{"book":"2 Esdras","osis":"2Esd","url":"https://driftbible.com/2-esdras","licence":"Public domain","editions":[{"code":"WEB","name":"World English Bible","language":"en","source":"World English Bible, public domain. \"World English Bible\" is a trademark of eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"The second book of the prophet Esdras, the son of Saraias, the son of Azaraias, the son of Helkias, the son of Salemas, the son of Sadoc, the son of Ahitob,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"the son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Borith, the son of Abissei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"the son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, who was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of the Persians."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"The Lord’s word came to me, saying,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"“Go your way and show my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me, that they may tell their children’s children,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"because the sins of their fathers have increased in them, for they have forgotten me, and have offered sacrifices to foreign gods."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"Didn’t I bring them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But they have provoked me to wrath and have despised my counsels."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"So pull out the hair of your head and cast all evils upon them, for they have not been obedient to my law, but they are a rebellious people."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"How long shall I endure them, to whom I have done so much good?"},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"I have overthrown many kings for their sakes. I have struck down Pharoah with his servants and all his army."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"I have destroyed all the nations before them. In the east, I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyre and Sidon, and have slain all their adversaries."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Speak therefore to them, saying:"},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"“The Lord says, truly I brought you through the sea, and where there was no path I made highways for you. I gave you Moses for a leader and Aaron for a priest."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"I gave you light in a pillar of fire. I have done great wonders among you, yet you have forgotten me, says the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"“The Lord Almighty says: The quails were for a token to you. I gave you a camp for your protection, but you complained there."},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"You didn’t celebrate in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but even to this day you still complain."},{"chapter":1,"verse":17,"text":"Where are the benefits that I have given you? When you were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, didn’t you cry to me,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":18,"text":"saying, ‘Why have you brought us into this wilderness to kill us? It would have been better for us to have served the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.’"},{"chapter":1,"verse":19,"text":"I had pity on your mourning and gave you manna for food. You ate angels’ bread."},{"chapter":1,"verse":20,"text":"When you were thirsty, didn’t I split the rock, and water flowed out in abundance? Because of the heat, I covered you with the leaves of the trees."},{"chapter":1,"verse":21,"text":"I divided fruitful lands among you. I drove out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines before you. What more shall I do for you?” says the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":22,"text":"The Lord Almighty says, “When you were in the wilderness, at the bitter stream, being thirsty and blaspheming my name,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":23,"text":"I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but threw a tree in the water, and made the river sweet."},{"chapter":1,"verse":24,"text":"What shall I do to you, O Jacob? You, Judah, would not obey me. I will turn myself to other nations, and I will give my name to them, that they may keep my statutes."},{"chapter":1,"verse":25,"text":"Since you have forsaken me, I also will forsake you. When you ask me to be merciful to you, I will have no mercy upon you."},{"chapter":1,"verse":26,"text":"Whenever you call upon me, I will not hear you, for you have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit murder."},{"chapter":1,"verse":27,"text":"It is not as though you have forsaken me, but your own selves,” says the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":28,"text":"The Lord Almighty says, “Haven’t I asked you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babies,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":29,"text":"that you would be my people, and I would be your God, that you would be my children, and I would be your father?"},{"chapter":1,"verse":30,"text":"I gathered you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But now, what should I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence."},{"chapter":1,"verse":31,"text":"When you offer burnt sacrifices to me, I will turn my face from you, for I have rejected your solemn feast days, your new moons, and your circumcisions of the flesh."},{"chapter":1,"verse":32,"text":"I sent to you my servants the prophets, whom you have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require from you,” says the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":33,"text":"The Lord Almighty says, “Your house is desolate. I will cast you out as the wind blows stubble."},{"chapter":1,"verse":34,"text":"Your children won’t be fruitful, for they have neglected my commandment to you, and done that which is evil before me."},{"chapter":1,"verse":35,"text":"I will give your houses to a people that will come, which not having heard of me yet believe me. Those to whom I have shown no signs will do what I have commanded."},{"chapter":1,"verse":36,"text":"They have seen no prophets, yet they will remember their former condition."},{"chapter":1,"verse":37,"text":"I call to witness the gratitude of the people who will come, whose little ones rejoice with gladness. Although they see me not with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they will believe what I say.”"},{"chapter":1,"verse":38,"text":"And now, father, behold with glory, and see the people that come from the east:"},{"chapter":1,"verse":39,"text":"to whom I will give for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":40,"text":"Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggaeus, Zachary, and Malachy, who is also called the Lord’s messenger."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"The Lord says, “I brought this people out of bondage. I gave them my commandments by my servants the prophets, whom they would not listen to, but made my counsels void."},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"The mother who bore them says to them, ‘Go your way, my children, for I am a widow and forsaken."},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"I brought you up with gladness, and I have lost you with sorrow and heaviness, for you have sinned before the Lord God, and done that which is evil before me."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"But now what can I do for you? For I am a widow and forsaken. Go your way, my children, and ask for mercy from the Lord.’"},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"As for me, O father, I call upon you for a witness in addition to the mother of these children, because they would not keep my covenant,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"that you may bring them to confusion, and their mother to ruin, that they may have no offspring."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen. Let their names be blotted out of the earth, for they have despised my covenant."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Woe to you, Assur, you who hide the unrighteous with you! You wicked nation, remember what I did to Sodom and Gomorrah,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"whose land lies in lumps of pitch and heaps of ashes. That is what I will also do to those who have not listened to me,” says the Lord Almighty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"The Lord says to Esdras, “Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given to Israel."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"I will also take their glory back to myself, and give these the everlasting tabernacles which I had prepared for them."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"They will have the tree of life for fragrant perfume. They will neither labor nor be weary."},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"Ask, and you will receive. Pray that your days may be few, that they may be shortened. The kingdom is already prepared for you. Watch!"},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"Call heaven and earth to witness. Call them to witness, for I have left out evil, and created the good, for I live, says the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"“Mother, embrace your children. I will bring them out with gladness like a dove does. Establish their feet, for I have chosen you, says the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"I will raise those who are dead up again from their places, and bring them out from their tombs, for I recognize my name in them."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Don’t be afraid, you mother of children, for I have chosen you, says the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"For your help, I will send my servants Esaias and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for you twelve trees laden with various fruits,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"and as many springs flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, on which roses and lilies grow, with which I will fill your children with joy."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Do right to the widow. Secure justice for the fatherless. Give to the poor. Defend the orphan. Clothe the naked."},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Heal the broken and the weak. Don’t laugh a lame man to scorn. Defend the maimed. Let the blind man have a vision of my glory."},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"Protect the old and young within your walls."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"Wherever you find the dead, set a sign upon them and commit them to the grave, and I will give you the first place in my resurrection."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"Stay still, my people, and take your rest, for your rest will come."},{"chapter":2,"verse":25,"text":"Nourish your children, good nurse, and establish their feet."},{"chapter":2,"verse":26,"text":"As for the servants whom I have given you, not one of them will perish, for I will require them from among your number."},{"chapter":2,"verse":27,"text":"Don’t be anxious, for when the day of suffering and anguish comes, others will weep and be sorrowful, but you will rejoice and have abundance."},{"chapter":2,"verse":28,"text":"The nations will envy you, but they will be able to do nothing against you, says the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":29,"text":"My hands will cover you, so that your children don’t see Gehenna."},{"chapter":2,"verse":30,"text":"Be joyful, mother, with your children, for I will deliver you, says the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":31,"text":"Remember your children who sleep, for I will bring them out of the secret places of the earth and show mercy to them, for I am merciful, says the Lord Almighty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":32,"text":"Embrace your children until I come, and proclaim mercy to them, for my wells run over, and my grace won’t fail.”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":33,"text":"I, Esdras, received a command from the Lord on Mount Horeb to go to Israel, but when I came to them, they rejected me and rejected the Lord’s commandment."},{"chapter":2,"verse":34,"text":"Therefore I say to you, O nations that hear and understand, “Look for your shepherd. He will give you everlasting rest, for he is near at hand who will come at the end of the age."},{"chapter":2,"verse":35,"text":"Be ready for the rewards of the kingdom, for the everlasting light will shine on you forevermore."},{"chapter":2,"verse":36,"text":"Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joy of your glory. I call to witness my savior openly."},{"chapter":2,"verse":37,"text":"Receive that which is given to you by the Lord, and be joyful, giving thanks to him who has called you to heavenly kingdoms."},{"chapter":2,"verse":38,"text":"Arise and stand up, and see the number of those who have been sealed at the Lord’s feast."},{"chapter":2,"verse":39,"text":"Those who withdrew themselves from the shadow of the world have received glorious garments from the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":40,"text":"Take again your full number, O Zion, and make up the reckoning of those of yours who are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":41,"text":"The number of your children, whom you long for, is fulfilled. Ask the power of the Lord, that your people, which have been called from the beginning, may be made holy.”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":42,"text":"I, Esdras, saw upon Mount Zion a great multitude, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs."},{"chapter":2,"verse":43,"text":"In the midst of them, there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and he was more exalted than they were. I marveled greatly at this."},{"chapter":2,"verse":44,"text":"So I asked the angel, and said, “What are these, my Lord?”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":45,"text":"He answered and said to me, “These are those who have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God. Now they are crowned, and receive palms.”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":46,"text":"Then said I to the angel, “Who is the young man who sets crowns on them, and gives them palms in their hands?”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":47,"text":"So he answered and said to me, “He is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world.” Then I began to praise those who stood so valiantly for the name of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":48,"text":"Then the angel said to me, “Go your way, and tell my people what kind of things, and how great wonders of the Lord God you have seen.”"},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"In the thirtieth year after the ruin of the city, I Salathiel, also called Esdras, was in Babylon, and lay troubled upon my bed, and my thoughts came up over my heart,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"for I saw the desolation of Zion and the wealth of those who lived at Babylon."},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"My spirit was very agitated, so that I began to speak words full of fear to the Most High, and said,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"“O sovereign Lord, didn’t you speak at the beginning when you formed the earth—and that yourself alone—and commanded the dust"},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"and it gave you Adam, a body without a soul? Yet it was the workmanship of your hands, and you breathed into him the breath of life, and he was made alive in your presence."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"You led him into the garden which your right hand planted before the earth appeared."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"You gave him your one commandment, which he transgressed, and immediately you appointed death for him and his descendants. From him were born nations, tribes, peoples, and kindred without number."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"Every nation walked after their own will, did ungodly things in your sight, and despised your commandments, and you didn’t hinder them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"Nevertheless, again in process of time, you brought the flood on those who lived in the world and destroyed them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"It came to pass that the same thing happened to them. Just as death came to Adam, so was the flood to these."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"Nevertheless, you left one of them, Noah with his household, and all the righteous men who descended from him."},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"“It came to pass that when those who lived upon the earth began to multiply, they also multiplied children, peoples, and many nations, and began again to be more ungodly than their ancestors."},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"It came to pass, when they did wickedly before you, you chose one from among them, whose name was Abraham."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"You loved, and to him only you showed the end of the times secretly by night,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"and made an everlasting covenant with him, promising him that you would never forsake his descendants. To him, you gave Isaac, and to Isaac you gave Jacob and Esau."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"You set apart Jacob for yourself, but rejected Esau. Jacob became a great multitude."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"It came to pass that when you led his descendants out of Egypt, you brought them up to Mount Sinai."},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"You bowed the heavens also, shook the earth, moved the whole world, made the depths tremble, and troubled the age."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"Your glory went through four gates, of fire, of earthquake, of wind, and of ice, that you might give the law to the descendants of Jacob, and the commandment to the descendants of Israel."},{"chapter":3,"verse":20,"text":"“Yet you didn’t take away from them their wicked heart, that your law might produce fruit in them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":21,"text":"For the first Adam, burdened with a wicked heart transgressed and was overcome, as were all who are descended from him."},{"chapter":3,"verse":22,"text":"Thus disease was made permanent. The law was in the heart of the people along with the wickedness of the root. So the good departed away and that which was wicked remained."},{"chapter":3,"verse":23,"text":"So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end. Then you raised up a servant, called David,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":24,"text":"whom you commanded to build a city to your name, and to offer burnt offerings to you in it from what is yours."},{"chapter":3,"verse":25,"text":"When this was done many years, then those who inhabited the city did evil,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":26,"text":"in all things doing as Adam and all his generations had done, for they also had a wicked heart."},{"chapter":3,"verse":27,"text":"So you gave your city over into the hands of your enemies."},{"chapter":3,"verse":28,"text":"“Then I said in my heart, ‘Are their deeds of those who inhabit Babylon any better? Is that why it gained dominion over Zion?’"},{"chapter":3,"verse":29,"text":"For it came to pass when I came here, that I also saw impieties without number, and my soul saw many sinners in this thirtieth year, so that my heart failed me."},{"chapter":3,"verse":30,"text":"For I have seen how you endure them sinning, and have spared those who act ungodly, and have destroyed your people, and have preserved your enemies;"},{"chapter":3,"verse":31,"text":"and you have not shown how your way may be comprehended. Are the deeds of Babylon better than those of Zion?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":32,"text":"Or is there any other nation that knows you beside Israel? Or what tribes have so believed your covenants as these tribes of Jacob?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":33,"text":"Yet their reward doesn’t appear, and their labor has no fruit, for I have gone here and there through the nations, and I see that they abound in wealth, and don’t think about your commandments."},{"chapter":3,"verse":34,"text":"Weigh therefore our iniquities now in the balance, and theirs also who dwell in the world, and so will it be found which way the scale inclines."},{"chapter":3,"verse":35,"text":"Or when was it that they who dwell on the earth have not sinned in your sight? Or what nation has kept your commandments so well?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":36,"text":"You will find some men by name who have kept your precepts, but you won’t find nations.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"The angel who was sent to me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"and said to me, “Your understanding has utterly failed you regarding this world. Do you think you can comprehend the way of the Most High?”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"Then I said, “Yes, my Lord.” He answered me, “I have been sent to show you three ways, and to set before you three problems."},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"If you can solve one for me, I also will show you the way that you desire to see, and I will teach you why the heart is wicked.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"I said, “Say on, my Lord.” Then said he to me, “Go, weigh for me the weight of a fire, or measure for me a blast of wind, or call back for me the day that is past.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"Then answered I and said, “Who of the sons of men is able to do this, that you should ask me about such things?”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"He said to me, “If I had asked you, ‘How many dwellings are there in the heart of the sea? Or how many springs are there at the fountain head of the deep? Or how many streams are above the firmament? Or which are the exits of hell? Or which are the entrances of paradise?’"},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"perhaps you would say to me, ‘I never went down into the deep, or as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.’"},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"Nevertheless now I have only asked you about the fire, wind, and the day, things which you have experienced, and from which you can’t be separated, and yet you have given me no answer about them. ”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"He said moreover to me, “You can’t understand your own things that you grew up with."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"How then can your mind comprehend the way of the Most High? How can he who is already worn out with the corrupted world understand incorruption?” When I heard these things, I fell on my face"},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"and said to him, “It would have been better if we weren’t here at all, than that we should come here and live in the midst of ungodliness, and suffer, and not know why.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"He answered me, and said, “A forest of the trees of the field went out, and took counsel together,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"and said, ‘Come! Let’s go and make war against the sea, that it may depart away before us, and that we may make ourselves more forests.’"},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"The waves of the sea also in like manner took counsel together, and said, ‘Come! Let’s go up and subdue the forest of the plain, that there also we may gain more territory.’"},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"The counsel of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"Likewise also the counsel of the waves of the sea, for the sand stood up and stopped them."},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"If you were judge now between these two, which would you justify, or which would you condemn?”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"I answered and said, “It is a foolish counsel that they both have taken, for the ground is given to the wood, and the place of the sea is given to bear its waves.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"Then answered he me, and said, “You have given a right judgment. Why don’t you judge your own case?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":21,"text":"For just as the ground is given to the wood, and the sea to its waves, even so those who dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but what is upon the earth. Only he who dwells above the heavens understands the things that are above the height of the heavens.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":22,"text":"Then answered I and said, “I beg you, O Lord, why has the power of understanding been given to me?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":23,"text":"For it was not in my mind to be curious of the ways above, but of such things as pass by us daily, because Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen. The people whom you have loved have been given over to ungodly nations. The law of our forefathers is made of no effect, and the written covenants are nowhere regarded."},{"chapter":4,"verse":24,"text":"We pass away out of the world like locusts. Our life is like a vapor, and we aren’t worthy to obtain mercy."},{"chapter":4,"verse":25,"text":"What will he then do for his name by which we are called? I have asked about these things.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":26,"text":"Then he answered me, and said, “If you are alive you will see, and if you live long, you will marvel, for the world hastens quickly to pass away."},{"chapter":4,"verse":27,"text":"For it is not able to bear the things that are promised to the righteous in the times to come; for this world is full of sadness and infirmities."},{"chapter":4,"verse":28,"text":"For the evil about which you asked me has been sown, but its harvest hasn’t yet come."},{"chapter":4,"verse":29,"text":"If therefore that which is sown isn’t reaped, and if the place where the evil is sown doesn’t pass away, the field where the good is sown won’t come."},{"chapter":4,"verse":30,"text":"For a grain of evil seed was sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much wickedness it has produced to this time! How much more it will yet produce until the time of threshing comes!"},{"chapter":4,"verse":31,"text":"Ponder now by yourself, how much fruit of wickedness a grain of evil seed has produced."},{"chapter":4,"verse":32,"text":"When the grains which are without number are sown, how great a threshing floor they will fill!”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":33,"text":"Then I answered and said, “How long? When will these things come to pass? Why are our years few and evil?”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":34,"text":"He answered me, and said, “Don’t hurry faster than the Most High; for your haste is for your own self, but he who is above hurries on behalf of many."},{"chapter":4,"verse":35,"text":"Didn’t the souls of the righteous ask about these things in their chambers, saying, ‘How long will we be here? When does the fruit of the threshing floor come?’"},{"chapter":4,"verse":36,"text":"To them, Jeremiel the archangel answered, ‘When the number is fulfilled of those who are like you. For he has weighed the world in the balance."},{"chapter":4,"verse":37,"text":"By measure, he has measured the times. By number, he has counted the seasons. He won’t move or stir them until that measure is fulfilled.’”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":38,"text":"Then I answered, “O sovereign Lord, all of us are full of ungodliness."},{"chapter":4,"verse":39,"text":"Perhaps it is for our sakes that the threshing time of the righteous is kept back—because of the sins of those who dwell on the earth.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":40,"text":"So he answered me, “Go your way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she has fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the baby any longer within her.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":41,"text":"Then I said, “No, Lord, that can it not.” He said to me, “In Hades, the chambers of souls are like the womb."},{"chapter":4,"verse":42,"text":"For just like a woman in labor hurries to escape the anguish of the labor pains, even so these places hurry to deliver those things that are committed to them from the beginning."},{"chapter":4,"verse":43,"text":"Then you will be shown those things which you desire to see.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":44,"text":"Then I answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, and if it is possible, and if I am worthy,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":45,"text":"show me this also, whether there is more to come than is past, or whether the greater part has gone over us."},{"chapter":4,"verse":46,"text":"For what is gone I know, but I don’t know what is to come.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":47,"text":"He said to me, “Stand up on my right side, and I will explain the parable to you.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":48,"text":"So I stood, looked, and saw a hot burning oven passed by before me. It happened that when the flame had gone by I looked, and saw that the smoke remained."},{"chapter":4,"verse":49,"text":"After this, a watery cloud passed in front of me, and sent down much rain with a storm. When the stormy rain was past, the drops still remained in it.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":50,"text":"Then said he to me, “Consider with yourself; as the rain is more than the drops, and the fire is greater than the smoke, so the quantity which is past was far greater; but the drops and the smoke still remained.”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":51,"text":"Then I prayed, and said, “Do you think that I will live until that time? Or who will be alive in those days?”"},{"chapter":4,"verse":52,"text":"He answered me, “As for the signs you asked me about, I may tell you of them in part; but I wasn’t sent to tell you about your life, for I don’t know."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"“Nevertheless, concerning the signs, behold, the days will come when those who dwell on earth will be taken with great amazement, and the way of truth will be hidden, and the land will be barren of faith."},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"Iniquity will be increased above what now you see, and beyond what you have heard long ago."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"The land that you now see ruling will be a trackless waste, and men will see it desolate."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"But if the Most High grants you to live, you will see troubles after the third period. The sun will suddenly shine in the night, and the moon in the day."},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"Blood will drop out of wood, and the stone will utter its voice. The peoples will be troubled, and the stars will fall."},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"He will rule whom those who dwell on the earth don’t expect, and the birds will fly away together."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"The Sodomite sea will cast out fish, and make a noise in the night, which many have not known; but all will hear its voice."},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"There will also be chaos in many places. Fires will break out often, and the wild animals will change their places, and women will bring forth monsters."},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"Salt waters will be found in the sweet, and all friends will destroy one another. Then reason will hide itself, and understanding withdraw itself into its chamber."},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"It will be sought by many, and won’t be found. Unrighteousness and lack of restraint will be multiplied on earth."},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"One country will ask another, ‘Has righteousness, or a man that does righteousness, gone through you?’ And it will say, ‘No.’"},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"It will come to pass at that time that men will hope, but won’t obtain. They will labor, but their ways won’t prosper."},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"I am permitted to show you such signs. If you will pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days, you will hear yet greater things than these.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"Then I woke up, and an extreme trembling went through my body, and my mind was so troubled that it fainted."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"So the angel who had come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me on my feet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"In the second night, it came to pass that Phaltiel the captain of the people came to me, saying, “Where have you been? Why is your face sad?