Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 1

law of the Lord, making them withal to and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will
understand it. bring you to honour.
49 Then spake Attharates unto Esdras 53 So the Levites published all things
the chief priest and reader, and to the to the people, saying, This day is holy to
Levites that taught the multitude, even the Lord; be not sorrowful.
to all, saying, 54 Then went they their way, every one
50 This day is holy unto the Lord; (for to eat and drink, and make merry, and
they all wept when they heard the law:) to give part to them that had nothing,
51 Go then, and eat the fat, and drink and to make great cheer;
the sweet, and send part to them that 55 Because they understood the words
have nothing; wherein they were instructed, and for
52 For this day is holy unto the Lord: the which they had been assembled.

2 ESDRAS
T
HE second book of the prophet of bondage? but they have provoked me
Esdras, the son of Saraias, the unto wrath, and despised my counsels.
son of Azarias, the son of Hel- 8 Pull thou off then the hair of thy head,
chias, the son of Sadamias, the and cast all evil upon them, for they have
son of Sadoc, the son of Achitob, not been obedient unto my law, but it is
2 The son of Achias, the son of Phinees, a rebellious people.
the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the 9 How long shall I forbear them, unto
son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the whom I have done so much good?
son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of 10 Many kings have I destroyed for
Borith, the son of Abisei, the son of Phi- their sakes; Pharaoh with his servants
nees, the son of Eleazar, and all his power have I smitten down.
3 The son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; 11 All the nations have I destroyed be-
which was captive in the land of the fore them, and in the east I have scat-
Medes, in the reign of Artaxerxes king tered the people of two provinces, even
of the Persians. of Tyrus and Sidon, and have slain all
4 And the word of the Lord came unto their enemies.
me, saying, 12 Speak thou therefore unto them,
5 Go thy way, and shew my people saying, Thus saith the Lord,
their sinful deeds, and their children 131 led you through the sea, and in the
their wickedness which they have done beginning gave you a large and safe pas-
against me; that they may tell their sage; I gave you Moses for a leader, and
children's children: Aaron for a priest.
6 Because the sins of their fathers are 14 I gave you light in a pillar of fire,
increased in them: for they have for- and great wonders have I done among
gotten me, and have offered unto strange you; yet have ye forgotten me, saith the
gods. Lord.
7 Am not I even he that brought them 15 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The
out of the land of Egypt, from the house quails were as a token for you; I gave
23
2 ESDRAS 1 Apocrypha
you tents for your safeguard: neverthe- 28 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have
less ye murmured there, I not prayed you as a father his sons, as
16 And triumphed not in my name for a mother her daughters, and a nurse her
the destruction of your enemies, but ever young babes,
to this day do ye yet murmur. 29 That ye would be my people, and
17 Where are the benefits that I have I should be your God; that ye would
done for you? when ye were hungry and be my children, and I should be your
thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry father?
unto me, 30 I gathered you together, as a hen
18 Saying, Why hast thou brought us gathereth her chickens under her wings:
into this wilderness to kill us? it had but now, what shall I do unto you ? I will
been better for us to have served the cast you out from my face.
Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness. 31 When ye offer unto me, I will turn
19 Then had I pity upon your mourn- my face from you: for your solemn feast
ings, and gave you manna to eat; so ye days, your new moons, and your circum-
did eat angels' bread. cisions, have I forsaken.
20 When ye were thirsty, did I not 321 sent unto you my servants the pro-
cleave the rock, and waters flowed out phets, whom ye have taken and slain, and
to your fill? for the heat I covered you torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood
with the leaves of the trees. I will require of your hands, saith the
211 divided among you a fruitful land, Lord.
I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, 33 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your
and the Philistines, before you: what house is desolate, I will cast you out as
shall I yet do more for you? saith the the wind doth stubble.
Lord. 34 And your children shall not be fruit-
22 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, ful; for they have despised my com-
When ye were in the wilderness, in the mandment, and done the thing that is
river of the Amorites, being athirst, and evil before me.
blaspheming my name, 35 Your houses will I give to a people
23 I gave you not fire for your blas- that shall come; which not having heard
phemies, but cast a tree in the water, of me yet shall believe me; to whom I
and made the river sweet. have shewed no signs, yet they shall do
24 What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? that I have commanded them.
thou, Juda, wouldest not obey me: I will 36 They have seen no prophets, yet
turn me to other nations, and unto those they shall call their sins to remembrance,
will I give my name, that they may keep and acknowledge them.
my statutes. 37 I take to witness the grace of the
25 Seeing ye have forsaken me, I will people to come, whose little ones rejoice
forsake you also; when ye desire me to in gladness: and though they have not
be gracious unto you, I shall have no seen me with bodily eyes, yet in spirit
mercy upon you. they believe the thing that I say.
26 Whensoever ye shall call upon me, 38 And now, brother, behold what
I will not hear you: for ye have defiled glory; and see the people that cometh
your hands with blood, and your feet are from the east:
swift to commit manslaughter. 39 Unto whom I will give for leaders,
27 Ye have not as it were forsaken me, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos,
but your own selves, saith the Lord. and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,
24
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 2
40 Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, and give these the everlasting taberna-
Aggeus, Zachary, and Malachy, which is cles, which I had prepared for them.
called also an angel of the Lord. 12 They shall have the tree of life for
an ointment of sweet savour; they shall
neither labour, nor be weary.
CHAPTER 2 13 Go, and ye shall receive: pray for

T HUS 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 coun-
few days unto you, that they may be
shortened: the kingdom is already pre-
pared for you: watch.
14 Take heaven and earth to witness;
for I have broken the evil in pieces, and
sels. created the good: for I live, saith the
2 The mother that bare them saith unto Lord.
them, Go your way, ye children; for I 15 Mother, embrace thy children, and
am a widow and forsaken. bring them up with gladness, make their
3 I brought you up with gladness; but feet as fast as a pillar: for I have chosen
with sorrow and heaviness have I lost thee, saith the Lord.
you: for ye have sinned before the Lord 16 And those that be dead will I raise
your God, and done that thing that is up again from their places, and bring
evil before him. them out of the graves: for I have known
4 But what shall I now do unto you? I my name in Israel.
am a widow and forsaken: go your way, O 17 Fear not, thou mother of the chil-
my children, and ask mercy of the Lord. dren: for I have chosen thee, saith the
5 As for me, O father, I call upon thee Lord.
for a witness over the mother of these 18 For thy help will I send my servants
children, which would not keep my Esay and Jeremy, after whose counsel
covenant, I have sanctified and prepared for thee
6 That thou bring them to confusion, twelve trees laden with divers fruits,
and their mother to a spoil, that there 19 And as many fountains flowing with
may be no offspring of them. milk and honey, and seven mighty
7 Let them be scattered abroad among mountains, whereupon there grow roses
the heathen, let their names be put out and lilies, whereby I will fill thy chil-
of the earth: for they have despised my dren with joy.
covenant. 20 Do right to the widow, judge for the
8 Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that fatherless, give to the poor, defend the
hidest the unrighteous in thee! O thou orphan, clothe the naked,
wicked people, remember what I did 21 Heal the broken and the weak,
unto Sodom and Gomorrha; laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend
9 Whose land lieth in clods of pitch and the maimed, and let the blind man come
heaps of ashes: even so also will I do into the sight of my clearness.
unto them that hear me not, saith the 22 Keep the old and young within thy
Almighty Lord. walls.
10 Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, 23 Wheresoever thou findest the dead,
Tell my people that I will give them the take them and bury them, and I will give
kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would thee the first place in my resurrection.
have given unto Israel. 24 Abide still, O my people, and take
11 Their glory also will I take unto me, thy rest, for thy quietness shall come.
25
2 ESDRAS 3 Apocrypha
25 Nourish thy children, O thou good 39 Which are departed from the sha-
nurse; stablish their feet. dow of the world, and have received
26 As for the servants whom I have glorious garments of the Lord.
given thee, there shall not one of them 40 Take thy number, O Sion, and shut
perish; for I will require them from up those of thine that are clothed in
among thy number. white, which have fulfilled the law of
27 Be not weary: for when the day of the Lord.
trouble and heaviness cometh, others 41 The number of thy children, whom
shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou thou longedst for, is fulfilled: beseech
shalt be merry and have abundance. the power of the Lord, that thy people,
28 The heathen shall envy thee, but which have been called from the begin-
they shall be able to do nothing against ning, may be hallowed.
thee, saith the Lord. 42 I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion
29 My hands shall cover thee, so that a great people, whom I could not num-
thy children shall not see hell. ber, and they all praised the Lord with
30 Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy songs.
children; for I will deliver thee, saith 43 And in the midst of them there was
the Lord. a young man of a high stature, taller than
31 Remember thy children that sleep, all the rest, and upon every one of their
for I shall bring them out of the sides of heads he set crowns, and was more ex-
the earth, and shewmercy unto them: for alted; which I marvelled at greatly.
I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty. 44 So I asked the angel, and said, Sir,
32 Embrace thy children until I come what are these?
and shew mercy unto them: for my wells 45 He answered and said unto me,
run over, and my grace shall not fail. These be they that have put off the
33 I Esdras received a charge of the mortal clothing, and put on the immor-
Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I tal, and have confessed the name of God:
should go unto Israel; but when I came now are they crowned, and receive palms.
unto them, they set me at nought, and 46 Then said I unto the angel, What
despised the commandment of the Lord. young person is it that crowneth them,
34 And therefore I say unto you, O ye and giveth them palms in their hands?
heathen, that hear and understand, look 47 So he answered and said unto me,
for your Shepherd, he shall give you It is the Son of God, whom they have
everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, confessed in the world. Then began I
that shall come in the end of the world. greatly to commend them that stood so
35 Be ready to the reward of the king- stiffly for the name of the Lord.
dom, for the everlasting light shall shine 48 Then the angel said unto me, Go thy
upon you for evermore. way, and tell my people what manner of
36 Flee the shadow of this world, re- things, and how great wonders of the
ceive the joyfulness of your glory: I Lord thy God, thou hast seen.
testify my Saviour openly.
37 O receive the gift that is given you,
and be glad, giving thanks unto him that CHAPTER 3

I
hath called you to the heavenly kingdom. N the thirtieth year after the ruin of
38 Arise up and stand, behold the num- the city I was in Babylon, and lay
ber of those that be sealed in the feast of troubled upon my bed, and my
the Lord; thoughts came up over my heart:
26
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 3
2 For I saw the desolation of Sion, and 15 And madest an everlasting cove-
the wealth of them that dwelt at Babylon. nant with him, promising him that thou
3 And my spirit was sore moved, so that wouldest never forsake his seed.
I began to speak words full of fear to the 16 And unto him thou gavest Isaac, and
most High, and said, unto Isaac also thou gavest Jacob and
4 O Lord, who bearest rule, then ^pak- Esau. As for Jacob, thou didst choose
est at the beginning, when thou didst him to thee, and put by Esau: and so
plant the earth, and that thyself alone, Jacob became a great multitude.
and commandedst the people, 17 And it came to pass, that when thou
5 And gavest a body unto Adam with- leddest his seed out of Egypt, thou
out soul, which was the workmanship of broughtest them up to the mount Sinai.
thine hands, and didst breathe into him 18 And bowing the heavens, thou didst
the breath of life, and he was made living set fast the earth, movedst the whole
before thee. world, and madest the depths to tremble,
6 And thou leddest him into paradise, and troubledst the men of that age.
which thy right hand had planted, before 19 And thy glory went through four
ever the earth came forward. gates, of fire, and of earthquake, and of
7 And unto him thou gavest com- wind, and of cold; that thou mightest
mandment to love thy way: which he give the law unto the seed of Jacob, and
transgressed, and immediately thou ap- diligence unto the generation of Israel.
pointedst death in him and in his genera- 20 And yet tookest thou not away from
tions, of whom came nations, tribes, them a wicked heart, that thy law might
people, and kindreds, out of number. bring forth fruit in them.
