2 Esdras (4 Ezra) · Revised Version with Apocrypha
2 Esdras (4 Ezra) 16 Revised Version with Apocrypha
1 Woe unto thee, Babylon, and Asia! woe unto thee, Egypt, and Syria!
1 Woe to you, Babylon, and Asia! Woe to you, Egypt and Syria!
2 Gird up yourselves with sackcloth and garments of hair, and bewail your children, and lament; for your destruction is at hand.
2 Put on sackcloth and garments of goats’ hair, wail for your children and lament; for your destruction is at hand.
3 A sword is sent upon you, and who is he that may turn it back?
3 A sword has been sent upon you, and who is there to turn it back?
4 A fire is sent upon you, and who is he that may quench it?
4 A fire has been sent upon you, and who is there to quench it?
5 Evils are sent upon you, and who is he that may drive them away?
5 Calamities are sent upon you, and who is there to drive them away?
6 May one drive away a hungry lion in the wood? or may one quench the fire in stubble, when it hath once begun to burn?
6 Can one drive away a hungry lion in the forest? Can one quench a fire in stubble, once it has begun to burn?
7 May one turn again the arrow that is shot of a strong archer?
7 Can one turn back an arrow that is shot by a strong archer?
8 The Lord God sendeth the evils, and who shall drive them away?
8 The Lord God sends the calamities, and who will drive them away?
9 A fire shall go forth from his wrath, and who is he that may quench it?
9 A fire will go out from his wrath, and who may quench it?
10 He shall cast lightning, and who shall not fear? he shall thunder, and who shall not tremble?
10 He will flash lightning, and who will not fear? He will thunder, and who wouldn’t tremble?
11 The Lord shall threaten, and who shall not be utterly broken in pieces at his presence?
11 The Lord will threaten, and who will not be utterly broken in pieces at his presence?
12 The earth quaketh, and the foundations thereof; the sea ariseth up with waves from the deep, and the waves of it shall be troubled, and the fishes thereof also, at the presence of the Lord, and before the glory of his power:
12 The earth and its foundations quake. The sea rises up with waves from the deep, and its waves will be troubled, along with the fish in them, at the presence of the Lord, and before the glory of his power.
13 for strong is his right hand that bendeth the bow, his arrows that he shooteth are sharp, and shall not miss, when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
13 For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, his arrows that he shoots are sharp, and will not miss when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
14 Behold, the evils are sent forth, and shall not return again, until they come upon the earth.
14 Behold, the calamities are sent out, and will not return again until they come upon the earth.
15 The fire is kindled, and shall not be put out, till it consume the foundations of the earth.
15 The fire is kindled and will not be put out until it consumes the foundations of the earth.
16 Like as an arrow which is shot of a mighty archer returneth not backward, even so the evils that are sent forth upon earth shall not return again.
16 Just as an arrow which is shot by a mighty archer doesn’t return backward, even so the calamities that are sent out upon earth won’t return again.
17 Woe is me! woe is me! who will deliver me in those days?
17 Woe is me! Woe is me! Who will deliver me in those days?
18 The beginning of sorrows, and [there shall be ] great mournings; the beginning of famine, and many shall perish; the beginning of wars, and the powers shall stand in fear; the beginning of evils, and all shall tremble! what shall they do in [all ] this when the evils shall come?
18 The beginning of sorrows, when there will be great mourning; the beginning of famine, and many will perish; the beginning of wars, and the powers will stand in fear; the beginning of calamities, and all will tremble! What will they do when the calamities come?
19 Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish! they are sent as scourges for amendment.
19 Behold, famine and plague, suffering and anguish! They are sent as scourges for correction.
20 But for all these things they shall not turn them from their wickedness, nor be alway mindful of the scourges.
20 But for all these things they will not turn them from their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
21 Behold, victuals shall be so good cheap upon earth, that they shall think themselves to be in good case, and even then shall evils grow upon earth, sword, famine, and great confusion.
21 Behold, food will be so cheap on earth that they will think themselves to be in good condition, and even then calamities will grow on earth: sword, famine, and great confusion.
22 For many of them that dwell upon earth shall perish of famine; and the other, that escape the famine, shall the sword destroy.
22 For many of those who dwell on earth will perish of famine; and others who escape the famine, the sword will destroy.
23 And the dead shall be cast out as dung, and there shall be no man to comfort them: for the earth shall be left desolate, and the cities thereof shall be cast down.
23 The dead will be cast out like dung, and there will be no one to comfort them; for the earth will be left desolate, and its cities will be cast down.
