2 Esdras (4 Ezra) · King James Version (with Apocrypha)
2 Esdras (4 Ezra) 7 King James Version (with Apocrypha)
1 And when I had made an end of speaking these words, there was sent unto me the angel which had been sent unto me the nights afore:
1 When I had finished speaking these words, the angel which had been sent to me the nights before was sent to me.
2 And he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee.
2 He said to me, “Rise, Esdras, and hear the words that I have come to tell you.”
3 And I said, Speak on, my God. Then said he unto me, The sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deep and great.
3 I said, “Speak on, my Lord.” Then he said to me, “There is a sea set in a wide place, that it might be broad and vast,
4 But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river;
4 but its entrance is set in a narrow place so as to be like a river.
5 Who then could go into the sea to look upon it, and to rule it? if he went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad?
5 Whoever desires to go into the sea to look at it, or to rule it, if he didn’t go through the narrow entrance, how could he come into the broad part?
6 There is also another thing; A city is builded, and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things:
6 Another thing also: There is a city built and set in a plain country, and full of all good things,
7 The entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water:
7 but its entrance is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, having fire on the right hand, and deep water on the left.
8 And one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once.
8 There is only one path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so that only one person can go there at once.
9 If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance?
9 If this city is now given to a man for an inheritance, if the heir doesn’t pass the danger before him, how will he receive his inheritance?”
10 And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said he unto me, Even so also is Israel’s portion.
10 I said, “That is so, Lord.” Then said he to me, “Even so also is Israel’s portion.
11 Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that now is done.
11 I made the world for their sakes. What is now done was decreed when Adam transgressed my statutes.
12 Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, full of sorrow and travail: they are but few and evil, full of perils, and very painful.
12 Then the entrances of this world were made narrow, sorrowful, and toilsome. They are but few and evil, full of perils, and involved in great toils.
13 For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure, and brought immortal fruit.
13 For the entrances of the greater world are wide and safe, and produce fruit of immortality.
14 If then they that live labour not to enter these strait and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them.
14 So if those who live don’t enter these difficult and vain things, they can never receive those that are reserved for them.
15 Now therefore why disquietest thou thyself, seeing thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou moved, whereas thou art but mortal?
15 Now therefore why are you disturbed, seeing you are but a corruptible man? Why are you moved, since you are mortal?
16 Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
16 Why haven’t you considered in your mind that which is to come, rather than that which is present?”
17 Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, thou hast ordained in thy law, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish.
17 Then I answered and said, “O sovereign Lord, behold, you have ordained in your law that the righteous will inherit these things, but that the ungodly will perish.
18 Nevertheless the righteous shall suffer strait things, and hope for wide: for they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide.
18 The righteous therefore will suffer difficult things, and hope for easier things, but those who have done wickedly have suffered the difficult things, and yet will not see the easier things.”
19 And he said unto me. There is no judge above God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
19 He said to me, “You are not a judge above God, neither do you have more understanding than the Most High.
20 For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them.
20 Yes, let many perish who now live, rather than that the law of God which is set before them be despised.
21 For God hath given strait commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
21 For God strictly commanded those who came, even as they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
22 Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but spake against him, and imagined vain things;
22 Nevertheless, they weren’t obedient to him, but spoke against him and imagined for themselves vain things.
23 And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds; and said of the most High, that he is not; and knew not his ways:
23 They made cunning plans of wickedness, and said moreover of the Most High that he doesn’t exist, and they didn’t know his ways.
24 But his law have they despised, and denied his covenants; in his statutes have they not been faithful, and have not performed his works.
24 They despised his law and denied his covenants. They haven’t been faithful to his statutes, and haven’t performed his works.
25 And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.
25 Therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.
26 Behold, the time shall come, that these tokens which I have told thee shall come to pass, and the bride shall appear, and she coming forth shall be seen, that now is withdrawn from the earth.
26 For behold, the time will come, and it will be, when these signs of which I told you before will come to pass, that the bride will appear, even the city coming forth, and she will be seen who now is withdrawn from the earth.
27 And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils shall see my wonders.
27 Whoever is delivered from the foretold evils will see my wonders.
28 For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred years.
28 For my son Jesus will be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain will rejoice four hundred years.
29 After these years shall my son Christ die, and all men that have life.
29 After these years my son Christ will die, along with all of those who have the breath of life.
30 And the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the former judgments: so that no man shall remain.
30 Then the world will be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the first beginning, so that no human will remain.
