2 Esdras 5-8

Chapter 5

Nevertheless as coming the tokens, behold, the days shall come, that they which dwell upon earth shall be taken in a great number, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith. 2 But iniquity shall be increased above that which now thou see, or that thou has heard long ago. 3 And the land, that thou see now to have root, shall thou see wasted suddenly. 4 But if the Most High grant thee to live, thou shall see after the third trumpet that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night, and the moon thrice in the day: 5 And blood shall drop out of wood, and the stone shall give his voice, and the people shall be troubled: 6 And even he shall rule, whom they look not for that dwell upon the earth, and the fowls shall take their flight away together: 7 And the Sodomitish sea shall cast out fish, and make a noise in the night, which many have not known: but they shall all hear the voice thereof. 8 There shall be a confusion also in many places, and the fire shall be often sent out again, and the wild beasts shall change their places, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters: 9 And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall destroy one another; then shall knowledge hide itself, and understanding withdraw itself into his secret chamber, 10 And shall be sought of many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied upon earth. 11 One land also shall ask another, and say, Is righteousness that makes a man righteous gone through thee? And it shall say, No. 12 At the same time shall men hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labor, but their ways shall not prosper. 13 To show thee such tokens I have leave; and if thou will pray again, and weep as now, and fast even days, thou shall hear yet greater things.

14 Then I awoke, and an extreme fearfulness went through all my body, and my mind was troubled, so that it fainted. 15 So the angel that was come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet.

16 And in the second night it came to pass, that Salathiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where have thou been? and why is thy countenance so heavy? 17 Know thou not that Israel is committed unto thee in the land of their captivity? 18 Up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd that leaves his flock in the hands of cruel wolves. 19 Then said I unto him, Go thy ways from me, and come not near me. And he heard what I said, and went from me.

20 And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me. 21 And after seven days so it was, that the thoughts of my heart were very grievous unto me again, 22 And my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began to talk with the Most High again, 23 And said, O Lord that bear rule, of every wood of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, Thou has chosen Thee one only vine: 24 And of all lands of the whole world Thou has chosen Thee one pit: and of all the flowers thereof one lily: 25 And of all the depths of the sea Thou has filled Thee one river: and of all built cities Thou has hallowed Sion unto Thyself: 26 And of all the fowls that are created Thou has named Thee one dove: and of all the cattle that are made Thou has provided Thee one sheep: 27 And among all the multitudes of people Thou has gotten Thee one people: and unto this people, whom Thou loved, Thou gave a law that is approved of all. 28 And now, O Lord, why has Thou given this one people over unto many? and upon the one root have Thou prepared others, and why has Thou scattered Thy only one people among many? 29 And they which did gainsay Thy promises, and believed not Thy covenants, have trodden them down. 30 If Thou did so much hate Thy people, yet should Thou punish them with Thine own hands.

31 Now when I had spoken these words, the angel that came to me the night afore was sent unto me, 32 And said unto me, Hear me, and I will instruct thee; hearken to the thing that I say, and I shall tell thee more. 33 And I said, Speak on, my Lord. Then said he unto me, Thou are sore troubled in mind for Israel’s sake: love thou that people better than He that made them? 34 And I said, No, Lord: but of very grief have I spoken: for my reins pain me every hour, while I labor to comprehend the way of the Most High, and to seek out part of His judgment. 35 And he said unto me, Thou can not. And I said, Wherefore, Lord? whereunto was I born then? or why was not my mother’s womb then my grave, that I might not have seen the travail of Jacob, and the wearisome toil of the stock of Israel?

36 And He said unto me, Number Me the things that are not yet come, gather Me together the dross that are scattered abroad, make Me the flowers green again that are withered, 37 Open Me the places that are closed, and bring Me forth the winds that in them are shut up, show Me the image of a voice: and then I will declare to thee the thing that thou labor to know. 38 And I said, O Lord that bear rule, who may know these things, but he that has not his dwelling with men? 39 As for me, I am unwise: how may I then speak of these things whereof thou ask me? 40 Then said He unto me, Like as thou can do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so can thou not find out My judgment, or in the end the love that I have promised unto My people.

