Then everyone who is left after all these things that I have foretold to you will be saved. These will see my deliverance and the end of my age. 26They will see#6.26 Antecedent unclear; or the verb should be passive and those who were taken up will be seen. the people who have been taken up and who haven’t tasted death from their birth. The hearts of those who live on earth#6.26 Lat omits on earth. will be changed and converted to a different spirit, 27for evil will be erased and grief extinguished. 28Faith will flourish, and corruption will be overcome. Truth that was without fruit for so long will be displayed.”
29While he was still speaking with me, the place on which I stood was shaken,#6.29 Correction of Lat by other versions little by little. 30He said to me: “I came to show you these things this night.#6.30 Syr, Eth; Lat uncertain 31If you ask further and fast again for seven days, I will again declare daily#6.31 Lat; other versions lack daily. to you greater things than these, 32because the Most High has listened to your voice. The mighty one has seen your virtue and perceived the humility you have had from your youth. 33Because of this he sent me to show you all these things and to say to you: Trust confidently, and don’t be afraid. 34Don’t be hasty to think empty thoughts about the former times, lest you be hasty about the last times.”
Third dialogue
35After all this I wept again and abstained from food for another seven days, to complete the three weeks that had been prescribed for me. 36Then on the eighth night my heart was disturbed within me again, and I began to speak before the Most High. 37My spirit was greatly agitated, and my soul was troubled.
38Then I said: “Lord, you spoke from the beginning of creation on the first day, ‘Let heaven and earth be made,’ and your word accomplished the deed. 39Then the spirit was hovering, darkness was spread around, and there was silence. There was as yet no sound of a human voice.#6.39 Lat from you 40Then you commanded that a ray of light be brought forth from your treasuries so that your works might be seen.
41“Then on the second day you created the spirit of the firmament and commanded that it divide and make a division between the waters so that a certain part might recede upward and another part remain below.
42“On the third day you commanded the waters to be gathered together in a seventh part of the earth, but you made six parts dry and preserved them so that some of these might be sown and cultivated, to be of service before you. 43Your word went forth, and the work was immediately accomplished. 44Suddenly, fruit blossomed in great abundance in an infinite variety of flavors, and flowers with matchless color and scents of unspeakable fragrance. These things were done on the third day.
45“On the fourth day you commanded the sun’s splendor to be made, the moon’s light, and the arrangement of the stars. 46You commanded them to serve the human being who was about to be formed.
47“On the fifth day you commanded the seventh part where the water was gathered to produce animals, birds, and fish. 48The silent and lifeless water, as it was commanded, brought forth animals so that peoples might recount your wonders. 49You kept two living creatures#6.49 Syr, Eth; Lat two souls in reserve; one you named Behemoth, and the second you named Leviathan. 50You separated them from each other, for the seventh part where the water was gathered couldn’t contain them. 51You gave Behemoth one part of the land that had been dried on the third day, where there are a thousand mountains so that he might live there. 52To Leviathan, however, you gave the watery seventh part. You kept them to be eaten by whomever you wish, and whenever you wish.
53“On the sixth day you commanded the earth that it create before you cattle, beasts, and reptiles, 54and over these you set Adam, the leader over all the things you had made. From him we all, the people you have chosen, have been brought forth.
55“I have said all these things before you, Lord, because you have said that you created the oldest age#6.55 Lat world for our sake. 56You have said that the other nations born of Adam are nothing, that they are like spit, and you have compared their abundance to a drop from a pitcher. 57But look now, Lord! These nations that are valued as nothing rule over us and devour us, 58while we, your people, whom you have called your oldest offspring, your one and only child, those who are zealous for you, your dearest ones, are handed over to them. 59If the world was created for our sake, why don’t we possess our world as an inheritance? How long will this situation last?”
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2 Esdras 6: CEB
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