24 There shall be no husbandman left to till the earth, and to sow it.
24 There will be no farmer left to cultivate the earth or to sow it.
25 The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them?
25 The trees will give fruit, but who will gather it?
26 The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? for in [all ] places there shall be a great forsaking:
26 The grapes will ripen, but who will tread them? For in all places there will be a great solitude;
27 for one man shall desire to see another, or to hear his voice.
27 for one man will desire to see another, or to hear his voice.
28 For of a city there shall be ten left, and two of the field, which have hidden themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks.
28 For of a city there will be ten left, and two of the field, who have hidden themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks.
29 As in an orchard of olives upon every tree there be left three or four olives,
29 As in an orchard of olives upon every tree there may be left three or four olives,
30 or as when a vineyard is gathered there be some clusters left by them that diligently seek through the vineyard;
30 or as when a vineyard is gathered, there are some clusters left by those who diligently search through the vineyard,
31 even so in those days there shall be three or four left by them that search their houses with the sword.
31 even so in those days, there will be three or four left by those who search their houses with the sword.
32 And the earth shall be left desolate, and the fields thereof shall be for briers, and her ways and all her paths shall bring forth thorns, because no sheep shall pass therethrough.
32 The earth will be left desolate, and its fields will be for briers, and its roads and all her paths will grow thorns, because no sheep will pass along them.
33 The virgins shall mourn, having no bridegrooms; the women shall mourn, having no husbands; their daughters shall mourn, having no helpers.
33 The virgins will mourn, having no bridegrooms. The women will mourn, having no husbands. Their daughters will mourn, having no helpers.
34 In the wars shall their bridegrooms be destroyed, and their husbands shall perish of famine.
34 Their bridegrooms will be destroyed in the wars, and their husbands will perish of famine.
35 Hear now these things, and understand them, ye servants of the Lord.
35 Hear now these things, and understand them, you servants of the Lord.
36 Behold, the word of the Lord, receive it: disbelieve not the things whereof the Lord speaketh.
36 Behold, the Lord’s word: receive it. Don’t doubt the things about which the Lord speaks.
37 Behold, the evils draw nigh, and are not slack.
37 Behold, the calamities draw near, and are not delayed.
38 Like as a woman with child in the ninth month, when the hour of her delivery draweth near, within two or three hours doleful pains compass her womb, and when the child cometh forth from the womb, there shall be no tarrying for a moment:
38 Just as a woman with child in the ninth month, when the hour of her delivery draws near, within two or three hours great pains surround her womb, and when the child comes out from the womb, there will be no waiting for a moment,
39 even so shall not the evils be slack to come upon the earth, and the world shall groan, and sorrows shall take hold of it on every side.
39 even so the calamities won’t delay coming upon the earth. The world will groan, and sorrows will seize it on every side.
40 O my people, hear my word: make you ready to the battle, and in those evils be even as pilgrims upon the earth.
40 “O my people, hear my word: prepare for battle, and in those calamities be like strangers on the earth.
41 He that selleth, let him be as he that fleeth away: and he that buyeth, as one that will lose:
41 He who sells, let him be as he who flees away, and he who buys, as one who will lose.
42 he that occupieth merchandise, as he that hath no profit by it: and he that buildeth, as he that shall not dwell therein:
42 Let he who does business be as he who has no profit by it, and he who builds, as he who won’t dwell in it,
43 he that soweth, as if he should not reap: so also he that pruneth [the vines, ] as he that shall not gather the grapes:
43 and he who sows, as if he wouldn’t reap, so also he who prunes the vines, as he who won’t gather the grapes,
44 they that marry, as they that shall get no children; and they that marry not, as the widowed.
44 those who marry, as those who will have no children, and those who don’t marry, as the widowed.
45 Inasmuch as they that labour labour in vain;
45 Because of this, those who labor, labor in vain;
46 for strangers shall reap their fruits, and spoil their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captive, for in captivity and famine shall they beget their children:
46 for foreigners will reap their fruits, plunder their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captive, for in captivity and famine they will conceive their children.
47 and they that traffick traffick to become a spoil: the more they deck their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons,
47 Those who conduct business, do so only to be plundered. The more they adorn their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons,
48 the more will I hate them for their sins, saith the Lord.
48 the more I will hate them for their sins,” says the Lord.
49 Like as a right honest and virtuous woman hateth a harlot,
49 Just as a respectable and virtuous woman hates a prostitute,
50 so shall righteousness hate iniquity, when she decketh herself, and shall accuse her to her face, when he cometh that shall defend him that diligently searcheth out every sin upon earth.
50 so will righteousness hate iniquity when she adorns herself, and will accuse her to her face when he comes who will defend him who diligently searches out every sin on earth.
51 Therefore be ye not like thereunto, nor to the works thereof.
51 Therefore don’t be like her or her works.
52 For yet a little while, and iniquity shall be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness shall reign over us.
