Chapter II: Part 2

8:19 And I king Artexerxes have also commanded the keepers of the treasures in Syria and Phenice, that whatsoever Esdras the priest and the reader of the law of the most high God shall send for, they should give it him with speed,

8:20 To the sum of an hundred talents of silver, likewise also of wheat even to an hundred cors, and an hundred pieces of wine, and other things in abundance.

8:21 Let all things be performed after the law of God diligently unto the most high God, that wrath come not upon the kingdom of the king and his sons.

8:22 I command you also, that ye require no tax, nor any other imposition, of any of the priests, or Levites, or holy singers, or porters, or ministers of the temple, or of any that have doings in this temple, and that no man have authority to impose any thing upon them.

8:23 And thou, Esdras, according to the wisdom of God ordain judges and justices, that they may judge in all Syria and Phenice all those that know the law of thy God; and those that know it not thou shalt teach.

8:24 And whosoever shall transgress the law of thy God, and of the king, shall be punished diligently, whether it be by death, or other punishment, by penalty of money, or by imprisonment.

8:25 Then said Esdras the scribe, Blessed be the only Lord God of my fathers, who hath put these things into the heart of the king, to glorify his house that is in Jerusalem:

8:26 And hath honoured me in the sight of the king, and his counsellors, and all his friends and nobles.

8:27 Therefore was I encouraged by the help of the Lord my God, and gathered together men of Israel to go up with me.

8:28 And these are the chief according to their families and several dignities, that went up with me from Babylon in the reign of king Artexerxes:

8:29 Of the sons of Phinees, Gerson: of the sons of Ithamar, Gamael: of the sons of David, Lettus the son of Sechenias:

8:30 Of the sons of Pharez, Zacharias; and with him were counted an hundred and fifty men:

8:31 Of the sons of Pahath Moab, Eliaonias, the son of Zaraias, and with him two hundred men:

8:32 Of the sons of Zathoe, Sechenias the son of Jezelus, and with him three hundred men: of the sons of Adin, Obeth the son of Jonathan, and with him two hundred and fifty men:

8:33 Of the sons of Elam, Josias son of Gotholias, and with him seventy men:

8:34 Of the sons of Saphatias, Zaraias son of Michael, and with him threescore and ten men:

8:35 Of the sons of Joab, Abadias son of Jezelus, and with him two hundred and twelve men:

8:36 Of the sons of Banid, Assalimoth son of Josaphias, and with him an hundred and threescore men:

8:37 Of the sons of Babi, Zacharias son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight men:

8:38 Of the sons of Astath, Johannes son of Acatan, and with him an hundred and ten men:

8:39 Of the sons of Adonikam the last, and these are the names of them, Eliphalet, Jewel, and Samaias, and with them seventy men:

8:40 Of the sons of Bago, Uthi the son of Istalcurus, and with him seventy men.

8:41 And these I gathered together to the river called Theras, where we pitched our tents three days: and then I surveyed them.

8:42 But when I had found there none of the priests and Levites,

8:43 Then sent I unto Eleazar, and Iduel, and Masman,

8:44 And Alnathan, and Mamaias, and Joribas, and Nathan, Eunatan, Zacharias, and Mosollamon, principal men and learned.

8:45 And I bade them that they should go unto Saddeus the captain, who was in the place of the treasury:

8:46 And commanded them that they should speak unto Daddeus, and to his brethren, and to the treasurers in that place, to send us such men as might execute the priests’ office in the house of the Lord.

8:47 And by the mighty hand of our Lord they brought unto us skilful men of the sons of Moli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, Asebebia, and his sons, and his brethren, who were eighteen.

8:48 And Asebia, and Annus, and Osaias his brother, of the sons of Channuneus, and their sons, were twenty men.

8:49 And of the servants of the temple whom David had ordained, and the principal men for the service of the Levites to wit, the servants of the temple two hundred and twenty, the catalogue of whose names were shewed.

8:50 And there I vowed a fast unto the young men before our Lord, to desire of him a prosperous journey both for us and them that were with us, for our children, and for the cattle:

8:51 For I was ashamed to ask the king footmen, and horsemen, and conduct for safeguard against our adversaries.

8:52 For we had said unto the king, that the power of the Lord our God should be with them that seek him, to support them in all ways.

8:53 And again we besought our Lord as touching these things, and found him favourable unto us.

8:54 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Esebrias, and Assanias, and ten men of their brethren with them:

8:55 And I weighed them the gold, and the silver, and the holy vessels of the house of our Lord, which the king, and his council, and the princes, and all Israel, had given.

8:56 And when I had weighed it, I delivered unto them six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels of an hundred talents, and an hundred talents of gold,

8:57 And twenty golden vessels, and twelve vessels of brass, even of fine brass, glittering like gold.

8:58 And I said unto them, Both ye are holy unto the Lord, and the vessels are holy, and the gold and the silver is a vow unto the Lord, the Lord of our fathers.

8:59 Watch ye, and keep them till ye deliver them to the chief of the priests and Levites, and to the principal men of the families of Israel, in Jerusalem, into the chambers of the house of our God.

8:60 So the priests and the Levites, who had received the silver and the gold and the vessels, brought them unto Jerusalem, into the temple of the Lord.

8:61 And from the river Theras we departed the twelfth day of the first month, and came to Jerusalem by the mighty hand of our Lord, which was with us: and from the beginning of our journey the Lord delivered us from every enemy, and so we came to Jerusalem.