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"Or don’t you know that Israel is committed to you in the land of their captivity?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"Get up then, and eat some bread, and don’t forsake us, like a shepherd who leaves the flock in the power of cruel wolves.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"Then said I to him, “Go away from me and don’t come near me for seven days, and then you shall come to me.” He heard what I said and left me."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"So I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, like Uriel the angel had commanded me."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"After seven days, the thoughts of my heart were very grievous to me again,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"and my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began to speak words before the Most High again."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"I said, “O sovereign Lord of all the woods of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, you have chosen one vine for yourself."},{"chapter":5,"verse":24,"text":"Of all the lands of the world you have chosen one country for yourself. Of all the flowers of the world, you have chosen one lily for yourself."},{"chapter":5,"verse":25,"text":"Of all the depths of the sea, you have filled one river for yourself. Of all built cities, you have consecrated Zion for yourself."},{"chapter":5,"verse":26,"text":"Of all the birds that are created you have named for yourself one dove. Of all the livestock that have been made, you have provided for yourself one sheep."},{"chapter":5,"verse":27,"text":"Among all the multitudes of peoples you have gotten yourself one people. To this people, whom you loved, you gave a law that is approved by all."},{"chapter":5,"verse":28,"text":"Now, O Lord, why have you given this one people over to many, and have dishonored the one root above others, and have scattered your only one among many?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":29,"text":"Those who opposed your promises have trampled down those who believed your covenants."},{"chapter":5,"verse":30,"text":"If you really do hate your people so much, they should be punished with your own hands.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":31,"text":"Now when I had spoken these words, the angel that came to me the night before was sent to me,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":32,"text":"and said to me, “Hear me, and I will instruct you. Listen to me, and I will tell you more.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":33,"text":"I said, “Speak on, my Lord.” Then said he to me, “You are very troubled in mind for Israel’s sake. Do you love that people more than he who made them?”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":34,"text":"I said, “No, Lord; but I have spoken out of grief; for my heart is in agony every hour while I labor to comprehend the way of the Most High, and to seek out part of his judgment.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":35,"text":"He said to me, “You can’t.” And I said, “Why, Lord? Why was I born? Why wasn’t my mother’s womb my grave, that I might not have seen the travail of Jacob, and the wearisome toil of the people of Israel?”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":36,"text":"He said to me, “Count for me those who haven’t yet come. Gather together for me the drops that are scattered abroad, and make the withered flowers green again for me."},{"chapter":5,"verse":37,"text":"Open for me the chambers that are closed, and bring out the winds for me that are shut up in them. Or show me the image of a voice. Then I will declare to you the travail that you asked to see.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":38,"text":"And I said, “O sovereign Lord, who may know these things except he who doesn’t have his dwelling with men?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":39,"text":"As for me, I lack wisdom. How can I then speak of these things you asked me about?”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":40,"text":"Then said he to me, “Just as you can do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so you can’t find out my judgment, or the end of the love that I have promised to my people.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":41,"text":"I said, “But, behold, O Lord, you have made the promise to those who are alive at the end. What should they do who have been before us, or we ourselves, or those who will come after us?”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":42,"text":"He said to me, “I will compare my judgment to a ring. Just as there is no slowness of those who are last, even so there is no swiftness of those who be first.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":43,"text":"So I answered, “Couldn’t you make them all at once that have been made, and that are now, and that are yet to come, that you might show your judgment sooner?”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":44,"text":"Then he answered me, “The creature may not move faster than the creator, nor can the world hold them at once who will be created in it.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":45,"text":"And I said, “How have you said to your servant, that you will surely make alive at once the creature that you have created? If therefore they will be alive at once, and the creation will sustain them, even so it might now also support them to be present at once.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":46,"text":"And he said to me, “Ask the womb of a woman, and say to her, ‘If you bear ten children, why do you it at different times? Ask her therefore to give birth to ten children at once.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":47,"text":"I said, “She can’t, but must do it each in their own time.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":48,"text":"Then said he to me, “Even so, I have given the womb of the earth to those who are sown in it in their own times."},{"chapter":5,"verse":49,"text":"For just as a young child may not give birth, neither she who has grown old any more, even so have I organized the world which I created.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":50,"text":"I asked, “Seeing that you have now shown me the way, I will speak before you. Is our mother, of whom you have told me, still young? Or does she now draw near to old age?”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":51,"text":"He answered me, “Ask a woman who bears children, and she will tell you."},{"chapter":5,"verse":52,"text":"Say to her, ‘Why aren’t they whom you have now brought forth like those who were before, but smaller in stature?’"},{"chapter":5,"verse":53,"text":"She also will answer you, ‘Those who are born in the strength of youth are different from those who are born in the time of old age, when the womb fails.’"},{"chapter":5,"verse":54,"text":"Consider therefore you also, how you are shorter than those who were before you."},{"chapter":5,"verse":55,"text":"So are those who come after you smaller than you, as born of the creature which now begins to be old, and is past the strength of youth.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":56,"text":"Then I said, “Lord, I implore you, if I have found favor in your sight, show your servant by whom you visit your creation.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"He said to me, “In the beginning, when the earth was made, before the portals of the world were fixed and before the gatherings of the winds blew,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"before the voices of the thunder sounded and before the flashes of the lightning shone, before the foundations of paradise were laid,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"before the fair flowers were seen, before the powers of the earthquake were established, before the innumerable army of angels were gathered together,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"before the heights of the air were lifted up, before the measures of the firmament were named, before the footstool of Zion was established,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"before the present years were reckoned, before the imaginations of those who now sin were estranged, and before they were sealed who have gathered faith for a treasure—"},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"then I considered these things, and they all were made through me alone, and not through another; just as by me also they will be ended, and not by another.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"Then I answered, “What will be the dividing of the times? Or when will be the end of the first and the beginning of the age that follows?”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"He said to me, “From Abraham to Isaac, because Jacob and Esau were born to him, for Jacob’s hand held Esau’s heel from the beginning."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"For Esau is the end of this age, and Jacob is the beginning of the one that follows."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"The beginning of a man is his hand, and the end of a man is his heel. Seek nothing else between the heel and the hand, Esdras!”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Then I answered, “O sovereign Lord, if I have found favor in your sight,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"I beg you, show your servant the end of your signs which you showed me part on a previous night.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"So he answered, “Stand up upon your feet, and you will hear a mighty sounding voice."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"If the place you stand on is greatly moved"},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"when it speaks don’t be afraid, for the word is of the end, and the foundations of the earth will understand"},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"that the speech is about them. They will tremble and be moved, for they know that their end must be changed.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"It happened that when I had heard it, I stood up on my feet, and listened, and, behold, there was a voice that spoke, and its sound was like the sound of many waters."},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"It said, “Behold, the days come when I draw near to visit those who dwell upon the earth,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"and when I investigate those who have caused harm unjustly with their unrighteousness, and when the affliction of Zion is complete,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"and when the seal will be set on the age that is to pass away, then I will show these signs: the books will be opened before the firmament, and all will see together."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"The children a year old will speak with their voices. The women with child will deliver premature children at three or four months, and they will live and dance."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"Suddenly the sown places will appear unsown. The full storehouses will suddenly be found empty."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"The trumpet will give a sound which when every man hears, they will suddenly be afraid."},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"At that time friends will make war against one another like enemies. The earth will stand in fear with those who dwell in it. The springs of the fountains will stand still, so that for three hours they won’t flow."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"“It will be that whoever remains after all these things that I have told you of, he will be saved and will see my salvation, and the end of my world."},{"chapter":6,"verse":26,"text":"They will see the men who have been taken up, who have not tasted death from their birth. The heart of the inhabitants will be changed and turned into a different spirit."},{"chapter":6,"verse":27,"text":"For evil will be blotted out and deceit will be quenched."},{"chapter":6,"verse":28,"text":"Faith will flourish. Corruption will be overcome, and the truth, which has been so long without fruit, will be declared.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":29,"text":"When he talked with me, behold, little by little, the place I stood on rocked back and forth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":30,"text":"He said to me, “I came to show you these things tonight."},{"chapter":6,"verse":31,"text":"If therefore you will pray yet again, and fast seven more days, I will again tell you greater things than these."},{"chapter":6,"verse":32,"text":"For your voice has surely been heard before the Most High. For the Mighty has seen your righteousness. He has also seen your purity, which you have maintained ever since your youth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":33,"text":"Therefore he has sent me to show you all these things, and to say to you, ‘Believe, and don’t be afraid!"},{"chapter":6,"verse":34,"text":"Don’t be hasty to think vain things about the former times, that you may not hasten in the latter times.’”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":35,"text":"It came to pass after this, that I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, that I might fulfill the three weeks which he told me."},{"chapter":6,"verse":36,"text":"On the eighth night, my heart was troubled within me again, and I began to speak in the presence of the Most High."},{"chapter":6,"verse":37,"text":"For my spirit was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress."},{"chapter":6,"verse":38,"text":"I said, “O Lord, truly you spoke at the beginning of the creation, on the first day, and said this: ‘Let heaven and earth be made,’ and your word perfected the work."},{"chapter":6,"verse":39,"text":"Then the spirit was hovering, and darkness and silence were on every side. The sound of man’s voice was not yet there."},{"chapter":6,"verse":40,"text":"Then you commanded a ray of light to be brought out of your treasuries, that your works might then appear."},{"chapter":6,"verse":41,"text":"“On the second day, again you made the spirit of the firmament and commanded it to divide and to separate the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath."},{"chapter":6,"verse":42,"text":"“On the third day, you commanded that the waters should be gathered together in the seventh part of the earth. You dried up six parts and kept them, to the intent that of these some being both planted and tilled might serve before you."},{"chapter":6,"verse":43,"text":"For as soon as your word went out, the work was done."},{"chapter":6,"verse":44,"text":"Immediately, great and innumerable fruit grew, with many pleasant tastes, and flowers of inimitable color, and fragrances of most exquisite smell. This was done the third day."},{"chapter":6,"verse":45,"text":"“On the fourth day, you commanded that the sun should shine, the moon give its light, and the stars should be in their order;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":46,"text":"and gave them a command to serve mankind, who was to be made."},{"chapter":6,"verse":47,"text":"“On the fifth day, you said to the seventh part, where the water was gathered together, that it should produce living creatures, fowls and fishes; and so it came to pass"},{"chapter":6,"verse":48,"text":"that the mute and lifeless water produced living things as it was told, that the nations might therefore praise your wondrous works."},{"chapter":6,"verse":49,"text":"“Then you preserved two living creatures. The one you called Behemoth, and the other you called Leviathan."},{"chapter":6,"verse":50,"text":"You separated the one from the other; for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both."},{"chapter":6,"verse":51,"text":"To Behemoth, you gave one part, which was dried up on the third day, that he should dwell in it, in which are a thousand hills;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":52,"text":"but to Leviathan you gave the seventh part, namely, the watery part. You have kept them to be devoured by whom you wish, when you wish."},{"chapter":6,"verse":53,"text":"“But on the sixth day, you commanded the earth to produce before you cattle, animals, and creeping things."},{"chapter":6,"verse":54,"text":"Over these, you ordained Adam as ruler over all the works that you have made. Of him came all of us, the people whom you have chosen."},{"chapter":6,"verse":55,"text":"“All this have I spoken before you, O Lord, because you have said that for our sakes you made this world."},{"chapter":6,"verse":56,"text":"As for the other nations, which also come from Adam, you have said that they are nothing, and are like spittle. You have likened the abundance of them to a drop that falls from a bucket."},{"chapter":6,"verse":57,"text":"Now, O Lord, behold these nations, which are reputed as nothing, being rulers over us and devouring us."},{"chapter":6,"verse":58,"text":"But we your people, whom you have called your firstborn, your only children, and your fervent lover, are given into their hands."},{"chapter":6,"verse":59,"text":"Now if the world is made for our sakes, why don’t we possess our world for an inheritance? How long will this endure?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"When I had finished speaking these words, the angel which had been sent to me the nights before was sent to me."},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"He said to me, “Rise, Esdras, and hear the words that I have come to tell you.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"but its entrance is set in a narrow place so as to be like a river."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"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?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"Another thing also: There is a city built and set in a plain country, and full of all good things,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"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?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"I said, “That is so, Lord.” Then said he to me, “Even so also is Israel’s portion."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"I made the world for their sakes. What is now done was decreed when Adam transgressed my statutes."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"For the entrances of the greater world are wide and safe, and produce fruit of immortality."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"So if those who live don’t enter these difficult and vain things, they can never receive those that are reserved for them."},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"Now therefore why are you disturbed, seeing you are but a corruptible man? Why are you moved, since you are mortal?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"Why haven’t you considered in your mind that which is to come, rather than that which is present?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"He said to me, “You are not a judge above God, neither do you have more understanding than the Most High."},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"Yes, let many perish who now live, rather than that the law of God which is set before them be despised."},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"Nevertheless, they weren’t obedient to him, but spoke against him and imagined for themselves vain things."},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":24,"text":"They despised his law and denied his covenants. They haven’t been faithful to his statutes, and haven’t performed his works."},{"chapter":7,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things."},{"chapter":7,"verse":26,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":27,"text":"Whoever is delivered from the foretold evils will see my wonders."},{"chapter":7,"verse":28,"text":"For my son Jesus will be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain will rejoice four hundred years."},{"chapter":7,"verse":29,"text":"After these years my son Christ will die, along with all of those who have the breath of life."},{"chapter":7,"verse":30,"text":"Then the world will be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the first beginning, so that no human will remain."},{"chapter":7,"verse":31,"text":"After seven days the world that is not yet awake will be raised up, and what is corruptible will die."},{"chapter":7,"verse":32,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":33,"text":"The Most High will be revealed on the judgment seat, and compassion will pass away, and patience will be withdrawn."},{"chapter":7,"verse":34,"text":"Only judgment will remain. Truth will stand. Faith will grow strong."},{"chapter":7,"verse":35,"text":"Recompense will follow. The reward will be shown. Good deeds will awake, and wicked deeds won’t sleep."},{"chapter":7,"verse":36,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":37,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":38,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":39,"text":"This is a day that has neither sun, nor moon, nor stars,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":40,"text":"neither cloud, nor thunder, nor lightning, neither wind, nor water, nor air, neither darkness, nor evening, nor morning,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":41,"text":"neither summer, nor spring, nor heat, nor winter, neither frost, nor cold, nor hail, nor rain, nor dew,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":42,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":43,"text":"It will endure as though it were a week of years."},{"chapter":7,"verse":44,"text":"This is my judgment and its prescribed order; but I have only shown these things to you.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":45,"text":"I answered, “I said then, O Lord, and I say now: Blessed are those who are now alive and keep your commandments!"},{"chapter":7,"verse":46,"text":"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?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":47,"text":"Now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many."},{"chapter":7,"verse":48,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":49,"text":"He answered me, “Listen to me, and I will instruct you. I will admonish you yet again."},{"chapter":7,"verse":50,"text":"For this reason, the Most High has not made one world, but two."},{"chapter":7,"verse":51,"text":"For because you have said that the just are not many, but few, and the ungodly abound, hear the explanation."},{"chapter":7,"verse":52,"text":"If you have just a few precious stones, will you add them to lead and clay?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":53,"text":"I said, “Lord, how could that be?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":54,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":55,"text":"Say to her, ‘You produce gold, silver, and brass, and also iron, lead, and clay;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":56,"text":"but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.’"},{"chapter":7,"verse":57,"text":"Judge therefore which things are precious and to be desired, what is abundant or what is rare?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":58,"text":"I said, “O sovereign Lord, that which is plentiful is of less worth, for that which is more rare is more precious.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":59,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":60,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":61,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":62,"text":"I answered, “O earth, why have you produced, if the mind is made out of dust, like all other created things?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":63,"text":"For it would have been better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made from it."},{"chapter":7,"verse":64,"text":"But now the mind grows with us, and because of this we are tormented, because we perish and we know it."},{"chapter":7,"verse":65,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":66,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":67,"text":"For what does it profit us, that we will be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":68,"text":"For all who are born are defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with transgressions."},{"chapter":7,"verse":69,"text":"If after death we were not to come into judgment, perhaps it would have been better for us.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":70,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":71,"text":"Now understand from your own words, for you have said that the mind grows with us."},{"chapter":7,"verse":72,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":73,"text":"What then will they have to say in the judgment, or how will they answer in the last times?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":74,"text":"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!”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":75,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":76,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":77,"text":"For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High, but it won’t be shown you until the last times."},{"chapter":7,"verse":78,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":79,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":80,"text":"these spirits won’t enter into habitations, but will wander and be in torments immediately, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways."},{"chapter":7,"verse":81,"text":"The first way, because they have despised the law of the Most High."},{"chapter":7,"verse":82,"text":"The second way, because they can’t now make a good repentance that they may live."},{"chapter":7,"verse":83,"text":"The third way, they will see the reward laid up for those who have believed the covenants of the Most High."},{"chapter":7,"verse":84,"text":"The fourth way, they will consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days."},{"chapter":7,"verse":85,"text":"The fifth way, they will see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":86,"text":"The sixth way, they will see how immediately some of them will pass into torment."},{"chapter":7,"verse":87,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":88,"text":"“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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":89,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":90,"text":"Therefore this is the teaching concerning them:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":91,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":92,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":93,"text":"The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them."},{"chapter":7,"verse":94,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":95,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":96,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":97,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":98,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":99,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":100,"text":"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?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":101,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":102,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":103,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":104,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":105,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":106,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":107,"text":"and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of Achan,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":108,"text":"and Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the plague, and Solomon for those who would worship in the sanctuary,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":109,"text":"and Elijah for those that received rain, and for the dead, that he might live,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":110,"text":"and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many others prayed for many?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":111,"text":"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?”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":112,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":113,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":114,"text":"intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, but righteousness has grown, and truth has sprung up."},{"chapter":7,"verse":115,"text":"Then no one will be able to have mercy on him who is condemned in judgment, nor to harm someone who is victorious.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":116,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":117,"text":"For what profit is it for all who are in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":118,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":119,"text":"For what profit is it to us, if an immortal time is promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":120,"text":"And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, but we have most miserably failed?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":121,"text":"And that there are reserved habitations of health and safety, but we have lived wickedly?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":122,"text":"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?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":123,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":124,"text":"for we have lived in perverse ways?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":125,"text":"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?"},{"chapter":7,"verse":126,"text":"For while we lived and committed iniquity, we didn’t consider what we would have to suffer after death.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":127,"text":"Then he answered, “This is the significance of the battle which humans born on the earth will fight:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":128,"text":"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."},{"chapter":7,"verse":129,"text":"For this is the way that Moses spoke to the people while he lived, saying, ‘Choose life, that you may live!’"},{"chapter":7,"verse":130,"text":"Nevertheless they didn’t believe him or the prophets after him, not even me, who have spoken to them."},{"chapter":7,"verse":131,"text":"Therefore there won’t be such heaviness in their destruction, as there will be joy over those who are assured of salvation.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":132,"text":"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;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":133,"text":"and compassionate, in that he has compassion upon those who turn to his law;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":134,"text":"and patient, in that he is patient with those who have sinned, since they are his creatures;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":135,"text":"and bountiful, in that he is ready to give rather than to take away;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":136,"text":"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—"},{"chapter":7,"verse":137,"text":"for if he wasn’t merciful, the world wouldn’t continue with those who dwell in it—"},{"chapter":7,"verse":138,"text":"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;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":139,"text":"and a judge, for if he didn’t pardon those who were created by his word, and blot out the multitude of sins,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":140,"text":"there would perhaps be very few left of an innumerable multitude.”"},{"chapter":8,"verse":1,"text":"He answered me, “The Most High has made this world for many, but the world to come for few."},{"chapter":8,"verse":2,"text":"Now I will tell you a parable, Esdras. Just as when you ask the earth, it will say to you that it gives very much clay from which earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold comes from. Even so is the course of the present world."},{"chapter":8,"verse":3,"text":"Many have been created, but few will be saved.”"},{"chapter":8,"verse":4,"text":"I answered, “Drink your fill of understanding then, O my soul, and let my heart devour wisdom."},{"chapter":8,"verse":5,"text":"For you have come here apart from your will, and depart against your will, for you have only been given a short time to live."},{"chapter":8,"verse":6,"text":"O Lord over us, grant to your servant that we may pray before you, and give us seed for our heart and cultivation for our understanding, that fruit may grow from it, by which everyone who is corrupt, who bears the likeness of a man, may live."},{"chapter":8,"verse":7,"text":"For you alone exist, and we all one workmanship of your hands, just as you have said."},{"chapter":8,"verse":8,"text":"Because you give life to the body that is now fashioned in the womb, and give it members, your creature is preserved in fire and water, and your workmanship endures nine months as your creation which is created in it."