2 Esdras 7
7
1When I finished speaking these words, the angel who had been sent to me on the previous nights was sent to me again. 2He said to me, “Rise, Ezra, and hear the words I have come to speak to you.”
3I said, “Speak, my Lord.”
He said to me: “A certain sea is set in a spacious place so that it can be deep and vast, 4but its entrance is set in a narrow place, like a river. 5If anyone wants to go to the sea to see it or to rule over it, how can he come into the broad place unless he passes through the narrow? 6Another instance: A city is built and positioned on a broad plain, full of all good things. 7Its entrance, however, is narrow and located on a precipice so that there is fire on the right and deep water on the left. 8There is a single path located between them, between the fire and the water, and the path has only room for human footprints. 9If that city is given to someone as an inheritance, if the heir doesn’t pass through the danger, how will the heir receive the inheritance?”
10I said, “Indeed, Lord.”
He said to me: “So also is Israel’s portion. I indeed made the world on account of them. 11When Adam transgressed my ordinances, what had been made was judged, 12and the entrances of this world were made narrow, sorrowful, and troublesome. They are few and bad, full of dangers and involving people in great hardships. 13The entrances of the greater world, however, are spacious and secure, and they generate the fruit of immortality. 14If those who live don’t enter these narrow and empty places, they can’t receive the things that are in store. 15Therefore, why are you disturbed, being corruptible, and why are you upset, being mortal? 16Why haven’t you focused your mind on what is still to come, rather than on what is present?”
17I answered: “Supreme Lord, you ordained in your Law that the just will inherit these things, but the impious will perish. 18The just then can tolerate the narrow, hoping for the spacious, but those who have acted impiously endure the narrow and won’t see the spacious.”
19He said to me: “You aren’t a higher judge than God, nor more intelligent than the Most High. 20Better that many of those now alive should perish than that the Law of God, which is laid out before them, be disregarded. 21God commanded those who come into the world, after they came, what they needed to do to live, and what laws they should observe to avoid punishment. 22But they weren’t persuaded and opposed him. They filled their heads with worthless thoughts, 23and they invented excuses for their sins. They emphatically denied that the Most High exists, and they didn’t learn his ways. 24They despised his Law and rejected his covenants. They weren’t faithful to his statutes, and didn’t perform the works he prescribed. 25Therefore, Ezra, empty things are for the empty and full things for the full.
26“Look! The time is coming when the signs appear that I told you about in advance, and the city will appear, appearing as a bride, and the land that is now hidden will be openly displayed. 27Everyone who is rescued from the evils foretold will see my wonders. 28My Son the anointed one#7.28 Lat Jesus; other versions anointed one or messiah will be revealed along with those who are with him, and those who remain will rejoice for four hundred years.
29“After these years, my Son the anointed one and all who have human breath will die. 30The world will be turned back to primeval silence for seven days, as in the earliest beginnings so that no one is left alive. 31After seven days, the world that isn’t yet awake will be roused, and the corrupt world will die. 32The earth will give back those who sleep, and the dust will give back in silence those who dwell in it, and the resting places will give back the souls that have been entrusted to them. 33The Most High will be revealed on the throne of judgment, and mercy will pass away. Patience will be withdrawn, 34and only judgment will remain. Truth will arise, faith will recover strength, 35and works will have their consequences. Reward will come about, righteous deeds will awake, and unrighteous deeds won’t sleep.
36“The lake#7.36 Lat manuscripts read place (locus instead of lacus). of torment will appear, and across from it will be the place of rest. Hell’s#7.36 Lat Gehennae furnace will be displayed and across from it the delightful paradise. 37Then the Most High will speak to the nations that have been raised: ‘Look and understand whom it is you have denied, whom you haven’t served, and whose ordinances you have despised. 38Look to one side and the other: Here is delight and rest, and over there are fire and torments.’ He will say these things to them on the Judgment Day, 39a day that has no sun or moon or stars, 40no cloud or thunder or lightning, no wind or water or air, no darkness or evening or morning, 41no summer or spring or heat, no winter or frost or cold, no hail or rain or dew, 42no noon or night or early dawn, no shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the light of the Most High. All will then begin to see what things are in store for them. 43It will take a period of about a week of years. 44This is my judgment and the arrangements made for it. I have shown this to you alone.”
45I replied: “I said before, Lord, and I say now: Privileged are those now living who observe what you have commanded. 46But what of those who were the subject of my prayer? Who is there of all the living who hasn’t sinned, or who among those who have been born hasn’t transgressed your covenant? 47Now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few but torment to many. 48The inclination to do evil#7.48 Lat evil heart grew in us. It alienated us and led us into corruption and the paths that lead to death. It showed us the way to damnation and removed us far from life—and this happened not to a few people but to nearly all who were created.”
49He replied to me: “Listen to me, and I will instruct you and will advise you yet again. 50Because of this the Most High made not one world but two. 51Regarding what you said about the just being not many but few and the wicked being numerous, think about this: 52If you have very few choice stones, will you add lead and clay to their number?”#7.52 Lat lead and clay abound
53I said, “Lord, who would do such a thing?”