41 And I said, Behold, O Lord, yet are Thou near unto them that be reserved till the end: and what shall they do that have been before me, or we that be now, or they that shall come after us? 42 And He said unto me, I will liken My judgment unto a ring: like as there is no slackness of the last, even so there is no swiftness of the first. 43 So I answered and said, Could thou not make those that have been made, and be now, and that are for to come, at once; that thou might show Thy judgment the sooner? 44 Then answered He me, and said, The creature may not haste above the Maker; neither may the world hold them at once that shall be created therein.

45 And I said, As Thou has said unto Thy servant, that Thou, which give life to all, has given life at once to the creature that Thou has created, and the creature bare it: even so it might now also bear them that now be present at once. 46 And He said unto me, Ask the womb of a woman, and say unto her, If thou bring forth children, why do thou it not together, but one after another? pray her therefore to bring forth ten children at once. 47 And I said, She cannot: but must do it by distance of time. 48 Then said He unto me, Even so have I given the womb of the earth to those that be sown in it in their times. 49 For like as a young child may not bring forth the things that belong to the aged, even so have I disposed the world which I created.

50 And I asked, and said, Seeing thou have now given me the way, I will proceed to speak before Thee: for our mother, of whom Thou has told me that she is young, draws now near unto age. 51 He answered me, and said, Ask a woman that bears children, and she shall tell thee. 52 Say unto her, Wherefore are unto they whom thou has now brought forth like those that were before, but less of stature? 53 And she shall answer thee, They that be born in the strength of youth are of one fashion, and they that are born in the time of age, when the womb fails, are otherwise. 54 Consider thou therefore also, how that ye are less of stature than those that were before you. 55 And so are they that come after you less than ye, as the creatures which now begin to be old, and have passed over the strength of youth. 56 Then said I, Lord, I beseech Thee, if I have found favor in Thy sight, show Thy servant by whom Thou visit Thy creature.

Chapter 6

And He said unto me, In the beginning, when the earth was made, before the borders of the world stood, or ever the winds blew, 2 Before it thundered and lightened, or ever the foundations of paradise were laid, 3 Before the fair flowers were seen, or ever the moveable powers were established, before the innumerable multitude of angels were gathered together, 4 Or ever the heights of the air were lifted up, before the measures of the firmament were named, or ever the chimneys in Sion were hot, 5 And before the present years were sought out, and or ever the inventions of them that now sin were turned, before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure: 6 Then did I consider these things, and they all were made through Me alone, and through none other: by Me also they shall be ended, and by none other.

7 Then answered I and said, What shall be the parting asunder of the times? or when shall be the end of the first, and the beginning of it that follows? 8 And He said unto me, From Abraham unto Isaac, when Jacob and Esau were born of him, Jacob’s hand held first the heel of Esau. 9 For Esau is the end of the world, and Jacob is the beginning of it that follows. 10 The hand of man is between the heel and the hand: other question, Esdras, ask thou not.

11 I answered then and said, O Lord that bear rule, if I have found favor in Thy sight, 12 I beseech Thee, show Thy servant the end of Thy tokens, whereof Thou showed me part the last night. 13 So He answered and said unto me, Stand up upon thy feet, and hear a mighty sounding voice. 14 And it shall be as it were a great motion; but the place where thou stand shall not be moved. 15 And therefore when it speaks be not afraid: for the word is of the end, and the foundation of the earth is understood. 16 And why? because the speech of these things trembles and is moved: for it knows that the end of these things must be changed.

17 And it happened, that when I had heard it I stood up upon my feet, and hearkened, and, behold, there was a voice that spoke, and the sound of it was like the sound of many waters. 18 And it said, Behold, the days come, that I will begin to draw near, and to visit them that dwell upon the earth, 19 And will begin to make inquisition of them, what they be that have hurt unjustly with their unrighteousness, and when the affliction of Sion shall be fulfilled; 20 And when the world, that shall begin to vanish away, shall be finished, then will I show these tokens: the books shall be opened before the firmament, and they shall see all together: 21 And the children of a year old shall speak with their voices, the women with child shall bring forth untimely children of three or four months old, and they shall live, and be raised up. 22 And suddenly shall the sown places appear unsown, the full storehouses shall suddenly be found empty: 23 And the trumpet shall give a sound, which when every man hears, they shall be suddenly afraid. 24 At that time shall friends fight one against another like enemies, and the earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein, the springs of the fountains shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run.