},{"chapter":8,"verse":9,"text":"But that which keeps and that which is kept will both be kept by your keeping. When the womb gives up again what has grown in it,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":10,"text":"you have commanded that out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, be given milk, which is the fruit of the breasts,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":11,"text":"that the body that is fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterwards you guide it in your mercy."},{"chapter":8,"verse":12,"text":"Yes, you have brought it up in your righteousness, nurtured it in your law, and corrected it with your judgment."},{"chapter":8,"verse":13,"text":"You put it to death as your creation, and make it live as your work."},{"chapter":8,"verse":14,"text":"If therefore you lightly and suddenly destroy him which with so great labor was fashioned by your commandment, to what purpose was he made?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":15,"text":"Now therefore I will speak. About man in general, you know best, but about your people for whose sake I am sorry,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":16,"text":"and for your inheritance, for whose cause I mourn, for Israel, for whom I am heavy, and for the seed of Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":17,"text":"therefore I will begin to pray before you for myself and for them; for I see the failings of us who dwell in the land;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":18,"text":"but I have heard the swiftness of the judgment which is to come."},{"chapter":8,"verse":19,"text":"Therefore hear my voice, and understand my saying, and I will speak before you.” The beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up. He said,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":20,"text":"“O Lord, you who remain forever, whose eyes are exalted, and whose chambers are in the air,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":21,"text":"whose throne is beyond measure, whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the army of angels stand with trembling,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":22,"text":"at whose bidding they are changed to wind and fire, whose word is sure, and sayings constant, whose ordinance is strong, and commandment fearful,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":23,"text":"whose look dries up the depths, and whose indignation makes the mountains to melt away, and whose truth bears witness—"},{"chapter":8,"verse":24,"text":"hear, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, and give ear to the petition of your handiwork."},{"chapter":8,"verse":25,"text":"Attend to my words, for as long as I live, I will speak, and as long as I have understanding, I will answer."},{"chapter":8,"verse":26,"text":"Don’t look at the sins of your people, but on those who have served you in truth."},{"chapter":8,"verse":27,"text":"Don’t regard the doings of those who act wickedly, but of those who have kept your covenants in affliction."},{"chapter":8,"verse":28,"text":"Don’t think about those who have lived wickedly before you, but remember those who have willingly known your fear."},{"chapter":8,"verse":29,"text":"Let it not be your will to destroy those who have lived like cattle, but look at those who have clearly taught your law."},{"chapter":8,"verse":30,"text":"Don’t be indignant at those who are deemed worse than animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory."},{"chapter":8,"verse":31,"text":"For we and our fathers have passed our lives in ways that bring death, but you are called merciful because of us sinners."},{"chapter":8,"verse":32,"text":"For if you have a desire to have mercy upon us who have no works of righteousness, then you will be called merciful."},{"chapter":8,"verse":33,"text":"For the just, which have many good works laid up with you, will be rewarded for their own deeds."},{"chapter":8,"verse":34,"text":"For what is man, that you should take displeasure at him? Or what is a corruptible race, that you should be so bitter toward it?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":35,"text":"For in truth, there is no man among those who are born who has not done wickedly, and among those who have lived, there is none which have not done wrong."},{"chapter":8,"verse":36,"text":"For in this, O Lord, your righteousness and your goodness will be declared, if you are merciful to those who have no store of good works.”"},{"chapter":8,"verse":37,"text":"Then he answered me, “Some things you have spoken rightly, and it will happen according to your words."},{"chapter":8,"verse":38,"text":"For indeed I will not think about the fashioning of those who have sinned, or about their death, their judgment, or their destruction;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":39,"text":"but I will rejoice over the creation of the righteous and their pilgrimage, their salvation, and the reward that they will have."},{"chapter":8,"verse":40,"text":"Therefore as I have spoken, so it will be."},{"chapter":8,"verse":41,"text":"For as the farmer sows many seeds in the ground, and plants many trees, and yet not all that is sown will come up in due season, neither will all that is planted take root, even so those who are sown in the world will not all be saved.”"},{"chapter":8,"verse":42,"text":"Then I answered, “If I have found favor, let me speak before you."},{"chapter":8,"verse":43,"text":"If the farmer’s seed doesn’t come up because it hasn’t received your rain in due season, or if it is ruined by too much rain and perishes,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":44,"text":"likewise man, who is formed with your hands and is called your own image, because he is made like you, for whose sake you have formed all things, even him you have made like the farmer’s seed."},{"chapter":8,"verse":45,"text":"Don’t be angry with us, but spare your people and have mercy upon your inheritance, for you have mercy upon your own creation.”"},{"chapter":8,"verse":46,"text":"Then he answered me, “Things present are for those who live now, and things to come for those who will live hereafter."},{"chapter":8,"verse":47,"text":"For you come far short of being able to love my creature more than I. But you have compared yourself to the unrighteous. Don’t do that!"},{"chapter":8,"verse":48,"text":"Yet in this will you be admirable to the Most High,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":49,"text":"in that you have humbled yourself, as it becomes you, and have not judged yourself among the righteous, so as to be much glorified."},{"chapter":8,"verse":50,"text":"For many grievous miseries will fall on those who dwell in the world in the last times, because they have walked in great pride."},{"chapter":8,"verse":51,"text":"But understand for yourself, and for those who inquire concerning the glory of those like you,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":52,"text":"because paradise is opened to you. The tree of life is planted. The time to come is prepared. Plenteousness is made ready. A city is built. Rest is allowed. Goodness is perfected, and wisdom is perfected beforehand."},{"chapter":8,"verse":53,"text":"The root of evil is sealed up from you. Weakness is done away from you, and death is hidden. Hell and corruption have fled into forgetfulness."},{"chapter":8,"verse":54,"text":"Sorrows have passed away, and in the end, the treasure of immortality is shown."},{"chapter":8,"verse":55,"text":"Therefore ask no more questions concerning the multitude of those who perish."},{"chapter":8,"verse":56,"text":"For when they had received liberty, they despised the Most High, scorned his law, and forsook his ways."},{"chapter":8,"verse":57,"text":"Moreover they have trodden down his righteous,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":58,"text":"and said in their heart that there is no God—even knowing that they must die."},{"chapter":8,"verse":59,"text":"For as the things I have said will welcome you, so thirst and pain which are prepared for them. For the Most High didn’t intend that men should be destroyed,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":60,"text":"but those who are created have themselves defiled the name of him who made them, and were unthankful to him who prepared life for them."},{"chapter":8,"verse":61,"text":"Therefore my judgment is now at hand,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":62,"text":"which I have not shown to all men, but to you, and a few like you.” Then I answered,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":63,"text":"“Behold, O Lord, now you have shown me the multitude of the wonders which you will do in the last times, but you haven’t shown me when.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":1,"text":"He answered me, “Measure diligently within yourself. When you see that a certain part of the signs are past, which have been told you beforehand,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":2,"text":"then will you understand that it is the very time in which the Most High will visit the world which was made by him."},{"chapter":9,"verse":3,"text":"When earthquakes, tumult of peoples, plans of nations, wavering of leaders, and confusion of princes are seen in the world,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":4,"text":"then will you understand that the Most High spoke of these things from the days that were of old, from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":5,"text":"For just as with everything that is made in the world, the beginning is evident and the end manifest,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":6,"text":"so also are the times of the Most High: the beginnings are manifest in wonders and mighty works, and the end in effects and signs."},{"chapter":9,"verse":7,"text":"Everyone who will be saved, and will be able to escape by his works, or by faith by which they have believed,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":8,"text":"will be preserved from the said perils, and will see my salvation in my land and within my borders, which I have sanctified for myself from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":9,"text":"Then those who now have abused my ways will be amazed. Those who have cast them away despitefully will live in torments."},{"chapter":9,"verse":10,"text":"For as many as in their life have received benefits, and yet have not known me,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":11,"text":"and as many as have scorned my law, while they still had liberty and when an opportunity to repent was open to them, didn’t understand, but despised it,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":12,"text":"must know it in torment after death."},{"chapter":9,"verse":13,"text":"Therefore don’t be curious any longer how the ungodly will be punished, but inquire how the righteous will be saved, those who the world belongs to, and for whom the world was created.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":14,"text":"I answered,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":15,"text":"“I have said before, and now speak, and will say it again hereafter, that there are more of those who perish than of those who will be saved,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":16,"text":"like a wave is greater than a drop.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":17,"text":"He answered me, “Just as the field is, so also the seed. As the flowers are, so are the colors. As the work is, so also is the judgment on it. As is the farmer, so also is his threshing floor. For there was a time in the world"},{"chapter":9,"verse":18,"text":"when I was preparing for those who now live, before the world was made for them to dwell in. Then no one spoke against me,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":19,"text":"for no one existed. But now those who are created in this world that is prepared, both with a table that doesn’t fail and a law which is unsearchable, are corrupted in their ways."},{"chapter":9,"verse":20,"text":"So I considered my world, and behold, it was destroyed, and my earth, and behold, it was in peril, because of the plans that had come into it."},{"chapter":9,"verse":21,"text":"I saw and spared them, but not greatly, and saved myself a grape out of a cluster, and a plant out of a great forest."},{"chapter":9,"verse":22,"text":"Let the multitude perish then, which were born in vain. Let my grape be saved, and my plant, for I have made them perfect with great labor."},{"chapter":9,"verse":23,"text":"Nevertheless, if you will wait seven more days—however don’t fast in them,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":24,"text":"but go into a field of flowers, where no house is built, and eat only of the flowers of the field, and you shall taste no flesh, and shall drink no wine, but shall eat flowers only—"},{"chapter":9,"verse":25,"text":"and pray to the Most High continually, then I will come and talk with you.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":26,"text":"So I went my way, just as he commanded me, into the field which is called Ardat. There I sat among the flowers, and ate of the herbs of the field, and this food satisfied me."},{"chapter":9,"verse":27,"text":"It came to pass after seven days that I lay on the grass, and my heart was troubled again, like before."},{"chapter":9,"verse":28,"text":"My mouth was opened, and I began to speak before the Lord Most High, and said,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":29,"text":"“O Lord, you showed yourself among us, to our fathers in the wilderness, when they went out of Egypt, and when they came into the wilderness, where no man treads and that bears no fruit."},{"chapter":9,"verse":30,"text":"You said, ‘Hear me, O Israel. Heed my words, O seed of Jacob."},{"chapter":9,"verse":31,"text":"For behold, I sow my law in you, and it will bring forth fruit in you, and you will be glorified in it forever.’"},{"chapter":9,"verse":32,"text":"But our fathers, who received the law, didn’t keep it, and didn’t observe the statutes. The fruit of the law didn’t perish, for it couldn’t, because it was yours."},{"chapter":9,"verse":33,"text":"Yet those who received it perished, because they didn’t keep the thing that was sown in them."},{"chapter":9,"verse":34,"text":"Behold, it is a custom that when the ground has received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel food or drink, and when it comes to pass that that which is sown, or that which is launched,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":35,"text":"or the things which have been received, should come to an end, these come to an end, but the receptacles remain. Yet with us, it doesn’t happen that way."},{"chapter":9,"verse":36,"text":"For we who have received the law will perish by sin, along with our heart which received it."},{"chapter":9,"verse":37,"text":"Notwithstanding the law doesn’t perish, but remains in its honor.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":38,"text":"When I spoke these things in my heart, I looked around me with my eyes, and on my right side I saw a woman, and behold, she mourned and wept with a loud voice, and was much grieved in mind. Her clothes were torn, and she had ashes on her head."},{"chapter":9,"verse":39,"text":"Then let I my thoughts go in which I was occupied, and turned myself to her,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":40,"text":"and said to her, “Why are you weeping? Why are you grieved in your mind?”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":41,"text":"She said to me, “Leave me alone, my Lord, that I may weep for myself and add to my sorrow, for I am very troubled in my mind, and brought very low.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":42,"text":"I said to her, “What ails you? Tell me.”"},{"chapter":9,"verse":43,"text":"She said to me, “I, your servant, was barren and had no child, though I had a husband thirty years."},{"chapter":9,"verse":44,"text":"Every hour and every day these thirty years I made my prayer to the Most High day and night."},{"chapter":9,"verse":45,"text":"It came to pass after thirty years that God heard me, your handmaid, and saw my low estate, and considered my trouble, and gave me a son. I rejoiced in him greatly, I and my husband, and all my neighbors. We gave great honor to the Mighty One."},{"chapter":9,"verse":46,"text":"I nourished him with great care."},{"chapter":9,"verse":47,"text":"So when he grew up, and I came to take him a wife, I made him a feast day."},{"chapter":10,"verse":1,"text":"“So it came to pass that when my son was entered into his wedding chamber, he fell down and died."},{"chapter":10,"verse":2,"text":"Then we all put out the lamps, and all my neighbors rose up to comfort me. I remained quiet until the second day at night."},{"chapter":10,"verse":3,"text":"It came to pass, when they had all stopped consoling me, encouraging me to be quiet, then rose I up by night, and fled, and came here into this field, as you see."},{"chapter":10,"verse":4,"text":"Now I don’t intend to return into the city, but to stay here, and not eat or drink, but to continually mourn and fast until I die.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":5,"text":"Then I left the reflections I was engaged in, and answered her in anger,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":6,"text":"“You most foolish woman, don’t you see our mourning, and what has happened to us?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":7,"text":"For Zion the mother of us all is full of sorrow, and much humbled."},{"chapter":10,"verse":8,"text":"It is right now to mourn deeply, since we all mourn, and to be sorrowful, since we are all in sorrow, but you are mourning for one son."},{"chapter":10,"verse":9,"text":"Ask the earth, and she will tell you that it is she which ought to mourn for so many that grow upon her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":10,"text":"For out of her, all had their beginnings, and others will come; and, behold, almost all of them walk into destruction, and the multitude of them is utterly doomed."},{"chapter":10,"verse":11,"text":"Who then should mourn more, she who has lost so great a multitude, or you, who are grieved but for one?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":12,"text":"But if you say to me, ‘My lamentation is not like the earth’s, for I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth with pains, and bare with sorrows;’"},{"chapter":10,"verse":13,"text":"but it is with the earth after the manner of the earth. The multitude present in it has gone as it came."},{"chapter":10,"verse":14,"text":"Then say I to you, ‘Just as you have brought forth with sorrow, even so the earth also has given her fruit, namely, people, ever since the beginning to him who made her.’"},{"chapter":10,"verse":15,"text":"Now therefore keep your sorrow to yourself, and bear with a good courage the adversities which have happened to you."},{"chapter":10,"verse":16,"text":"For if you will acknowledge the decree of God to be just, you will both receive your son in time, and will be praised among women."},{"chapter":10,"verse":17,"text":"Go your way then into the city to your husband.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":18,"text":"She said to me, “I won’t do that. I will not go into the city, but I will die here.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":19,"text":"So I proceeded to speak further to her, and said,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":20,"text":"“Don’t do so, but allow yourself to be persuaded by reason of the adversities of Zion; and be comforted by reason of the sorrow of Jerusalem."},{"chapter":10,"verse":21,"text":"For you see that our sanctuary has been laid waste, our altar broken down, our temple destroyed,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":22,"text":"our lute has been brought low, our song is put to silence, our rejoicing is at an end, the light of our candlestick is put out, the ark of our covenant is plundered, our holy things are defiled, and the name that we are called is profaned. Our free men are despitefully treated, our priests are burned, our Levites have gone into captivity, our virgins are defiled and our wives ravished, our righteous men carried away, our little ones betrayed, our young men are brought into bondage, and our strong men have become weak."},{"chapter":10,"verse":23,"text":"What is more than all, the seal of Zion has now lost the seal of her honor, and is delivered into the hands of those who hate us."},{"chapter":10,"verse":24,"text":"Therefore shake off your great heaviness, and put away from yourself the multitude of sorrows, that the Mighty One may be merciful to you again, and the Most High may give you rest, even ease from your troubles.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":25,"text":"It came to pass while I was talking with her, behold, her face suddenly began to shine exceedingly, and her countenance flashed like lightning, so that I was very afraid of her, and wondered what this meant."},{"chapter":10,"verse":26,"text":"Behold, suddenly she made a great and very fearful cry, so that the earth shook at the noise."},{"chapter":10,"verse":27,"text":"I looked, and behold, the woman appeared to me no more, but there was a city built, and a place shown itself from large foundations. Then I was afraid, and cried with a loud voice,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":28,"text":"“Where is Uriel the angel, who came to me at the first? For he has caused me to fall into this great trance, and my end has turned into corruption, and my prayer a reproach!”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":29,"text":"As I was speaking these words, behold, the angel who had come to me at first came to me, and he looked at me."},{"chapter":10,"verse":30,"text":"Behold, I lay as one who had been dead, and my understanding was taken from me. He took me by the right hand, and comforted me, and set me on my feet, and said to me,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":31,"text":"“What ails you? Why are you so troubled? Why is your understanding and the thoughts of your heart troubled?”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":32,"text":"I said, “Because you have forsaken me; yet I did according to your words, and went into the field, and, behold, I have seen, and still see, that which I am not able to explain.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":33,"text":"He said to me, “Stand up like a man, and I will instruct you.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":34,"text":"Then I said, “Speak on, my Lord; only don’t forsake me, lest I die before my time."},{"chapter":10,"verse":35,"text":"For I have seen what I didn’t know, and hear what I don’t know."},{"chapter":10,"verse":36,"text":"Or is my sense deceived, or my soul in a dream?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":37,"text":"Now therefore I beg you to explain to your servant what this vision means.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":38,"text":"He answered me, “Listen to me, and I will inform you, and tell you about the things you are afraid of, for the Most High has revealed many secret things to you."},{"chapter":10,"verse":39,"text":"He has seen that your way is righteous, because you are continually sorry for your people, and make great lamentation for Zion."},{"chapter":10,"verse":40,"text":"This therefore is the meaning of the vision."},{"chapter":10,"verse":41,"text":"The woman who appeared to you a little while ago, whom you saw mourning, and began to comfort her,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":42,"text":"but now you no longer see the likeness of the woman, but a city under construction appeared to you,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":43,"text":"and she told you of the death of her son, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":44,"text":"This woman, whom you saw, is Zion, whom you now see as a city being built."},{"chapter":10,"verse":45,"text":"She told you that she had been barren for thirty years because there were three thousand years in the world in which there was no offering as yet offered in her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":46,"text":"And it came to pass after three thousand years that Solomon built the city and offered offerings. It was then that the barren bore a son."},{"chapter":10,"verse":47,"text":"She told you that she nourished him with great care. That was the dwelling in Jerusalem."},{"chapter":10,"verse":48,"text":"When she said to you, ‘My son died when he entered into his marriage chamber, and that misfortune befell her,’ this was the destruction that came to Jerusalem."},{"chapter":10,"verse":49,"text":"Behold, you saw her likeness, how she mourned for her son, and you began to comfort her for what has happened to her. These were the things to be opened to you."},{"chapter":10,"verse":50,"text":"For now the Most High, seeing that you are sincerely grieved and suffer from your whole heart for her, has shown you the brightness of her glory and the attractiveness of her beauty."},{"chapter":10,"verse":51,"text":"Therefore I asked you to remain in the field where no house was built,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":52,"text":"for I knew that the Most High would show this to you."},{"chapter":10,"verse":53,"text":"Therefore I commanded you to come into the field, where no foundation of any building was."},{"chapter":10,"verse":54,"text":"For no human construction could stand in the place in which the city of the Most High was to be shown."},{"chapter":10,"verse":55,"text":"Therefore don’t be afraid nor let your heart be terrified, but go your way in and see the beauty and greatness of the building, as much as your eyes are able to see."},{"chapter":10,"verse":56,"text":"Then will you hear as much as your ears may comprehend."},{"chapter":10,"verse":57,"text":"For you are more blessed than many, and are called by name to be with the Most High, like only a few."},{"chapter":10,"verse":58,"text":"But tomorrow at night you shall remain here,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":59,"text":"and so the Most High will show you those visions in dreams of what the Most High will do to those who live on the earth in the last days.” So I slept that night and another, as he commanded me."},{"chapter":11,"verse":1,"text":"It came to pass the second night that I saw a dream, and behold, an eagle which had twelve feathered wings and three heads came up from the sea."},{"chapter":11,"verse":2,"text":"I saw, and behold, she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of heaven blew on her, and the clouds were gathered together against her."},{"chapter":11,"verse":3,"text":"I saw, and out of her wings there grew other wings near them; and they became little, tiny wings."},{"chapter":11,"verse":4,"text":"But her heads were at rest. The head in the middle was larger than the other heads, yet rested it with them."},{"chapter":11,"verse":5,"text":"Moreover I saw, and behold, the eagle flew with her wings to reign over the earth and over those who dwell therein."},{"chapter":11,"verse":6,"text":"I saw how all things under heaven were subject to her, and no one spoke against her—no, not one creature on earth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":7,"text":"I saw, and behold, the eagle rose on her talons, and uttered her voice to her wings, saying,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":8,"text":"“Don’t all watch at the same time. Let each one sleep in his own place and watch in turn;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":9,"text":"but let the heads be preserved for the last.”"},{"chapter":11,"verse":10,"text":"I saw, and behold, the voice didn’t come out of her heads, but from the midst of her body."},{"chapter":11,"verse":11,"text":"I counted her wings that were near the others, and behold, there were eight of them."},{"chapter":11,"verse":12,"text":"I saw, and behold, on the right side one wing arose and reigned over all the earth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":13,"text":"When it reigned, the end of it came, and it disappeared, so that its place appeared no more. The next wing rose up and reigned, and it ruled a long time."},{"chapter":11,"verse":14,"text":"It happened that when it reigned, its end came also, so that it disappeared, like the first."},{"chapter":11,"verse":15,"text":"Behold, a voice came to it, and said,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":16,"text":"“Listen, you who have ruled over the earth all this time! I proclaim this to you, before you disappear,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":17,"text":"none after you will rule as long as you, not even half as long.”"},{"chapter":11,"verse":18,"text":"Then the third arose, and ruled as the others before, and it also disappeared."},{"chapter":11,"verse":19,"text":"So it went with all the wings one after another, as every one ruled, and then disappeared."},{"chapter":11,"verse":20,"text":"I saw, and behold, in process of time the wings that followed were set up on the right side, that they might rule also. Some of them ruled, but in a while they disappeared."},{"chapter":11,"verse":21,"text":"Some of them also were set up, but didn’t rule."},{"chapter":11,"verse":22,"text":"After this I saw, and behold, the twelve wings disappeared, along with two of the little wings."},{"chapter":11,"verse":23,"text":"There was no more left on the eagle’s body, except the three heads that rested, and six little wings."},{"chapter":11,"verse":24,"text":"I saw, and behold, two little wings divided themselves from the six and remained under the head that was on the right side; but four remained in their place."},{"chapter":11,"verse":25,"text":"I saw, and behold, these under wings planned to set themselves up and to rule."},{"chapter":11,"verse":26,"text":"I saw, and behold, there was one set up, but in a while it disappeared."},{"chapter":11,"verse":27,"text":"A second also did so, and it disappeared faster than the first."},{"chapter":11,"verse":28,"text":"I saw, and behold, the two that remained also planned between themselves to reign."},{"chapter":11,"verse":29,"text":"While they thought about it, behold, one of the heads at rest awakened, the one that was in the middle, for that was greater than the two other heads."},{"chapter":11,"verse":30,"text":"I saw how it joined the two other heads with it."},{"chapter":11,"verse":31,"text":"Behold, the head turned with those who were with it, and ate the two under wings that planned to reign."},{"chapter":11,"verse":32,"text":"But this head held the whole earth in possession, and ruled over those who dwell in it with much oppression. It had stronger governance over the world than all the wings that had gone before."},{"chapter":11,"verse":33,"text":"After this I saw, and behold, the head also that was in the middle suddenly disappeared, like the wings."},{"chapter":11,"verse":34,"text":"But the two heads remained, which also reigned the same way over the earth and over those who dwell in it."},{"chapter":11,"verse":35,"text":"I saw, and behold, the head on the right side devoured the one that was on the left side."},{"chapter":11,"verse":36,"text":"Then I heard a voice, which said to me, “Look in front of you, and consider the thing that you see.”"},{"chapter":11,"verse":37,"text":"I saw, and behold, something like a lion roused out of the woods roaring. I heard how he sent out a man’s voice to the eagle, and spoke, saying,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":38,"text":"“Listen and I will talk with you. The Most High will say to you,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":39,"text":"‘Aren’t you the one that remains of the four animals whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of my times might come through them?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":40,"text":"The fourth came and overcame all the animals that were past, and ruled the world with great trembling, and the whole extent of the earth with grievous oppression. He lived on the earth such a long time with deceit."},{"chapter":11,"verse":41,"text":"You have judged the earth, but not with truth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":42,"text":"For you have afflicted the meek, you have hurt the peaceful, you have hated those who speak truth, you have loved liars, destroyed the dwellings of those who produced fruit, and threw down the walls of those who did you no harm."},{"chapter":11,"verse":43,"text":"Your insolence has come up to the Most High, and your pride to the Mighty."},{"chapter":11,"verse":44,"text":"The Most High also has looked at his times, and behold, they are ended, and his ages are fulfilled."},{"chapter":11,"verse":45,"text":"Therefore appear no more, you eagle, nor your horrible wings, nor your evil little wings, nor your cruel heads, nor your hurtful talons, nor all your worthless body,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":46,"text":"that all the earth may be refreshed and relieved, being delivered from your violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him who made her.’”"},{"chapter":12,"verse":1,"text":"It came to pass, while the lion spoke these words to the eagle, I saw,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":2,"text":"and behold, the head that remained disappeared, and the two wings which went over to it arose and set themselves up to reign; and their kingdom was brief and full of uproar."