8 And every people walked after their 21 For the first Adam bearing a wicked
own will, and did wonderful things be- heart transgressed, and was overcome;
fore thee, and despised thy command- and so be all they that are born of him.
ments. 22 Thus infirmity was made perma-
9 And again in process of time thou nent; and the law (also) in the heart
broughtest the flood upon those that of the people with the malignity of the
dwelt in the world, and destroyedst them. root; so that the good departed away,
10 And it came to pass in every of them, and the evil abode still.
that as death was to Adam, so was the 23 So the times passed away, and the
flood to these. years were brought to an end: then
11 Nevertheless one of them thou left- didst thou raise thee up a servant, called
est, namely, Noah with his household, David:
of whom came all righteous men. 24 Whom thou commandedst to build
12 And it happened, that when they a city unto thy name, and to offer incense
that dwelt upon the earth began to mul- and oblations unto thee therein.
tiply, and had gotten them many chil- 25 When this was done many years,
dren, and were a great people, they began then they that inhabited the city forsook
again to be more ungodly than the first. thee,
13 Now when they lived so wickedly 26 And in all things did even as Adam
before thee, thou didst choose thee a and all his generations had done: for
man from among them, whose name they also had a wicked heart:
was Abraham. 27 And so thou gavest thy city over into
14 Him thou lovedst, and unto him only the hands of thine enemies.
thou shewedst thy will: 28 Are their deeds then any better that
27
2 ESDRAS 4 Apocrypha
inhabit Babylon, that they should there- I will shew thee also the way that thou
fore have the dominion over Sion? desirest to see, and I shall shew thee
29 For when I came thither, and had from whence the wicked heart cometh.
seen impieties without number, then 5 And I said, Tell on, my lord. Then
my soul saw many evildoers in this thir- said he unto me, Go thy way, weigh me
tieth year, so that my heart failed me. the weight of the fire, or measure me the
30 For I have seen how thou suiferest blast of the wind, or call me again the
them sinning, and hast spared wicked day that is past.
doers: and hast destroyed thy people, 6 Then answered I and said, What man
and hast preserved thine enemies, and is able to do that, that thou shouldest ask
hast not signified it. such things of me?
31 I do not remember how this way 7 And he said unto me, If I should ask
may be left: Are they then of Babylon thee how great dwellings are in the midst
better than they of Sion? of the sea, or how many springs are in
32 Or is there any other people that the beginning of the deep, or how many
knoweth thee beside Israel? or what springs are above the firmament, or
generation hath so believed thy cove- which are the outgoings of paradise:
nants as Jacob? 8 Peradventure thou wouldest say unto
33 And yet their reward appeareth not, me, I never went down into the deep,
and their labour hath no fruit: for I have nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever
gone here and there through the heathen, climb up into heaven.
and I see that they flow in wealth, and 9 Nevertheless now have I asked thee
think not upon thy commandments. but only of the fire and wind, and of the
34 Weigh thou therefore our wicked- day wherethrough thou hast passed, and
ness now in the balance, and theirs also of things from which thou canst not be
that dwell in the world; and so shall thy separated, and yet canst thou give me no
name no where be found but in Israel. answer of them.
35 Or when was it that they which 10 He said moreover unto me, Thine
dwell upon the earth have not sinned in own things, and such as are grown up
thy sight? or what people have so kept with thee, canst thou not know;
thy commandments? 11 How should thy vessel then be able
36 Thou shalt find that Israel by name to comprehend the way of the Highest,
hath kept thy precepts; but not the and, the world being now outwardly cor-
heathen. rupted, to understand the corruption
that is evident in my sight?
CHAPTER 4 12 Then said I unto him, It were better

A
D the angel that was sent unto that we were not at all, than that we
me, whose name was Uriel, gave should live still in wickedness, and to
me an answer, suffer, and not to know wherefore.
2 And said, Thy heart hath gone too 13 He answered me, and said, I went
far in this world, and thinkest thou to into a forest into a plain, and the trees
comprehend the way of the most High? took counsel,
3 Then said I, Yea, my lord. And he 14 And said, Come, let us go and make
answered me, and said, I am sent to war against the sea, that it may depart
shew thee three ways, and to set forth away before us, and that we may make us
three similitudes before thee: more woods.
4 Whereof if thou canst declare me one, 15 The floods of the sea also in like
28
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 4
manner took counsel, and said, Come, whereby we are called? of these things
let us go up and subdue the woods of the have I asked.
plain, that there also we may make us 26 Then answered he me, and said.
another country. The more thou searchest, the more thou
16 The thought of the wood was in shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast
vain, for the fire came and consumed to pass away,
it. 27 And cannot comprehend the things
17 The thought of the floods of the sea that are promised to the righteous in
came likewise to nought, for the sand time to come: for this world is full of
stood up and stopped them. unrighteousness and infirmities.
18 If thou wert judge now betwixt 28 But as concerning the things where-
these two, whom wouldest thou begin of thou askest me, I will tell thee; for the
to justify? or whom wouldest thou con- evil is sown, but the destruction thereof
demn? is not yet come.
19 I answered and said, Verily it is a 29 If therefore that which is sown be
foolish thought that they both have de- not turned upside down, and if the place
vised, for the ground is given unto the where the evil is sown pass not away, then
wood, and the sea also hath his place to cannot it come that is sown with good.
bear his floods. 30 For the grain of evil seed hath been
20 Then answered he me, and said, sown in the heart of Adam from the
Thou hast given a right judgment, but beginning, and how much ungodliness
why judgest thou not thyself also? hath it brought up unto this time? and
21 For like as the ground is given unto how much shall it yet bring forth until
the wood, and the sea to his floods: even the time of threshing come?
so they that dwell upon the earth may 31 Ponder now by thyself, how great
understand nothing but that which is fruit of wickedness the grain of evil seed
upon the earth: and he that dwelleth hath brought forth.
above the heavens may only understand 32 And when the ears shall be cut down,
the things that are above the height of which are without number, how great a
the heavens. floor shall they fill?
22 Then answered I and said, I beseech 33 Then I answered and said, How, and
thee, O Lord, let me have understand- when shall these things come to pass?
ing: wherefore are our years few and evil?
23 For it was not my mind to be 34 And he answered me, saying, Do not
curious of the high things, but of such thou hasten above the most Highest: for
as pass by us daily, namely, wherefore thy haste is in vain to be above him, for
Israel is given up as a reproach to the thou hast much exceeded.
heathen, and for what cause the people 35 Did not the souls also of the right-
whom thou hast loved is given over unto eous ask question of these things in their
ungodly nations, and why the law of our chambers, saying, How long shall I hope
forefathers is brought to nought, and the on this fashion? when cometh the fruit
written covenants come to none effect, of the floor of our reward?
24 And we pass away out of the world 36 And unto these things Uriel the
as grasshoppers, and our life is astonish- archangel gave them answer, and said,
ment and fear, and we are not worthy to Even when the number of seeds is filled
obtain mercy. in you: for he hath weighed the world
25 What will he then do unto his name in the balance.
29
2 ESDRAS 5 Apocrypha
37 By measure hath he measured the 50 Then said he unto me, Consider with
times, and by number hath he numbered thyself; as the rain is more than the drops,
the times; and he doth not move nor stir and as the fire is greater than the smoke;
them, until the said measure be fulfilled. but the drops and the smoke remain be-
38 Then answered I and said, O Lord hind: so the quantity which is past did
that bearest rule, even we all are full of more exceed.
impiety. 51 Then I prayed, and said, May I live,
39 And for our sakes peradventure it is thinkest thou, until that time? or what
that the floors of the righteous are not shall happen in those days?
filled, because of the sins of them that 52 He answered me, and said, As for
dwell upon the earth. the tokens whereof thou askest me, I may
40 So he answered me, and said, Go tell thee of them in part: but as touching
thy way to a woman with child, and ask thy life, I am not sent to shew thee; for
of her when she hath fulfilled her nine I do not know it.
months, if her womb may keep the birth
any longer within her.
41 Then said I, No, Lord, that can she CHAPTER 5
not. And he said unto me, In the grave
the chambers of souls are like the womb
of a woman:
42 For like as a woman that travaileth
maketh haste to escape the necessity of
N EVERTHELESS as con-
cerning 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
the travail: even so do these places haste shall be hidden, and the land shall be
to deliver those things that are com- barren of faith.
mitted unto them. 2 But iniquity shall be increased above
43 From the beginning, look, what thou that which now thou seest, or that thou
desirest to see, it shall be shewed thee. hast heard long ago.
44 Then answered I and said, If I have 3 And the land, that thou seest now to
found favour in thy sight, and if it be have root, shalt thou see wasted sud-
possible, and if I be meet therefore, denly.
45 Shew me then whether there be 4 But if the most High grant thee to
more to come than is past, or more past live, thou shalt see after the third trum-
than is to come. pet that the sun shall suddenly shine
46 What is past I know, but what is for again in the night, and the moon thrice
to come I know not. in the day:
47 And he said unto me, Stand up upon 5 And blood shall drop out of wood, and
the right side, and I shall expound the the stone shall give his voice, and the
similitude unto thee. people shall be troubled:
48 So I stood, and saw, and, behold, an 6 And even he shall rule, whom they
hot burning oven passed by before me: look not for that dwell upon the earth,
and it happened, that when theflamewas and the fowls shall take their flight away
gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke together:
remained still. 7 And the Sodomitish sea shall cast out
49 After this there passed by before me fish, and make a noise in the night, which
a watery cloud, and sent down much rain many have not known: but they shall all
with a storm; and when the stormy rain hear the voice thereof.
was past, the drops remained still. 8 There shall be a confusion also in
30
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 5
many places, and the fire shall be oft ing and weeping, like as Uriel the angel
sent out again, and the wild beasts shall commanded me.
change their places, and menstruous wo- 21 And after seven days so it was, that
men shall bring forth monsters: the thoughts of my heart were very
9 And salt waters shall be found in the grievous unto me again,
sweet, and all friends shall destroy one 22 And my soul recovered the spirit of
another; then shall wit hide itself, and understanding, and I began to talk with
understanding withdraw itself into his the most High again,
secret chamber, 23 And said, O Lord that bearest rule,
10 And shall be sought of many, and of every wood of the earth, and of all the
yet not be found: then shall unright- trees thereof, thou hast chosen thee one
eousness and incontinency be multiplied only vine:
upon earth. 24 And of all lands of the whole world
11 One land also shall ask another, and thou hast chosen thee one pit: and of all
say, Is righteousness that maketh a man the flowers thereof one lily:
righteous gone through thee? And it 25 And of all the depths of the sea thou
shall say, No. hast filled thee one river: and of all
12 At the same time shall men hope, but builded cities thou hast hallowed Sion
nothing obtain: they shall labour, but unto thyself:
their ways shall not prosper. 26 And of all the fowls that are created
13 To shew thee such tokens I have thou hast named thee one dove: and of
leave; and if thou wilt pray again, and all the cattle that are made thou hast
weep as now, and fast seven days, thou provided thee one sheep:
shalt hear yet greater things. 27 And among all the multitudes of
14 Then I awaked, and an extreme peoples thou hast gotten thee one people:
fearfulness went through all my body, and unto this people, whom thou lovedst,
and my mind was troubled, so that it thou gavest a law that is approved of all.
fainted. 28 And now, O Lord, why hast thou
15 So the angel that was come to talk given this one people over unto many?
with me held me, comforted me, and set and upon the one root hast thou pre-
me up upon my feet. pared others, and why hast thou scat-
16 And in the second night it came to tered thy only one people among many?
pass, that Salathiel the captain of the 29 And they which did gainsay thy pro-
people came unto me, saying, Where mises, and believed not thy covenants,
hast thou been? and why is thy counten- have trodden them down.
ance so heavy? 30 If thou didst so much hate thy
17 Knowest thou not that Israel is people, yet shouldest thou punish them
committed unto thee in the land of their with thine own hands.
captivity? 31 Now when I had spoken these words,
18 Up then, and eat bread, and forsake the angel that came to me the night afore
us not, as the shepherd that leaveth his was sent unto me,
flock in the hands of cruel wolves. 32 And said unto me, Hear me, and I
19 Then said I unto him, Go thy ways will instruct thee; hearken to the thing
from me, and come not nigh me. And that I say, and I shall tell thee more.
he heard what I said, and went from 33 And I said, Speak on, my Lord.
me. Then said he unto me, Thou art sore
20 And so I fasted seven days, mourn- troubled in mind for Israel's sake: lovest
3i
2 ESDRAS 5 Apocrypha
thou that people better than he that come, at once; that thou mightest shew
made them? thy judgment the sooner?