54He said to me, “Not only this, but ask the earth and it will inform you; flatter it and it will tell you. 55Say to it: You create gold, silver, bronze, iron, and also lead and clay. 56But silver is more numerous than gold, and bronze than silver, and iron than bronze, lead than iron, and clay than lead. 57Decide yourself then which things are precious and desirable, what is abundant or what is rare.”
58I said, “Supreme Lord, that which is abundant is cheaper, because what is more rare is valuable.”
59He replied to me: “Reflect on what you have thought. One who has what is scarce rejoices more than one who has what is abundant. 60So also will be the judgment#7.60 Syr, Eth; Lat creation I have promised. I will rejoice over the few who will be saved, because they are the ones who made my honor to prevail now and through whom my reputation is celebrated. 61I will have no regrets over the multitude who perish, for they are even now like vapor, the equivalent of flame or smoke; they burn and flare up and are quenched.”
62I replied: “Earth, what have you brought to birth? If consciousness is made of dust like other creatures, 63it would have been better that the dust itself had never been born, so that consciousness shouldn’t be made from it. 64But now consciousness grows with us, and due to this we are tortured, because we perish and are aware of the fact. 65Let the human race lament and let the wild beasts rejoice. Let all people who are born lament, but let four-footed animals and flocks be happy! 66It is much better for them than for us. They don’t expect judgment. They don’t know about either the torments or the deliverance that you promise after death. 67But what does it profit us that we will be preserved, only to be tortured with torments? 68All who are born are mixed up with violations, full of sins, and weighed down with crimes. 69If we were not to come into judgment after death, it would perhaps have been better for us.”
70He replied to me: “When the Most High made the world and Adam and all who are descended from him, he first prepared the judgment and the things that pertain to the judgment. 71Now understand on the basis of your own words—because you said, ‘Consciousness grows with us.’ 72Those who sojourn on earth will be tormented precisely because, although they were aware, they committed violations. Although they received the commandments, they didn’t keep them. When they did follow the Law, they falsified its contents. 73What will they have to say in the judgment? How will they respond in the last times? 74How long a time the Most High has put up with those who inhabit the world! But this wasn’t for their sakes; rather for the sake of the schedule that he has established for the unfolding of the times.”
75I replied: “If I have found favor with you, Lord, show this also to your servant: After death, as soon as each person gives up his or her soul, will we be kept asleep until the time comes for you to begin to renew creation, or will we be tormented right away?”
76He replied to me: “I will show you this too. But don’t associate yourself with those who have shown contempt, and don’t count yourself among those who are tormented. 77You have a treasure of works stored up with the Most High, but it won’t be shown to you until the last times.
78“Now a word about death: When the final sentence goes forth from the Most High that a person should die, when the spirit recedes from the body so that it may be sent again to him who gave it, the first thing is to stand in awe before the glory of the Most High. 79If the spirit belonged to one of those who showed contempt and didn’t keep the Most High’s way, if it was one of those who despised his Law and who hates those who fear God, 80these spirits don’t go into their dwellings but will immediately wander about in torments. They will constantly grieve and be sorrowful for seven reasons:#7.80 Lat ways
81The first reason—because they despised the Law of the Most High.
82The second reason—because they can’t now effectively change their hearts and lives so that they might live.
83The third reason—because they will see the reward laid up for those who have believed the Most High’s testimonies.
84The fourth reason—because they will consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days.
85The fifth reason—because they will see the dwelling places of others, guarded by angels in great silence.
86The sixth reason—because they see the torment coming upon them from now on.#7.86 Syr and other versions; Lat they see that torment is passing away from them, that is, from those the angels guard.
87The seventh reason, which is greater than all the previously mentioned reasons—because they will melt away in confusion and be consumed in disgrace.#7.87 Lat uncertain and reads in honors, omitting the negative prefix
“They will wither in fear when they see the glory of the Most High, before whom they sinned when they were alive and before whom they are to be judged in the last times.
88“The arrangement for those who kept God’s ways is this when they begin to be separated from the corruptible body.#7.88 Or vessel 89In the time of their exile here they labored hard to serve the Most High. Every hour they endured danger so that they might keep the Law of the lawgiver perfectly. 90Therefore, this is the word about them: 91First, they will see with great joy the glory of him who receives them. They will have rest on account of seven orders:
92The first order—because they have struggled hard to overcome the evil thought fashioned within them so that it wouldn’t lead them astray from life to death.
93The second order—because they see the panic in which the souls of the wicked wander and the punishment that awaits them.
94The third order—seeing the testimony that their maker has testified on their behalf, because when they were alive, they kept the Law that was given through faith.
95The fourth order—understanding the peaceful rest that they now enjoy, gathered in their resting chambers, guarded by angels in deep silence, and understanding the glory that awaits them in their last days.
96The fifth order—rejoicing at how they have now escaped the corruptible and how they will have a future inheritance; moreover, seeing the narrow space, full of labor, from which they have been freed, and the spacious place they are about to receive and enjoy, now that they are immortal.