},{"chapter":12,"verse":3,"text":"I saw, and behold, they disappeared, and the whole body of the eagle was burned, so that the earth was in great fear. Then I woke up because of great perplexity of mind and great fear, and said to my spirit,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":4,"text":"“Behold, you have done this to me, because you search out the ways of the Most High."},{"chapter":12,"verse":5,"text":"Behold, I am still weary in my mind, and very weak in my spirit. There isn’t even a little strength in me, because of the great fear with which I was frightened tonight."},{"chapter":12,"verse":6,"text":"Therefore I will now ask the Most High that he would strengthen me to the end.”"},{"chapter":12,"verse":7,"text":"Then I said, “O sovereign Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, and if I am justified with you more than many others, and if my prayer has indeed come up before your face,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":8,"text":"strengthen me then, and show me, your servant, the interpretation and plain meaning of this fearful vision, that you may fully comfort my soul."},{"chapter":12,"verse":9,"text":"For you have judged me worthy to show me the end of time and the last events of the times.”"},{"chapter":12,"verse":10,"text":"He said to me, “This is the interpretation of this vision which you saw:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":11,"text":"The eagle, whom you saw come up from the sea, is the fourth kingdom which appeared in a vision to your brother Daniel."},{"chapter":12,"verse":12,"text":"But it was not explained to him, as I now explain it to you or have explained it."},{"chapter":12,"verse":13,"text":"Behold, the days come that a kingdom will rise up on earth, and it will be feared more than all the kingdoms that were before it."},{"chapter":12,"verse":14,"text":"Twelve kings will reign in it, one after another."},{"chapter":12,"verse":15,"text":"Of those, the second will begin to reign, and will reign a longer time than others of the twelve."},{"chapter":12,"verse":16,"text":"This is the interpretation of the twelve wings which you saw."},{"chapter":12,"verse":17,"text":"As for when you heard a voice which spoke, not going out from the heads, but from the midst of its body, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":18,"text":"That after the time of that kingdom, there will arise no small contentions, and it will stand in peril of falling. Nevertheless, it won’t fall then, but will be restored again to its former power."},{"chapter":12,"verse":19,"text":"You saw the eight under wings sticking to her wings. This is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":20,"text":"That in it eight kings will arise, whose times will be short and their years swift."},{"chapter":12,"verse":21,"text":"Two of them will perish when the middle time approaches. Four will be kept for a while until the time of the ending of it will approach; but two will be kept to the end."},{"chapter":12,"verse":22,"text":"You saw three heads resting. This is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":23,"text":"In its last days, the Most High will raise up three kingdoms and renew many things in them. They will rule over the earth,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":24,"text":"and over those who dwell in it, with much oppression, more than all those who were before them. Therefore they are called the heads of the eagle."},{"chapter":12,"verse":25,"text":"For these are those who will accomplish her wickedness, and who will finish her last actions."},{"chapter":12,"verse":26,"text":"You saw that the great head disappeared. It signifies that one of them will die on his bed, and yet with pain."},{"chapter":12,"verse":27,"text":"But for the two that remained, the sword will devour them."},{"chapter":12,"verse":28,"text":"For the sword of the one will devour him that was with him, but he will also fall by the sword in the last days."},{"chapter":12,"verse":29,"text":"You saw two under wings passing over to the head that is on the right side."},{"chapter":12,"verse":30,"text":"This is the interpretation: These are they whom the Most High has kept to his end. This is the brief reign that was full of trouble, as you saw."},{"chapter":12,"verse":31,"text":"“The lion, whom you saw rising up out of the forest, roaring, speaking to the eagle, and rebuking her for her unrighteousness, and all her words which you have heard,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":32,"text":"this is the anointed one, whom the Most High has kept to the end [of days, who will spring up out of the seed of David, and he will come and speak] to them and reprove them for their wickedness and unrighteousness, and willheap up before them their contemptuous dealings."},{"chapter":12,"verse":33,"text":"For at first he will set them alive in his judgment, and when he has reproved them, he will destroy them."},{"chapter":12,"verse":34,"text":"For he will deliver the rest of my people with mercy, those who have been preserved throughout my borders, and he will make them joyful until the coming of the end, even the day of judgment, about which I have spoken to you from the beginning."},{"chapter":12,"verse":35,"text":"This is the dream that you saw, and this is its interpretation."},{"chapter":12,"verse":36,"text":"Only you have been worthy to know the secret of the Most High."},{"chapter":12,"verse":37,"text":"Therefore write all these things that you have seen in a book, and put it in a secret place."},{"chapter":12,"verse":38,"text":"You shall teach them to the wise of your people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep these secrets."},{"chapter":12,"verse":39,"text":"But wait here yourself seven more days, that you may be shown whatever it pleases the Most High to show you.” Then he departed from me."},{"chapter":12,"verse":40,"text":"It came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and I had not come again into the city, they all gathered together, from the least to the greatest, and came to me, and spoke to me, saying,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":41,"text":"“How have we offended you? What evil have we done against you, that you have utterly forsaken us, and sit in this place?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":42,"text":"For of all the prophets, only you are left to us, like a cluster of the vintage, and like a lamp in a dark place, and like a harbor for a ship saved from the tempest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":43,"text":"Aren’t the evils which have come to us sufficient?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":44,"text":"If you will forsake us, how much better had it been for us if we also had been consumed in the burning of Zion!"},{"chapter":12,"verse":45,"text":"For we are not better than those who died there.” Then they wept with a loud voice. I answered them,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":46,"text":"“Take courage, O Israel! Don’t be sorrowful, you house of Jacob;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":47,"text":"for the Most High remembers you. The Mighty has not forgotten you forever."},{"chapter":12,"verse":48,"text":"As for me, I have not forsaken you. I haven’t departed from you; but I have come into this place to pray for the desolation of Zion, and that I might seek mercy for the humiliation of your sanctuary."},{"chapter":12,"verse":49,"text":"Now go your way, every man to his own house, and after these days I will come to you.”"},{"chapter":12,"verse":50,"text":"So the people went their way into the city, as I told them to do."},{"chapter":12,"verse":51,"text":"But I sat in the field seven days, as the angel commanded me. In those days, I ate only of the flowers of the field, and my food was from plants."},{"chapter":13,"verse":1,"text":"It came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night."},{"chapter":13,"verse":2,"text":"Behold, a wind arose from the sea that moved all its waves."},{"chapter":13,"verse":3,"text":"I saw, and behold, [this wind caused to come up from the midst of the sea something like the appearance of a man. I saw, and behold,] that man flew with the clouds of heaven. When he turned his face to look, everything that he saw trembled."},{"chapter":13,"verse":4,"text":"Whenever the voice went out of his mouth, all who heard his voice melted, like the wax melts when it feels the fire."},{"chapter":13,"verse":5,"text":"After this I saw, and behold, an innumerable multitude of people was gathered together from the four winds of heaven to make war against the man who came out of the sea."},{"chapter":13,"verse":6,"text":"I saw, and behold, he carved himself a great mountain, and flew up onto it."},{"chapter":13,"verse":7,"text":"I tried to see the region or place from which the mountain was carved, and I couldn’t."},{"chapter":13,"verse":8,"text":"After this I saw, and behold, all those who were gathered together to fight against him were very afraid, and yet they dared to fight."},{"chapter":13,"verse":9,"text":"Behold, as he saw the assault of the multitude that came, he didn’t lift up his hand, or hold a spear or any weapon of war;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":10,"text":"but I saw only how he sent out of his mouth something like a flood of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he shot out a storm of sparks."},{"chapter":13,"verse":11,"text":"These were all mixed together: the flood of fire, the flaming breath, and the great storm, and fell upon the assault of the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned up every one of them, so that all of a sudden an innumerable multitude was seen to be nothing but the dust of ashes and the smell of smoke. When I saw this, I was amazed."},{"chapter":13,"verse":12,"text":"Afterward, I saw the same man come down from the mountain, and call to himself another multitude which was peaceful."},{"chapter":13,"verse":13,"text":"Many people came to him. Some of them were glad. Some were sorry. Some of them were bound, and some others brought some of those as offerings. Then through great fear I woke up and prayed to the Most High, and said,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":14,"text":"“You have shown your servant these wonders from the beginning, and have counted me worthy that you should receive my prayer."},{"chapter":13,"verse":15,"text":"Now show me also the interpretation of this dream."},{"chapter":13,"verse":16,"text":"For as I conceive in my understanding, woe to those who will be left in those days! Much more woe to those who are not left!"},{"chapter":13,"verse":17,"text":"For those who were not left will be in heaviness,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":18,"text":"understanding the things that are laid up in the latter days, but not attaining to them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":19,"text":"But woe to them also who are left, because they will see great perils and much distress, like these dreams declare."},{"chapter":13,"verse":20,"text":"Yet is it better for one to be in peril and to come into these things, than to pass away as a cloud out of the world, and not to see the things that will happen in the last days.” He answered me,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":21,"text":"“I will tell you the interpretation of the vision, and I will also open to you the things about which you mentioned."},{"chapter":13,"verse":22,"text":"You have spoken of those who are left behind. This is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":23,"text":"He that will endure the peril in that time will protect those who fall into danger, even those who have works and faith toward the Almighty."},{"chapter":13,"verse":24,"text":"Know therefore that those who are left behind are more blessed than those who are dead."},{"chapter":13,"verse":25,"text":"These are the interpretations of the vision: Whereas you saw a man coming up from the midst of the sea,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":26,"text":"this is he whom the Most High has been keeping for many ages, who by his own self will deliver his creation. He will direct those who are left behind."},{"chapter":13,"verse":27,"text":"Whereas you saw that out of his mouth came wind, fire, and storm,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":28,"text":"and whereas he held neither spear, nor any weapon of war, but destroyed the assault of that multitude which came to fight against him, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":29,"text":"Behold, the days come when the Most High will begin to deliver those who are on the earth."},{"chapter":13,"verse":30,"text":"Astonishment of mind will come upon those who dwell on the earth."},{"chapter":13,"verse":31,"text":"One will plan to make war against another, city against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom."},{"chapter":13,"verse":32,"text":"It will be, when these things come to pass, and the signs happen which I showed you before, then my Son will be revealed, whom you saw as a man ascending."},{"chapter":13,"verse":33,"text":"It will be, when all the nations hear his voice, every man will leave his own land and the battle they have against one another."},{"chapter":13,"verse":34,"text":"An innumerable multitude will be gathered together, as you saw, desiring to come and to fight against him."},{"chapter":13,"verse":35,"text":"But he will stand on the top of Mount Zion."},{"chapter":13,"verse":36,"text":"Zion will come, and will be shown to all men, being prepared and built, like you saw the mountain carved without hands."},{"chapter":13,"verse":37,"text":"My Son will rebuke the nations which have come for their wickedness, with plagues that are like a storm,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":38,"text":"and will rebuke them to their face with their evil thoughts, and the torments with which they will be tormented, which are like a flame. He will destroy them without labor by the law, which is like fire."},{"chapter":13,"verse":39,"text":"Whereas you saw that he gathered to himself another multitude that was peaceful,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":40,"text":"these are the ten tribes which were led away out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmananser the king of the Assyrians led away captive, and he carried them beyond the River, and they were taken into another land."},{"chapter":13,"verse":41,"text":"But they made this plan among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go out into a more distant region, where mankind had never lived,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":42,"text":"that there they might keep their statutes which they had not kept in their own land."},{"chapter":13,"verse":43,"text":"They entered by the narrow passages of the river Euphrates."},{"chapter":13,"verse":44,"text":"For the Most High then did signs for them, and stopped the springs of the River until they had passed over."},{"chapter":13,"verse":45,"text":"For through that country there was a long way to go, namely, of a year and a half. The same region is called Arzareth."},{"chapter":13,"verse":46,"text":"Then they lived there until the latter time. Now when they begin to come again,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":47,"text":"the Most High stops the springs of the River again, that they may go through. Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together with peace."},{"chapter":13,"verse":48,"text":"But those who are left behind of your people are those who are found within my holy border."},{"chapter":13,"verse":49,"text":"It will be therefore when he will destroy the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he will defend the people who remain."},{"chapter":13,"verse":50,"text":"Then he will show them very many wonders.”"},{"chapter":13,"verse":51,"text":"Then I said, “O sovereign Lord, explain this to me: Why have I seen the man coming up from the midst of the sea?”"},{"chapter":13,"verse":52,"text":"He said to me, as no one can explore or know what is in the depths of the sea, even so no man on earth can see my Son, or those who are with him, except in the time of his day."},{"chapter":13,"verse":53,"text":"This is the interpretation of the dream which you saw, and for this only you are enlightened about this,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":54,"text":"for you have forsaken your own ways, and applied your diligence to mine, and have searched out my law."},{"chapter":13,"verse":55,"text":"You have ordered your life in wisdom, and have called understanding your mother."},{"chapter":13,"verse":56,"text":"Therefore I have shown you this, for there is a reward laid up with the Most High. It will be, after another three days I will speak other things to you, and declare to you mighty and wondrous things.”"},{"chapter":13,"verse":57,"text":"Then I went out and passed into the field, giving praise and thanks greatly to the Most High because of his wonders, which he did from time to time,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":58,"text":"and because he governs the time, and such things as happen in their seasons. So I sat there three days."},{"chapter":14,"verse":1,"text":"It came to pass upon the third day, I sat under an oak, and, behold, a voice came out of a bush near me, and said, “Esdras, Esdras!”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":2,"text":"I said, “Here I am, Lord,” and I stood up on my feet."},{"chapter":14,"verse":3,"text":"Then he said to me, “I revealed myself in a bush and talked with Moses when my people were in bondage in Egypt."},{"chapter":14,"verse":4,"text":"I sent him, and he led my people out of Egypt. I brought him up to Mount Sinai, where I kept him with me for many days."},{"chapter":14,"verse":5,"text":"I told him many wondrous things, and showed him the secrets of the times and the end of the seasons. I commanded him, saying,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":6,"text":"‘You shall publish these openly, and these you shall hide.’"},{"chapter":14,"verse":7,"text":"Now I say to you:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":8,"text":"Lay up in your heart the signs that I have shown, the dreams that you have seen, and the interpretations which you have heard;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":9,"text":"for you will be taken away from men, and from now on you will live with my Son and with those who are like you, until the times have ended."},{"chapter":14,"verse":10,"text":"For the world has lost its youth, and the times begin to grow old."},{"chapter":14,"verse":11,"text":"For the age is divided into twelve parts, and ten parts of it are already gone, even the half of the tenth part."},{"chapter":14,"verse":12,"text":"There remain of it two parts after the middle of the tenth part."},{"chapter":14,"verse":13,"text":"Now therefore set your house in order, reprove your people, comfort the lowly among them, and instruct those of them who are wise, and now renounce the life that is corruptible,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":14,"text":"and let go of the mortal thoughts, cast away from you the burdens of man, put off now your weak nature,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":15,"text":"lay aside the thoughts that are most grievous to you, and hurry to escape from these times."},{"chapter":14,"verse":16,"text":"For worse evils than those which you have seen happen will be done after this."},{"chapter":14,"verse":17,"text":"For look how much the world will be weaker through age, so much that more evils will increase on those who dwell in it."},{"chapter":14,"verse":18,"text":"For the truth will withdraw itself further off, and falsehood will be near. For now the eagle which you saw in vision hurries to come.”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":19,"text":"Then I answered and said, “Let me speak in your presence, O Lord."},{"chapter":14,"verse":20,"text":"Behold, I will go, as you have commanded me, and reprove the people who now live, but who will warn those who will be born afterward? For the world is set in darkness, and those who dwell in it are without light."},{"chapter":14,"verse":21,"text":"For your law has been burned, therefore no one knows the things that are done by you, or the works that will be done."},{"chapter":14,"verse":22,"text":"But if I have found favor before you, send the Holy Spirit to me, and I will write all that has been done in the world since the beginning, even the things that were written in your law, that men may be able to find the path, and that those who would live in the latter days may live.”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":23,"text":"He answered me and said, “Go your way, gather the people together, and tell them not to seek you for forty days."},{"chapter":14,"verse":24,"text":"But prepare for yourself many tablets, and take with you Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel, these five, which are ready to write swiftly;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":25,"text":"and come here, and I will light a lamp of understanding in your heart which will not be put out until the things have ended about which you will write."},{"chapter":14,"verse":26,"text":"When you are done, some things you shall publish openly, and some things you shall deliver in secret to the wise. Tomorrow at this hour you will begin to write.”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":27,"text":"Then I went out, as he commanded me, and gathered all the people together, and said,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":28,"text":"“Hear these words, O Israel!"},{"chapter":14,"verse":29,"text":"Our fathers at the beginning were foreigners in Egypt, and they were delivered from there,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":30,"text":"and received the law of life, which they didn’t keep, which you also have transgressed after them."},{"chapter":14,"verse":31,"text":"Then the land of Zion was given to you for a possession; but you yourselves and your ancestors have done unrighteousness, and have not kept the ways which the Most High commanded you."},{"chapter":14,"verse":32,"text":"Because he is a righteous judge, in due time, he took from you what he had given you."},{"chapter":14,"verse":33,"text":"Now you are here, and your kindred are among you."},{"chapter":14,"verse":34,"text":"Therefore if you will rule over your own understanding and instruct your hearts, you will be kept alive, and after death you will obtain mercy."},{"chapter":14,"verse":35,"text":"For after death the judgment will come, when we will live again. Then the names of the righteous will become manifest, and the works of the ungodly will be declared."},{"chapter":14,"verse":36,"text":"Let no one therefore come to me now, nor seek me for forty days.”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":37,"text":"So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went out into the field, and remained there."},{"chapter":14,"verse":38,"text":"It came to pass on the next day that, behold, a voice called me, saying, “Esdras, open your mouth, and drink what I give you to drink.”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":39,"text":"Then opened I my mouth, and behold, a full cup was handed to me. It was full of something like water, but its color was like fire."},{"chapter":14,"verse":40,"text":"I took it, and drank. When I had drunk it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my chest, for my spirit retained its memory."},{"chapter":14,"verse":41,"text":"My mouth was opened, and shut no more."},{"chapter":14,"verse":42,"text":"The Most High gave understanding to the five men, and they wrote by course the things that were told them, in characters which they didn’t know, and they sat forty days. Now they wrote in the day-time, and at night they ate bread."},{"chapter":14,"verse":43,"text":"As for me, I spoke in the day, and by night I didn’t hold my tongue."},{"chapter":14,"verse":44,"text":"So in forty days, ninety-four books were written."},{"chapter":14,"verse":45,"text":"It came to pass, when the forty days were fulfilled, that the Most High spoke to me, saying, “The first books that you have written, publish openly, and let the worthy and unworthy read them;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":46,"text":"but keep the last seventy, that you may deliver them to those who are wise among your people;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":47,"text":"for in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge.”"},{"chapter":14,"verse":48,"text":"I did so."},{"chapter":15,"verse":1,"text":"“Behold, speak in the ears of my people the words of prophecy which I will put in your mouth,” says the Lord."},{"chapter":15,"verse":2,"text":"“Cause them to be written on paper, for they are faithful and true."},{"chapter":15,"verse":3,"text":"Don’t be afraid of their plots against you. Don’t let the unbelief of those who speak against you trouble you."},{"chapter":15,"verse":4,"text":"For all the unbelievers will die in their unbelief."},{"chapter":15,"verse":5,"text":"“Behold,” says the Lord, “I bring evils on the whole earth: sword, famine, death, and destruction."},{"chapter":15,"verse":6,"text":"For wickedness has prevailed over every land, and their hurtful works have reached their limit."},{"chapter":15,"verse":7,"text":"Therefore,” says the Lord,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":8,"text":"“I will hold my peace no more concerning their wickedness which they profanely commit, neither will I tolerate them in these things, which they wickedly practice. Behold, the innocent and righteous blood cries to me, and the souls of the righteous cry out continually."},{"chapter":15,"verse":9,"text":"I will surely avenge them,” says the Lord, “and will receive to me all the innocent blood from among them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":10,"text":"Behold, my people are led like a flock to the slaughter. I will not allow them now to dwell in the land of Egypt,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":11,"text":"but I will bring them out with a mighty hand and with a high arm, and will strike Egypt with plagues, as before, and will destroy all its land.”"},{"chapter":15,"verse":12,"text":"Let Egypt and its foundations mourn, for the plague of the chastisement and the punishment that God will bring upon it."},{"chapter":15,"verse":13,"text":"Let the farmers that till the ground mourn, for their seeds will fail and their trees will be ruined through the blight and hail, and a terrible tempest."},{"chapter":15,"verse":14,"text":"Woe to the world and those who dwell in it!"},{"chapter":15,"verse":15,"text":"For the sword and their destruction draws near, and nation will rise up against nation to battle with weapons in their hands."},{"chapter":15,"verse":16,"text":"For there will be sedition among men, and growing strong against one another. In their might, they won’t respect their king or the chief of their great ones."},{"chapter":15,"verse":17,"text":"For a man will desire to go into a city, and will not be able."},{"chapter":15,"verse":18,"text":"For because of their pride the cities will be troubled, the houses will be destroyed, and men will be afraid."},{"chapter":15,"verse":19,"text":"A man will have no pity on his neighbors, but will assault their houses with the sword and plunder their goods, because of the lack of bread, and for great suffering."},{"chapter":15,"verse":20,"text":"“Behold,” says God, “I call together all the kings of the earth to stir up those who are from the rising of the sun, from the south, from the east, and Libanus, to turn themselves one against another, and repay the things that they have done to them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":21,"text":"Just as they do yet this day to my chosen, so I will do also, and repay into their bosom.” The Lord God says:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":22,"text":"“My right hand won’t spare the sinners, and my sword won’t cease over those who shed innocent blood on the earth."},{"chapter":15,"verse":23,"text":"A fire has gone out from his wrath and has consumed the foundations of the earth and the sinners, like burnt straw."},{"chapter":15,"verse":24,"text":"Woe to those who sin and don’t keep my commandments!” says the Lord."},{"chapter":15,"verse":25,"text":"“I will not spare them. Go your way, you rebellious children! Don’t defile my sanctuary!”"},{"chapter":15,"verse":26,"text":"For the Lord knows all those who trespass against him, therefore he will deliver them to death and destruction."},{"chapter":15,"verse":27,"text":"For now evils have come upon the whole earth, and you will remain in them; for God will not deliver you, because you have sinned against him."},{"chapter":15,"verse":28,"text":"Behold, a horrible sight appearing from the east!"},{"chapter":15,"verse":29,"text":"The nations of the dragons of Arabia will come out with many chariots. From the day that they set out, their hissing is carried over the earth, so that all those who will hear them may also fear and tremble."},{"chapter":15,"verse":30,"text":"Also the Carmonians, raging in wrath, will go out like the wild boars of the forest. They will come with great power and join battle with them, and will devastate a portion of the land of the Assyrians with their teeth."},{"chapter":15,"verse":31,"text":"Then the dragons will have the upper hand, remembering their nature. If they will turn themselves, conspiring together in great power to persecute them,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":32,"text":"then these will be troubled, and keep silence through their power, and will turn and flee."},{"chapter":15,"verse":33,"text":"From the land of the Assyrians, an enemy in ambush will attack them and destroy one of them. Upon their army will be fear and trembling, and indecision upon their kings."},{"chapter":15,"verse":34,"text":"Behold, clouds from the east, and from the north to the south! They are very horrible to look at, full of wrath and storm."},{"chapter":15,"verse":35,"text":"They will clash against one another. They will pour out a heavy storm on the earth, even their own storm. There will be blood from the sword to the horse’s belly,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":36,"text":"and to the thigh of man, and to the camel’s hock."},{"chapter":15,"verse":37,"text":"There will be fearfulness and great trembling upon earth. They who see that wrath will be afraid, and trembling will seize them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":38,"text":"After this, great storms will be stirred up from the south, from the north, and another part from the west."},{"chapter":15,"verse":39,"text":"Strong winds will arise from the east, and will shut it up, even the cloud which he raised up in wrath; and the storm that was to cause destruction by the east wind will be violently driven toward the south and west."},{"chapter":15,"verse":40,"text":"Great and mighty clouds, full of wrath, will be lifted up with the storm, that they may destroy all the earth and those who dwell in it. They will pour out over every high and lofty one a terrible storm,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":41,"text":"fire, hail, flying swords, and many waters, that all plains may be full, and all rivers, with the abundance of those waters."},{"chapter":15,"verse":42,"text":"They will break down the cities and walls, mountains and hills, trees of the forest, and grass of the meadows, and their grain."},{"chapter":15,"verse":43,"text":"They will go on steadily to Babylon and destroy her."},{"chapter":15,"verse":44,"text":"They will come to it and surround it. They will pour out the storm and all wrath on her. Then the dust and smoke will go up to the sky, and all those who are around it will mourn for it."},{"chapter":15,"verse":45,"text":"Those who remain will serve those who have destroyed it."},{"chapter":15,"verse":46,"text":"You, Asia, who are partaker in the beauty of Babylon, and in the glory of her person—"},{"chapter":15,"verse":47,"text":"woe to you, you wretch, because you have made yourself like her. You have decked out your daughters for prostitution, that they might please and glory in your lovers, which have always lusted after you!"},{"chapter":15,"verse":48,"text":"You have followed her who is hateful in all her works and inventions. Therefore God says,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":49,"text":"“I will send evils on you: widowhood, poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence, to lay waste your houses and bring you to destruction and death."},{"chapter":15,"verse":50,"text":"The glory of your power will be dried up like a flower when the heat rises that is sent over you."},{"chapter":15,"verse":51,"text":"You will be weakened like a poor woman who is beaten and wounded, so that you won’t be able to receive your mighty ones and your lovers."},{"chapter":15,"verse":52,"text":"Would I have dealt with you with such jealousy,” says the Lord,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":53,"text":"“if you had not always slain my chosen, exalting and clapping your hands, and talking about their dead when you were drunk?"},{"chapter":15,"verse":54,"text":"“Beautify your face!"},{"chapter":15,"verse":55,"text":"The reward of a prostitute will be in your bosom, therefore you will be repaid."