34 And I said. No, Lord: but of very 44 Then answered he me, and said, The
grief have I spoken: for my reins pain creature may not haste above the maker;
me every hour, while I labour to com- neither may the world hold them at once
prehend the way of the most High, and that shall be created therein.
to seek out part of his judgment. 45 And I said, As thou hast said unto
35 And he said unto me, Thou canst thy servant, that thou, which givest life
not. And I said, Wherefore, Lord? to all, hast given life at once to the crea-
whereunto was I born then? or why was ture that thou hast created, and the
not my mother's womb then my grave, creature bare it: even so it might now
that I might not have seen the travail of also bear them that now be present at
Jacob, and the wearisome toil of the once.
stock of Israel? 46 And he said unto me, Ask the womb
36 And he said unto me, Number me of a woman, and say unto her, If thou
the things that are not yet come, gather bringest forth children, why dost thou it
me together the drops that are scattered not together, but one after another? pray
abroad, make me the flowers green again her therefore to bring forth ten children
that are withered, at once.
37 Open me the places that are closed, 47 And I said, She cannot: but must do
and bring me forth the winds that in it by distance of time.
them are shut up, shew me the image of 48 Then said he unto me, Even so have
a voice: and then I will declare to thee I given the womb of the earth to those
the thing that thou labourest to know. that be sown in it in their times.
38 And I said, O Lord that bearest rule, 49 For like as a young child may not
who may know these things, but he that bring forth the things that belong to the
hath not his dwelling with men? aged, even so have I disposed the world
39 As for me, I am unwise: how may I which I created.
then speak of these things whereof thou 50 And I asked, and said, Seeing thou
askestme? hast now given me the way, I will proceed
40 Then said he unto me, Like as thou to speak before thee: for our mother, of
canst do none of these things that I have whom thou hast told me that she is young,
spoken of, even so canst thou not find out draweth now nigh unto age.
my judgment, or in the end the love that 51 He answered me, and said, Ask a
I have promised unto my people. woman that beareth children, and she
41 And I said, Behold, O Lord, yet art shall tell thee.
thou nigh unto them that be reserved 52 Say unto her, Wherefore are not they
till the end: and what shall they do that whom thou hast now brought forth like
have been before me, or we [that be those that were before, but less of stature?
now], or they that shall come after us? 53 And she shall answer thee. They
42 And he said unto me, I will liken my that be born in the strength of youth are
judgment unto a ring: like as there is no of one fashion, and they that are born in
slackness of the last, even so there is no the time of age, when the womb faileth,
swiftness of the first. are otherwise.
43 So I answered and said, Couldest 54 Consider thou therefore also, how
thou not make those that have been that ye are less of stature than those that
made, and be now, and that are for to were before you.
32
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 6
55 And so are they that come after you and the hand: other question, Esdras,
less than ye, as the creatures which now ask thou not.
begin to be old, and have passed over the 111j I answered then and said, O Lord
strength of youth. that bearest rule, if I have found favour
56 Then said I, Lord, I beseech thee, if in thy sight,
I have found favour in thy sight, shew 12 I beseech thee, shew thy servant the
thy servant by whom thou visitest thy end of thy tokens, whereof thou shewedst
creature. me part the last night.
13 So he answered and said unto me,
CHAPTER 6 Stand up upon thy feet, and hear a
A N D he said unto me. In the begin- mighty sounding voice.
/\ ning, when the earth was made, 14 And it shall be as it were a great
JL IL before the borders of the world motion; but the place where thou stand-
stood, or ever the winds blew, est shall not be moved.
2 Before it thundered and lightened, or 15 And therefore when it speaketh be
ever the foundations of paradise were not afraid: for the word is of the end, and
laid, the foundation of the earth is understood.
3 Before the fair flowers were seen, or 16 And why? because the speech of
ever the moveable powers were estab- these things trembleth and is moved: for
lished, before the innumerable multi- it knoweth that the end of these things
tude of angels were gathered together, must be changed.
4 Or ever the heights of the air were 17 And it happened, that when I had
lifted up, before the measures of the heard it I stood up upon my feet, and
firmament were named, or ever the hearkened, and, behold, there was a
chimneys in Sion were hot, voice that spake, and the sound of it was
5 And ere the present years were sought like the sound of many waters.
out, and or ever the inventions of them 18 And it said, Behold, the days come,
that now sin were turned, before they that I will begin to draw nigh, and to
were sealed that have gathered faith for visit them that dwell upon the earth,
a treasure: 19 And will begin to make inquisition of
6 Then did I consider these things, them, what they be that have hurt un-
and they all were made through me justly with their unrighteousness, and
alone, and through none other: by me when the affliction of Sion shall be ful-
also they shall be ended, and by none filled;
other. 20 And when the world, that shall begin
7 Then answered I and said, What shall to vanish away, shall be finished, then
be the parting asunder of the times? or will I shew these tokens: the books shall
when shall be the end of the first, and the be opened before the firmament, and
beginning of it that followeth? they shall see all together:
8 And he said unto me, From Abraham 21 And the children of a year old shall
unto Isaac, when Jacob and Esau were speak with their voices, the women with
born of him, Jacob's hand held first the child shall bring forth untimely children
heel of Esau. of three or four months old, and they
9 For Esau is the end of the world, and shall live, and be raised up.
Jacob is the beginning of it that fol- 22 And suddenly shall the sown places
loweth. appear unsown, the full storehouses shall
10 The hand of man is betwixt the heel suddenly be found empty:
33
2 ESDRAS 6 Apocrypha
23 And the trumpet shall give a sound, 36 And in the eighth night was my heart
which when every man heareth, they vexed within me again, and I began to
shall be suddenly afraid. speak before the most High.
24 At that time shall friends fight one 37 For my spirit was greatly set on fire,
against another like enemies, and the and my soul was in distress.
earth shall stand in fear with those that 38 And I said, O Lord, thou spakest
dwell therein, the springs of the fount- from the beginning of the creation, even
ains shall stand still, and in three hours the first day, and saidst thus; Let heaven
they shall not run. and earth be made; and thy word was
25 Whosoever remaineth from all these a perfect work.
that I have told thee shall escape, and see 39 And then was the spirit, and dark-
my salvation, and the end of your world. ness and silence were on every side; the
26 And the men that are received shall sound of man's voice was not yet formed.
see it, who have not tasted death from 40 Then commandedst thou a fair light
their birth: and the heart of the inhabit- to come forth of thy treasures, that thy
ants shall be changed, and turned into work might appear.
another meaning. 41 Upon the second day thou madest
27 For evil shall be put out, and deceit the spirit of the firmament, and com-
shall be quenched. mandedst it to part asunder, and to make
28 As for faith, it shall flourish, corrup- a division betwixt the waters, that the
tion shall be overcome, and the truth, one part might go up, and the other re-
which hath been so long without fruit, main beneath.
shall be declared. 42 Upon the third day thou didst com-
29 And when he talked with me, be- mand that the waters should be gathered
hold, I looked by little and little upon in the seventh part of the earth: six parts
him before whom I stood. hast thou dried up, and kept them, to the
30 And these words said he unto me; intent that of these some being planted
I am come to shew thee the time of the of God and tilled might serve thee.
night to come. 43 For as soon as thy word went forth
31 If thou wilt pray yet more, and fast the work was made.
seven days again, I shall tell thee greater 44 For immediately there was great and
things by day than I have heard. innumerable fruit, and many and divers
32 For thy voice is heard before the pleasures for the taste, and flowers of
most High: for the Mighty hath seen unchangeable colour, and odours of
thy righteous dealing, he hath seen also wonderful smell: and this was done the
thy chastity, which thou hast had ever third day.
since thy youth. 45 Upon the fourth day thou com-
33 And therefore hath he sent me to mandedst that the sun should shine, and
shew thee all these things, and to say un- the moon give her light, and the stars
to thee, Be of good comfort, and fear not. should be in order:
34 And hasten not with the times that 46 And gavest them a charge to do
are past, to think vain things, that thou service unto man, that was to be made.
mayest not hasten from the latter times. 47 Upon the fifth day thou saidst unto
35 And it came to pass after this, that the seventh part, where the waters were
I wept again, and fasted seven days in gathered, that it should bring forth living
like manner, that I might fulfil the three creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it
weeks which he told me. came to pass.
34
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 7
48 For the dumb water and without life
brought forth living things at the com- CHAPTER 7

A
mandment of God, that all people might D when I had made an end of
praise thy wondrous works. speaking these words, there was
49 Then didst thou ordain two living sent unto me the angel which
creatures, the one thou calledst Enoch, had been sent unto me the nights afore:
and the other Leviathan; 2 And he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and
50 And didst separate the one from hear the words that I am come to tell
the other: for the seventh part, namely, thee.
where the water was gathered together, 3 And I said, Speak on, my God. Then
might not hold them both. said he unto me, The sea is set in a wide
51 Unto Enoch thou gavest one part, place, that it might be deep and great.
which was dried up the third day, that 4 But put the case the entrance were
he should dwell in the same part, where- narrow, and like a river;
in are a thousand hills: 5 Who then could go into the sea to
52 But unto Leviathan thou gavest the look upon it, and to rule it? if he went
seventh part, namely, the moist; and not through the narrow, how could he
hast kept him to be devoured of whom come into the broad?
thou wilt, and when. 6 There is also another thing; A city
53 Upon the sixth day thou gavest is builded, and set upon a broad field,
commandment unto the earth, that be- and is full of all good things:
fore thee it should bring forth beasts, 7 The entrance thereof is narrow, and
cattle, and creeping things: is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as
54 And after these, Adam also, whom if there were a fire on the right hand, and
thou madest lord of all thy creatures: of on the left a deep water:
him come we all, and the people also 8 And one only path between them
whom thou hast chosen. both, even between the fire and the
55 All this have I spoken before thee, water, so small that there could but one
O Lord, because thou madest the world man go there at once.
for our sakes. 9 If this city now were given unto a
56 As for the other people, which also man for an inheritance, if he never shall
come of Adam, thou hast said that they pass the danger set before it, how shall he
are nothing, but be like unto spittle: receive this inheritance?
and hast likened the abundance of them 10 And I said, It is so, Lord. Then
unto a drop that falleth from a vessel. said he unto me, Even so also is Israel's
57 And now, O Lord, behold, these portion.
heathen, which have ever been reputed 11 Because for their sakes I made the
as nothing, have begun to be lords over world: and when Adam transgressed my
us, and to devour us. statutes, then was decreed that now is
58 But we thy people (whom thou hast done.
called thy firstborn, thy only begotten, 12 Then were the entrances of this
and thy fervent lover) are given into their world made narrow, full of sorrow and
hands. travail: they are but few and evil, full of
59 If the world now be made for our perils, and very painful.
sakes, why do we not possess an in- 13 For the entrances of the elder world
heritance with the world ? how long shall were wide and sure, and brought im-
this endure? mortal fruit.
35
2 ESDRAS 7 Apocrypha
14 If then they that live labour not to come to pass, and the bride shall appear,
enter these strait and vain things, they and she coming forth shall be seen, that
can never receive those that are laid up now is withdrawn from the earth.
for them. 27 And whosoever is delivered from the
15 Now therefore why disquietest thou foresaid evils shall see my wonders.
thyself, seeing thou art but a corruptible 28 For my son Jesus shall be revealed
man? and why art thou moved, whereas with those that be with him, and they
thou art but mortal? that remain shall rejoice within four hun-
16 Why hast thou not considered in thy dred years.
mind this thing that is to come, rather 29 After these years shall my son Christ
than that which is present? die, and all men that have life.
