2 Esdras 5 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1885, 1895(RV1895)

1Nevertheless as concerning with great amazement, untrodden, and men shall see it desolate.

4But if the Most High grant thee to live, thou shalt see their goings shall be changed:

6And he shall rule, whom they that dwell upon the earth look not for, and the fowls shall take their flight away together:

7And the Sodomitish sea shall cast out fish, and make a noise in the night, which many have not known: but all shall hear the voice thereof.

8There shall be chaos also in many places, and the fire shall be oft sent out, and the wild beasts shall change their places, and women shall bring forth monsters:

9And Phaltiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where hast thou been? and country: and of all the flowers of the world thou hast chosen thee one hast dishonoured the one root above others, thou wilt surely make alive at once the creature that thou hast created? If therefore they shall be alive at once, and the creature shall sustain them: even so it might now also support them to be present at once.

46And he said unto me, Ask the womb of a woman, and say unto her, If thou bringest forth ten children, why doest thou it at several times? pray her therefore to bring forth ten children at once.

47And I said, She cannot: but must do it by distance of time.

48Then said he unto me, Even so have I given See ch. 10.10-14.the womb of the earth to those that be sown therein in their several times.

49For like as a young child may not bring forth, neither Cp. Gen. 18.12,13 & Luke 1.18.she that is grown old bring forth any more, even so have I disposed the world which I created.

50And I asked, and said, Seeing thou hast now shewed me the way, I will speak before thee: Is our mother, Cp. ver. 48 & Ecclus. 40.1.of whom thou hast told me, still young? or doth she now draw nigh unto age?

51He answered me, and said, Ask a woman that beareth children, and she shall tell thee.

52Say unto her, Wherefore are not they whom thou hast now brought forth like those that were before, but less of stature?

53And she also shall answer thee, They that be born in the strength of youth are of one fashion, and they that are born in the time of age, when the womb faileth, are otherwise.

54Consider therefore thou also, how that Cp. Gen. 6.4 & Num. 13.33.ye are less of stature than those that were before you.

55And so are they that come after you less than ye, as born of the creature which now beginneth to be old, and is past the strength of youth.

56Then said I, Lord, I beseech thee, See ch. 4.44.if I have found favour in thy sight, shew thy servant by whom ch. 6.18 & 9.2.thou visitest thy creature.