},{"chapter":15,"verse":56,"text":"Just as you will do to my chosen,” says the Lord, “even so God will do to you, and will deliver you to your adversaries."},{"chapter":15,"verse":57,"text":"Your children will die of hunger. You will fall by the sword. Your cities will be broken down, and all your people in the field will perish by the sword."},{"chapter":15,"verse":58,"text":"Those who are in the mountains will die of hunger, eat their own flesh, and drink their own blood, because of hunger for bread and thirst for water."},{"chapter":15,"verse":59,"text":"You, unhappy above all others, will come and will again receive evils."},{"chapter":15,"verse":60,"text":"In the passage, they will rush on the hateful city and will destroy some portion of your land, and mar part of your glory, and will return again to Babylon that was destroyed."},{"chapter":15,"verse":61,"text":"You will be cast down by them as stubble, and they will be to you as fire."},{"chapter":15,"verse":62,"text":"They will devour you, your cities, your land, and your mountains. They will burn all your forests and your fruitful trees with fire."},{"chapter":15,"verse":63,"text":"They will carry your children away captive, and will plunder your wealth, and mar the glory of your face.”"},{"chapter":16,"verse":1,"text":"Woe to you, Babylon, and Asia! Woe to you, Egypt and Syria!"},{"chapter":16,"verse":2,"text":"Put on sackcloth and garments of goats’ hair, wail for your children and lament; for your destruction is at hand."},{"chapter":16,"verse":3,"text":"A sword has been sent upon you, and who is there to turn it back?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":4,"text":"A fire has been sent upon you, and who is there to quench it?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":5,"text":"Calamities are sent upon you, and who is there to drive them away?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":6,"text":"Can one drive away a hungry lion in the forest? Can one quench a fire in stubble, once it has begun to burn?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":7,"text":"Can one turn back an arrow that is shot by a strong archer?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":8,"text":"The Lord God sends the calamities, and who will drive them away?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":9,"text":"A fire will go out from his wrath, and who may quench it?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":10,"text":"He will flash lightning, and who will not fear? He will thunder, and who wouldn’t tremble?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":11,"text":"The Lord will threaten, and who will not be utterly broken in pieces at his presence?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":12,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":13,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":14,"text":"Behold, the calamities are sent out, and will not return again until they come upon the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":15,"text":"The fire is kindled and will not be put out until it consumes the foundations of the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":16,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":17,"text":"Woe is me! Woe is me! Who will deliver me in those days?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":18,"text":"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?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":19,"text":"Behold, famine and plague, suffering and anguish! They are sent as scourges for correction."},{"chapter":16,"verse":20,"text":"But for all these things they will not turn them from their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges."},{"chapter":16,"verse":21,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":22,"text":"For many of those who dwell on earth will perish of famine; and others who escape the famine, the sword will destroy."},{"chapter":16,"verse":23,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":24,"text":"There will be no farmer left to cultivate the earth or to sow it."},{"chapter":16,"verse":25,"text":"The trees will give fruit, but who will gather it?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":26,"text":"The grapes will ripen, but who will tread them? For in all places there will be a great solitude;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":27,"text":"for one man will desire to see another, or to hear his voice."},{"chapter":16,"verse":28,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":29,"text":"As in an orchard of olives upon every tree there may be left three or four olives,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":30,"text":"or as when a vineyard is gathered, there are some clusters left by those who diligently search through the vineyard,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":31,"text":"even so in those days, there will be three or four left by those who search their houses with the sword."},{"chapter":16,"verse":32,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":33,"text":"The virgins will mourn, having no bridegrooms. The women will mourn, having no husbands. Their daughters will mourn, having no helpers."},{"chapter":16,"verse":34,"text":"Their bridegrooms will be destroyed in the wars, and their husbands will perish of famine."},{"chapter":16,"verse":35,"text":"Hear now these things, and understand them, you servants of the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":36,"text":"Behold, the Lord’s word: receive it. Don’t doubt the things about which the Lord speaks."},{"chapter":16,"verse":37,"text":"Behold, the calamities draw near, and are not delayed."},{"chapter":16,"verse":38,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":39,"text":"even so the calamities won’t delay coming upon the earth. The world will groan, and sorrows will seize it on every side."},{"chapter":16,"verse":40,"text":"“O my people, hear my word: prepare for battle, and in those calamities be like strangers on the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":41,"text":"He who sells, let him be as he who flees away, and he who buys, as one who will lose."},{"chapter":16,"verse":42,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":43,"text":"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,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":44,"text":"those who marry, as those who will have no children, and those who don’t marry, as the widowed."},{"chapter":16,"verse":45,"text":"Because of this, those who labor, labor in vain;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":46,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":47,"text":"Those who conduct business, do so only to be plundered. The more they adorn their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":48,"text":"the more I will hate them for their sins,” says the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":49,"text":"Just as a respectable and virtuous woman hates a prostitute,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":50,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":51,"text":"Therefore don’t be like her or her works."},{"chapter":16,"verse":52,"text":"For yet a little while, and iniquity will be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness will reign over us."},{"chapter":16,"verse":53,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":16,"verse":54,"text":"Behold, the Lord knows all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts."},{"chapter":16,"verse":55,"text":"He said, “Let the earth be made,” and it was made, “Let the sky be made,” and it was made."},{"chapter":16,"verse":56,"text":"At his word, the stars were established, and he knows the number of the stars."},{"chapter":16,"verse":57,"text":"He searches the deep and its treasures. He has measured the sea and what it contains."},{"chapter":16,"verse":58,"text":"He has shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and with his word, he hung the earth over the waters."},{"chapter":16,"verse":59,"text":"He has spread out the sky like a vault. He has founded it over the waters."},{"chapter":16,"verse":60,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":61,"text":"He formed man, and put a heart in the midst of the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":62,"text":"yes, the spirit of God Almighty. He who made all things and searches out hidden things in hidden places,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":63,"text":"surely he knows your imagination, and what you think in your hearts. Woe to those who sin, and try to hide their sin!"},{"chapter":16,"verse":64,"text":"Because the Lord will exactly investigate all your works, and he will put you all to shame."},{"chapter":16,"verse":65,"text":"When your sins are brought out before men, you will be ashamed, and your own iniquities will stand as your accusers in that day."},{"chapter":16,"verse":66,"text":"What will you do? Or how will you hide your sins before God and his angels?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":67,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":68,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":69,"text":"Those who consent to them will be held in derision and in contempt, and be trodden under foot."},{"chapter":16,"verse":70,"text":"For there will be in various places, and in the next cities, a great insurrection against those who fear the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":71,"text":"They will be like mad men, sparing none, but spoiling and destroying those who still fear the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":72,"text":"For they will destroy and plunder their goods, and throw them out of their houses."},{"chapter":16,"verse":73,"text":"Then the trial of my elect will be made known, even as the gold that is tried in the fire."},{"chapter":16,"verse":74,"text":"Hear, my elect ones, says the Lord: “Behold, the days of suffering are at hand, and I will deliver you from them."},{"chapter":16,"verse":75,"text":"Don’t be afraid, and don’t doubt, for God is your guide."},{"chapter":16,"verse":76,"text":"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.”"},{"chapter":16,"verse":77,"text":"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!"},{"chapter":16,"verse":78,"text":"It is shut off and given up to be consumed by fire."}]},{"code":"KJV","name":"King James Version","language":"en","source":"King James Version (1769), public domain. Text from eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"The second book of the prophet Esdras, the son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Helchias, the son of Sadamias, the son of Sadoc, the son of Achitob,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"The son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Borith, the son of Abisei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"The son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artexerxes king of the Persians."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"Go thy way, and shew my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children’s children:"},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"Because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto strange gods."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"Am not I even he that brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and despised my counsels."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"Pull thou off then the hair of thy head, and cast all evil upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"How long shall I forbear them, into whom I have done so much good?"},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes; Pharaoh with his servants and all his power have I smitten down."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"All the nations have I destroyed before them, and in the east I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon, and have slain all their enemies."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Speak thou therefore unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"I led you through the sea and in the beginning gave you a large and safe passage; I gave you Moses for a leader, and Aaron for a priest."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you; yet have ye forgotten me, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as a token to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard: nevertheless ye murmured there,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"And triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur."},{"chapter":1,"verse":17,"text":"Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when ye were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry unto me,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":18,"text":"Saying, Why hast thou brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness."},{"chapter":1,"verse":19,"text":"Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave you manna to eat; so ye did eat angels’ bread."},{"chapter":1,"verse":20,"text":"When ye were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees."},{"chapter":1,"verse":21,"text":"I divided among you a fruitful land, I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you: what shall I yet do more for you? saith the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":22,"text":"Thus saith the Almighty Lord, When ye were in the wilderness, in the river of the Amorites, being athirst, and blaspheming my name,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":23,"text":"I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but cast a tree in the water, and made the river sweet."},{"chapter":1,"verse":24,"text":"What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? thou, Juda, wouldest not obey me: I will turn me to other nations, and unto those will I give my name, that they may keep my statutes."},{"chapter":1,"verse":25,"text":"Seeing ye have forsaken me, I will forsake you also; when ye desire me to be gracious unto you, I shall have no mercy upon you."},{"chapter":1,"verse":26,"text":"Whensoever ye shall call upon me, I will not hear you: for ye have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit manslaughter."},{"chapter":1,"verse":27,"text":"Ye have not as it were forsaken me, but your own selves, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":28,"text":"Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have I not prayed you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":29,"text":"That ye would be my people, and I should be your God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your father?"},{"chapter":1,"verse":30,"text":"I gathered you together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do unto you? I will cast you out from my face."},{"chapter":1,"verse":31,"text":"When ye offer unto me, I will turn my face from you: for your solemn feastdays, your new moons, and your circumcisions, have I forsaken."},{"chapter":1,"verse":32,"text":"I sent unto you my servants the prophets, whom ye have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require of your hands, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":1,"verse":33,"text":"Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is desolate, I will cast you out as the wind doth stubble."},{"chapter":1,"verse":34,"text":"And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have despised my commandment, and done the thing that is an evil before me."},{"chapter":1,"verse":35,"text":"Your houses will I give to a people that shall come; which not having heard of me yet shall believe me; to whom I have shewed no signs, yet they shall do that I have commanded them."},{"chapter":1,"verse":36,"text":"They have seen no prophets, yet they shall call their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them."},{"chapter":1,"verse":37,"text":"I take to witness the grace of the people to come, whose little ones rejoice in gladness: and though they have not seen me with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they believe the thing that I say."},{"chapter":1,"verse":38,"text":"And now, brother, behold what glory; and see the people that come from the east:"},{"chapter":1,"verse":39,"text":"Unto whom I will give for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":40,"text":"Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggeus, Zachary, and Malachy, which is called also an angel of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"Thus saith the Lord, I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave them my commandments by my servants the prophets; whom they would not hear, but despised my counsels."},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"The mother that bare them saith unto them, Go your way, ye children; for I am a widow and forsaken."},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"I brought you up with gladness; but with sorrow and heaviness have I lost you: for ye have sinned before the Lord your God, and done that thing that is evil before him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"But what shall I now do unto you? I am a widow and forsaken: go your way, O my children, and ask mercy of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness over the mother of these children, which would not keep my covenant,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"That thou bring them to confusion, and their mother to a spoil, that there may be no offspring of them."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen, let their names be put out of the earth: for they have despised my covenant."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the unrighteous in thee! O thou wicked people, remember what I did unto Sodom and Gomorrha;"},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"Whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so also will I do unto them that hear me not, saith the Almighty Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given unto Israel."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary."},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"Go, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already prepared for you: watch."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"Take heaven and earth to witness; for I have broken the evil in pieces, and created the good: for I live, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"Mother, embrace thy children, and bring them up with gladness, make their feet as fast as a pillar: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of the graves: for I have known my name in Israel."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"For thy help will I send my servants Esay and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"And as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill thy children with joy."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness."},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"Keep the old and young within thy walls."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness still come."},{"chapter":2,"verse":25,"text":"Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish their feet."},{"chapter":2,"verse":26,"text":"As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number."},{"chapter":2,"verse":27,"text":"Be not weary: for when the day of trouble and heaviness cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance."},{"chapter":2,"verse":28,"text":"The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":29,"text":"My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children shall not see hell."},{"chapter":2,"verse":30,"text":"Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":31,"text":"Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the sides of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":32,"text":"Embrace thy children until I come and shew mercy unto them: for my wells run over, and my grace shall not fail."},{"chapter":2,"verse":33,"text":"I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":34,"text":"And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world."},{"chapter":2,"verse":35,"text":"Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore."},{"chapter":2,"verse":36,"text":"Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly."},{"chapter":2,"verse":37,"text":"O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom."},{"chapter":2,"verse":38,"text":"Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;"},{"chapter":2,"verse":39,"text":"Which are departed from the shadow of the world, and have received glorious garments of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":40,"text":"Take thy number, O Sion, and shut up those of thine that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":41,"text":"The number of thy children, whom thou longedst for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that thy people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed."},{"chapter":2,"verse":42,"text":"I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs."},{"chapter":2,"verse":43,"text":"And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly."},{"chapter":2,"verse":44,"text":"So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?"},{"chapter":2,"verse":45,"text":"He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms."},{"chapter":2,"verse":46,"text":"Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?"},{"chapter":2,"verse":47,"text":"So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":48,"text":"Then the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast seen."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"In the thirtieth year after the ruin of the city I was in Babylon, and lay troubled upon my bed, and my thoughts came up over my heart:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"For I saw the desolation of Sion, and the wealth of them that dwelt at Babylon."},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"And my spirit was sore moved, so that I began to speak words full of fear to the most High, and said,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"O Lord, who bearest rule, thou spakest at the beginning, when thou didst plant the earth, and that thyself alone, and commandedst the people,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"And gavest a body unto Adam without soul, which was the workmanship of thine hands, and didst breathe into him the breath of life, and he was made living before thee."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"And thou leadest him into paradise, which thy right hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"And unto him thou gavest commandment to love thy way: which he transgressed, and immediately thou appointedst death in him and in his generations, of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds, out of number."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"And every people walked after their own will, and did wonderful things before thee, and despised thy commandments."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"And again in process of time thou broughtest the flood upon those that dwelt in the world, and destroyedst them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"And it came to pass in every of them, that as death was to Adam, so was the flood to these."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"Nevertheless one of them thou leftest, namely, Noah with his household, of whom came all righteous men."},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"And it happened, that when they that dwelt upon the earth began to multiply, and had gotten them many children, and were a great people, they began again to be more ungodly than the first."},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"Now when they lived so wickedly before thee, thou didst choose thee a man from among them, whose name was Abraham."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"Him thou lovedst, and unto him only thou shewedst thy will:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"And madest an everlasting covenant with him, promising him that thou wouldest never forsake his seed."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"And unto him thou gavest Isaac, and unto Isaac also thou gavest Jacob and Esau. As for Jacob, thou didst choose him to thee, and put by Esau: and so Jacob became a great multitude."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"And it came to pass, that when thou leadest his seed out of Egypt, thou broughtest them up to the mount Sinai."},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"And bowing the heavens, thou didst set fast the earth, movedst the whole world, and madest the depths to tremble, and troubledst the men of that age."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"And thy glory went through four gates, of fire, and of earthquake, and of wind, and of cold; that thou mightest give the law unto the seed of Jacob, and diligence unto the generation of Israel."},{"chapter":3,"verse":20,"text":"And yet tookest thou not away from them a wicked heart, that thy law might bring forth fruit in them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":21,"text":"For the first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed, and was overcome; and so be all they that are born of him."},{"chapter":3,"verse":22,"text":"Thus infirmity was made permanent; and the law (also) in the heart of the people with the malignity of the root; so that the good departed away, and the evil abode still."},{"chapter":3,"verse":23,"text":"So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end: then didst thou raise thee up a servant, called David:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":24,"text":"Whom thou commandedst to build a city unto thy name, and to offer incense and oblations unto thee therein."},{"chapter":3,"verse":25,"text":"When this was done many years, then they that inhabited the city forsook thee,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":26,"text":"And in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done: for they also had a wicked heart:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":27,"text":"And so thou gavest thy city over into the hands of thine enemies."},{"chapter":3,"verse":28,"text":"Are their deeds then any better that inhabit Babylon, that they should therefore have the dominion over Sion?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":29,"text":"For when I came thither, and had seen impieties without number, then my soul saw many evildoers in this thirtieth year, so that my heart failed me."},{"chapter":3,"verse":30,"text":"For I have seen how thou sufferest them sinning, and hast spared wicked doers: and hast destroyed thy people, and hast preserved thine enemies, and hast not signified it."},{"chapter":3,"verse":31,"text":"I do not remember how this way may be left: Are they then of Babylon better than they of Sion?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":32,"text":"Or is there any other people that knoweth thee beside Israel? or what generation hath so believed thy covenants as Jacob?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":33,"text":"And yet their reward appeareth not, and their labour hath no fruit: for I have gone here and there through the heathen, and I see that they flow in wealth, and think not upon thy commandments."},{"chapter":3,"verse":34,"text":"Weigh thou therefore our wickedness now in the balance, and their’s also that dwell the world; and so shall thy name no where be found but in Israel."},{"chapter":3,"verse":35,"text":"Or when was it that they which dwell upon the earth have not sinned in thy sight? or what people have so kept thy commandments?"},{"chapter":3,"verse":36,"text":"Thou shalt find that Israel by name hath kept thy precepts; but not the heathen."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"And said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"Then said I, Yea, my lord. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to shew thee three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before thee:"},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"Whereof if thou canst declare me one, I will shew thee also the way that thou desirest to see, and I shall shew thee from whence the wicked heart cometh."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"And I said, Tell on, my lord. Then said he unto me, Go thy way, weigh me the weight of the fire, or measure me the blast of the wind, or call me again the day that is past."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"Then answered I and said, What man is able to do that, that thou shouldest ask such things of me?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"And he said unto me, If I should ask thee how great dwellings are in the midst of the sea, or how many springs are in the beginning of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or which are the outgoings of paradise:"},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day wherethrough thou hast passed, and of things from which thou canst not be separated, and yet canst thou give me no answer of them."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;"},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore."},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"The floods of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the woods of the plain, that there also we may make us another country."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped them."},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom wouldest thou condemn?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"I answered and said, Verily it is a foolish thought that they both have devised, for the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea also hath his place to bear his floods."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, but why judgest thou not thyself also?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":21,"text":"For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens."},{"chapter":4,"verse":22,"text":"Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:"},{"chapter":4,"verse":23,"text":"For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pass by us daily, namely, wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":24,"text":"And we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear, and we are not worthy to obtain mercy."},{"chapter":4,"verse":25,"text":"What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked."},{"chapter":4,"verse":26,"text":"Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast to pass away,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":27,"text":"And cannot comprehend the things that are promised to the righteous in time to come: for this world is full of unrighteousness and infirmities."},{"chapter":4,"verse":28,"text":"But as concerning the things whereof thou askest me, I will tell thee; for the evil is sown, but the destruction thereof is not yet come."},{"chapter":4,"verse":29,"text":"If therefore that which is sown be not turned upside down, and if the place where the evil is sown pass not away, then cannot it come that is sown with good."},{"chapter":4,"verse":30,"text":"For the grain of evil seed hath been sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much ungodliness hath it brought up unto this time? and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":31,"text":"Ponder now by thyself, how great fruit of wickedness the grain of evil seed hath brought forth."},{"chapter":4,"verse":32,"text":"And when the ears shall be cut down, which are without number, how great a floor shall they fill?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":33,"text":"Then I answered and said, How, and when shall these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and evil?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":34,"text":"And he answered me, saying, Do not thou hasten above the most Highest: for thy haste is in vain to be above him, for thou hast much exceeded."},{"chapter":4,"verse":35,"text":"Did not the souls also of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, How long shall I hope on this fashion? when cometh the fruit of the floor of our reward?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":36,"text":"And unto these things Uriel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance."},{"chapter":4,"verse":37,"text":"By measure hath he measured the times; and by number hath he numbered the times; and he doth not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled."},{"chapter":4,"verse":38,"text":"Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, even we all are full of impiety."},{"chapter":4,"verse":39,"text":"And for our sakes peradventure it is that the floors of the righteous are not filled, because of the sins of them that dwell upon the earth."},{"chapter":4,"verse":40,"text":"So he answered me, and said, Go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she hath fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer within her."},{"chapter":4,"verse":41,"text":"Then said I, No, Lord, that can she not. And he said unto me, In the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb of a woman:"},{"chapter":4,"verse":42,"text":"For like as a woman that travaileth maketh haste to escape the necessity of the travail: even so do these places haste to deliver those things that are committed unto them."},{"chapter":4,"verse":43,"text":"From the beginning, look, what thou desirest to see, it shall be shewed thee."