2 Esdras 11 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1885, 1895(RV1895)

1And it came to pass the second night that I saw a dream, and, behold, there came up and the clouds were gathered together against her.

3And I beheld, and out of her wings there grew other wings wings that followed were set up right side, that they might rule also; and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more:

21Some also of them were set up, but ruled not.

22After this I beheld, and, lo, under wings thought to set up themselves, and to have the rule.

26And I beheld, and, lo, there was one set up, but within a while it appeared no more.

27A second also, and it was sooner away than the first.

28And I beheld, and, lo, the two that remained thought also in themselves to reign:

29And while they so thought, behold, there awaked under wings that thought to have reigned.

32But this head held the whole earth in possession, and bare rule over those that dwell therein ch. 12.24.with much oppression; and it had the governance of the world more than all the wings that had been.

33Cp. ch. 12.26.And after this I beheld, and, lo, the head also that was in the midst suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings.

34But there remained the two heads, Cp. ch. 12.24.which also in like sort reigned over the earth, and over those that dwell therein.

35Cp. ch. 12.27,28.And I beheld, and, lo, the head upon the right side devoured it that was upon the left side.

36Then I heard a voice, which said unto me, Look before thee, and consider the thing that thou seest.

37And I beheld, and, lo, as it were ch. 12.31. Cp. Rev. 5.5.a lion roused out of the wood roaring: and I heard how that he sent out a man's voice unto the eagle, and spake, saying,

38Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the Most High shall say unto thee,

39Art not thou it that remainest of Dan. 7.3.the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of my times might come through them?

40And Dan. 7.7,19,23. Cp. ch. 12.11.the fourth came, and overcame all the beasts that were past, and held the world in governance with great trembling, and the whole compass of the earth ch. 12.24.with grievous oppression; and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit.

41And thou hast judged the earth, but not with truth.

42For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast hated them that speak truth, thou hast loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm.

43Therefore is thy insolent dealing come up unto the Most High, and thy pride unto the Mighty.

44The Most High also hath looked upon his times, and, behold, they are ended, and his ages are fulfilled.

45And therefore appear no more, thou eagle, nor ver. 1.thy horrible wings, nor ver. 3.thy evil little wings, nor ver. 4,29.thy cruel heads, nor thy hurtful talons, nor all thy vain body:

46Cp. Is. 28.12.That all the earth may be refreshed, and be eased, being delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgement and mercy of him that made her.