25 Whosoever remains from all these that I have told thee shall escape, and see My salvation, and the end of your world. 26 And the men that are received shall see it, who have not tasted death from their birth: and the heart of the inhabitants shall be changed, and turned into another meaning. 27 For evil shall be put out, and deceit shall be quenched. 28 As for faith, it shall flourish, corruption shall be overcome, and the truth, which has been so long without fruit, shall be declared.

29 And when He talked with me, behold, I looked by little and little upon him before whom I stood. 30 And these words said he unto me; I am come to show thee the time of the night to come. 31 If thou will pray yet more, and fast seven days again, I shall tell thee greater things by day than I have heard. 32 For thy voice is heard before the Most High: for the Mighty has seen thy righteous dealing, he has seen also thy chastity, which thou has had ever since thy youth. 33 And therefore has He sent me to show thee all these things, and to say unto thee, Be of good comfort and fear not. 34 And hasten not with the times that are past, to think vain things, that thou may not hasten from the latter times.

35 And it came to pass after this, that I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, that I might fulfill the three weeks which he told me. 36 And in the eighth night was my heart vexed within me again, and I began to speak before the Most High. 37 For my spirit was greatly set on fire, and my soul was in distress. 38 And I said, O Lord, Thou spoke from the beginning of the creation, even the first day, and said thus; Let heaven and earth be made; and Thy word was a perfect work. 39 And then was the spirit, and darkness and silence were on every side; the sound of man’s voice was not yet formed. 40 Then commanded Thou a fair light to come forth of Thy treasures, that Thy work might appear.

41 Upon the second day Thou made the spirit of the firmament, and commanded it to part asunder, and to make a division between the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath.

42 Upon the third day Thou did command that the waters should be gathered in the seventh part of the earth: six pats has Thou dried up, and kept them, to the intent that of these some being planted of God and tilled might serve Thee. 43 For as soon as Thy word went forth the work was made. 44 For immediately there was great and innumerable fruit, and many and divers pleasures for the taste, and flowers of unchangeable color, and odors of wonderful smell: and this was done the third day.

45 Upon the fourth day Thou commanded that the sun should shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars should be in order: 46 And gave them a charge to do service unto man, that was to be made.

47 Upon the fifth day thou said unto the seventh part, where the waters were gathered that it should bring forth living creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it came to pass. 48 For the dumb water and without life brought forth living things at the commandment of God, that all people might praise Thy wondrous works. 49 Then did Thou ordain two living creatures, the one Thou called Enoch, and the other Leviathan; 50 And did separate the one from the other: for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both. 51 Unto Enoch Thou gave one part, which was dried up the third day, that he should dwell in the same part, wherein are a thousand hills: 52 But unto Leviathan Thou gave the seventh part, namely, the moist; and has kept him to be devoured of whom Thou will, and when.

53 Upon the sixth day Thou gave commandment unto the earth, that before Thee it should bring forth beasts, cattle, and creeping things: 54 And after these, Adam also, whom thou made lord of all Thy creatures: of him come we all, and the people also whom Thou has chosen.

55 All this have I spoken before Thee, O Lord, because Thou made the world for our sakes. 56 As for the other people, which also come of Adam, Thou has said that they are nothing, but be like unto spittle: and has likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falls from a vessel. 57 And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been reputed as nothing, have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us. 58 But we Thy people, whom Thou has called Thy firstborn, Thy only-begotten, and Thy fervent lover, are given into their hands. 59 If the world now be made for our sakes, why do we not possess an inheritance with the world? how long shall this endure?

Chapter 7

And when I had made an end of speaking these words, there was sent unto me the angel which had been sent unto me the nights afore: 2 And He said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee. 3 And I said, Speak on, my God. Then said He unto me, The sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deep and great. 4 But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river; 5 Who then could go into the sea to look upon it, and to rule it? if he went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad? 6 There is also another thing; A city is built, and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things: 7 The entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water: 8 And one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once. 9 If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance?