},{"chapter":4,"verse":44,"text":"Then answered I and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, and if it be possible, and if I be meet therefore,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":45,"text":"Shew me then whether there be more to come than is past, or more past than is to come."},{"chapter":4,"verse":46,"text":"What is past I know, but what is for to come I know not."},{"chapter":4,"verse":47,"text":"And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side, and I shall expound the similitude unto thee."},{"chapter":4,"verse":48,"text":"So I stood, and saw, and, behold, an hot burning oven passed by before me: and it happened that when the flame was gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke remained still."},{"chapter":4,"verse":49,"text":"After this there passed by before me a watery cloud, and sent down much rain with a storm; and when the stormy rain was past, the drops remained still."},{"chapter":4,"verse":50,"text":"Then said he unto me, Consider with thyself; as the rain is more than the drops, and as the fire is greater than the smoke; but the drops and the smoke remain behind: so the quantity which is past did more exceed."},{"chapter":4,"verse":51,"text":"Then I prayed, and said, May I live, thinkest thou, until that time? or what shall happen in those days?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":52,"text":"He answered me, and said, As for the tokens whereof thou askest me, I may tell thee of them in part: but as touching thy life, I am not sent to shew thee; for I do not know it."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Nevertheless as concerning the tokens, behold, the days shall come, that they which dwell upon earth shall be taken in a great number, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith."},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"But iniquity shall be increased above that which now thou seest, or that thou hast heard long ago."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"And the land, that thou seest now to have root, shalt thou see wasted suddenly."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"But if the most High grant thee to live, thou shalt see after the third trumpet that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night, and the moon thrice in the day:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"And blood shall drop out of wood, and the stone shall give his voice, and the people shall be troubled:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"And even he shall rule, whom they look not for that dwell upon the earth, and the fowls shall take their flight away together:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"And the Sodomitish sea shall cast out fish, and make a noise in the night, which many have not known: but they shall all hear the voice thereof."},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"There shall be a confusion also in many places, and the fire shall be oft sent out again, and the wild beasts shall change their places, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall destroy one another; then shall wit hide itself, and understanding withdraw itself into his secret chamber,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"And shall be sought of many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied upon earth."},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"One land also shall ask another, and say, Is righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through thee? And it shall say, No."},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"At the same time shall men hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper."},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"To shew thee such tokens I have leave; and if thou wilt pray again, and weep as now, and fast even days, thou shalt hear yet greater things."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"Then I awaked, and an extreme fearfulness went through all my body, and my mind was troubled, so that it fainted."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"So the angel that was come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"And in the second night it came to pass, that Salathiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where hast thou been? and why is thy countenance so heavy?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"Knowest thou not that Israel is committed unto thee in the land of their captivity?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"Up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd that leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"Then said I unto him, Go thy ways from me, and come not nigh me. And he heard what I said, and went from me."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"And after seven days so it was, that the thoughts of my heart were very grievous unto me again,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"And my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began to talk with the most High again,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"And said, O Lord that bearest rule, of every wood of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, thou hast chosen thee one only vine:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":24,"text":"And of all lands of the whole world thou hast chosen thee one pit: and of all the flowers thereof one lily:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":25,"text":"And of all the depths of the sea thou hast filled thee one river: and of all builded cities thou hast hallowed Sion unto thyself:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":26,"text":"And of all the fowls that are created thou hast named thee one dove: and of all the cattle that are made thou hast provided thee one sheep:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":27,"text":"And among all the multitudes of people thou hast gotten thee one people: and unto this people, whom thou lovedst, thou gavest a law that is approved of all."},{"chapter":5,"verse":28,"text":"And now, O Lord, why hast thou given this one people over unto many? and upon the one root hast thou prepared others, and why hast thou scattered thy only one people among many?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":29,"text":"And they which did gainsay thy promises, and believed not thy covenants, have trodden them down."},{"chapter":5,"verse":30,"text":"If thou didst so much hate thy people, yet shouldest thou punish them with thine own hands."},{"chapter":5,"verse":31,"text":"Now when I had spoken these words, the angel that came to me the night afore was sent unto me,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":32,"text":"And said unto me, Hear me, and I will instruct thee; hearken to the thing that I say, and I shall tell thee more."},{"chapter":5,"verse":33,"text":"And I said, Speak on, my Lord. Then said he unto me, Thou art sore troubled in mind for Israel’s sake: lovest thou that people better than he that made them?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":34,"text":"And I said, No, Lord: but of very grief have I spoken: for my reins pain me every hour, while I labour to comprehend the way of the most High, and to seek out part of his judgment."},{"chapter":5,"verse":35,"text":"And he said unto me, Thou canst not. And I said, Wherefore, Lord? whereunto was I born then? or why was not my mother’s womb then my grave, that I might not have seen the travail of Jacob, and the wearisome toil of the stock of Israel?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":36,"text":"And he said unto me, Number me the things that are not yet come, gather me together the dross that are scattered abroad, make me the flowers green again that are withered,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":37,"text":"Open me the places that are closed, and bring me forth the winds that in them are shut up, shew me the image of a voice: and then I will declare to thee the thing that thou labourest to know."},{"chapter":5,"verse":38,"text":"And I said, O Lord that bearest rule, who may know these things, but he that hath not his dwelling with men?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":39,"text":"As for me, I am unwise: how may I then speak of these things whereof thou askest me?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":40,"text":"Then said he unto me, Like as thou canst do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so canst thou not find out my judgment, or in the end the love that I have promised unto my people."},{"chapter":5,"verse":41,"text":"And I said, Behold, O Lord, yet art thou nigh unto them that be reserved till the end: and what shall they do that have been before me, or we that be now, or they that shall come after us?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":42,"text":"And he said unto me, I will liken my judgment unto a ring: like as there is no slackness of the last, even so there is no swiftness of the first."},{"chapter":5,"verse":43,"text":"So I answered and said, Couldest thou not make those that have been made, and be now, and that are for to come, at once; that thou mightest shew thy judgment the sooner?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":44,"text":"Then answered he me, and said, The creature may not haste above the maker; neither may the world hold them at once that shall be created therein."},{"chapter":5,"verse":45,"text":"And I said, As thou hast said unto thy servant, that thou, which givest life to all, hast given life at once to the creature that thou hast created, and the creature bare it: even so it might now also bear them that now be present at once."},{"chapter":5,"verse":46,"text":"And he said unto me, Ask the womb of a woman, and say unto her, If thou bringest forth children, why dost thou it not together, but one after another? pray her therefore to bring forth ten children at once."},{"chapter":5,"verse":47,"text":"And I said, She cannot: but must do it by distance of time."},{"chapter":5,"verse":48,"text":"Then said he unto me, Even so have I given the womb of the earth to those that be sown in it in their times."},{"chapter":5,"verse":49,"text":"For like as a young child may not bring forth the things that belong to the aged, even so have I disposed the world which I created."},{"chapter":5,"verse":50,"text":"And I asked, and said, Seeing thou hast now given me the way, I will proceed to speak before thee: for our mother, of whom thou hast told me that she is young, draweth now nigh unto age."},{"chapter":5,"verse":51,"text":"He answered me, and said, Ask a woman that beareth children, and she shall tell thee."},{"chapter":5,"verse":52,"text":"Say unto her, Wherefore are unto they whom thou hast now brought forth like those that were before, but less of stature?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":53,"text":"And she 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."},{"chapter":5,"verse":54,"text":"Consider thou therefore also, how that ye are less of stature than those that were before you."},{"chapter":5,"verse":55,"text":"And so are they that come after you less than ye, as the creatures which now begin to be old, and have passed over the strength of youth."},{"chapter":5,"verse":56,"text":"Then said I, Lord, I beseech thee, if I have found favour in thy sight, shew thy servant by whom thou visitest thy creature."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"And he said unto me, In the beginning, when the earth was made, before the borders of the world stood, or ever the winds blew,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"Before it thundered and lightened, or ever the foundations of paradise were laid,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"Before the fair flowers were seen, or ever the moveable powers were established, before the innumerable multitude of angels were gathered together,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"Or ever the heights of the air were lifted up, before the measures of the firmament were named, or ever the chimneys in Sion were hot,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"And ere the present years were sought out, and or ever the inventions of them that now sin were turned, before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"Then did I consider these things, and they all were made through me alone, and through none other: by me also they shall be ended, and by none other."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"Then answered I and said, What shall be the parting asunder of the times? or when shall be the end of the first, and the beginning of it that followeth?"},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"And he said unto me, From Abraham unto Isaac, when Jacob and Esau were born of him, Jacob’s hand held first the heel of Esau."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"For Esau is the end of the world, and Jacob is the beginning of it that followeth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"The hand of man is betwixt the heel and the hand: other question, Esdras, ask thou not."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"I answered then and said, O Lord that bearest rule, if I have found favour in thy sight,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"I beseech thee, shew thy servant the end of thy tokens, whereof thou shewedst me part the last night."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"So he answered and said unto me, Stand up upon thy feet, and hear a mighty sounding voice."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"And it shall be as it were a great motion; but the place where thou standest shall not be moved."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"And therefore when it speaketh be not afraid: for the word is of the end, and the foundation of the earth is understood."},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"And why? because the speech of these things trembleth and is moved: for it knoweth that the end of these things must be changed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"And it happened, that when I had heard it I stood up upon my feet, and hearkened, and, behold, there was a voice that spake, and the sound of it was like the sound of many waters."},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"And it said, Behold, the days come, that I will begin to draw nigh, and to visit them that dwell upon the earth,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"And will begin to make inquisition of them, what they be that have hurt unjustly with their unrighteousness, and when the affliction of Sion shall be fulfilled;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"And when the world, that shall begin to vanish away, shall be finished, then will I shew these tokens: the books shall be opened before the firmament, and they shall see all together:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"And the children of a year old shall speak with their voices, the women with child shall bring forth untimely children of three or four months old, and they shall live, and be raised up."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"And suddenly shall the sown places appear unsown, the full storehouses shall suddenly be found empty:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"And the trumpet shall give a sound, which when every man heareth, they shall be suddenly afraid."},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"At that time shall friends fight one against another like enemies, and the earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein, the springs of the fountains shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Whosoever remaineth from all these that I have told thee shall escape, and see my salvation, and the end of your world."},{"chapter":6,"verse":26,"text":"And the men that are received shall see it, who have not tasted death from their birth: and the heart of the inhabitants shall be changed, and turned into another meaning."},{"chapter":6,"verse":27,"text":"For evil shall be put out, and deceit shall be quenched."},{"chapter":6,"verse":28,"text":"As for faith, it shall flourish, corruption shall be overcome, and the truth, which hath been so long without fruit, shall be declared."},{"chapter":6,"verse":29,"text":"And when he talked with me, behold, I looked by little and little upon him before whom I stood."},{"chapter":6,"verse":30,"text":"And these words said he unto me; I am come to shew thee the time of the night to come."},{"chapter":6,"verse":31,"text":"If thou wilt pray yet more, and fast seven days again, I shall tell thee greater things by day than I have heard."},{"chapter":6,"verse":32,"text":"For thy voice is heard before the most High: for the Mighty hath seen thy righteous dealing, he hath seen also thy chastity, which thou hast had ever since thy youth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":33,"text":"And therefore hath he sent me to shew thee all these things, and to say unto thee, Be of good comfort and fear not"},{"chapter":6,"verse":34,"text":"And hasten not with the times that are past, to think vain things, that thou mayest not hasten from the latter times."},{"chapter":6,"verse":35,"text":"And it came to pass after this, that I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, that I might fulfil the three weeks which he told me."},{"chapter":6,"verse":36,"text":"And in the eighth night was my heart vexed within me again, and I began to speak before the most High."},{"chapter":6,"verse":37,"text":"For my spirit was greatly set on fire, and my soul was in distress."},{"chapter":6,"verse":38,"text":"And I said, O Lord, thou spakest from the beginning of the creation, even the first day, and saidst thus; Let heaven and earth be made; and thy word was a perfect work."},{"chapter":6,"verse":39,"text":"And then was the spirit, and darkness and silence were on every side; the sound of man’s voice was not yet formed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":40,"text":"Then commandedst thou a fair light to come forth of thy treasures, that thy work might appear."},{"chapter":6,"verse":41,"text":"Upon the second day thou madest the spirit of the firmament, and commandedst it to part asunder, and to make a division betwixt the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath."},{"chapter":6,"verse":42,"text":"Upon the third day thou didst command that the waters should be gathered in the seventh part of the earth: six parts hast thou dried up, and kept them, to the intent that of these some being planted of God and tilled might serve thee."},{"chapter":6,"verse":43,"text":"For as soon as thy word went forth the work was made."},{"chapter":6,"verse":44,"text":"For immediately there was great and innumerable fruit, and many and divers pleasures for the taste, and flowers of unchangeable colour, and odours of wonderful smell: and this was done the third day."},{"chapter":6,"verse":45,"text":"Upon the fourth day thou commandedst that the sun should shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars should be in order:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":46,"text":"And gavest them a charge to do service unto man, that was to be made."},{"chapter":6,"verse":47,"text":"Upon the fifth day thou saidst unto the seventh part, where the waters were gathered that it should bring forth living creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it came to pass."},{"chapter":6,"verse":48,"text":"For the dumb water and without life brought forth living things at the commandment of God, that all people might praise thy wondrous works."},{"chapter":6,"verse":49,"text":"Then didst thou ordain two living creatures, the one thou calledst Enoch, and the other Leviathan;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":50,"text":"And didst separate the one from the other: for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both."},{"chapter":6,"verse":51,"text":"Unto Enoch thou gavest one part, which was dried up the third day, that he should dwell in the same part, wherein are a thousand hills:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":52,"text":"But unto Leviathan thou gavest the seventh part, namely, the moist; and hast kept him to be devoured of whom thou wilt, and when."},{"chapter":6,"verse":53,"text":"Upon the sixth day thou gavest commandment unto the earth, that before thee it should bring forth beasts, cattle, and creeping things:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":54,"text":"And after these, Adam also, whom thou madest lord of all thy creatures: of him come we all, and the people also whom thou hast chosen."},{"chapter":6,"verse":55,"text":"All this have I spoken before thee, O Lord, because thou madest the world for our sakes"},{"chapter":6,"verse":56,"text":"As for the other people, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that they are nothing, but be like unto spittle: and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falleth from a vessel."},{"chapter":6,"verse":57,"text":"And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been reputed as nothing, have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us."},{"chapter":6,"verse":58,"text":"But we thy people, whom thou hast called thy firstborn, thy only begotten, and thy fervent lover, are given into their hands."},{"chapter":6,"verse":59,"text":"If the world now be made for our sakes, why do we not possess an inheritance with the world? how long shall this endure?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":1,"text":"And he answered me, saying, The most High hath made this world for many, but the world to come for few."},{"chapter":8,"verse":2,"text":"I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world."},{"chapter":8,"verse":3,"text":"There be many created, but few shall be saved."},{"chapter":8,"verse":4,"text":"So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom."},{"chapter":8,"verse":5,"text":"For thou hast agreed to give ear, and art willing to prophesy: for thou hast no longer space than only to live."},{"chapter":8,"verse":6,"text":"O Lord, if thou suffer not thy servant, that we may pray before thee, and thou give us seed unto our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it; how shall each man live that is corrupt, who beareth the place of a man?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":7,"text":"For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of thine hands, like as thou hast said."},{"chapter":8,"verse":8,"text":"For when the body is fashioned now in the mother’s womb, and thou givest it members, thy creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her."},{"chapter":8,"verse":9,"text":"But that which keepeth and is kept shall both be preserved: and when the time cometh, the womb preserved delivereth up the things that grew in it."},{"chapter":8,"verse":10,"text":"For thou hast commanded out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, milk to be given, which is the fruit of the breasts,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":11,"text":"That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy."},{"chapter":8,"verse":12,"text":"Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness, and nurturedst it in thy law, and reformedst it with thy judgment."},{"chapter":8,"verse":13,"text":"And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy work."},{"chapter":8,"verse":14,"text":"If therefore thou shalt destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by thy commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved."},{"chapter":8,"verse":15,"text":"Now therefore, Lord, I will speak; touching man in general, thou knowest best; but touching thy people, for whose sake I am sorry;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":16,"text":"And for thine inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":17,"text":"Therefore will I begin to pray before thee for myself and for them: for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land."},{"chapter":8,"verse":18,"text":"But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come."},{"chapter":8,"verse":19,"text":"Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before thee. This is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up: and I said,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":20,"text":"O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the air;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":21,"text":"Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":22,"text":"Whose service is conversant in wind and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":23,"text":"Whose look drieth up the depths, and indignation maketh the mountains to melt away; which the truth witnesseth:"},{"chapter":8,"verse":24,"text":"O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature."},{"chapter":8,"verse":25,"text":"For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer."},{"chapter":8,"verse":26,"text":"O look not upon the sins of thy people; but on them which serve thee in truth."},{"chapter":8,"verse":27,"text":"Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in afflictions."},{"chapter":8,"verse":28,"text":"Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will have known thy fear."},{"chapter":8,"verse":29,"text":"Let it not be thy will to destroy them which have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught thy law."},{"chapter":8,"verse":30,"text":"Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that always put their trust in thy righteousness and glory."},{"chapter":8,"verse":31,"text":"For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful."},{"chapter":8,"verse":32,"text":"For if thou hast a desire to have mercy upon us, thou shalt be called merciful, to us namely, that have no works of righteousness."},{"chapter":8,"verse":33,"text":"For the just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward."},{"chapter":8,"verse":34,"text":"For what is man, that thou shouldest take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible generation, that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":35,"text":"For in truth them is no man among them that be born, but he hath dealt wickedly; and among the faithful there is none which hath not done amiss."},{"chapter":8,"verse":36,"text":"For in this, O Lord, thy righteousness and thy goodness shall be declared, if thou be merciful unto them which have not the confidence of good works."},{"chapter":8,"verse":37,"text":"Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be."},{"chapter":8,"verse":38,"text":"For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction:"},{"chapter":8,"verse":39,"text":"But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have."},{"chapter":8,"verse":40,"text":"Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass."},{"chapter":8,"verse":41,"text":"For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet the thing that is sown good in his season cometh not up, neither doth all that is planted take root: even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be saved."},{"chapter":8,"verse":42,"text":"I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let me speak."},{"chapter":8,"verse":43,"text":"Like as the husbandman’s seed perisheth, if it come not up, and receive not thy rain in due season; or if there come too much rain, and corrupt it:"},{"chapter":8,"verse":44,"text":"Even so perisheth man also, which is formed with thy hands, and is called thine own image, because thou art like unto him, for whose sake thou hast made all things, and likened him unto the husbandman’s seed."},{"chapter":8,"verse":45,"text":"Be not wroth with us but spare thy people, and have mercy upon thine own inheritance: for thou art merciful unto thy creature."},{"chapter":8,"verse":46,"text":"Then answered he me, and said, Things present are for the present, and things to cometh for such as be to come."},{"chapter":8,"verse":47,"text":"For thou comest far short that thou shouldest be able to love my creature more than I: but I have ofttimes drawn nigh unto thee, and unto it, but never to the unrighteous."},{"chapter":8,"verse":48,"text":"In this also thou art marvellous before the most High:"},{"chapter":8,"verse":49,"text":"In that thou hast humbled thyself, as it becometh thee, and hast not judged thyself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous."},{"chapter":8,"verse":50,"text":"For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in great pride."},{"chapter":8,"verse":51,"text":"But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee."},{"chapter":8,"verse":52,"text":"For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom."},{"chapter":8,"verse":53,"text":"The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten:"},{"chapter":8,"verse":54,"text":"Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of immortality."},{"chapter":8,"verse":55,"text":"And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish."},{"chapter":8,"verse":56,"text":"For when they had taken liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways."},{"chapter":8,"verse":57,"text":"Moreover they have trodden down his righteous,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":58,"text":"And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die."},{"chapter":8,"verse":59,"text":"For as the things aforesaid shalt receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them: for it was not his will that men should come to nought:"},{"chapter":8,"verse":60,"text":"But they which be created have defiled the name of him that made them, and were unthankful unto him which prepared life for them."},{"chapter":8,"verse":61,"text":"And therefore is my judgment now at hand."},{"chapter":8,"verse":62,"text":"These things have I not shewed unto all men, but unto thee, and a few like thee. Then answered I and said,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":63,"text":"Behold, O Lord, now hast thou shewed me the multitude of the wonders, which thou wilt begin to do in the last times: but at what time, thou hast not shewed me."},{"chapter":9,"verse":1,"text":"He answered me then, and said, Measure thou the time diligently in itself: and when thou seest part of the signs past, which I have told thee before,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":2,"text":"Then shalt thou understand, that it is the very same time, wherein the Highest will begin to visit the world which he made."},{"chapter":9,"verse":3,"text":"Therefore when there shall be seen earthquakes and uproars of the people in the world:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":4,"text":"Then shalt thou well understand, that the most High spake of those things from the days that were before thee, even from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":5,"text":"For like as all that is made in the world hath a beginning and an end, and the end is manifest:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":6,"text":"Even so the times also of the Highest have plain beginnings in wonder and powerful works, and endings in effects and signs."},{"chapter":9,"verse":7,"text":"And every one that shall be saved, and shall be able to escape by his works, and by faith, whereby ye have believed,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":8,"text":"Shall be preserved from the said perils, and shall see my salvation in my land, and within my borders: for I have sanctified them for me from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":9,"text":"Then shall they be in pitiful case, which now have abused my ways: and they that have cast them away despitefully shall dwell in torments."},{"chapter":9,"verse":10,"text":"For such as in their life have received benefits, and have not known me;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":11,"text":"And they that have loathed my law, while they had yet liberty, and, when as yet place of repentance was open unto them, understood not, but despised it;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":12,"text":"The same must know it after death by pain."},{"chapter":9,"verse":13,"text":"And therefore be thou not curious how the ungodly shall be punished, and when: but enquire how the righteous shall be saved, whose the world is, and for whom the world is created."},{"chapter":9,"verse":14,"text":"Then answered I and said,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":15,"text":"I have said before, and now do speak, and will speak it also hereafter, that there be many more of them which perish, than of them which shall be saved:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":16,"text":"Like as a wave is greater than a drop."},{"chapter":9,"verse":17,"text":"And he answered me, saying, Like as the field is, so is also the seed; as the flowers be, such are the colours also; such as the workman is, such also is the work; and as the husbandman is himself, so is his husbandry also: for it was the time of the world."},{"chapter":9,"verse":18,"text":"And now when I prepared the world, which was not yet made, even for them to dwell in that now live, no man spake against me."},{"chapter":9,"verse":19,"text":"For then every one obeyed: but now the manners of them which are created in this world that is made are corrupted by a perpetual seed, and by a law which is unsearchable rid themselves."},{"chapter":9,"verse":20,"text":"So I considered the world, and, behold, there was peril because of the devices that were come into it."},{"chapter":9,"verse":21,"text":"And I saw, and spared it greatly, and have kept me a grape of the cluster, and a plant of a great people."