17 Then answered I and said, O Lord 30 And the world shall be turned into
that bearest rule, thou hast ordained in the old silence seven days, like as in the
thy law, that the righteous should in- former judgments: so that no man shall
herit these things, but that the ungodly remain.
should perish. 31 And after seven days the world, that
18 Nevertheless the righteous shall suf- yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and
fer strait things, and hope for wide: for that shall die that is corrupt.
they that have done wickedly have suf- 32 And the earth shall restore those
fered the strait things, and yet shall not that are asleep in her, and so shall the
see the wide. dust those that dwell in silence, and the
19 And he said unto me, There is no secret places shall deliver those souls
judge above God, and none that hath that were committed unto them.
understanding above the Highest. 33 And the most High shall appear
20 For there be many that perish in this upon the seat of judgment, and misery
life, because they despise the law of God shall pass away, and the long suffering
that is set before them. shall have an end:
21 For God hath given strait command- 34 But judgment only shall remain,
ment to such as came, what they should truth shall stand, and faith shall wax
do to live, even as they came, and what strong:
they should observe to avoid punish- 35 And the work shall follow, and the
ment. reward shall be shewed, and the good
22 Nevertheless they were not obedient deeds shall be offeree, and wicked deeds
unto him; but spake against him, and shall bear no rule.
imagined vain things; 36 Then said I, Abraham prayed first
23 And deceived themselves by their for the Sodomites, and Moses for the
wicked deeds; and said of the most High, fathers that sinned in the wilderness:
that he is not; and knew not his ways: 37 And Jesus after him for Israel in the
24 But his law have they despised, and time of Achan:
denied his covenants; in his statutes 38 And Samuel and David for the de-
have they not been faithful, and have not struction: and Solomon for them that
performed his works. should come to the sanctuary:
25 And therefore, Esdras, for the empty 39 And Helias for those that received
are empty things, and for the full are the rain; and for the dead, that he might
full things. live:
26 Behold, the time shall come, that 40 And Ezechias for the people in the
these tokens which I have told thee shall time of Sennacherib: and many for many.
36
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 7
41 Even so now, seeing corruption is wherein is security and medicine, since
grown up, and wickedness increased, and we shall not enter into it?
the righteous have prayed for the un- 54 (For we have walked in unpleasant
godly: wherefore shall it not be so now places.)
also? 55 And that the faces of them which
42 He answered me, and said, This have used abstinence shall shine above
present life is not the end where much the stars, whereas our faces shall be
glory doth abide; therefore have they blacker than darkness?
prayed for the weak. 56 For while we lived and committed
43 But the day of doom shall be the end iniquity, we considered not that we
of this time, and the beginning of the should begin to surfer for it after death.
immortality for to come, wherein cor- 57 Then answered he me, and said.
ruption is past, This is the condition of the battle, which
44 Intemperance is at an end, infidelity man that is born upon the earth shall
is cut off, righteousness is grown, and fight;
truth is sprung up. 58 That, if he be overcome, he shall suf-
45 Then shall no man be able to save fer as thou hast said: but if he get the
him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him victory, he shall receive the thing that
that hath gotten the victory. I say.
46 I answered then and said, This is 59 For this is the life whereof Moses
my first and last saying, that it had been spake unto the people while he lived,
better not to have given the earth unto saying, Choose thee life, that thou may-
Adam: or else, when it was given him, est live.
to have restrained him from sinning. 60 Nevertheless they believed not him,
47 For what profit is it for men now in nor yet the prophets after him, no nor
this present time to live in heaviness, me which have spoken unto them,
and after death to look for punishment? 61 That there should not be such heavi-
48 O thou Adam, what hast thou done? ness in their destruction, as shall be joy
for though it was thou that sinned, thou over them that are persuaded to salvation.
art not fallen alone, but we all that come 62 I answered then, and said, I know,
ofthee. Lord, that the most High is called merci-
49 For what profit is it unto us, if there ful, in that he hath mercy upon them
be promised us an immortal time, where- which are not yet come into the world,
as we have done the works that bring 63 And upon those also that turn to his
death? law;
50 And that there is promised us an 64 And that he is patient, and long suf-
everlasting hope, whereas ourselves be- fereth those that have sinned, as his
ing most wicked are made vain? creatures;
51 And that there are laid up for us 65 And that he is bountiful, for he is
dwellings of health and safety, whereas ready to give where it needeth;
we have lived wickedly? 66 And that he is of great mercy, for he
52 And that the glory of the most High multiplieth more and more mercies to
is kept to defend them which have led them that are present, and that are past,
a wary life, whereas we have walked in and also to them which are to come.
the most wicked ways of all? 67 For if he shall not multiply his mer-
53 And that there should be shewed a cies, the world would not continue with
paradise, whose fruit endureth for ever, them that inherit therein.
37
2 ESDRAS 8 Apocrypha
68 And he pardoneth; for if he did not 9 But that which keepeth and is kept
so of his goodness, that they which have shall both be preserved: and when the
committed iniquities might be eased of time cometh, the womb preserved de-
them, the ten thousandth part of men livereth up the things that grew in it.
should not remain living. 10 For thou hast commanded out of the
69 And being judge, if he should not parts of the body, that is to say, out of
forgive them that are cured with his the breasts, milk to be given, which is
word, and put out the multitude of con- the fruit of the breasts,
tentions, 11 That the thing which is fashioned
70 There should be very few left per- may be nourished for a time, till thou
adventure in an innumerable multitude. disposest it to thy mercy.
12 Thou broughtest it up with thy
righteousness, and nurturedst it in thy
CHAPTER 8
law, and reformedst it with thy judg-
A ND he answered me, saying, The ment.
/\ most High hath made this world 13 And thou shalt mortify it as thy
JL \. for many, but the world to come creature, and quicken it as thy work.
for few. 14 If therefore thou shalt destroy him
2 I will tell tliee a similitude, Esdras; which with so great labour was fashioned,
As when thou askest the earth, it shall it is an easy thing to be ordained by thy
say unto thee, that it giveth much mould commandment, that the thing which was
whereof earthen vessels are made, but made might be preserved.
little dust that gold cometh of: even so 15 Now therefore, Lord, I will speak;
is the course of this present world. touching man in general, thou knowest
3 There be many created, but few shall best; but touching thy people, for whose
be saved. sake I am sorry;
4 So answered I and said, Swallow then 16 And for thine inheritance, for whose
down, O my soul, understanding, and de- cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom
vour wisdom. I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose
5 For thou hast agreed to give ear, and sake I am troubled;
art willing to prophesy: for thou hast no 17 Therefore will I begin to pray before
longer space than only to live. thee for myself and for them: for I see
6 O Lord, if thou suffer not thy servant, the falls of us that dwell in the land.
that we may pray before thee, and thou 18 But I have heard the swiftness of the
give us seed unto our heart, and culture to judge which is to come.
our understanding, that there may come 19 Therefore hear my voice, and under-
fruit of it; how shall each man live that is stand my words, and I shall speak before
corrupt, who beareth the place of a man ? thee. This is the beginning of the words
7 For thou art alone, and we all one of Esdras, before he was taken up: and
workmanship of thine hands, like as thou I said,
hast said. 20 O Lord, thou that dwellest in ever-
8 For when the body is fashioned now lastingness, which beholdest from above
in the mother's womb, and thou givest things in the heaven and in the air;
it members, thy creature is preserved in 21 Whose throne is inestimable; whose
fire and water, and nine months doth thy glory may not be comprehended; before
workmanship endure thy creature which whom the hosts of angels stand with
is created in her. trembling,
38
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 8
22 (Whose service is conversant in wickedly; and among the faithful there
wind and fire,) whose word is true, and is none which hath not done amiss.
sayings constant; whose commandment 36 For in this, O Lord, thy righteous-
is strong, and ordinance fearful; ness and thy goodness shall be declared,
23 Whose look drieth up the depths, if thou be merciful unto them which have
and indignation maketh the mountains not the confidence of good works.
to melt away; which the truth witness- 37 Then answered he me, and said.
eth: Some things hast thou spoken aright,
24 O hear the prayer of thy servant, and and according unto thy words it shall be.
give ear to the petition of thy creature. 38 For indeed I will not think on the
25 For while I live I will speak, and disposition of them which have sinned
so long as I have understanding I will before death, before judgment, before
answer. destruction:
26 O look not upon the sins of thy 39 But I will rejoice over the disposition
people; but on them which serve thee in of the righteous, and I will remember
truth. also their pilgrimage, and the salvation,
27 Regard not the wicked inventions of and the reward, that they shall have.
the heathen, but the desire of those that 40 Like as I have spoken now, so shall
keep thy testimonies in afflictions. it come to pass.
28 Think not upon those that have 41 For as the husbandman soweth
walked feignedly before thee: but re- much seed upon the ground, and plant-
member them, which according to thy eth many trees, and yet the thing that is
will have known thy fear. sown good in his season cometh not up,
29 Let it not be thy will to destroy them neither doth all that is planted take root:
which have lived like beasts; but to look even so is it of them that are sown in the
upon them that have clearly taught thy world; they shall not all be saved.
law. 42 I answered then and said, If I have
30 Take thou no indignation at them found grace, let me speak.
which are deemed worse than beasts; 43 Like as the husbandman's seed
but love them that alway put their trust perisheth, if it come not up, and receive
in thy righteousness and glory. not thy rain in due season; or if there
31 For we and our fathers do languish come too much rain, and corrupt it:
of such diseases: but because of us sin- 44 Even so perisheth man also, which
ners thou shalt be called merciful. is formed with thy hands, and is called
32 For if thou hast a desire to have thine own image, because thou art like
mercy upon us, thou shalt be called unto him, for whose sake thou hast made
merciful, to us namely, that have no all things, and likened him unto the
works of righteousness. husbandman's seed.
33 For the just, which have many good 45 Be not wroth with us, but spare thy
works laid up with thee, shall out of their people, and have mercy upon thine own
own deeds receive reward. inheritance: for thou art merciful unto
34 For what is man, that thou shouldest thy creature.
take displeasure at him? or what is a 46 Then answered he me, and said,
corruptible generation, that thou should- Things present are for the present, and
est be so bitter toward it? things to come for such as be to come.
35 For in truth there is no man among 47 For thou comest far short that thou
them that be born, but he hath dealt shouldest be able to love my creature
39
2 ESDRAS 9 Apocrypha
more than I: but I have ofttimes drawn all men, but unto thee, and a few like
nigh unto thee, and unto it, but never to thee. Then answered I and said,
the unrighteous. 63 Behold, O Lord, now hast thou
48 In this also thou art marvellous be- shewed me the multitude of the won-
fore the most High: ders, which thou wilt begin to do in the
49 In that thou hast humbled thyself, as last times: but at what time, thou hast
it becometh thee, and hast not judged not shewed me.
thyself worthy to be much glorified a-
mong the righteous.
50 For many great miseries shall be CHAPTER 9

H
done to them that in the latter time shall E answered me then, and said,
dwell in the world, because they have Measure thou the time dili-
walked in great pride. gently in itself: and when thou
51 But understand thou for thyself, and seest part of the signs past, which I have
seek out the glory for such as be like thee. told thee before,
52 For unto you is paradise opened, the 2 Then shalt thou understand, that it is
tree of life is planted, the time to come the very same time, wherein the Highest
is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, will begin to visit the world which he
a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, made.
perfect goodness and wisdom. 3 Therefore when there shall be seen
53 The root of evil is sealed up from earthquakes and uproars of the people
you, weakness and the moth is hid from in the world:
you, and corruption is fled into hell to be 4 Then shalt thou well understand,
forgotten: that the most High spake of those things
54 Sorrows are passed, and in the end is from the days that were before thee,
shewed the treasure of immortality. even from the beginning.
