2 Esdras 8 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021(NRSVUE)

2 Esdras 8

1 understanding, O my soul, and drink wisdom, O my heart.

5 and against your will you depart, for you have been given only a short time to live.

6 of a human may be able to live.

7 endures your creature that has been created in it.

9But that which keeps and that which is kept shall both be kept by your keeping. And when the womb gives up again what has been created in it,

10you have commanded that from the members themselves (that is, from the breasts) milk, the fruit of the breasts, should be supplied,

11so that what has been fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterward you will still guide it in your mercy.

12You have nurtured it in your righteousness and instructed it in your law and reproved it in your wisdom.

13 destroy what with so great labor was fashioned by your command, to what purpose was it made?

15And now I will speak out: About all humankind you know best, but I will speak about your people, for whom I am grieved,

16and about your inheritance, for whom I lament, and about Israel, for whom I am sad, and about the seed of Jacob, for whom I am troubled.

17 I have heard of the swiftness of the judgment that is to come.

19 before he was taken up. He said:

20“O Lord, you who inhabit eternity, whose eyes are exalted and whose upper chambers are in the air,

21 whose word is sure and whose utterances are certain, whose command is strong and whose ordinance is terrible,

23 forever—

24hear, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, and give ear to the petition of your creature; attend to my words.

25For as long as I live I will speak, and as long as I have understanding I will answer.

26O do not look on the sins of your people but on those who serve you in truth.

27

30Do not be angry with those who are deemed worse than wild animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory.

31 but it is because of us sinners that you are called merciful.

32 in due season and not all that were planted will take root, so also those who have been sown in the world will not all be saved.”

42

44 above! But spare your people and have mercy on your inheritance, for you have mercy on your own creation.”

Ezra’s Final Appeal for Mercy

46He answered me and said, “Things that are present are for those who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live hereafter.

47For you come far short of being able to love my creation more than I love it. But you have often compared yourself to the unrighteous. Never do so!

48But even in this respect you will be praiseworthy before the Most High,

49because you have humbled yourself, as is becoming for you, and have not considered yourself to be among the righteous. You will receive the greatest glory,

50 goodness is established, and wisdom is perfected beforehand.

53 is sealed up from you, illness is banished from you, and death is hidden; Hades has fled, and corruption has been forgotten;

54 you, so the thirst and torment that are prepared await them. For the Most High did not intend that anyone should be destroyed,

60but those who were created have themselves defiled the name of him who made them and have been ungrateful to him who prepared life for them now.

61v 18Therefore my judgment is now drawing near;

622 Esd 7.44I have not shown this to all people but only to you and a few like you.”

Then I answered and said,

63v 50; 2 Esd 4.52; 5.1“O Lord, you have already shown me a great number of the signs that you will do in the last times, but you have not shown me when you will do them.”