31 And after seven days the world, that yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is corrupt
31 After seven days the world that is not yet awake will be raised up, and what is corruptible will die.
32 And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliver those souls that were committed unto them.
32 The earth will restore those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who dwell in it in silence, and the secret places will deliver those souls that were committed to them.
33 And the most High shall appear upon the seat of judgment, and misery shall pass away, and the long suffering shall have an end:
33 The Most High will be revealed on the judgment seat, and compassion will pass away, and patience will be withdrawn.
34 But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong:
34 Only judgment will remain. Truth will stand. Faith will grow strong.
35 And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall bear no rule.
35 Recompense will follow. The reward will be shown. Good deeds will awake, and wicked deeds won’t sleep.
36 Then said I, Abraham prayed first for the Sodomites, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in the wilderness:
36 The pit of torment will appear, and near it will be the place of rest. The furnace of hellwill be shown, and near it the paradise of delight.
37 And Jesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan:
37 Then the Most High will say to the nations that are raised from the dead, ‘Look and understand whom you have denied, whom you haven’t served, whose commandments you have despised.
38 And Samuel and David for the destruction: and Solomon for them that should come to the sanctuary:
38 Look on this side and on that. Here is delight and rest, and there fire and torments.’ Thus he will speak to them in the day of judgment.
39 And Helias for those that received rain; and for the dead, that he might live:
39 This is a day that has neither sun, nor moon, nor stars,
40 And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib: and many for many.
40 neither cloud, nor thunder, nor lightning, neither wind, nor water, nor air, neither darkness, nor evening, nor morning,
41 Even so now, seeing corruption is grown up, and wickedness increased, and the righteous have prayed for the ungodly: wherefore shall it not be so now also?
41 neither summer, nor spring, nor heat, nor winter, neither frost, nor cold, nor hail, nor rain, nor dew,
42 He answered me, and said, This present life is not the end where much glory doth abide; therefore have they prayed for the weak.
42 neither noon, nor night, nor dawn, neither shining, nor brightness, nor light, except only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all will see the things that are set before them.
43 But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past,
43 It will endure as though it were a week of years.
44 Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.
44 This is my judgment and its prescribed order; but I have only shown these things to you.”
45 Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.
45 I answered, “I said then, O Lord, and I say now: Blessed are those who are now alive and keep your commandments!
46 I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning.
46 But what about those for whom I prayed? For who is there of those who are alive who has not sinned, and who of the children of men hasn’t transgressed your covenant?
47 For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment?
47 Now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many.
48 O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen alone, but we all that come of thee.
48 For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has led us astray from these commandments and has brought us into corruption and into the ways of death. It has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life—and that, not a few only, but nearly all who have been created.”
49 For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that bring death?
49 He answered me, “Listen to me, and I will instruct you. I will admonish you yet again.
50 And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are made vain?
50 For this reason, the Most High has not made one world, but two.
51 And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly?
51 For because you have said that the just are not many, but few, and the ungodly abound, hear the explanation.
52 And that the glory of the most High is kept to defend them which have led a wary life, whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all?
52 If you have just a few precious stones, will you add them to lead and clay?”
53 And that there should be shewed a paradise, whose fruit endureth for ever, wherein is security and medicine, since we shall not enter into it?
53 I said, “Lord, how could that be?”
54 (For we have walked in unpleasant places.)
54 He said to me, “Not only that, but ask the earth, and she will tell you. Defer to her, and she will declare it to you.
55 And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness?
55 Say to her, ‘You produce gold, silver, and brass, and also iron, lead, and clay;
56 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.
56 but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.’
57 Then answered he me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight;
57 Judge therefore which things are precious and to be desired, what is abundant or what is rare?”
58 That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I say.
58 I said, “O sovereign Lord, that which is plentiful is of less worth, for that which is more rare is more precious.”
59 For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live.
59 He answered me, “Weigh within yourself the things that you have thought, for he who has what is hard to get rejoices over him who has what is plentiful.
60 Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor me which have spoken unto them,
60 So also is the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few that will be saved, because these are those who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them, my name is now honored.
61 That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation.
61 I won’t grieve over the multitude of those who perish; for these are those who are now like mist, and have become like flame and smoke; they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished.”