},{"chapter":9,"verse":22,"text":"Let the multitude perish then, which was born in vain; and let my grape be kept, and my plant; for with great labour have I made it perfect."},{"chapter":9,"verse":23,"text":"Nevertheless, if thou wilt cease yet seven days more, (but thou shalt not fast in them,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":24,"text":"But go into a field of flowers, where no house is builded, and eat only the flowers of the field; taste no flesh, drink no wine, but eat flowers only;)"},{"chapter":9,"verse":25,"text":"And pray unto the Highest continually, then will I come and talk with thee."},{"chapter":9,"verse":26,"text":"So I went my way into the field which is called Ardath, like as he commanded me; and there I sat among the flowers, and did eat of the herbs of the field, and the meat of the same satisfied me."},{"chapter":9,"verse":27,"text":"After seven days I sat upon the grass, and my heart was vexed within me, like as before:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":28,"text":"And I opened my mouth, and began to talk before the most High, and said,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":29,"text":"O Lord, thou that shewest thyself unto us, thou wast shewed unto our fathers in the wilderness, in a place where no man treadeth, in a barren place, when they came out of Egypt."},{"chapter":9,"verse":30,"text":"And thou spakest saying, Hear me, O Israel; and mark my words, thou seed of Jacob."},{"chapter":9,"verse":31,"text":"For, behold, I sow my law in you, and it shall bring fruit in you, and ye shall be honoured in it for ever."},{"chapter":9,"verse":32,"text":"But our fathers, which received the law, kept it not, and observed not thy ordinances: and though the fruit of thy law did not perish, neither could it, for it was thine;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":33,"text":"Yet they that received it perished, because they kept not the thing that was sown in them."},{"chapter":9,"verse":34,"text":"And, lo, it is a custom, when the ground hath received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, that, that being perished wherein it was sown or cast into,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":35,"text":"That thing also which was sown, or cast therein, or received, doth perish, and remaineth not with us: but with us it hath not happened so."},{"chapter":9,"verse":36,"text":"For we that have received the law perish by sin, and our heart also which received it"},{"chapter":9,"verse":37,"text":"Notwithstanding the law perisheth not, but remaineth in his force."},{"chapter":9,"verse":38,"text":"And when I spake these things in my heart, I looked back with mine eyes, and upon the right side I saw a woman, and, behold, she mourned and wept with a loud voice, and was much grieved in heart, and her clothes were rent, and she had ashes upon her head."},{"chapter":9,"verse":39,"text":"Then let I my thoughts go that I was in, and turned me unto her,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":40,"text":"And said unto her, Wherefore weepest thou? why art thou so grieved in thy mind?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":41,"text":"And she said unto me, Sir, let me alone, that I may bewail myself, and add unto my sorrow, for I am sore vexed in my mind, and brought very low."},{"chapter":9,"verse":42,"text":"And I said unto her, What aileth thee? tell me."},{"chapter":9,"verse":43,"text":"She said unto me, I thy servant have been barren, and had no child, though I had an husband thirty years,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":44,"text":"And those thirty years I did nothing else day and night, and every hour, but make my, prayer to the Highest."},{"chapter":9,"verse":45,"text":"After thirty years God heard me thine handmaid, looked upon my misery, considered my trouble, and gave me a son: and I was very glad of him, so was my husband also, and all my neighbours: and we gave great honour unto the Almighty."},{"chapter":9,"verse":46,"text":"And I nourished him with great travail."},{"chapter":9,"verse":47,"text":"So when he grew up, and came to the time that he should have a wife, I made a feast."},{"chapter":10,"verse":1,"text":"And it so came to pass, that when my son was entered into his wedding chamber, he fell down, and died."},{"chapter":10,"verse":2,"text":"Then we all overthrew the lights, and all my neighbours rose up to comfort me: so I took my rest unto the second day at night."},{"chapter":10,"verse":3,"text":"And it came to pass, when they had all left off to comfort me, to the end I might be quiet; then rose I up by night and fled, and came hither into this field, as thou seest."},{"chapter":10,"verse":4,"text":"And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die."},{"chapter":10,"verse":5,"text":"Then left I the meditations wherein I was, and spake to her in anger, saying,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":6,"text":"Thou foolish woman above all other, seest thou not our mourning, and what happeneth unto us?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":7,"text":"How that Sion our mother is full of all heaviness, and much humbled, mourning very sore?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":8,"text":"And now, seeing we all mourn and are sad, for we are all in heaviness, art thou grieved for one son?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":9,"text":"For ask the earth, and she shall tell thee, that it is she which ought to mourn for the fall of so many that grow upon her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":10,"text":"For out of her came all at the first, and out of her shall all others come, and, behold, they walk almost all into destruction, and a multitude of them is utterly rooted out."},{"chapter":10,"verse":11,"text":"Who then should make more mourning than she, that hath lost so great a multitude; and not thou, which art sorry but for one?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":12,"text":"But if thou sayest unto me, My lamentation is not like the earth’s, because I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth with pains, and bare with sorrows;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":13,"text":"But the earth not so: for the multitude present in it according to the course of the earth is gone, as it came:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":14,"text":"Then say I unto thee, Like as thou hast brought forth with labour; even so the earth also hath given her fruit, namely, man, ever since the beginning unto him that made her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":15,"text":"Now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee."},{"chapter":10,"verse":16,"text":"For if thou shalt acknowledge the determination of God to be just, thou shalt both receive thy son in time, and shalt be commended among women."},{"chapter":10,"verse":17,"text":"Go thy way then into the city to thine husband."},{"chapter":10,"verse":18,"text":"And she said unto me, That will I not do: I will not go into the city, but here will I die."},{"chapter":10,"verse":19,"text":"So I proceeded to speak further unto her, and said,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":20,"text":"Do not so, but be counselled. by me: for how many are the adversities of Sion? be comforted in regard of the sorrow of Jerusalem."},{"chapter":10,"verse":21,"text":"For thou seest that our sanctuary is laid waste, our altar broken down, our temple destroyed;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":22,"text":"Our psaltery is laid on the ground, our song is put to silence, our rejoicing is at an end, the light of our candlestick is put out, the ark of our covenant is spoiled, our holy things are defiled, and the name that is called upon us is almost profaned: our children are put to shame, our priests are burnt, our Levites are gone into captivity, our virgins are defiled, and our wives ravished; our righteous men carried away, our little ones destroyed, our young men are brought in bondage, and our strong men are become weak;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":23,"text":"And, which is the greatest of all, the seal of Sion hath now lost her honour; for she is delivered into the hands of them that hate us."},{"chapter":10,"verse":24,"text":"And therefore shake off thy great heaviness, and put away the multitude of sorrows, that the Mighty may be merciful unto thee again, and the Highest shall give thee rest and ease from thy labour."},{"chapter":10,"verse":25,"text":"And it came to pass while I was talking with her, behold, her face upon a sudden shined exceedingly, and her countenance glistered, so that I was afraid of her, and mused what it might be."},{"chapter":10,"verse":26,"text":"And, behold, suddenly she made a great cry very fearful: so that the earth shook at the noise of the woman."},{"chapter":10,"verse":27,"text":"And I looked, and, behold, the woman appeared unto me no more, but there was a city builded, and a large place shewed itself from the foundations: then was I afraid, and cried with a loud voice, and said,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":28,"text":"Where is Uriel the angel, who came unto me at the first? for he hath caused me to fall into many trances, and mine end is turned into corruption, and my prayer to rebuke."},{"chapter":10,"verse":29,"text":"And as I was speaking these words behold, he came unto me, and looked upon me."},{"chapter":10,"verse":30,"text":"And, lo, I lay as one that had been dead, and mine understanding was taken from me: and he took me by the right hand, and comforted me, and set me upon my feet, and said unto me,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":31,"text":"What aileth thee? and why art thou so disquieted? and why is thine understanding troubled, and the thoughts of thine heart?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":32,"text":"And I said, Because thou hast forsaken me, and yet I did according to thy words, and I went into the field, and, lo, I have seen, and yet see, that I am not able to express."},{"chapter":10,"verse":33,"text":"And he said unto me, Stand up manfully, and I will advise thee."},{"chapter":10,"verse":34,"text":"Then said I, Speak on, my lord, in me; only forsake me not, lest I die frustrate of my hope."},{"chapter":10,"verse":35,"text":"For I have seen that I knew not, and hear that I do not know."},{"chapter":10,"verse":36,"text":"Or is my sense deceived, or my soul in a dream?"},{"chapter":10,"verse":37,"text":"Now therefore I beseech thee that thou wilt shew thy servant of this vision."},{"chapter":10,"verse":38,"text":"He answered me then, and said, Hear me, and I shall inform thee, and tell thee wherefore thou art afraid: for the Highest will reveal many secret things unto thee."},{"chapter":10,"verse":39,"text":"He hath seen that thy way is right: for that thou sorrowest continually for thy people, and makest great lamentation for Sion."},{"chapter":10,"verse":40,"text":"This therefore is the meaning of the vision which thou lately sawest:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":41,"text":"Thou sawest a woman mourning, and thou begannest to comfort her:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":42,"text":"But now seest thou the likeness of the woman no more, but there appeared unto thee a city builded."},{"chapter":10,"verse":43,"text":"And whereas she told thee of the death of her son, this is the solution:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":44,"text":"This woman, whom thou sawest is Sion: and whereas she said unto thee, even she whom thou seest as a city builded,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":45,"text":"Whereas, I say, she said unto thee, that she hath been thirty years barren: those are the thirty years wherein there was no offering made in her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":46,"text":"But after thirty years Solomon builded the city and offered offerings: and then bare the barren a son."},{"chapter":10,"verse":47,"text":"And whereas she told thee that she nourished him with labour: that was the dwelling in Jerusalem."},{"chapter":10,"verse":48,"text":"But whereas she said unto thee, That my son coming into his marriage chamber happened to have a fail, and died: this was the destruction that came to Jerusalem."},{"chapter":10,"verse":49,"text":"And, behold, thou sawest her likeness, and because she mourned for her son, thou begannest to comfort her: and of these things which have chanced, these are to be opened unto thee."},{"chapter":10,"verse":50,"text":"For now the most High seeth that thou art grieved unfeignedly, and sufferest from thy whole heart for her, so hath he shewed thee the brightness of her glory, and the comeliness of her beauty:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":51,"text":"And therefore I bade thee remain in the field where no house was builded:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":52,"text":"For I knew that the Highest would shew this unto thee."},{"chapter":10,"verse":53,"text":"Therefore I commanded thee to go into the field, where no foundation of any building was."},{"chapter":10,"verse":54,"text":"For in the place wherein the Highest beginneth to shew his city, there can no man’s building be able to stand."},{"chapter":10,"verse":55,"text":"And therefore fear not, let not thine heart be affrighted, but go thy way in, and see the beauty and greatness of the building, as much as thine eyes be able to see:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":56,"text":"And then shalt thou hear as much as thine ears may comprehend."},{"chapter":10,"verse":57,"text":"For thou art blessed above many other, and art called with the Highest; and so are but few."},{"chapter":10,"verse":58,"text":"But to morrow at night thou shalt remain here;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":59,"text":"And so shall the Highest shew thee visions of the high things, which the most High will do unto them that dwell upon the earth in the last days. So I slept that night and another, like as he commanded me."},{"chapter":11,"verse":1,"text":"Then saw I a dream, and, behold, there came up from the sea an eagle, which had twelve feathered wings, and three heads."},{"chapter":11,"verse":2,"text":"And I saw, and, behold, she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of the air blew on her, and were gathered together."},{"chapter":11,"verse":3,"text":"And I beheld, and out of her feathers there grew other contrary feathers; and they became little feathers and small."},{"chapter":11,"verse":4,"text":"But her heads were at rest: the head in the midst was greater than the other, yet rested it with the residue."},{"chapter":11,"verse":5,"text":"Moreover I beheld, and, lo, the eagle flew with her feathers, and reigned upon earth, and over them that dwelt therein."},{"chapter":11,"verse":6,"text":"And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her, and no man spake against her, no, not one creature upon earth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":7,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, the eagle rose upon her talons, and spake to her feathers, saying,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":8,"text":"Watch not all at once: sleep every one in his own place, and watch by course:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":9,"text":"But let the heads be preserved for the last."},{"chapter":11,"verse":10,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, the voice went not out of her heads, but from the midst of her body."},{"chapter":11,"verse":11,"text":"And I numbered her contrary feathers, and, behold, there were eight of them."},{"chapter":11,"verse":12,"text":"And I looked, and, behold, on the right side there arose one feather, and reigned over all the earth;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":13,"text":"And so it was, that when it reigned, the end of it came, and the place thereof appeared no more: so the next following stood up. and reigned, and had a great time;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":14,"text":"And it happened, that when it reigned, the end of it came also, like as the first, so that it appeared no more."},{"chapter":11,"verse":15,"text":"Then came there a voice unto it, and said,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":16,"text":"Hear thou that hast borne rule over the earth so long: this I say unto thee, before thou beginnest to appear no more,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":17,"text":"There shall none after thee attain unto thy time, neither unto the half thereof."},{"chapter":11,"verse":18,"text":"Then arose the third, and reigned as the other before, and appeared no more also."},{"chapter":11,"verse":19,"text":"So went it with all the residue one after another, as that every one reigned, and then appeared no more."},{"chapter":11,"verse":20,"text":"Then I beheld, and, lo, in process of time the feathers that followed stood up upon the right side, that they might rule also; and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":21,"text":"For some of them were set up, but ruled not."},{"chapter":11,"verse":22,"text":"After this I looked, and, behold, the twelve feathers appeared no more, nor the two little feathers:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":23,"text":"And there was no more upon the eagle’s body, but three heads that rested, and six little wings."},{"chapter":11,"verse":24,"text":"Then saw I also that two little feathers divided themselves from the six, and remained under the head that was upon the right side: for the four continued in their place."},{"chapter":11,"verse":25,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, the feathers that were under the wing thought to set up themselves and to have the rule."},{"chapter":11,"verse":26,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, there was one set up, but shortly it appeared no more."},{"chapter":11,"verse":27,"text":"And the second was sooner away than the first."},{"chapter":11,"verse":28,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, the two that remained thought also in themselves to reign:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":29,"text":"And when they so thought, behold, there awaked one of the heads that were at rest, namely, it that was in the midst; for that was greater than the two other heads."},{"chapter":11,"verse":30,"text":"And then I saw that the two other heads were joined with it."},{"chapter":11,"verse":31,"text":"And, behold, the head was turned with them that were with it, and did eat up the two feathers under the wing that would have reigned."},{"chapter":11,"verse":32,"text":"But this head put the whole earth in fear, and bare rule in it over all those that dwelt upon the earth with much oppression; and it had the governance of the world more than all the wings that had been."},{"chapter":11,"verse":33,"text":"And after this I beheld, and, lo, the head that was in the midst suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings."},{"chapter":11,"verse":34,"text":"But there remained the two heads, which also in like sort ruled upon the earth, and over those that dwelt therein."},{"chapter":11,"verse":35,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, the head upon the right side devoured it that was upon the left side."},{"chapter":11,"verse":36,"text":"Then I head a voice, which said unto me, Look before thee, and consider the thing that thou seest."},{"chapter":11,"verse":37,"text":"And I beheld, and lo, as it were a roaring lion chased out of the wood: and I saw that he sent out a man’s voice unto the eagle, and said,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":38,"text":"Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the Highest shall say unto thee,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":39,"text":"Art not thou it that remainest of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of their times might come through them?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":40,"text":"And the fourth came, and overcame all the beasts that were past, and had power over the world with great fearfulness, and over the whole compass of the earth with much wicked oppression; and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit."},{"chapter":11,"verse":41,"text":"For the earth hast thou not judged with truth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":42,"text":"For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable, 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."},{"chapter":11,"verse":43,"text":"Therefore is thy wrongful dealing come up unto the Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty."},{"chapter":11,"verse":44,"text":"The Highest also hath looked upon the proud times, and, behold, they are ended, and his abominations are fulfilled."},{"chapter":11,"verse":45,"text":"And therefore appear no more, thou eagle, nor thy horrible wings, nor thy wicked feathers nor thy malicious heads, nor thy hurtful claws, nor all thy vain body:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":46,"text":"That all the earth may be refreshed, and may return, being delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him that made her."},{"chapter":12,"verse":1,"text":"And it came to pass, whiles the lion spake these words unto the eagle, I saw,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":2,"text":"And, behold, the head that remained and the four wings appeared no more, and the two went unto it and set themselves up to reign, and their kingdom was small, and fill of uproar."},{"chapter":12,"verse":3,"text":"And I saw, and, behold, they appeared no more, and the whole body of the eagle was burnt so that the earth was in great fear: then awaked I out of the trouble and trance of my mind, and from great fear, and said unto my spirit,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":4,"text":"Lo, this hast thou done unto me, in that thou searchest out the ways of the Highest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":5,"text":"Lo, yet am I weary in my mind, and very weak in my spirit; and little strength is there in me, for the great fear wherewith I was afflicted this night."},{"chapter":12,"verse":6,"text":"Therefore will I now beseech the Highest, that he will comfort me unto the end."},{"chapter":12,"verse":7,"text":"And I said, Lord that bearest rule, if I have found grace before thy sight, and if I am justified with thee before many others, and if my prayer indeed be come up before thy face;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":8,"text":"Comfort me then, and shew me thy servant the interpretation and plain difference of this fearful vision, that thou mayest perfectly comfort my soul."},{"chapter":12,"verse":9,"text":"For thou hast judged me worthy to shew me the last times."},{"chapter":12,"verse":10,"text":"And he said unto me, This is the interpretation of the vision:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":11,"text":"The eagle, whom thou sawest come up from the sea, is the kingdom which was seen in the vision of thy brother Daniel."},{"chapter":12,"verse":12,"text":"But it was not expounded unto him, therefore now I declare it unto thee."},{"chapter":12,"verse":13,"text":"Behold, the days will come, that there shall rise up a kingdom upon earth, and it shall be feared above all the kingdoms that were before it."},{"chapter":12,"verse":14,"text":"In the same shall twelve kings reign, one after another:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":15,"text":"Whereof the second shall begin to reign, and shall have more time than any of the twelve."},{"chapter":12,"verse":16,"text":"And this do the twelve wings signify, which thou sawest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":17,"text":"As for the voice which thou heardest speak, and that thou sawest not to go out from the heads but from the midst of the body thereof, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":18,"text":"That after the time of that kingdom there shall arise great strivings, and it shall stand in peril of failing: nevertheless it shall not then fall, but shall be restored again to his beginning."},{"chapter":12,"verse":19,"text":"And whereas thou sawest the eight small under feathers sticking to her wings, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":20,"text":"That in him there shall arise eight kings, whose times shall be but small, and their years swift."},{"chapter":12,"verse":21,"text":"And two of them shall perish, the middle time approaching: four shall be kept until their end begin to approach: but two shall be kept unto the end."},{"chapter":12,"verse":22,"text":"And whereas thou sawest three heads resting, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":23,"text":"In his last days shall the most High raise up three kingdoms, and renew many things therein, and they shall have the dominion of the earth,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":24,"text":"And of those that dwell therein, with much oppression, above all those that were before them: therefore are they called the heads of the eagle."},{"chapter":12,"verse":25,"text":"For these are they that shall accomplish his wickedness, and that shall finish his last end."},{"chapter":12,"verse":26,"text":"And whereas thou sawest that the great head appeared no more, it signifieth that one of them shall die upon his bed, and yet with pain."},{"chapter":12,"verse":27,"text":"For the two that remain shall be slain with the sword."},{"chapter":12,"verse":28,"text":"For the sword of the one shall devour the other: but at the last shall he fall through the sword himself."},{"chapter":12,"verse":29,"text":"And whereas thou sawest two feathers under the wings passing over the head that is on the right side;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":30,"text":"It signifieth that these are they, whom the Highest hath kept unto their end: this is the small kingdom and full of trouble, as thou sawest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":31,"text":"And the lion, whom thou sawest rising up out of the wood, and roaring, and speaking to the eagle, and rebuking her for her unrighteousness with all the words which thou hast heard;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":32,"text":"This is the anointed, which the Highest hath kept for them and for their wickedness unto the end: he shall reprove them, and shall upbraid them with their cruelty."},{"chapter":12,"verse":33,"text":"For he shall set them before him alive in judgment, and shall rebuke them, and correct them."},{"chapter":12,"verse":34,"text":"For the rest of my people shall he deliver with mercy, those that have been pressed upon my borders, and he shall make them joyful until the coming of the day of judgment, whereof I have spoken unto thee from the beginning."},{"chapter":12,"verse":35,"text":"This is the dream that thou sawest, and these are the interpretations."},{"chapter":12,"verse":36,"text":"Thou only hast been meet to know this secret of the Highest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":37,"text":"Therefore write all these things that thou hast seen in a book, and hide them:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":38,"text":"And teach them to the wise of the people, whose hearts thou knowest may comprehend and keep these secrets."},{"chapter":12,"verse":39,"text":"But wait thou here thyself yet seven days more, that it may be shewed thee, whatsoever it pleaseth the Highest to declare unto thee. And with that he went his way."},{"chapter":12,"verse":40,"text":"And it came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and I not come again into the city, they gathered them all together, from the least unto the greatest, and came unto me, and said,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":41,"text":"What have we offended thee? and what evil have we done against thee, that thou forsakest us, and sittest here in this place?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":42,"text":"For of all the prophets thou only art left us, as a cluster of the vintage, and as a candle in a dark place, and as a haven or ship preserved from the tempest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":43,"text":"Are not the evils which are come to us sufficient?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":44,"text":"If thou shalt forsake us, how much better had it been for us, if we also had been burned in the midst of Sion?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":45,"text":"For we are not better than they that died there. And they wept with a loud voice. Then answered I them, and said,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":46,"text":"Be of good comfort, O Israel; and be not heavy, thou house of Jacob:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":47,"text":"For the Highest hath you in remembrance, and the Mighty hath not forgotten you in temptation."},{"chapter":12,"verse":48,"text":"As for me, I have not forsaken you, neither am I departed from you: but am come into this place, to pray for the desolation of Sion, and that I might seek mercy for the low estate of your sanctuary."},{"chapter":12,"verse":49,"text":"And now go your way home every man, and after these days will I come unto you."},{"chapter":12,"verse":50,"text":"So the people went their way into the city, like as I commanded them:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":51,"text":"But I remained still in the field seven days, as the angel commanded me; and did eat only in those days of the flowers of the field, and had my meat of the herbs."},{"chapter":13,"verse":1,"text":"And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":2,"text":"And, lo, there arose a wind from the sea, that it moved all the waves thereof."},{"chapter":13,"verse":3,"text":"And I beheld, and, lo, that man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him."},{"chapter":13,"verse":4,"text":"And whensoever the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, like as the earth faileth when it feeleth the fire."},{"chapter":13,"verse":5,"text":"And after this I beheld, and, lo, there was gathered together a multitude of men, out of number, from the four winds of the heaven, to subdue the man that came out of the sea"},{"chapter":13,"verse":6,"text":"But I beheld, and, lo, he had graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it."},{"chapter":13,"verse":7,"text":"But I would have seen the region or place whereout the hill was graven, and I could not."},{"chapter":13,"verse":8,"text":"And after this I beheld, and, lo, all they which were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and yet durst fight."},{"chapter":13,"verse":9,"text":"And, lo, as he saw the violence of the multitude that came, he neither lifted up his hand, nor held sword, nor any instrument of war:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":10,"text":"But only I saw that he sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and tempests."},{"chapter":13,"verse":11,"text":"And they were all mixed together; the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and the great tempest; and fell with violence upon the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them up every one, so that upon a sudden of an innumerable multitude nothing was to be perceived, but only dust and smell of smoke: when I saw this I was afraid."},{"chapter":13,"verse":12,"text":"Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and call unto him another peaceable Multitude."},{"chapter":13,"verse":13,"text":"And there came much people unto him, whereof some were glad, some were sorry, and some of them were bound, and other some brought of them that were offered: then was I sick through great fear, and I awaked, and said,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":14,"text":"Thou hast shewed thy servant these wonders from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy that thou shouldest receive my prayer:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":15,"text":"Shew me now yet the interpretation of this dream."},{"chapter":13,"verse":16,"text":"For as I conceive in mine understanding, woe unto them that shall be left in those days and much more woe unto them that are not left behind!"},{"chapter":13,"verse":17,"text":"For they that were not left were in heaviness."},{"chapter":13,"verse":18,"text":"Now understand I the things that are laid up in the latter days, which shall happen unto them, and to those that are left behind."},{"chapter":13,"verse":19,"text":"Therefore are they come into great perils and many necessities, like as these dreams declare."},{"chapter":13,"verse":20,"text":"Yet is it easier for him that is in danger to come into these things, than to pass away as a cloud out of the world, and not to see the things that happen in the last days. And he answered unto me, and said,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":21,"text":"The interpretation of the vision shall I shew thee, and I will open unto thee the thing that thou hast required."},{"chapter":13,"verse":22,"text":"Whereas thou hast spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":23,"text":"He that shall endure the peril in that time hath kept himself: they that be fallen into danger are such as have works, and faith toward the Almighty."},{"chapter":13,"verse":24,"text":"Know this therefore, that they which be left behind are more blessed than they that be dead."