10 And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said He unto me, Even so also is Israel’s portion. 11 Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed My statutes, then was decreed that now is done. 12 Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, full of sorrow and travail: they are but few and evil, full of perils,: and very painful. 13 For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure, and brought immortal fruit. 14 If then they that live labor not to enter these strait and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them. 15 Now therefore why disquiet thou thyself, seeing thou are but a corruptible man? and why are thou moved, whereas thou are but mortal? 16 Why have thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?

17 Then answered I and said, O Lord that bear rule, Thou has ordained in Thy law, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish. 18 Nevertheless the righteous shall suffer strait things, and hope for wide: for they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide.

19 And he said unto me. There is no judge above God, and none that has understanding above the Highest. 20 For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them. 21 For God has given strait commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid punishment. 22 Nevertheless they were not obedient unto Him; but spoke against Him, and imagined vain things; 23 And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds; and said of the Most High, that He is not; and knew not His ways: 24 But His law have they despised, and denied His covenants; in His statutes have they not been faithful, and have not performed His works. 25 And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.

26 Behold, the time shall come, that these tokens which I have told thee shall come to pass, and the bride shall appear, and she coming forth shall be seen, that now is withdrawn from the earth. 27 And whosoever is delivered from the fore-said evils shall see My wonders. 28 For My son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred years. 29 After these years shall My son Christ die, and all men that have life. 30 And the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the former judgments: so that no man shall remain. 31 And after seven days the world, that yet awakes not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is corrupt. 32 And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliver those souls that were committed unto them. 33 And the Most High shall appear upon the seat of judgment, and misery shall pass away, and the long-suffering shall have an end: 34 But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong: 35 And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be showed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall bear no rule.

36 Then said I, Abraham prayed first for the Sodomites, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in the wilderness: 37 And Jesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan: 38 And Samuel and David for the destruction: and Solomon for them that should come to the sanctuary: 39 And Helias for those that received rain; and for the dead, that he might live: 40 And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib: and many for many. 41 Even so now, seeing corruption is grown up, and wickedness increased, and the righteous have prayed for the ungodly: wherefore shall it not be so now also?

42 He answered me, and said, This present life is not the end where much glory does abide; therefore have they prayed for the weak. 43 But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past, 44 Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up. 45 Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that has gotten the victory.

46 I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning. 47 For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment? 48 O thou Adam, what have thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou are not fallen alone, but we all that come of thee. 49 For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that bring death? 50 And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are made vain? 51 And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly? 52 And that the glory of the Most High is kept to defend them which have led a wary life, whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all? 53 And that there should be showed a paradise, whose fruit endures forever, wherein is security and medicine, since we shall not enter into it? 54 (For we have walked in unpleasant places.) 55 And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness? 56 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.

57 Then answered He me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight; 58 That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou has said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I say. 59 For this is the life whereof Moses spoke unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou may live. 60 Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor Me which have spoken unto them, 61 That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation.

62 I answered then, and said, I know, Lord, that the Most High is called merciful, in that He has mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world, 63 And upon those also that turn to His law; 64 And that He is patient, and long suffers those that have sinned, as His creatures; 65 And that He is bountiful, for He is ready to give where it needs; 66 And that He is of great mercy, for He multiplies more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and also to them which are to come. 67 For if He shall not multiply His mercies, the world would not continue with them that inherit therein. 68 And He pardons; for if He did not so of His goodness, that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousandth part of men should not remain living. 69 And being Judge, if He should not forgive them that are cured with His word, and put out the multitude of contentions, 70 There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude.

Chapter 8

And he answered me, saying, The Most High has made this world for many, but the world to come for few. 2 I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou ask the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it gives much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold comes of: even so is the course of this present world. 3 There be many created, but few shall be saved. 4 So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom. 5 For thou have agreed to give ear, and are willing to prophesy: for thou have no longer space than only to live. 6 O Lord, if Thou suffer not Thy servant, that we may pray before Thee, and Thou give us seed unto our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it; how shall each man live that is corrupt, who bears the place of a man? 7 For Thou are alone, and we all one workmanship of Thine hands, like as Thou has said. 8 For when the body is fashioned now in the mother’s womb, and Thou give it members, Thy creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months does Thy workmanship endure Thy creature which is created in her. 9 But that which keeps and is kept shall both be preserved: and when the time comes, the womb preserved delivers up the things that grew in it. 10 For Thou has commanded out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, milk to be given, which is the fruit of the breasts, 11 That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till Thou dispose it to Thy mercy. 12 Thou brought it up with Thy righteousness, and nurtured it in Thy law, and reformed it with Thy judgment. 13 And Thou shall mortify it as Thy creature, and quicken it as Thy work. 14 If therefore Thou shall destroy him which with so great labor was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by Thy commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved.