62 I answered then, and said, I know, Lord, that the most High is called merciful, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world,
62 I answered, “O earth, why have you produced, if the mind is made out of dust, like all other created things?
63 And upon those also that turn to his law;
63 For it would have been better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made from it.
64 And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that have sinned, as his creatures;
64 But now the mind grows with us, and because of this we are tormented, because we perish and we know it.
65 And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give where it needeth;
65 Let the race of men lament and the animals of the field be glad. Let all who are born lament, but let the four-footed animals and the livestock rejoice.
66 And that he is of great mercy, for he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and also to them which are to come.
66 For it is far better with them than with us; for they don’t look forward to judgment, neither do they know of torments or of salvation promised to them after death.
67 For if he shall not multiply his mercies, the world would not continue with them that inherit therein.
67 For what does it profit us, that we will be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment?
68 And he pardoneth; for if he did not so of his goodness, that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousandth part of men should not remain living.
68 For all who are born are defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with transgressions.
69 And being judge, if he should not forgive them that are cured with his word, and put out the multitude of contentions,
69 If after death we were not to come into judgment, perhaps it would have been better for us.”
70 There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude.
70 He answered me, “When the Most High made the world and Adam and all those who came from him, he first prepared the judgment and the things that pertain to the judgment.
71 Not in this translation
71 Now understand from your own words, for you have said that the mind grows with us.
72 Not in this translation
72 They therefore who dwell on the earth will be tormented for this reason, that having understanding they have committed iniquity, and receiving commandments have not kept them, and having obtained a law they dealt unfaithfully with that which they received.
73 Not in this translation
73 What then will they have to say in the judgment, or how will they answer in the last times?
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74 For how long a time has the Most High been patient with those who inhabit the world, and not for their sakes, but because of the times which he has foreordained!”
75 Not in this translation
75 I answered, “If I have found grace in your sight, O Lord, show this also to your servant, whether after death, even now when every one of us gives up his soul, we will be kept in rest until those times come, in which you renew the creation, or whether we will be tormented immediately.”
76 Not in this translation
76 He answered me, “I will show you this also; but don’t join yourself with those who are scorners, nor count yourself with those who are tormented.
77 Not in this translation
77 For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High, but it won’t be shown you until the last times.
78 Not in this translation
78 For concerning death the teaching is: When the decisive sentence has gone out from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, it adores the glory of the Most High first of all.
79 Not in this translation
79 And if it is one of those who have been scorners and have not kept the way of the Most High, and that have despised his law, and who hate those who fear God,
80 Not in this translation
80 these spirits won’t enter into habitations, but will wander and be in torments immediately, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways.
81 Not in this translation
81 The first way, because they have despised the law of the Most High.
82 Not in this translation
82 The second way, because they can’t now make a good repentance that they may live.
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83 The third way, they will see the reward laid up for those who have believed the covenants of the Most High.
84 Not in this translation
84 The fourth way, they will consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days.
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85 The fifth way, they will see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness.
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86 The sixth way, they will see how immediately some of them will pass into torment.
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87 The seventh way, which is more grievous than all the aforesaid ways, because they will pine away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and will be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they have sinned while living, and before whom they will be judged in the last times.
88 Not in this translation
88 “Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they will be separated from their mortal body.
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89 In the time that they lived in it, they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly.
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90 Therefore this is the teaching concerning them:
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91 First of all they will see with great joy the glory of him who takes them up, for they will have rest in seven orders.
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92 The first order, because they have labored with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was fashioned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death.
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93 The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them.
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94 The third order, they see the testimony which he who fashioned them gives concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust.
95 Not in this translation
95 The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaits them in the last days.
96 Not in this translation
96 The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and that they will inherit that which is to come, while they see in addition the difficulty and the pain from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they will receive with joy and immortality.
97 Not in this translation
97 The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face will shine like the sun, and how they will be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on.
98 Not in this translation
98 The seventh order, which is greater than all the previously mentioned orders, because they will rejoice with confidence, and because they will be bold without confusion, and will be glad without fear, for they hurry to see the face of him whom in their lifetime they served, and from whom they will receive their reward in glory.
99 Not in this translation
99 This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is announced to them. Previously mentioned are the ways of torture which those who would not give heed will suffer from after this.”
100 Not in this translation
100 I answered, “Will time therefore be given to the souls after they are separated from the bodies, that they may see what you have described to me?”