55 And therefore ask thou no more 5 For like as all that is made in the
questions concerning the multitude of world hath a beginning and an end, and
them that perish. the end is manifest:
56 For when they had taken liberty, 6 Even so the times also of the Highest
they despised the most High, thought have plain beginnings in wonders and
scorn of his law, and forsook his ways. powerful works, and endings in effects
57 Moreover they have trodden down and signs.
his righteous, 7 And every one that shall be saved, and
58 And said in their heart, that there is no shall be able to escape by his works, and
God; yea, and that knowing they must die. by faith, whereby ye have believed,
59 For as the things aforesaid shall re- 8 Shall be preserved from the said
ceive you, so thirst and pain are pre- perils, and shall see my salvation in my
pared for them: for it was not his will land, and within my borders: for I have
that men should come to nought: sanctified them for me from the begin-
60 But they which be created have de- ning.
filed the name of him that made them, 9 Then shall they be in pitiful case,
and were unthankful unto him which which now have abused my ways: and
prepared life for them. they that have cast them away despite-
61 And therefore is my judgment now fully shall dwell in torments.
at hand. 10 For such as in their life have received
62 These things have I not shewed unto benefits, and have not known me;
40
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 9
11 And they that have lothed my law, no house is builded, and eat only the
while they had yet liberty, and, when as flowers of the field; taste no flesh, drink
yet place of repentance was open unto no wine, but eat flowers only;)
them, understood not, but despised it; 25 And pray unto the Highest continu-
12 The same must know it after death ally, then will I come and talk with thee.
by pain. 26 So I went my way into the field
13 And therefore be thou not curious which is called Ardath, like as he com-
how the ungodly shall be punished, and manded me; and there I sat among the
when: but enquire how the righteous flowers, and did eat of the herbs of the
shall be saved, whose the world is, and field, and the meat of the same satisfied
for whom the world is created. me.
14 Then answered I and said, 27 After seven days I sat upon the grass,
151 have said before, and now do speak, and my heart was vexed within me, like
and will speak it also hereafter, that there as before:
be many more of them which perish, than 28 And I opened my mouth, and began
of them which shall be saved: to talk before the most High, and said,
16 Like as a wave is greater than a drop. 29 O Lord, thou that shewest thyself
17 And he answered me, saying, Like as unto us, thou wast shewed unto our fa-
the field is, so is also the seed; as the thers in the wilderness, in a place where
flowers be, such are the colours also; no man treadeth, in a barren place, when
such as the workman is, such also is the they came out of Egypt.
work; and as the husbandman is himself, 30 And thou spakest, saying, Hear me,
so is his husbandry also: for it was the O Israel; and mark my words, thou seed
time of the world. of Jacob.
18 And now when I prepared the world, 31 For, behold, I sow my law in you,
which was not yet made, even for them and it shall bring fruit in you, and ye
to dwell in that now live, no man spake shall be honoured in it for ever.
against me. 32 But our fathers, which received the
19 For then every one obeyed: but now law, kept it not, and observed not thy
the manners of them which are created ordinances: and though the fruit of thy
in this world that is made are corrupted law did not perish, neither could it, for
by a perpetual seed, and by a law which it was thine;
is unsearchable rid themselves. 33 Yet they that received it perished,
20 So I considered the world, and, be- because they kept not the thing that was
hold, there was peril because of the de- sown in them.
vices that were come into it. 34 And, lo, it is a custom, when the
21 And I saw, and spared it greatly, and ground hath received seed, or the sea
have kept me a grape of the cluster, and a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, that,
a plant of a great people. that being perished wherein it was sown
22 Let the multitude perish then, which or cast into,
was born in vain; and let my grape be 35 That thing also which was sown, or
kept, and my plant; for with great la- cast therein, or received, doth perish,
bour have I made it perfect. and remaineth not with us: but with us
23 Nevertheless, if thou wilt cease yet it hath not happened so.
seven days more, (but thou shalt not 36 For we that have received the law
fast in them, perish by sin, and our heart also which
24 But go into a field of flowers, where received it.
41
2 ESDRAS 10 Apocrypha
37 Notwithstanding the law perisheth me: so I took my rest unto the second
not, but remaineth in his force. day at night.
38 And when I spake these things in 3 And it came to pass, when they had
my heart, I looked back with mine eyes, ail left off to comfort me, to the end I
and upon the right side I saw a woman, might be quiet; then rose I up by night,
and, behold, she mourned and wept with and fled, and came hither into this field,
a loud voice, and was much grieved in as thou seest.
heart, and her clothes were rent, and she 4 And I do now purpose not to return
had ashes upon her head. into the city, but here to stay, and nei-
39 Then let I my thoughts go that I ther to eat nor drink, but continually to
was in, and turned me unto her, mourn and to fast until I die.
40 And said unto her, Wherefore weep- 5 Then left I the meditations wherein
est thou? why art thou so grieved in thy I was, and spake to her in anger, say-
mind? ing,
41 And she said unto me, Sir, let me 6 Thou foolish woman above all other,
alone, that I may bewail myself, and add seest thou not our mourning, and what
unto my sorrow, for I am sore vexed in happeneth unto us?
my mind, and brought very low. 7 How that Sion our mother is full of all
42 And I said unto her, What aileth heaviness, and much humbled, mourn-
thee? tell me. ing very sore?
43 She said unto me, I thy servant have 8 And now, seeing we all mourn and are
been barren, and had no child, though sad, for we are all in heaviness, art thou
I had an husband thirty years. grieved for one son?
44 And those thirty years I did nothing 9 For ask the earth, and she shall tell
else day and night, and every hour, but thee, that it is she which ought to mourn
make my prayer to the Highest. for the fall of so many that grow upon
45 After thirty years God heard me her.
thine handmaid, looked upon my misery, 10 For out of her came all at the first,
considered my trouble, and gave me a and out of her shall all others come, and,
son: and I was very glad of him, so was behold, they walk almost all into de-
my husband also, and all my neighbours: struction, and a multitude of them is
and we gave great honour unto the Al- utterly rooted out.
mighty. 11 Who then should make more mourn-
46 And I nourished him with great ing than she, that hath lost so great a
travail. multitude; and not thou, which art sorry
47 So when he grew up, and came to but for one?
the time that he should have a wife, I 12 But if thou sayest unto me, My
made a feast. lamentation is not like the earth's, be-
cause I have lost the fruit of my womb,
CHAPTER 10 which I brought forth with pains, and
bare with sorrows;
A ND it so came to pass, that when 13 But the earth not so: for the multi-
/\ my son was entered into his tude present in it according to the course
JL IL wedding chamber, he fell down, of the earth is gone, as it came:
and died. 14 Then say I unto thee, Like as thou
2 Then we all overthrew the lights, and hast brought forth wijh labour; even so
all my neighbours rose up to comfort the earth also hath given her fruit,
42
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 10
namely, man, ever since the beginning 25 And it came to pass, while I was
unto him that made her. talking with her, behold, her face upon
15 Now therefore keep thy sorrow to a sudden shined exceedingly, and her
thyself, and bear with a good courage countenance glistered, so that I was a-
that which hath befallen thee. fraid of her, and mused what it might be.
16 For if thou shalt acknowledge the 26 And, behold, suddenly she made a
determination of God to be just, thou great cry very fearful: so that the earth
shalt both receive thy son in time, and shook at the noise of the woman.
shalt be commended among women. 27 And I looked, and, behold, the wo-
17 Go thy way then into the city to man appeared unto me no more, but
thine husband. there was a city builded, and a large place
18 And she said unto me, That will I shewed itself from the foundations: then
not do: I will not go into the city, but was I afraid, and cried with a loud voice,
here will I die. and said,
19 So I proceeded to speak further unto 28 Where is Uriel the angel, who came
her, and said, unto me at the first? for he hath caused
20 Do not so, but be counselled by me: me to fall into many trances, and mine
for how many are the adversities of Sion ? end is turned into corruption, and my
be comforted in regard of the sorrow of prayer to rebuke.
Jerusalem. 29 And as I was speaking these words,
21 For thou seest that our sanctuary is behold, he came unto me, and looked
laid waste, our altar broken down, our upon me.
temple destroyed; 30 And, lo, I lay as one that had been
22 Our psaltery is laid on the ground, dead, and mine understanding was taken
our song is put to silence, our rejoicing from me: and he took me by the right
is at an end, the light of our candlestick hand, and comforted me, and set me
is put out, the ark of our covenant is upon my feet, and said unto me,
spoiled, our holy things are denied, and 31 What aileth thee? and why art thou
the name that is called upon us is almost so disquieted? and why is thine under-
profaned: our children are put to shame, standing troubled, and the thoughts of
our priests are burnt, our Levites are thine heart?
gone into captivity, our virgins are de- 32 And I said, Because thou hast for-
filed, and our wives ravished; our right- saken me, and yet I did according to thy
eous men carried away, our little ones words, and I went into the field, and,
destroyed, our young men are brought lo, I have seen, and yet see, that I am not
in bondage, and our strong men are be- able to express.
come weak; 33 And he said unto me, Stand up man-
23 And, which is the greatest of all, the fully, and I will advise thee.
seal of Sion hath now lost her honour; 34 Then said I, Speak on, my lord, in
for she is delivered into the hands of me; only forsake me not, lest I die frus-
them that hate us. trate of my hope.
24 And therefore shake off thy great 35 For I have seen that I knew not, and
heaviness, and put away the multitude hear that I do not know.
of sorrows, that the Mighty may be 36 Or is my sense deceived, or my soul
merciful unto thee again, and the High- in a dream?
est shall give thee rest and ease from thy 37 Now therefore I beseech thee that
labour. thou wilt shew thy servant of this vision.
43
2 ESDRAS 11 Apocrypha
38 He answered me then, and said. 51 And therefore I bade thee remain in
Hear me, and I shall inform thee, and tell the field where no house was builded:
thee wherefore thou art afraid: for the 52 For I knew that the Highest would
Highest will reveal many secret things shew this unto thee.
unto thee. 53 Therefore I commanded thee to go
39 He hath seen that thy way is right: into the field, where no foundation of
for that thou sorrowest continually for any building was.
thy people, and makest great lamenta- 54 For in the place wherein the Highest
tion for Sion. beginneth to shew his city, there can no
40 This therefore is the meaning of the man's building be able to stand.
vision which thou lately sawest: 55 And therefore fear not, let not thine
41 Thou sawest a woman mourning, heart be affrighted, but go thy way in,
and thou begannest to comfort her: and see the beauty and greatness of the
42 But now seest thou the likeness of building, as much as thine eyes be able
the woman no more, but there appeared to see:
unto thee a city builded. 56 And then shalt thou hear as much as
43 And whereas she told thee of the thine ears may comprehend.
death of her son, this is the solution: 57 For thou art blessed above many
44 This woman, whom thou sawest, is other, and art called with the Highest;
Sion: and whereas she said unto thee, and so are but few.
even she whom thou seest as a city 58 But to morrow at night thou shalt
builded, remain here;
45 Whereas, / sayy she said unto thee, 59 And so shall the Highest shew thee
that she hath been thirty years barren: visions of the high things, which the
those are the thirty years wherein there most High will do unto them that dwell
was no offering made in her. upon earth in the last days. So I slept
46 But after thirty years Solomon that night and another, like as he com-
builded the city, and offered offerings: manded me.
and then bare the barren a son.
47 And whereas she told thee that she CHAPTER 11
nourished him with labour: that was the
dwelling in Jerusalem.
48 But whereas she said unto thee, That
my son coming into his marriage chamber
happened to have a fall, and died: this
T HEN saw I a dream, and, be-
hold, there came up from the sea
an eagle, which had twelve fea-
thered wings, and three heads.