15 Now therefore, Lord, I will speak; touching man in general, Thou know best; but touching Thy people, for whose sake I am sorry; 16 And for Thine inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled; 17 Therefore will I begin to pray before Thee for myself and for them: for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land. 18 But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come.

19 Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before Thee. This is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up: and I said, 20 O Lord, Thou that dwell in everlastingness which behold from above things in the heaven and in the air; 21 Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling, 22 Whose service is conversant in wind and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful; 23 Whose look dries up the depths, and indignation makes the mountains to melt away; which the truth witnesses: 24 O hear the prayer of Thy servant, and give ear to the petition of Thy creature. 25 For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer.

26 O look not upon the sins of Thy people; but on them which serve Thee in truth. 27 Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep Thy testimonies in afflictions. 28 Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before Thee: but remember them, which according to Thy will have known Thy fear. 29 Let it not be Thy will to destroy them which have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught Thy law. 30 Take Thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that always put their trust in Thy righteousness and glory. 31 For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners Thou shall be called merciful. 32 For if Thou has a desire to have mercy upon us, Thou shall be called merciful, to us namely, that have no works of righteousness. 33 For the just, which have many good works laid up with Thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward. 34 For what is man, that Thou should take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible generation, that Thou should be so bitter toward it? 35 For in truth there is no man among them that be born, but he has dealt wickedly; and among the faithful there is none which has not done amiss. 36 For in this, O Lord, Thy righteousness and Thy goodness shall be declared, if Thou be merciful unto them which have not the confidence of good works.

37 Then answered He me, and said, Some things have thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be. 38 For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction: 39 But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have. 40 Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass. 41 For as the husbandman sows much seed upon the ground, and plants many trees, and yet the thing that is sown good in his season comes not up, neither does all that is planted take root: even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be saved.

42 I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let me speak. 43 Like as the husbandman’s seed perishes, if it come not up, and receive not Thy rain in due season; or if there come too much rain, and corrupt it: 44 Even so perishes man also, which is formed with Thy hands, and is called Thine own image, because Thou are like unto him, for whose sake Thou has made all things, and likened him unto the husbandman’s seed. 45 Be not wroth with us but spare Thy people, and have mercy upon Thine own inheritance: for Thou are merciful unto Thy creature.

46 Then answered He me, and said, Things present are for the present, and things to comes for such as be to come. 47 For thou come far short that thou should be able to love My creature more than I: but I have oftentimes drawn near unto thee, and unto it, but never to the unrighteous. 48 In this also thou are marvelous before the Most High: 49 In that thou has humbled thyself, as it becomes thee, and has not judged thyself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous. 50 For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in great pride. 51 But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee. 52 For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is built, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom. 53 The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten: 54 Sorrows are passed, and in the end is showed the treasure of immortality.

55 And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish. 56 For when they had taken liberty, they despised the Most High, thought scorn of His law, and forsook His ways. 57 Moreover they have trodden down His righteous, 58 And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die. 59 For as the things aforesaid shall receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them: for it was not his will that men should come to naught: 60 But they which be created have defiled the name of Him that made them, and were unthankful unto Him which prepared life for them. 61 And therefore is My judgment now at hand.

62 These things have I not showed unto all men, but unto thee, and a few like thee. Then answered I and said, 63 Behold, O Lord, now has Thou showed me the multitude of the wonders, which Thou will begin to do in the last times: but at what time, Thou has not showed me.

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King James Version Bible. It was authorized by King James I. It was translated by the Church of England and was first published in 1611.

God’s words are in red letters, old and new testament, as it should be. It is in paragraph form for easy reading. With all verses numbers labeled in blue for quick reference.

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Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

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