52 For yet a little while, and iniquity will be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness will reign over us.
53 Let not the sinner say that he hath not sinned: for he shall burn coals of fire upon his head, which saith, I have not sinned before God and his glory.
53 Don’t let the sinner say that he has not sinned; for God will burn coals of fire on the head of one who says “I haven’t sinned before God and his glory.”
54 Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts.
54 Behold, the Lord knows all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts.
55 Who said, Let the earth be made; and it was made: Let the heaven be made; and it was made.
55 He said, “Let the earth be made,” and it was made, “Let the sky be made,” and it was made.
56 And at his word were the stars established, and he knoweth the number of the stars.
56 At his word, the stars were established, and he knows the number of the stars.
57 Who searcheth the deep, and the treasures thereof; he hath measured the sea, and what it containeth.
57 He searches the deep and its treasures. He has measured the sea and what it contains.
58 Who hath shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and with his word hath he hanged the earth upon the waters.
58 He has shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and with his word, he hung the earth over the waters.
59 Who spreadeth out the heaven like a vault; upon the waters hath he founded it.
59 He has spread out the sky like a vault. He has founded it over the waters.
60 Who hath made in the desert springs of water, and pools upon the tops of the mountains, to send forth rivers from the height to water the earth.
60 He has made springs of water in the desert and pools on the tops of the mountains to send out rivers from the heights to water the earth.
61 Who framed man, and put a heart in the midst of the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding,
61 He formed man, and put a heart in the midst of the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding,
62 yea, the spirit of God Almighty. He who made all things, and searcheth out hidden things in hidden places,
62 yes, the spirit of God Almighty. He who made all things and searches out hidden things in hidden places,
63 surely he knoweth your imagination, and what ye think in your hearts. Woe to them that sin, and would fain hide their sin!
63 surely he knows your imagination, and what you think in your hearts. Woe to those who sin, and try to hide their sin!
64 Forasmuch as the Lord will exactly search out all your works, and he will put you all to shame.
64 Because the Lord will exactly investigate all your works, and he will put you all to shame.
65 And when your sins are brought forth before men, ye shall be ashamed, and your own iniquities shall stand as your accusers in that day.
65 When your sins are brought out before men, you will be ashamed, and your own iniquities will stand as your accusers in that day.
66 What will ye do? or how will ye hide your sins before God and his angels?
66 What will you do? Or how will you hide your sins before God and his angels?
67 Behold, God is the judge, fear him: leave off from your sins, and forget your iniquities, to meddle no more with them for ever: so shall God lead you forth, and deliver you from all tribulation.
67 Behold, God is the judge. Fear him! Stop sinning, and forget your iniquities, to never again commit them. So will God lead you out, and deliver you from all suffering.
68 For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed you with that which is slain unto idols.
68 For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they will take away some of you, and feed you with that which is sacrificed to idols.
69 And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and be trodden under foot of them.
69 Those who consent to them will be held in derision and in contempt, and be trodden under foot.
70 For there shall be in divers places, and in the next cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord.
70 For there will be in various places, and in the next cities, a great insurrection against those who fear the Lord.
71 They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but spoiling and destroying them that still fear the Lord.
71 They will be like mad men, sparing none, but spoiling and destroying those who still fear the Lord.
72 For they shall waste and take away their goods, and cast them out of their houses.
72 For they will destroy and plunder their goods, and throw them out of their houses.
73 Then shall be manifest the trial of mine elect; even as the gold that is tried in the fire.
73 Then the trial of my elect will be made known, even as the gold that is tried in the fire.
74 Hear, O ye mine elect, saith the Lord: behold, the days of tribulation are at hand, and I will deliver you from them.
74 Hear, my elect ones, says the Lord: “Behold, the days of suffering are at hand, and I will deliver you from them.
75 Be ye not afraid, neither doubt; for God is your guide:
75 Don’t be afraid, and don’t doubt, for God is your guide.
76 and ye who keep my commandments and precepts, saith the Lord God, let not your sins weigh you down, and let not your iniquities lift up themselves.
76 You who keep my commandments and precepts,” says the Lord God, “don’t let your sins weigh you down, and don’t let your iniquities lift themselves up.”
77 Woe unto them that are fast bound with their sins, and covered with their iniquities, like as a field is fast bound with bushes, and the path thereof covered with thorns, that no man may travel through!
77 Woe to those who are choked with their sins and covered with their iniquities, like a field is choked with bushes, and its path covered with thorns, that no one may travel through!
78 It is even shut off, and given up to be consumed of fire.
78 It is shut off and given up to be consumed by fire.