97The sixth order—when they are shown how their face begins to shine like the sun and how they begin to be like the stars, as beings of incorruptible light.
98The seventh order, which is greater than all those mentioned—because they will rejoice with confidence and will trust without being disappointed and will rejoice without fear; for they hasten to see the face of him whom they served when they were alive and from whom they are about to receive a reward now that they are glorified.
99“This is the order of the souls of the just, as is announced immediately, and those previously mentioned are the ways of torment that those who paid no heed will suffer.”
100I answered: “Will time, therefore, be given to souls after they are separated from the bodies to see what you told me?”
101He said to me: “They will be free for seven days so that they may see in those seven days the things#7.101 Lat words, a Hebraism that have been foretold. After this, they will be gathered in their dwelling places.”
102I answered: “If you look on me with favor, show your servant further whether on the Judgment Day the just will be able to seek mercy for the wicked or intercede for them with the Most High. 103Will parents be allowed to intercede#7.103 Versions lack can intercede. for children, children for parents, siblings for each other, relatives for those close to them, faithful ones for those most dear to them?”
104He replied to me: “Because I do indeed favor you, I will also show you this. The Judgment Day is decisive.#7.104 Eth sudden It reveals the seal of truth to all. Even in the here and now a parent doesn’t send a child, or a child the parent, or a master his servant, or a faithful friend a dear confidant, so that the one should understand or sleep or eat or be taken care of in the other person’s place. 105Just so, no one will ever intercede for another; everyone will then bear his or her own deeds of justice or injustice.”
106I answered: “How then do we find that Abraham first interceded for the people of Sodom; and Moses for our ancestors who sinned in the desert; 107and Joshua, who came after him, for Israel, in the days of Achan; 108and Samuel in the days of Saul;#7.108 Syr, Eth; Lat omits in the days of Saul. and David for the plague;#7.108 Lat breach or rupture and Solomon for those in the sanctuary; 109and Elijah for those who received the rain, and for a dead person that he might live; 110and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many for many people? 111If, therefore, the just prayed for the wicked when corruption had increased and injustice had multiplied, why won’t it be the same then?”
112He answered me: “The present world isn’t the end. Glory does not#7.112 Syr, Eth; Lat omits not. continuously remain in it, and so those who were able prayed for the weak. 113But the Judgment Day will be the end of this time and the beginning of the future, endless time in which decay is no more, 114indulgence is undone, unbelief is cut off, but justice is fully grown, and truth arisen. 115Therefore, no one will then be able to have mercy on someone who has been condemned in the judgment, nor to overwhelm one who has conquered.”
116I answered: “This is my first and last word: It would have been better if the earth hadn’t brought forth Adam, or when it had brought him forth, that it had forced him not to sin. 117What does it benefit everyone to live in sadness during the present time, and when dead to expect punishment? 118Adam, what have you done?! If you sinned, the downfall wasn’t yours alone but also ours who are descended from you. 119What benefit is it to us that we are promised an immortal time, but we have done works that bring death? 120What good is it to us that everlasting hope has been predicted for us, but we have utterly failed? 121What good is it that safe and healthy dwelling places are reserved, but we have behaved badly? 122What good is it that the glory of the Most High will protect those who have conducted themselves decently, but we have conducted ourselves indecently? 123What good is it that paradise will be revealed, whose fruit remains uncorrupted, in which there is plenty and healing, 124but we won’t enter it, for we have visited unseemly places? 125What good is it that the faces of those who practiced abstinence will shine brighter than stars when our faces are blacker than darkness? 126While we were alive and doing evil, we didn’t think about what we would suffer after death.”
127He answered: “These are the rules for the contest in which everyone born on earth takes part: 128Those who are defeated will suffer what you said, but those who conquer will receive what I say. 129This is the path that Moses declared when he was alive, speaking to the people, “Choose life for yourself…” “so that you may live.”#7.129 Deut 30:19 130But they didn’t believe him or the prophets who came after him. They didn’t even believe me when I spoke to them. 131There won’t be sadness over their destruction, as there will be joy over those for whom salvation is sure.”
132I answered: “I know, Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful, since he has mercy on those who haven’t yet come into the world. He is called 133gracious, since he has mercy on those who convert to his Law, 134and patient, because he shows patience to those who have sinned, since they are his own creation. 135I know that he is called generous, because he wants to give gifts rather than demand them, 136and very merciful, because he multiplies mercies more and more to those now alive and those who went before and those who are to come in the future. 137If, indeed, he hadn’t multiplied them, the world with those who live in it would not now exist. 138He is called#7.138 Versions omit he is called. giver, because if he didn’t give out of his own goodness some relief from their sins to people who committed sins, not one ten-thousandth part of humanity could live. 139He is called judge, because unless he forgave those created by his word and wiped out the multitude of their offenses, 140perhaps only a very few would be left from the innumerable multitude.”
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2 Esdras 7: CEB
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