2 And I saw, and, behold, she spread
was the destruction that came to Jeru- her wings over all the earth, and all the
salem. winds of the air blew on her, and were
49 And, behold, thou sawest her like- gathered together.
ness, and because she mourned for her 3 And I beheld, and out of her feathers
son, thou begannest to comfort her: and there grew other contrary feathers; and
of these things which have chanced, these they became little feathers and small.
are to be opened unto thee. 4 But her heads were at rest: the head
50 For now the most High seeth that in the midst was greater than the other,
thou art grieved unfeignedly, and suf- yet rested it with the residue.
ferest from thy whole heart for her, so 5 Moreover I beheld, and, lo, the eagle
hath he shewed thee the brightness of her flew with her feathers, and reigned upon
glory, and the comeliness of her beauty: earth, and over them that dwelt therein.
44
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 11
6 And I saw that all things under hea- 21 For some of them were set up, but
ven were subject unto her, and no man ruled not.
spake against her, no, not one creature 22 After this I looked, and, behold, the
upon earth. twelve feathers appeared no more, nor
7 And I beheld, and, lo, the eagle rose the two little feathers:
upon her talons, and spake to her fea- 23 And there was no more upon the
thers, saying, eagle's body, but three heads that rested,
8 Watch not all at once: sleep every one and six little wings.
in his own place, and watch by course: 24 Then saw I also that two little fea-
9 But let the heads be preserved for the thers divided themselves from the six,
last. and remained under the head that was
10 And I beheld, and, lo, the voice went upon the right side: for the four con-
not out of her heads, but from the midst tinued in their place.
of her body. 25 And I beheld, and, lo, the feathers
11 And I numbered her contrary fea- that were under the wing thought to set
thers, and, behold, there were eight of up themselves, and to have the rule.
them. 26 And I beheld, and, lo, there was one
12 And I looked, and, behold, on the set up, but shortly it appeared no more.
right side there arose one feather, and 27 Ajnd the second was sooner away
reigned over all the earth; than the first.
13 And so it was, that when it reigned, 28 And I beheld, and, lo, the two that
the end of it came, and the place thereof remained thought also in themselves to
appeared no more: so the next following reign:
stood up, and reigned, and had a great 29 And when they so thought, behold,
time; there awaked one of the heads that were
14 And it happened, that when it at rest, namely, it that was in the midst;
reigned, the end of it came also, like as for that was greater than the two other
the first, so that it appeared no more. heads.
15 Then came there a voice unto it, and 30 And then I saw that the two other
said, heads were joined with it.
16 Hear thou that hast borne rule over 31 And, behold, the head was turned
the earth so long: this I say unto thee, with them that were with it, and did eat
before thou beginnest to appear no more, up the two feathers under the wing that
17 There shall none after thee attain would have reigned.
unto thy time, neither unto the half 32 But this head put the whole earth in
thereof. fear, and bare rule in it over all those
18 Then arose the third, and reigned as that dwelt upon the earth with much
the other before, and appeared no more oppression; and it had the governance
also. of the world more than all the wings that
19 So went it with all the residue one had been.
after another, as that every one reigned, 33 And after this I beheld, and, lo, the
and then appeared no more. head that was in the midst suddenly ap-
20 Then I beheld, and, lo, in process of peared no more, like as the wings.
time the feathers that followed stood up 34 But there remained the two heads,
upon the right side, that they might rule which also in like sort ruled upon the
also; and some of them ruled, but within earth, and over those that dwelt therein.
a while they appeared no more: 35 And I beheld, and, lo, the head
45
2 ESDRAS 12 Apocrypha
upon the right side devoured it that was
upon the left side. CHAPTER 12
36 Then I heard a voice, which said A N D it came to pass, whiles the lion
unto me. Look before thee, and consider /\ spake these words unto the eagle,
the thing that thou seest. X J L I saw,
37 And I beheld, and, lo, as it were a 2 And, behold, the head that remained
roaring lion chased out of the wood: and and the four wings appeared no more,
I saw that he sent out a man's voice unto and the two went unto it, and set them-
the eagle, and said, selves up to reign, and their kingdom was
38 Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and small, and full of uproar.
the Highest shall say unto thee, 3 And I saw, and, behold, they ap-
39 Art not thou it that remainest of peared no more, and the whole body of
the four beasts, whom I made to reign the eagle was burnt, so that the earth was
in my world, that the end of their times in great fear: then awaked I out of the
might come through them? trouble and trance of my mind, and from
40 And the fourth came, and overcame great fear, and said unto my spirit,
all the beasts that were past, and had 4 Lo, this hast thou done unto me, in
power over the world with great fearful- that thou searchest out the ways of the
ness, and over the whole compass of the Highest.
earth with much wicked oppression; 5 Lo, yet am I weary in my mind, and
and so long time dwelt he upon the earth very weak in my spirit; and little strength
with deceit. is there in me, for the great fear where-
41 For the earth hast thou not judged with I was affrighted this night.
with truth. 6 Therefore will I now beseech the
42 For thou hast afflicted the meek, Highest, that he will comfort me unto
thou hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast the end.
loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings 7 And I said, Lord that bearest rule, if
of them that brought forth fruit and hast I have found grace before thy sight, and
cast down the walls of such as did thee no if I am justified with thee before many
harm. others, and if my prayer indeed be come
43 Therefore is thy wrongful dealing up before thy face;
come up unto the Highest, and thy pride 8 Comfort me then, and shew me thy
unto the Mighty. servant the interpretation and plain dif-
44 The Highest also hath looked upon ference of this fearful vision, that thou
the proud times, and, behold, they are mayest perfectly comfort my soul.
ended, and his abominations are ful- 9 For thou hast judged me worthy to
filled. shew me the last times.
45 And therefore appear no more, thou 10 And he said unto me, This is the
eagle, nor thy horrible wings, nor thy interpretation of the vision:
wicked feathers, nor thy malicious heads, 11 The eagle, whom thou sawest come
nor thy hurtful claws, nor all thy vain up from the sea, is the kingdom which
body: was seen in the vision of thy brother
46 That all the earth may be refreshed, Daniel.
and may return, being delivered from 12 But it was not expounded unto him,
thy violence, and that she may hope for therefore now I declare it unto thee.
the judgment and mercy of him that 13 Behold, the days will come, that
made her. there shall rise up a kingdom upon earth,
46
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 12
and it shall be feared above all the king- 27 For the two that remain shall be
doms that were before it. slain with the sword.
14 In the same shall twelve kings reign, 28 For the sword of the one shall de-
one after another: vour the other: but at the last shall he
15 Whereof the second shall begin to fall through the sword himself.
reign, and shall have more time than any 29 And whereas thou sawest two fea-
of the twelve. thers under the wings passing over the
16 And this do the twelve wings signify, head that is on the right side;
which thou sawest. 30 It signifieth that these are they,
17 As for the voice which thou heardest whom the Highest hath kept unto their
speak, and that thou sawest not to go end: this is the small kingdom and full of
out from the heads, but from the midst trouble, as thou sawest.
of the body thereof, this is the interpre- 31 And the lion, whom thou sawest
tation: rising up out of the wood, and roaring,
18 That after the time of that kingdom and speaking to the eagle, and rebuking
there shall arise great strivings, and it her for her unrighteousness with all the
shall stand in peril of falling: neverthe- words which thou hast heard;
less it shall not then fall, but shall be 32 This is the anointed, which the
restored again to his beginning. Highest hath kept for them and for their
19 And whereas thou sawest the eight wickedness unto the end: he shall re-
small under feathers sticking to her prove them, and shall upbraid them with
wings, this is the interpretation: their cruelty.
20 That in him there shall arise eight 33 For he shall set them before him
kings, whose times shall be but small, alive in judgment, and shall rebuke
and their years swift. them, and correct them.
21 And two of them shall perish, the 34 For the rest of my people shall he
middle time approaching: four shall be deliver with mercy, those that have been
kept until their end begin to approach: preserved upon my borders, and he shall
but two shall be kept unto the end. make them joyful until the coming of the
22 And whereas thou sawest three day of judgment, whereof I have spoken
heads resting, this is the interpreta- unto thee from the beginning.
tion: 35 This is the dream that thou sawest,
23 In his last days shall the most High and these are the interpretations.
raise up three kingdoms, and renew 36 Thou only hast been meet to know
many things therein, and they shall have this secret of the Highest.
the dominion of the earth, 37 Therefore write all these things that
24 And of those that dwell therein, with thou hast seen in a book, and hide them:
much oppression, above all those that 38 And teach them to the wise of the
were before them: therefore are they people, whose hearts thou knowest may
called the heads of the eagle. comprehend and keep these secrets.
25 For these are they that shall accom- 39 But wait thou here thyself yet seven
plish his wickedness, and that shall finish days more, that it may be shewed thee,
his last end. whatsoever it pleaseth the Highest to de-
26 And whereas thou sawest that the clare unto thee. And with that he went
great head appeared no more, it signi- his way.
fieth that one of them shall die upon his 40 And it came to pass, when all the
bed, and yet with pain. people saw that the seven days were
47
2 ESDRAS 13 Apocrypha
past, and I not come again into the city, 3 And I beheld, and, lo, that man
they gathered them all together, from waxed strong with the thousands of
the least unto the greatest, and came heaven: and when he turned his coun-
unto me, and said, tenance to look, all the things trembled
41 What have we offended thee? and that were seen under him.
what evil have we done against thee, that 4 And whensoever the voice went out
thou forsakest us, and sittest here in this of his mouth, all they burned that heard
place? his voice, like as the earth faileth when
42 For of all the prophets thou only art it feeleth the fire.
left us, as a cluster of the vintage, and as 5 And after this I beheld, and, lo, there
a candle in a dark place, and as a haven was gathered together a multitude of
or ship preserved from the tempest. men, out of number, from the four winds
43 Are not the evils which are come to of the heaven, to subdue the man that
us sufficient? came out of the sea.
44 If thou shalt forsake us, how much 6 But I beheld, and, lo, he had graved
better had it been for us, if we also had himself a great mountain, and flew up
been burned in the midst of Sion? upon it.
45 For we are not better than they that 7 But I would have seen the region or
died there. And they wept with a loud place whereout the hill was graven, and
voice. Then answered I them, and said, I could not.
46 Be of good comfort, O Israel; and 8 And after this I beheld, and, lo, all
be not heavy, thou house of Jacob: they which were gathered together to
47 For the Highest hath you in remem- subdue him were sore afraid, and yet
brance, and the Mighty hath not forgot- durst fight.
ten you in temptation. 9 And, lo, as he saw the violence of the
48 As for me, I have not forsaken you, multitude that came, he neither lifted up
neither am I departed from you: but am his hand, nor held sword, nor any instru-
come into this place, to pray for the deso- ment of war:
lation of Sion, and that I might seek mer- 10 But only I saw that he sent out of
cy for the low estate of your sanctuary. his mouth as it had been a blast of fire,
49 And now go your way home every and out of his lips a flaming breath, and
man, and after these days will I come out of his tongue he cast out sparks and
unto you. tempests.
50 So the people went their way into 11 And they were all mixed together;
the city, like as I commanded them: the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and
51 But I remained still in the field seven the great tempest; and fell with violence
days, as the angel commanded me; and upon the multitude which was prepared
did eat only in those days of the flowers of to fight, and burned them up every one,
the field, and had my meat of the herbs. so that upon a sudden of an innumerable
multitude nothing was to be perceived,
but only dust and smell of smoke: when
CHAPTER 13 I saw this I was afraid.

A
D it came to pass after seven 12 Afterward saw I the same man come
days, I dreamed a dream by down from the mountain, and call unto
night: him another peaceable multitude.
2 And, lo, there arose a wind from the 13 And there came much people unto
sea, that it moved all the waves thereof. him, whereof some were glad, some
48
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 13
were sorry, some of them were bound, by his own self shall deliver his creature:
and other some brought of them that and he shall order them that are left
were offered: then was I sick through behind.
great fear, and I awaked, and said, 27 And whereas thou sawest, that out
14 Thou hast shewed thy servant these of his mouth there came as a blast of
wonders from the beginning, and hast wind, and fire, and storm;
counted me worthy that thou shouldest 28 And that he held neither sword, nor
receive my prayer: any instrument of war, but that the rush-
15 Shew me now yet the interpretation ing in of him destroyed the whole multi-
of this dream. tude that came to subdue him; this is
16 For as I conceive in mine under- the interpretation:
standing, woe unto them that shall be 29 Behold, the days come, when the
left in those days! and much more woe most High will begin to deliver them
unto them that are not left behind! that are upon the earth.
