2 Esdras 8:46-6242%
World English Bible · Judaism and Christianity
Then he answered me, “Things present are for those who live now, and things to come for those who will live hereafter. For you come far short of being able to love my creature more than I. But you have compared yourself to the unrighteous. Don’t do that! Yet in this will you be admirable to the Most High, in that you have humbled yourself, as it becomes you, and have not judged yourself among the righteous, so as to be much glorified. For many grievous miseries will fall on those who dwell in the world in the last times, because they have walked in great pride. But understand for yourself, and for those who inquire concerning the glory of those like you, because paradise is opened to you. The tree of life is planted. The time to come is prepared. Plenteousness is made ready. A city is built. Rest is allowed. Goodness is perfected, and wisdom is perfected beforehand. The root of evil is sealed up from you. Weakness is done away from you, and death is hidden. Hell and corruption have fled into forgetfulness. Sorrows have passed away, and in the end, the treasure of immortality is shown. Therefore ask no more questions concerning the multitude of those who perish. For when they had received liberty, they despised the Most High, scorned his law, and forsook his ways. Moreover they have trodden down his righteous, and said in their heart that there is no God—even knowing that they must die. For as the things I have said will welcome you, so thirst and pain which are prepared for them. For the Most High didn’t intend that men should be destroyed, but those who are created have themselves defiled the name of him who made them, and were unthankful to him who prepared life for them. Therefore my judgment is now at hand, which I have not shown to all men, but to you, and a few like you.” Then I answered,
Tr. World English Bible, 2000Open ›