},{"chapter":13,"verse":25,"text":"This is the meaning of the vision: Whereas thou sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":26,"text":"The same is he whom God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creature: and he shall order them that are left behind."},{"chapter":13,"verse":27,"text":"And whereas thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came as a blast of wind, and fire, and storm;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":28,"text":"And that he held neither sword, nor any instrument of war, but that the rushing in of him destroyed the whole multitude that came to subdue him; this is the interpretation:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":29,"text":"Behold, the days come, when the most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth."},{"chapter":13,"verse":30,"text":"And he shall come to the astonishment of them that dwell on the earth."},{"chapter":13,"verse":31,"text":"And one shall undertake to fight against another, one city against another, one place against another, one people against another, and one realm against another."},{"chapter":13,"verse":32,"text":"And the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending."},{"chapter":13,"verse":33,"text":"And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another."},{"chapter":13,"verse":34,"text":"And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting."},{"chapter":13,"verse":35,"text":"But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Sion."},{"chapter":13,"verse":36,"text":"And Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill graven without hands."},{"chapter":13,"verse":37,"text":"And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":38,"text":"And shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like unto a flame: and he shall destroy them without labour by the law which is like unto fire."},{"chapter":13,"verse":39,"text":"And whereas thou sawest that he gathered another peaceable multitude unto him;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":40,"text":"Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so came they into another land."},{"chapter":13,"verse":41,"text":"But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":42,"text":"That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land."},{"chapter":13,"verse":43,"text":"And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow places of the river."},{"chapter":13,"verse":44,"text":"For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over."},{"chapter":13,"verse":45,"text":"For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth."},{"chapter":13,"verse":46,"text":"Then dwelt they there until the latter time; and now when they shall begin to come,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":47,"text":"The Highest shall stay the springs of the stream again, that they may go through: therefore sawest thou the multitude with peace."},{"chapter":13,"verse":48,"text":"But those that be left behind of thy people are they that are found within my borders."},{"chapter":13,"verse":49,"text":"Now when he destroyeth the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he shall defend his people that remain."},{"chapter":13,"verse":50,"text":"And then shall he shew them great wonders."},{"chapter":13,"verse":51,"text":"Then said I, O Lord that bearest rule, shew me this: Wherefore have I seen the man coming up from the midst of the sea?"},{"chapter":13,"verse":52,"text":"And he said unto me, Like as thou canst neither seek out nor know the things that are in the deep of the sea: even so can no man upon earth see my Son, or those that be with him, but in the day time."},{"chapter":13,"verse":53,"text":"This is the interpretation of the dream which thou sawest, and whereby thou only art here lightened."},{"chapter":13,"verse":54,"text":"For thou hast forsaken thine own way, and applied thy diligence unto my law, and sought it."},{"chapter":13,"verse":55,"text":"Thy life hast thou ordered in wisdom, and hast called understanding thy mother."},{"chapter":13,"verse":56,"text":"And therefore have I shewed thee the treasures of the Highest: after other three days I will speak other things unto thee, and declare unto thee mighty and wondrous things."},{"chapter":13,"verse":57,"text":"Then went I forth into the field, giving praise and thanks greatly unto the most High because of his wonders which he did in time;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":58,"text":"And because he governeth the same, and such things as fall in their seasons: and there I sat three days."},{"chapter":14,"verse":1,"text":"And it came to pass upon the third day, I sat under an oak, and, behold, there came a voice out of a bush over against me, and said, Esdras, Esdras."},{"chapter":14,"verse":2,"text":"And I said, Here am I, Lord And I stood up upon my feet."},{"chapter":14,"verse":3,"text":"Then said he unto me, In the bush I did manifestly reveal myself unto Moses, and talked with him, when my people served in Egypt:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":4,"text":"And I sent him and led my people out of Egypt, and brought him up to the mount of where I held him by me a long season,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":5,"text":"And told him many wondrous things, and shewed him the secrets of the times, and the end; and commanded him, saying,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":6,"text":"These words shalt thou declare, and these shalt thou hide."},{"chapter":14,"verse":7,"text":"And now I say unto thee,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":8,"text":"That thou lay up in thy heart the signs that I have shewed, and the dreams that thou hast seen, and the interpretations which thou hast heard:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":9,"text":"For thou shalt be taken away from all, and from henceforth thou shalt remain with my Son, and with such as be like thee, until the times be ended."},{"chapter":14,"verse":10,"text":"For the world hath lost his youth, and the times begin to wax old."},{"chapter":14,"verse":11,"text":"For the world is divided into twelve parts, and the ten parts of it are gone already, and half of a tenth part:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":12,"text":"And there remaineth that which is after the half of the tenth part."},{"chapter":14,"verse":13,"text":"Now therefore set thine house in order, and reprove thy people, comfort such of them as be in trouble, and now renounce corruption,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":14,"text":"Let go from thee mortal thoughts, cast away the burdens of man, put off now the weak nature,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":15,"text":"And set aside the thoughts that are most heavy unto thee, and haste thee to flee from these times."},{"chapter":14,"verse":16,"text":"For yet greater evils than those which thou hast seen happen shall be done hereafter."},{"chapter":14,"verse":17,"text":"For look how much the world shall be weaker through age, so much the more shall evils increase upon them that dwell therein."},{"chapter":14,"verse":18,"text":"For the time is fled far away, and leasing is hard at hand: for now hasteth the vision to come, which thou hast seen."},{"chapter":14,"verse":19,"text":"Then answered I before thee, and said,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":20,"text":"Behold, Lord, I will go, as thou hast commanded me, and reprove the people which are present: but they that shall be born afterward, who shall admonish them? thus the world is set in darkness, and they that dwell therein are without light."},{"chapter":14,"verse":21,"text":"For thy law is burnt, therefore no man knoweth the things that are done of thee, or the work that shall begin."},{"chapter":14,"verse":22,"text":"But if I have found grace before thee, send the Holy Ghost into me, and I shall write all that hath been done in the world since the beginning, which were written in thy law, that men may find thy path, and that they which will live in the latter days may live."},{"chapter":14,"verse":23,"text":"And he answered me, saying, Go thy way, gather the people together, and say unto them, that they seek thee not for forty days."},{"chapter":14,"verse":24,"text":"But look thou prepare thee many box trees, and take with thee Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ecanus, and Asiel, these five which are ready to write swiftly;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":25,"text":"And come hither, and I shall light a candle of understanding in thine heart, which shall not be put out, till the things be performed which thou shalt begin to write."},{"chapter":14,"verse":26,"text":"And when thou hast done, some things shalt thou publish, and some things shalt thou shew secretly to the wise: to morrow this hour shalt thou begin to write."},{"chapter":14,"verse":27,"text":"Then went I forth, as he commanded, and gathered all the people together, and said,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":28,"text":"Hear these words, O Israel."},{"chapter":14,"verse":29,"text":"Our fathers at the beginning were strangers in Egypt, from whence they were delivered:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":30,"text":"And received the law of life, which they kept not, which ye also have transgressed after them."},{"chapter":14,"verse":31,"text":"Then was the land, even the land of Sion, parted among you by lot: but your fathers, and ye yourselves, have done unrighteousness, and have not kept the ways which the Highest commanded you."},{"chapter":14,"verse":32,"text":"And forasmuch as he is a righteous judge, he took from you in time the thing that he had given you."},{"chapter":14,"verse":33,"text":"And now are ye here, and your brethren among you."},{"chapter":14,"verse":34,"text":"Therefore if so be that ye will subdue your own understanding, and reform your hearts, ye shall be kept alive and after death ye shall obtain mercy."},{"chapter":14,"verse":35,"text":"For after death shall the judgment come, when we shall live again: and then shall the names of the righteous be manifest, and the works of the ungodly shall be declared."},{"chapter":14,"verse":36,"text":"Let no man therefore come unto me now, nor seek after me these forty days."},{"chapter":14,"verse":37,"text":"So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went into the field, and remained there."},{"chapter":14,"verse":38,"text":"And the next day, behold, a voice called me, saying, Esdras, open thy mouth, and drink that I give thee to drink."},{"chapter":14,"verse":39,"text":"Then opened I my mouth, and, behold, he reached me a full cup, which was full as it were with water, but the colour of it was like fire."},{"chapter":14,"verse":40,"text":"And I took it, and drank: and when I had drunk of it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my breast, for my spirit strengthened my memory:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":41,"text":"And my mouth was opened, and shut no more."},{"chapter":14,"verse":42,"text":"The Highest gave understanding unto the five men, and they wrote the wonderful visions of the night that were told, which they knew not: and they sat forty days, and they wrote in the day, and at night they ate bread."},{"chapter":14,"verse":43,"text":"As for me. I spake in the day, and I held not my tongue by night."},{"chapter":14,"verse":44,"text":"In forty days they wrote two hundred and four books."},{"chapter":14,"verse":45,"text":"And it came to pass, when the forty days were filled, that the Highest spake, saying, The first that thou hast written publish openly, that the worthy and unworthy may read it:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":46,"text":"But keep the seventy last, that thou mayest deliver them only to such as be wise among the people:"},{"chapter":14,"verse":47,"text":"For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge."},{"chapter":14,"verse":48,"text":"And I did so."},{"chapter":15,"verse":1,"text":"Behold, speak thou in the ears of my people the words of prophecy, which I will put in thy mouth, saith the Lord:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":2,"text":"And cause them to be written in paper: for they are faithful and true."},{"chapter":15,"verse":3,"text":"Fear not the imaginations against thee, let not the incredulity of them trouble thee, that speak against thee."},{"chapter":15,"verse":4,"text":"For all the unfaithful shall die in their unfaithfulness."},{"chapter":15,"verse":5,"text":"Behold, saith the Lord, I will bring plagues upon the world; the sword, famine, death, and destruction."},{"chapter":15,"verse":6,"text":"For wickedness hath exceedingly polluted the whole earth, and their hurtful works are fulfilled."},{"chapter":15,"verse":7,"text":"Therefore saith the Lord,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":8,"text":"I will hold my tongue no more as touching their wickedness, which they profanely commit, neither will I suffer them in those things, in which they wickedly exercise themselves: behold, the innocent and righteous blood crieth unto me, and the souls of the just complain continually."},{"chapter":15,"verse":9,"text":"And therefore, saith the Lord, I will surely avenge them, and receive unto me all the innocent blood from among them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":10,"text":"Behold, my people is led as a flock to the slaughter: I will not suffer them now to dwell in the land of Egypt:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":11,"text":"But I will bring them with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm, and smite Egypt with plagues, as before, and will destroy all the land thereof."},{"chapter":15,"verse":12,"text":"Egypt shall mourn, and the foundation of it shall be smitten with the plague and punishment that God shall bring upon it."},{"chapter":15,"verse":13,"text":"They that till the ground shall mourn: for their seeds shall fail through the blasting and hail, and with a fearful constellation."},{"chapter":15,"verse":14,"text":"Woe to the world and them that dwell therein!"},{"chapter":15,"verse":15,"text":"For the sword and their destruction draweth nigh, and one people shall stand up and fight against another, and swords in their hands."},{"chapter":15,"verse":16,"text":"For there shall be sedition among men, and invading one another; they shall not regard their kings nor princes, and the course of their actions shall stand in their power."},{"chapter":15,"verse":17,"text":"A man shall desire to go into a city, and shall not be able."},{"chapter":15,"verse":18,"text":"For because of their pride the cities shall be troubled, the houses shall be destroyed, and men shall be afraid."},{"chapter":15,"verse":19,"text":"A man shall have no pity upon his neighbour, but shall destroy their houses with the sword, and spoil their goods, because of the lack of bread, and for great tribulation."},{"chapter":15,"verse":20,"text":"Behold, saith God, I will call together all the kings of the earth to reverence me, which are from the rising of the sun, from the south, from the east, and Libanus; to turn themselves one against another, and repay the things that they have done to them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":21,"text":"Like as they do yet this day unto my chosen, so will I do also, and recompense in their bosom. Thus saith the Lord God;"},{"chapter":15,"verse":22,"text":"My right hand shall not spare the sinners, and my sword shall not cease over them that shed innocent blood upon the earth."},{"chapter":15,"verse":23,"text":"The fire is gone forth from his wrath, and hath consumed the foundations of the earth, and the sinners, like the straw that is kindled."},{"chapter":15,"verse":24,"text":"Woe to them that sin, and keep not my commandments! saith the Lord."},{"chapter":15,"verse":25,"text":"I will not spare them: go your way, ye children, from the power, defile not my sanctuary."},{"chapter":15,"verse":26,"text":"For the Lord knoweth all them that sin against him, and therefore delivereth he them unto death and destruction."},{"chapter":15,"verse":27,"text":"For now are the plagues come upon the whole earth and ye shall remain in them: for God shall not deliver you, because ye have sinned against him."},{"chapter":15,"verse":28,"text":"Behold an horrible vision, and the appearance thereof from the east:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":29,"text":"Where the nations of the dragons of Arabia shall come out with many chariots, and the multitude of them shall be carried as the wind upon earth, that all they which hear them may fear and tremble."},{"chapter":15,"verse":30,"text":"Also the Carmanians raging in wrath shall go forth as the wild boars of the wood, and with great power shall they come, and join battle with them, and shall waste a portion of the land of the Assyrians."},{"chapter":15,"verse":31,"text":"And then shall the dragons have the upper hand, remembering their nature; and if they shall turn themselves, conspiring together in great power to persecute them,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":32,"text":"Then these shall be troubled bled, and keep silence through their power, and shall flee."},{"chapter":15,"verse":33,"text":"And from the land of the Assyrians shall the enemy besiege them, and consume some of them, and in their host shall be fear and dread, and strife among their kings."},{"chapter":15,"verse":34,"text":"Behold clouds from the east and from the north unto the south, and they are very horrible to look upon, full of wrath and storm."},{"chapter":15,"verse":35,"text":"They shall smite one upon another, and they shall smite down a great multitude of stars upon the earth, even their own star; and blood shall be from the sword unto the belly,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":36,"text":"And dung of men unto the camel’s hough."},{"chapter":15,"verse":37,"text":"And there shall be great fearfulness and trembling upon earth: and they that see the wrath shall be afraid, and trembling shall come upon them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":38,"text":"And then shall there come great storms from the south, and from the north, and another part from the west."},{"chapter":15,"verse":39,"text":"And strong winds shall arise from the east, and shall open it; and the cloud which he raised up in wrath, and the star stirred to cause fear toward the east and west wind, shall be destroyed."},{"chapter":15,"verse":40,"text":"The great and mighty clouds shall be puffed up full of wrath, and the star, that they may make all the earth afraid, and them that dwell therein; and they shall pour out over every high and eminent place an horrible star,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":41,"text":"Fire, and hail, and flying swords, and many waters, that all fields may be full, and all rivers, with the abundance of great waters."},{"chapter":15,"verse":42,"text":"And they shall break down the cities and walls, mountains and hills, trees of the wood, and grass of the meadows, and their corn."},{"chapter":15,"verse":43,"text":"And they shall go stedfastly unto Babylon, and make her afraid."},{"chapter":15,"verse":44,"text":"They shall come to her, and besiege her, the star and all wrath shall they pour out upon her: then shall the dust and smoke go up unto the heaven, and all they that be about her shall bewail her."},{"chapter":15,"verse":45,"text":"And they that remain under her shall do service unto them that have put her in fear."},{"chapter":15,"verse":46,"text":"And thou, Asia, that art partaker of the hope of Babylon, and art the glory of her person:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":47,"text":"Woe be unto thee, thou wretch, because thou hast made thyself like unto her; and hast decked thy daughters in whoredom, that they might please and glory in thy lovers, which have always desired to commit whoredom with thee."},{"chapter":15,"verse":48,"text":"Thou hast followed her that is hated in all her works and inventions: therefore saith God,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":49,"text":"I will send plagues upon thee; widowhood, poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence, to waste thy houses with destruction and death."},{"chapter":15,"verse":50,"text":"And the glory of thy Power shall be dried up as a flower, the heat shall arise that is sent over thee."},{"chapter":15,"verse":51,"text":"Thou shalt be weakened as a poor woman with stripes, and as one chastised with wounds, so that the mighty and lovers shall not be able to receive thee."},{"chapter":15,"verse":52,"text":"Would I with jealousy have so proceeded against thee, saith the Lord,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":53,"text":"If thou hadst not always slain my chosen, exalting the stroke of thine hands, and saying over their dead, when thou wast drunken,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":54,"text":"Set forth the beauty of thy countenance?"},{"chapter":15,"verse":55,"text":"The reward of thy whoredom shall be in thy bosom, therefore shalt thou receive recompence."},{"chapter":15,"verse":56,"text":"Like as thou hast done unto my chosen, saith the Lord, even so shall God do unto thee, and shall deliver thee into mischief"},{"chapter":15,"verse":57,"text":"Thy children shall die of hunger, and thou shalt fall through the sword: thy cities shall be broken down, and all thine shall perish with the sword in the field."},{"chapter":15,"verse":58,"text":"They that be in the mountains shall die of hunger, and eat their own flesh, and drink their own blood, for very hunger of bread, and thirst of water."},{"chapter":15,"verse":59,"text":"Thou as unhappy shalt come through the sea, and receive plagues again."},{"chapter":15,"verse":60,"text":"And in the passage they shall rush on the idle city, and shall destroy some portion of thy land, and consume part of thy glory, and shall return to Babylon that was destroyed."},{"chapter":15,"verse":61,"text":"And thou shalt be cast down by them as stubble, and they shall be unto thee as fire;"},{"chapter":15,"verse":62,"text":"And shall consume thee, and thy cities, thy land, and thy mountains; all thy woods and thy fruitful trees shall they burn up with fire."},{"chapter":15,"verse":63,"text":"Thy children shall they carry away captive, and, look, what thou hast, they shall spoil it, and mar the beauty of thy face."},{"chapter":16,"verse":1,"text":"Woe be unto thee, Babylon, and Asia! woe be unto thee, Egypt and Syria!"},{"chapter":16,"verse":2,"text":"Gird up yourselves with cloths of sack and hair, bewail your children, and be sorry; for your destruction is at hand."},{"chapter":16,"verse":3,"text":"A sword is sent upon you, and who may turn it back?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":4,"text":"A fire is sent among you, and who may quench it?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":5,"text":"Plagues are sent unto you, and what is he that may drive them away?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":6,"text":"May any man drive away an hungry lion in the wood? or may any one quench the fire in stubble, when it hath begun to burn?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":7,"text":"May one turn again the arrow that is shot of a strong archer?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":8,"text":"The mighty Lord sendeth the plagues and who is he that can drive them away?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":9,"text":"A fire shall go forth from his wrath, and who is he that may quench it?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":10,"text":"He shall cast lightnings, and who shall not fear? he shall thunder, and who shall not be afraid?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":11,"text":"The Lord shall threaten, and who shall not be utterly beaten to powder at his presence?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":12,"text":"The earth quaketh, and the foundations thereof; the sea ariseth up with waves from the deep, and the waves of it are troubled, and the fishes thereof also, before the Lord, and before the glory of his power:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":13,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":14,"text":"Behold, the plagues are sent, and shall not return again, until they come upon the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":15,"text":"The fire is kindled, and shall not be put out, till it consume the foundation of the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":16,"text":"Like as an arrow which is shot of a mighty archer returneth not backward: even so the plagues that shall be sent upon earth shall not return again."},{"chapter":16,"verse":17,"text":"Woe is me! woe is me! who will deliver me in those days?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":18,"text":"The beginning of sorrows and great mournings; the beginning of famine and great death; the beginning of wars, and the powers shall stand in fear; the beginning of evils! what shall I do when these evils shall come?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":19,"text":"Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment."},{"chapter":16,"verse":20,"text":"But for all these things they shall not turn from their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges."},{"chapter":16,"verse":21,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":22,"text":"For many of them that dwell upon earth shall perish of famine; and the other, that escape the hunger, shall the sword destroy."},{"chapter":16,"verse":23,"text":"And the dead shall be cast out as dung, and there shall be no man to comfort them: for the earth shall be wasted, and the cities shall be cast down."},{"chapter":16,"verse":24,"text":"There shall be no man left to till the earth, and to sow it"},{"chapter":16,"verse":25,"text":"The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":26,"text":"The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? for all places shall be desolate of men:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":27,"text":"So that one man shall desire to see another, and to hear his voice."},{"chapter":16,"verse":28,"text":"For of a city there shall be ten left, and two of the field, which shall hide themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks."},{"chapter":16,"verse":29,"text":"As in an orchard of Olives upon every tree there are left three or four olives;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":30,"text":"Or as when a vineyard is gathered, there are left some clusters of them that diligently seek through the vineyard:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":31,"text":"Even so in those days there shall be three or four left by them that search their houses with the sword."},{"chapter":16,"verse":32,"text":"And the earth shall be laid waste, and the fields thereof shall wax old, and her ways and all her paths shall grow full of thorns, because no man shall travel therethrough."},{"chapter":16,"verse":33,"text":"The virgins shall mourn, having no bridegrooms; the women shall mourn, having no husbands; their daughters shall mourn, having no helpers."},{"chapter":16,"verse":34,"text":"In the wars shall their bridegrooms be destroyed, and their husbands shall perish of famine."},{"chapter":16,"verse":35,"text":"Hear now these things and understand them, ye servants of the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":36,"text":"Behold, the word of the Lord, receive it: believe not the gods of whom the Lord spake."},{"chapter":16,"verse":37,"text":"Behold, the plagues draw nigh, and are not slack."},{"chapter":16,"verse":38,"text":"As when a woman with child in the ninth month bringeth forth her son, with two or three hours of her birth great pains compass her womb, which pains, when the child cometh forth, they slack not a moment:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":39,"text":"Even so shall not the plagues be slack to come upon the earth, and the world shall mourn, and sorrows shall come upon it on every side."},{"chapter":16,"verse":40,"text":"O my people, hear my word: make you ready to thy battle, and in those evils be even as pilgrims upon the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":41,"text":"He that selleth, let him be as he that fleeth away: and he that buyeth, as one that will lose:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":42,"text":"He that occupieth merchandise, as he that hath no profit by it: and he that buildeth, as he that shall not dwell therein:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":43,"text":"He that soweth, as if he should not reap: so also he that planteth the vineyard, as he that shall not gather the grapes:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":44,"text":"They that marry, as they that shall get no children; and they that marry not, as the widowers."},{"chapter":16,"verse":45,"text":"And therefore they that labour labour in vain:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":46,"text":"For strangers shall reap their fruits, and spoil their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captives, for in captivity and famine shall they get children."},{"chapter":16,"verse":47,"text":"And they that occupy their merchandise with robbery, the more they deck their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":48,"text":"The more will I be angry with them for their sin, saith the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":49,"text":"Like as a whore envieth a right honest and virtuous woman:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":50,"text":"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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":51,"text":"And therefore be ye not like thereunto, nor to the works thereof."},{"chapter":16,"verse":52,"text":"For yet a little, and iniquity shall be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness shall reign among you."},{"chapter":16,"verse":53,"text":"Let not the sinner say that he hath not sinned: for God shall burn coals of fire upon his head, which saith before the Lord God and his glory, I have not sinned."},{"chapter":16,"verse":54,"text":"Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":55,"text":"Which spake but the word, Let the earth be made; and it was made: Let the heaven be made; and it was created."},{"chapter":16,"verse":56,"text":"In his word were the stars made, and he knoweth the number of them."},{"chapter":16,"verse":57,"text":"He searcheth the deep, and the treasures thereof; he hath measured the sea, and what it containeth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":58,"text":"He hath shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and with his word hath he hanged the earth upon the waters."},{"chapter":16,"verse":59,"text":"He spreadeth out the heavens like a vault; upon the waters hath he founded it."},{"chapter":16,"verse":60,"text":"In the desert hath he made springs of water, and pools upon the tops of the mountains, that the floods might pour down from the high rocks to water the earth."},{"chapter":16,"verse":61,"text":"He made man, and put his heart in the midst of the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding."},{"chapter":16,"verse":62,"text":"Yea and the Spirit of Almighty God, which made all things, and searcheth out all hidden things in the secrets of the earth,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":63,"text":"Surely he knoweth your inventions, and what ye think in your hearts, even them that sin, and would hide their sin."},{"chapter":16,"verse":64,"text":"Therefore hath the Lord exactly searched out all your works, and he will put you all to shame."},{"chapter":16,"verse":65,"text":"And when your sins are brought forth, ye shall be ashamed before men, and your own sins shall be your accusers in that day."},{"chapter":16,"verse":66,"text":"What will ye do? or how will ye hide your sins before God and his angels?"},{"chapter":16,"verse":67,"text":"Behold, God himself 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 trouble."},{"chapter":16,"verse":68,"text":"For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed you, being idle, with things offered unto idols."},{"chapter":16,"verse":69,"text":"And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and trodden under foot."},{"chapter":16,"verse":70,"text":"For there shall be in every place, and in the next cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":71,"text":"They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but still spoiling and destroying those that fear the Lord."},{"chapter":16,"verse":72,"text":"For they shall waste and take away their goods, and cast them out of their houses."},{"chapter":16,"verse":73,"text":"Then shall they be known, who are my chosen; and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire."},{"chapter":16,"verse":74,"text":"Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at hand, but I will deliver you from the same."},{"chapter":16,"verse":75,"text":"Be ye not afraid neither doubt; for God is your guide,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":76,"text":"And the guide of them 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."},{"chapter":16,"verse":77,"text":"Woe be unto them that are bound with their sins, and covered with their iniquities like as a field is covered over with bushes, and the path thereof covered with thorns, that no man may travel through!"},{"chapter":16,"verse":78,"text":"It is left undressed, and is cast into the fire to be consumed therewith."}]}]}