17 For they that were not left were in 30 And he shall come to the astonish-
heaviness. ment of them that dwell on the earth.
18 Now understand I the things that 31 And one shall undertake to fight a-
are laid up in the latter days, which shall gainst another, one city against another,
happen unto them, and to those that are one place against another, one people
left behind. against another, and one realm against
19 Therefore are they come into great another.
perils and many necessities, like as these 32 And the time shall be when these
dreams declare. things shall come to pass, and the signs
20 Yet is it easier for him that is in shall happen which I shewed thee be-
danger to come into these things, than fore, and then shall my Son be declared,
to pass away as a cloud out of the world, whom thou sawest as a man ascend-
and not to see the things that happen in ing.
the last days. And he answered unto me, 33 And when all the people hear his
and said, voice, every man shall in their own land
21 The interpretation of the vision shall leave the battle they have one against
I shew thee, and I will open unto thee another.
the thing that thou hast required. 34 And an innumerable multitude shall
22 Whereas thou hast spoken of them be gathered together, as thou sawest
that are left behind, this is the interpre- them, willing to come, and to overcome
tation : him by fighting.
23 He that shall endure the peril in that 35 But he shall stand upon the top of
time hath kept himself: they that be the mount Sion.
fallen into danger are such as have works, 36 And Sion shall come, and shall be
and faith toward the Almighty. shewed to all men, being prepared and
24 Know this therefore, that they which builded, like as thou sawest the hill
be left behind are more blessed than they graven without hands.
that be dead. 37 And this my Son shall rebuke the
25 This is the meaning of the vision: wicked inventions of those nations,
Whereas thou sawest a man coming up which for their wicked life are fallen into
from the midst of the sea: the tempest;
26 The same is he whom God the 38 And shall lay before them their evil
Highest hath kept a great season, which thoughts, and the torments wherewith
49
2 ESDRAS 14 Apocrypha
they shall begin to be tormented, which 51 Then said I, O Lord that bearest
are like unto a flame: and he shall de- rule, shew me this: Wherefore have I
stroy them without labour by the law seen the man coming up from the midst
which is like unto fire. of the sea?
39 And whereas thou sawest that he 52 And he said unto me, Like as thou
gathered another peaceable multitude canst neither seek out nor know the
unto him; things that are in the deep of the sea:
40 Those are the ten tribes, which were even so can no man upon earth see my
carried away prisoners out of their own Son, or those that be with him, but in
land in the time of Osea the king, whom the daytime.
Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away 53 This is the interpretation of the
captive, and he carried them over the dream which thou sawest, and whereby
waters, and so came they into another thou only art here lightened.
land. 54 For thou hast forsaken thine own
41 But they took this counsel among way, and applied thy diligence unto my
themselves, that they would leave the law, and sought it.
multitude of the heathen, and go forth 55 Thy life hast thou ordered in wis-
into a further country, where never man- dom, and hast called understanding thy
kind dwelt, mother.
42 That they might there keep their 56 And therefore have I shewed thee
statutes, which they never kept in their the treasures of the Highest: after other
own land. three days I will speak other things unto
43 And they entered into Euphrates by thee, and declare unto thee mighty and
the narrow passages of the river. wondrous things.
44 For the most High then shewed 57 Then went I forth into the field,
signs for them, and held still the flood, giving praise and thanks greatly unto
till they were passed over. the most High because of his wonders,
45 For through that country there was which he did in time;
a great way to go, namely, of a year and 58 And because he governeth the same,
a half: and the same region is called and such things as fall in their seasons:
Arsareth. and there I sat three days.
46 Then dwelt they there until the
latter time; and now when they shall
begin to come, CHAPTER 14

A
47 The Highest shall stay the springs D it came to pass upon the third
of the stream again, that they may go day, I sat under an oak, and, be-
through: therefore sawest thou the mul- hold, there came a voice out of a
titude with peace. bush over against me, and said, Esdras,
48 But those that be left behind of thy Esdras.
people are they that are found within my 2 And I said, Here am I, Lord. And I
borders. stood up upon my feet.
49 Now when he destroyeth the multi- 3 Then said he unto me, In the bush
tude of the nations that are gathered I did manifestly reveal myself unto
together, he shall defend his people that Moses, and talked with him, when my
remain. people served in Egypt:
50 And then shall he shew them great 4 And I sent him, and led my people out
wonders. of Egypt, and brought him up to the
50
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 14
mount of Sinai, where I held him by me 20 Behold, Lord, I will go, as thou hast
a long season, commanded me, and reprove the people
5 And told him many wondrous things, which are present: but they that shall
and shewed him the secrets of the times, be born afterward, who shall admonish
and the end; and commanded him, say- them? thus the world is set in darkness,
ing, and they that dwell therein are without
6 These words shalt thou declare, and light.
these shalt thou hide. 21 For thy law is burnt, therefore no
7 And now I say unto thee, man knoweth the things that are done of
8 That thou lay up in thy heart the thee, or the works that shall begin.
signs that I have shewed, and the dreams 22 But if I have found grace before thee,
that thou hast seen, and the interpreta- send the Holy Ghost into me, and I shall
tions which thou hast heard: write all that hath been done in the world
9 For thou shalt be taken away from all, since the beginning, which were written
and from henceforth thou shalt remain in thy law, that men may find thy path,
with my Son, and with such as be like and that they which will live in the latter
thee, until the times be ended. days may live.
10 For the world hath lost his youth, 23 And he answered me, saying, Go thy
and the times begin to wax old. way, gather the people together, and say
11 For the world is divided into twelve unto them, that they seek thee not for
parts, and the ten parts of it are gone forty days.
already, and half of a tenth part: 24 But look thou prepare thee many
12 And there remaineth that which is box trees, and take with thee Sarea,
after the half of the tenth part. Dabria, Selemia, Ecanus, and Asiel,
13 Now therefore set thine house in these five which are ready to write
order, and reprove thy people, comfort swiftly;
such of them as be in trouble, and now 25 Aiid come hither, and I shall light a
renounce corruption, candle of understanding in thine heart,
14 Let go from thee mortal thoughts, which shall not be put out, till the things
cast away the burdens of man, put off be performed which thou shalt begin to
now the weak nature, write.
15 And set aside the thoughts that are 26 And when thou hast done, some
most heavy unto thee, and haste thee to things shalt thou publish, and some
flee from these times. things shalt thou shew secretly to the
16 For yet greater evils than those wise: to morrow this hour shalt thou
which thou hast seen happen shall be begin to write.
done hereafter. 27 Then went I forth, as he commanded,
17 For look how much the world shall and gathered all the people together, and
be weaker through age, so much the said,
more shall evils increase upon them that 28 Hear these words, O Israel.
dwell therein. 29 Our fathers at the beginning were
18 For the truth is fled far away, and strangers in Egypt, from whence they
leasing is hard at hand: for now hasteth were delivered:
the vision to come, which thou hast 30 And received the law of life, which
seen. they kept not, which ye also have trans-
19 Then answered I before thee, and gressed after them.
said, 31 Then was the land, even the land of
51
2 ESDRAS 15 Apocrypha
Sion, parted among you by lot: but your 45 And it came to pass, when the forty
fathers, and ye yourselves, have done days were fulfilled, that the Highest
unrighteousness, and have not kept the spake, saying, The first that thou hast
ways which the Highest commanded you. written publish openly, that the worthy
32 And forasmuch as he is a righteous and unworthy may read it:
judge, he took from you in time the 46 But keep the seventy last, that thou
thing that he had given you. mayest deliver them only to such as be
33 And now are ye here, and your wise among the people:
brethren among you. 47 For in them is the spring of under-
34 Therefore if so be that ye will subdue standing, the fountain of wisdom, and
your own understanding, and reform the stream of knowledge.
your hearts, ye shall be kept alive, and 48 And I did so.
after death ye shall obtain mercy.
35 For after death shall the judgment
come, when we shall live again: and CHAPTER 15

B
then shall the names of the righteous be EHOLD, speak thou in the ears
manifest, and the works of the ungodly of my people the words of pro-
shall be declared. phecy, which I will put in thy
36 Let no man therefore come unto me mouth, saith the Lord:
now, nor seek after me these forty days. 2 And cause them to be written in
37 So I took the five men, as he com- paper: for they are faithful and true.
manded me, and we went into the field, 3 Fear not the imaginations against
and remained there. thee, let not the incredulity of them
38 And the next day, behold, a voice trouble thee, that speak against thee.
called me, saying, Esdras, open thy 4 For all the unfaithful shall die in their
mouth, and drink that I give thee to unfaithfulness.
drink. 5 Behold, saith the Lord, I will bring
39 Then opened I my mouth, and, be- plagues upon the world; the sword,
hold, he reached me a full cup, which famine, death, and destruction.
was full as it were with water, but the 6 For wickedness hath exceedingly pol-
colour of it was like fire. luted the whole earth, and their hurtful
40 And I took it, and drank: and when works are fulfilled.
I had drunk of it, my heart uttered under- 7 Therefore saith the Lord,
standing, and wisdom grew in my breast, 8 I will hold my tongue no more as
for my spirit strengthened my memory: touching their wickedness, which they
41 And my mouth was opened, and profanely commit, neither will I suffer
shut no more. them in those things, in which they
42 The Highest gave understanding wickedly exercise themselves: behold,
unto the five men, and they wrote the the innocent and righteous blood crieth
wonderful visions of the night that were unto me, and the souls of the just com-
told, which they knew not: and they sat plain continually.
forty days, and they wrote in the day, and 9 And therefore, saith the Lord, I will
at night they ate bread. surely avenge them, and receive unto me
43 As for me, I spake in the day, and I all the innocent blood from among them.
held not my tongue by night. 10 Behold, my people is led as a flock
44 In forty days they wrote two hun- to the slaughter: I will not suffer them
dred and four books. now to dwell in the land of Egypt:
52
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 15
11 But I will bring them with a mighty 23 The fire is gone forth from his wrath,
hand and a stretched out arm, and smite and hath consumed the foundations of
Egypt with plagues, as before, and will the earth, and the sinners, like the straw
destroy all the land thereof. that is kindled.
12 Egypt shall mourn, and the founda- 24 Woe to them that sin, and keep not
tion of it shall be smitten with the plague my commandments! saith the Lord.
and punishment that God shall bring 25 I will not spare them: go your way,
upon it. ye children, from the power, defile not
13 They that till the ground shall my sanctuary.
mourn: for their seeds shall fail through 26 For the Lord knoweth all them that
the blasting and hail, and with a fearful sin against him, and therefore delivereth
constellation. he them unto death and destruction.
14 Woe to the world and them that 27 For now are the plagues come upon
dwell therein! the whole earth, and ye shall remain in
15 For the sword and their destruction them: for God shall not deliver you, be-
draweth nigh, and one people shall stand cause ye have sinned against him.
up to fight against another, and swords 28 Behold an horrible vision, and the
in their hands. appearance thereof from the east:
16 For there shall be sedition among 29 Where the nations of the dragons of
men, and invading one another; they Arabia shall come out with many cha-
shall not regard their kings nor princes, riots, and the multitude of them shall be
and the course of their actions shall stand carried as the wind upon earth, that all
in their power. they which hear them may fear and
17 A man shall desire to go into a city, tremble.
and shall not be able. 30 Also the Carmanians raging in wrath
18 For because of their pride the cities shall go forth as the wild boars of the
shall be troubled, the houses shall be de- wood, and with great power shall they
stroyed, and men shall be afraid. come, and join battle with them, and
19 A man shall have no pity upon his shall waste a portion of the land of the
neighbour, but shall destroy their houses Assyrians.
with the sword, and spoil their goods, 31 And then shall the dragons have the
because of the lack of bread, and for upper hand, remembering their nature;
great tribulation. and if they shall turn themselves, con-
20 Behold, saith God, I will call to- spiring together in great power to perse-
gether all the kings of the earth to cute them,
reverence me, which are from the rising 32 Then these shall be troubled, and
of the sun, from the south, from the east, keep silence through their power, and
and Libanus; to turn themselves one shall flee.
against another, and repay the things 33 And from the land of the Assyrians
that they have done to them. shall the enemy besiege them, and con-
21 Like as they do yet this day unto my sume some of them, and in their host
chosen, so will I do also, and recompense shall be fear and dread, and strife among
in their bosom. Thus saith the Lord God; their kings.