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101 He said, “Their freedom will be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things you have been told, and afterwards they will be gathered together in their habitations.”
102 Not in this translation
102 I answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, show further to me your servant whether in the day of judgment the just will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the Most High for them,
103 Not in this translation
103 whether fathers for children, or children for parents, or kindred for kindred, or kinsfolk for their next of kin, or friends for those who are most dear.”
104 Not in this translation
104 He answered me, “Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is a day of decision, and displays to all the seal of truth. Even as now a father doesn’t send his son, or a son his father, or a master his slave, or a friend him that is most dear, that in his place he may understand, or sleep, or eat, or be healed,
105 Not in this translation
105 so no one will ever pray for another in that day, neither will one lay a burden on another, for then everyone will each bear his own righteousness or unrighteousness.”
106 Not in this translation
106 I answered, “How do we now find that first Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for the ancestors who sinned in the wilderness,
107 Not in this translation
107 and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of Achan,
108 Not in this translation
108 and Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the plague, and Solomon for those who would worship in the sanctuary,
109 Not in this translation
109 and Elijah for those that received rain, and for the dead, that he might live,
110 Not in this translation
110 and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many others prayed for many?
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111 If therefore now, when corruption has grown and unrighteousness increased, the righteous have prayed for the ungodly, why will it not be so then also?”
112 Not in this translation
112 He answered me, “This present world is not the end. The full glory doesn’t remain in it. Therefore those who were able prayed for the weak.
113 Not in this translation
113 But the day of judgment will be the end of this age, and the beginning of the immortality to come, in which corruption has passed away,
114 Not in this translation
114 intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, but righteousness has grown, and truth has sprung up.
115 Not in this translation
115 Then no one will be able to have mercy on him who is condemned in judgment, nor to harm someone who is victorious.”
116 Not in this translation
116 I answered then, “This is my first and last saying, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, to have restrained him from sinning.
117 Not in this translation
117 For what profit is it for all who are in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment?
118 Not in this translation
118 O Adam, what have you done? For though it was you who sinned, the evil hasn’t fallen on you alone, but on all of us who come from you.
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119 For what profit is it to us, if an immortal time is promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death?
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120 And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, but we have most miserably failed?
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121 And that there are reserved habitations of health and safety, but we have lived wickedly?
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122 And that the glory of the Most High will defend those who have led a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways of all?
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123 And that a paradise will be revealed, whose fruit endures without decay, in which is abundance and healing, but we won’t enter into it,
124 Not in this translation
124 for we have lived in perverse ways?
125 Not in this translation
125 And that the faces of those who have practiced self-control will shine more than the stars, but our faces will be blacker than darkness?
126 Not in this translation
126 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we didn’t consider what we would have to suffer after death.”
127 Not in this translation
127 Then he answered, “This is the significance of the battle which humans born on the earth will fight:
128 Not in this translation
128 if they are overcome, they will suffer as you have said, but if they get the victory, they will receive the thing that I say.
129 Not in this translation
129 For this is the way that Moses spoke to the people while he lived, saying, ‘Choose life, that you may live!’
130 Not in this translation
130 Nevertheless they didn’t believe him or the prophets after him, not even me, who have spoken to them.
131 Not in this translation
131 Therefore there won’t be such heaviness in their destruction, as there will be joy over those who are assured of salvation.”
132 Not in this translation
132 Then I answered, “I know, Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful, in that he has mercy upon those who have not yet come into the world;
133 Not in this translation
133 and compassionate, in that he has compassion upon those who turn to his law;
134 Not in this translation
134 and patient, in that he is patient with those who have sinned, since they are his creatures;
135 Not in this translation
135 and bountiful, in that he is ready to give rather than to take away;
136 Not in this translation
136 and very merciful, in that he multiplies more and more mercies to those who are present, and who are past, and also to those who are to come—
137 Not in this translation
137 for if he wasn’t merciful, the world wouldn’t continue with those who dwell in it—
138 Not in this translation
138 and one who forgives, for if he didn’t forgive out of his goodness, that those who have committed iniquities might be relieved of them, not even one ten thousandth part of mankind would remain living;
139 Not in this translation
139 and a judge, for if he didn’t pardon those who were created by his word, and blot out the multitude of sins,
140 Not in this translation
140 there would perhaps be very few left of an innumerable multitude.”