22 My right hand shall not spare the 34 Behold clouds from the east and
sinners, and my sword shall not cease from the north unto the south, and they
over them that shed innocent blood upon are very horrible to look upon, full of
the earth. wrath and storm.
53
2 ESDRAS 15 Apocrypha
35 They shall smite one upon another, 47 Woe be unto thee, thou wretch, be-
and they shall smite down a great multi- cause thou hast made thyself like unto
tude of stars upon the earth, even their her; and hast decked thy daughters in
own star; and blood shall be from the whoredom, that they might please and
sword unto the belly, glory in thy lovers, which have alway de-
36 And dung of men unto the camel's sired to commit whoredom with thee!
hough. 48 Thou hast followed her that is hated
37 And there shall be great fearfulness in all her works and inventions: there-
and trembling upon earth: and they that fore saith God,
see the wrath shall be afraid, and trem- 49 I will send plagues upon thee;
bling shall come upon them. widowhood, poverty, famine, sword,
38 And then shall there come great and pestilence, to waste thy houses with
storms from the south, and from the destruction and death.
north, and another part from the west. 50 And the glory of thy power shall be
39 And strong winds shall arise from dried up as a flower, when the heat shall
the east, and shall open it; and the cloud arise that is sent over thee.
which he raised up in wrath, and the 51 Thou shalt be weakened as a poor
star stirred to cause fear toward the east woman with stripes, and as one chastised
and west wind, shall be destroyed. with wounds, so that the mighty and
40 The great and mighty clouds shall be lovers shall not be able to receive thee.
lifted up full of wrath, and the star, that 52 Would I with jealousy have so pro-
they may make all the earth afraid, and ceeded against thee, saith the Lord,
them that dwell therein; and they shall 53 If thou hadst not always slain my
pour out over every high and eminent chosen, exalting the stroke of thine
place an horrible star, hands, and saying over their dead, when
41 Fire, and hail, and flying swords, and thou wast drunken,
many waters, that all fields may be full, 54 Set forth the beauty of thy coun-
and all rivers, with the abundance of tenance?
great waters. 55 The reward of thy whoredom shall
42 And they shall break down the cities be in thy bosom, therefore shalt thou
and walls, mountains and hills, trees of receive recompence.
the wood, and grass of the meadows, and 56 Like as thou hast done unto my
their corn. chosen, saith the Lord, even so shall God
43 And they shall go stedfastly unto do unto thee, and shall deliver thee into
Babylon, and make her afraid. mischief.
44 They shall come to her, and besiege 57 Thy children shall die of hunger,
her, the star and all wrath shall they and thou shalt fall through the sword:
pour out upon her: then shall the dust thy cities shall be broken down, and all
and smoke go up unto the heaven, and thine shall perish with the sword in the
all they that be about her shall bewail field.
her. 58 They that be in the mountains shall
45 And they that remain under her shall die of hunger, and eat their own flesh,
do service unto them that have put her in and drink their own blood, for very hun-
fear. ger of bread, and thirst of water.
46 And thou, Asia, that art partaker of 59 Thou as unhappy shalt come
the hope of Babylon, and art the glory through the sea, and receive plagues
of her person: again.
54
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 16
60 And in the passage they shall rush tions thereof; the sea ariseth up with
on the idle city, and shall destroy some waves from the deep, and the waves of
portion of thy land, and consume part of it are troubled, and the fishes thereof
thy glory, and shall return to Babylon also, before the Lord, and before the
that was destroyed. glory of his power:
61 And thou shalt be cast down by them 13 For strong is his right hand that
as stubble, and they shall be unto thee bendeth the bow, his arrows that he
as fire; shooteth are sharp, and shall not miss,
62 And shall consume thee, and thy when they begin to be shot into the ends
cities, thy land, and thy mountains; all of the world.
thy woods and thy fruitful trees shall 14 Behold, the plagues are sent, and
they burn up with fire. shall not return again, until they come
63 Thy children shall they carry away upon the earth.
captive, and, look, what thou hast, they 15 The fire is kindled, and shall not be
shall spoil it, and mar the beauty of thy put out, till it consume the foundation of
face. the earth.
16 Like as an arrow which is shot of
CHAPTER 16 a mighty archer returneth not backward:

W OE be unto thee, Babylon,

and Asia! woe be unto thee,
Egypt, and Syria!
2 Gird up yourselves with cloths of sack
and hair, bewail your children, and be
even so the plagues that shall be sent
upon earth shall not return again.
17 Woe is me! woe is me! who will
deliver me in those days?
18 The beginning of sorrows and great
sorry; for your destruction is at hand. mournings; the beginning of famine and
3 A sword is sent upon you, and who great death; the beginning of wars, and
may turn it back? the powers shall stand in fear; the be-
4 A fire is sent among you, and who ginning of evils! what shall I do when
may quench it? these evils shall come?
5 Plagues are sent unto you, and what 19 Behold, famine and plague, tribula-
is he that may drive them away? tion and anguish, are sent as scourges for
6 May any man drive away an hungry amendment.
lion in the wood ? or may any one quench 20 But for all these things they shall not
the fire in stubble, when it hath begun turn from their wickedness, nor be al-
to burn? way mindful of the scourges.
7 May one turn again the arrow that is 21 Behold, victuals shall be so good
shot of a strong archer? cheap upon earth, that they shall think
8 The mighty Lord sendeth the plagues, themselves to be in good case, and even
and who is he that can drive them away? then shall evils grow upon earth, sword,
9 A fire shall go forth from his wrath, famine, and great confusion.
and who is he that may quench it? 22 For many of them that dwell upon
10 He shall cast lightnings, and who earth shall perish of famine; and the
shall not fear ? he shall thunder, and who other, that escape the hunger, shall the
shall not be afraid? sword destroy.
11 The Lord shall threaten, and who 23 And the dead shall be cast out as
shall not be utterly beaten to powder at dung, and there shall be no man to com-
his presence? fort them: for the earth shall be wasted,
12 The earth quaketh, and the founda- and the cities shall be cast down.
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2 ESDRAS 16 Apocrypha
24 There shall be no man left to till the slack to come upon the earth, and the
earth, and to sow it. world shall mourn, and sorrows shall
25 The trees shall give fruit, and who come upon it on every side.
shall gather them? 40 O my people, hear my word: make
26 The grapes shall ripen, and who you ready to the battle, and in those evils
shall tread them? for all places shall be be even as pilgrims upon the earth.
desolate of men: 41 He that selleth, let him be as he that
27 So that one man shall desire to see fleeth away: and he that buyeth, as one
another, and to hear his voice. that will lose:
28 For of a city there shall be ten left, 42 He that occupieth merchandise, as
and two of the field, which shall hide he that hath no profit by it: and he that
themselves in the thick groves, and in buildeth, as he that shall not dwell
the clefts of the rocks. therein:
29 As in an orchard of olives upon every 43 He that soweth, as if he should not
tree there are left three or four olives; reap: so also he that planteth the vine-
30 Or as when a vineyard is gathered, yard, as he that shall not gather the
there are left some clusters of them that grapes:
diligently seek through the vineyard: 44 They that marry, as they that shall
31 Even so in those days there shall be get no children; and they that marry not,
three or four left by them that search as the widowers.
their houses with the sword. 45 And therefore they that labour,
32 And the earth shall be laid waste, labour in vain:
and the fields thereof shall wax old, and 46 For strangers shall reap their fruits,
her ways and all her paths shall grow and spoil their goods, overthrow their
full of thorns, because no man shall houses, and take their children captives,
travel therethrough. for in captivity and famine shall they get
33 The virgins shall mourn, having no children.
bridegrooms; the women shall mourn, 47 And they that occupy their mer-
having no husbands; their daughters chandise with robbery, the more they
shall mourn, having no helpers. deck their cities, their houses, their pos-
34 In the wars shall their bridegrooms sessions, and their own persons:
be destroyed, and their husbands shall 48 The more will I be angry with them
perish of famine. for their sin, saith the Lord.
35 Hear now these things, and under- 49 Like as a whore envieth a right
stand them, ye servants of the Lord. honest and virtuous woman:
36 Behold the word of the Lord, receive 50 So shall righteousness hate iniquity,
it: believe not the gods of whom the when she decketh herself, and shall
Lord spake. accuse her to her face, when he cometh
37 Behold, the plagues draw nigh, and that shall defend him that diligently
are not slack. searcheth out every sin upon earth.
38 As when a woman with child in the 51 And therefore be ye not like there-
ninth month bringeth forth her son, unto, nor to the works thereof.
within two or three hours of her birth 52 For yet a little, and iniquity shall be
great pains compass her womb, which taken away out of the earth, and right-
pains, when the child cometh forth, they eousness shall reign among you.
slack not a moment: 53 Let not the sinner say that he hath
39 Even so shall not the plagues be not sinned: for God shall burn coals of
56
Apocrypha 2 ESDRAS 16
fire upon his head, which saith before 67 Behold, God himself is the judge,
the Lord God and his glory, I have not fear him: leave off from your sins, and
sinned. forget your iniquities, to meddle no more
54 Behold, the Lord knoweth all the with them for ever: so shall God lead
works of men, their imaginations, their you forth, and deliver you from all
thoughts, and their hearts: trouble.
55 Which spake but the word. Let 68 For, behold, the burning wrath of a
the earth be made; and it was made: great multitude is kindled over you, and
Let the heaven be made; and it was they shall take away certain of you, and
created. feed you, being idle, with things offered
56 In his word were the stars made, and unto idols.
he knoweth the number of them. 69 And they that consent unto them
57 He searcheth the deep, and the trea- shall be had in derision and in reproach,
sures thereof; he hath measured the sea, and trodden under foot.
and what it containeth. 70 For there shall be in every place, and
58 He hath shut the sea in the midst of in the next cities, a great insurrection
the waters, and with his word hath he upon those that fear the Lord.
hanged the earth upon the waters. 71 They shall be like mad men, sparing
59 He spreadeth out the heavens like a none, but still spoiling and destroying
vault; upon the waters hath he founded those that fear the Lord.
it. 72 For they shall waste and take away
60 In the desert hath he made springs their goods, and cast them out of their
of water, and pools upon the tops of the houses.
mountains, that the floods might pour 73 Then shall they be known, who are
down from the high rocks to water the my chosen; and they shall be tried as the
earth. gold in the fire.
61 He made man, and put his heart in 74 Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the
the midst of the body, and gave him Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at
breath, life, and understanding. hand, but I will deliver you from the
62 Yea, and the Spirit of Almighty God, same.
which made all things, and searcheth out 75 Be ye not afraid, neither doubt; for
all hidden things in the secrets of the God is your guide,
earth, 76 And the guide of them who keep my
63 Surely he knoweth your inventions, commandments and precepts, saith the
and what ye think in your hearts, even Lord God: let not your sins weigh you
them that sin, and would hide their sin. down, and let not your iniquities lift up
64 Therefore hath the Lord exactly themselves.
searched out all your works, and he will 77 Woe be unto them that are bound
put you all to shame. with their sins, and covered with their
65 And when your sins are brought iniquities, like as a field is covered over
forth, ye shall be ashamed before men, with bushes, and the path thereof co-
and your own sins shall be your accusers vered with thorns, that no man may
in that day. travel through!
66 What will ye do? or how will ye 78 It is left undressed, and is cast into
hide your sins before God and his angels ? the fire to be consumed therewith.

57