8:62 And when we had been there three days, the gold and silver that was weighed was delivered in the house of our Lord on the fourth day unto Marmoth the priest the son of Iri.

8:63 And with him was Eleazar the son of Phinees, and with them were Josabad the son of Jesu and Moeth the son of Sabban, Levites: all was delivered them by number and weight.

8:64 And all the weight of them was written up the same hour.

8:65 Moreover they that were come out of the captivity offered sacrifice unto the Lord God of Israel, even twelve bullocks for all Israel, fourscore and sixteen rams,

8:66 Threescore and twelve lambs, goats for a peace offering, twelve; all of them a sacrifice to the Lord.

8:67 And they delivered the king’s commandments unto the king’s stewards’ and to the governors of Celosyria and Phenice; and they honoured the people and the temple of God.

8:68 Now when these things were done, the rulers came unto me, and said,

8:69 The nation of Israel, the princes, the priests and Levites, have not put away from them the strange people of the land, nor the pollutions of the Gentiles to wit, of the Canaanites, Hittites, Pheresites, Jebusites, and the Moabites, Egyptians, and Edomites.

8:70 For both they and their sons have married with their daughters, and the holy seed is mixed with the strange people of the land; and from the beginning of this matter the rulers and the great men have been partakers of this iniquity.

8:71 And as soon as I had heard these things, I rent my clothes, and the holy garment, and pulled off the hair from off my head and beard, and sat me down sad and very heavy.

8:72 So all they that were then moved at the word of the Lord God of Israel assembled unto me, whilst I mourned for the iniquity: but I sat still full of heaviness until the evening sacrifice.

8:73 Then rising up from the fast with my clothes and the holy garment rent, and bowing my knees, and stretching forth my hands unto the Lord,

8:74 I said, O Lord, I am confounded and ashamed before thy face;

8:75 For our sins are multiplied above our heads, and our ignorances have reached up unto heaven.

8:76 For ever since the time of our fathers we have been and are in great sin, even unto this day.

8:77 And for our sins and our fathers’ we with our brethren and our kings and our priests were given up unto the kings of the earth, to the sword, and to captivity, and for a prey with shame, unto this day.

8:78 And now in some measure hath mercy been shewed unto us from thee, O Lord, that there should be left us a root and a name in the place of thy sanctuary;

8:79 And to discover unto us a light in the house of the Lord our God, and to give us food in the time of our servitude.

8:80 Yea, when we were in bondage, we were not forsaken of our Lord; but he made us gracious before the kings of Persia, so that they gave us food;

8:81 Yea, and honoured the temple of our Lord, and raised up the desolate Sion, that they have given us a sure abiding in Jewry and Jerusalem.

8:82 And now, O Lord, what shall we say, having these things? for we have transgressed thy commandments, which thou gavest by the hand of thy servants the prophets, saying,

8:83 That the land, which ye enter into to possess as an heritage, is a land polluted with the pollutions of the strangers of the land, and they have filled it with their uncleanness.

8:84 Therefore now shall ye not join your daughters unto their sons, neither shall ye take their daughters unto your sons.

8:85 Moreover ye shall never seek to have peace with them, that ye may be strong, and eat the good things of the land, and that ye may leave the inheritance of the land unto your children for evermore.

8:86 And all that is befallen is done unto us for our wicked works and great sins; for thou, O Lord, didst make our sins light,

8:87 And didst give unto us such a root: but we have turned back again to transgress thy law, and to mingle ourselves with the uncleanness of the nations of the land.

8:88 Mightest not thou be angry with us to destroy us, till thou hadst left us neither root, seed, nor name?

8:89 O Lord of Israel, thou art true: for we are left a root this day.

8:90 Behold, now are we before thee in our iniquities, for we cannot stand any longer by reason of these things before thee.

8:91 And as Esdras in his prayer made his confession, weeping, and lying flat upon the ground before the temple, there gathered unto him from Jerusalem a very great multitude of men and women and children: for there was great weeping among the multitude.

8:92 Then Jechonias the son of Jeelus, one of the sons of Israel, called out, and said, O Esdras, we have sinned against the Lord God, we have married strange women of the nations of the land, and now is all Israel aloft.

8:93 Let us make an oath to the Lord, that we will put away all our wives, which we have taken of the heathen, with their children,

8:94 Like as thou hast decreed, and as many as do obey the law of the Lord.

8:95 Arise and put in execution: for to thee doth this matter appertain, and we will be with thee: do valiantly.

8:96 So Esdras arose, and took an oath of the chief of the priests and Levites of all Israel to do after these things; and so they sware.

9:1 Then Esdras rising from the court of the temple went to the chamber of Joanan the son of Eliasib,

9:2 And remained there, and did eat no meat nor drink water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude.

9:3 And there was a proclamation in all Jewry and Jerusalem to all them that were of the captivity, that they should be gathered together at Jerusalem:

9:4 And that whosoever met not there within two or three days according as the elders that bare rule appointed, their cattle should be seized to the use of the temple, and himself cast out from them that were of the captivity.

9:5 And in three days were all they of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem the twentieth day of the ninth month.

9:6 And all the multitude sat trembling in the broad court of the temple because of the present foul weather.

9:7 So Esdras arose up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed the law in marrying strange wives, thereby to increase the sins of Israel.

9:8 And now by confessing give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers,

9:9 And do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the strange women.

9:10 Then cried the whole multitude, and said with a loud voice, Like as thou hast spoken, so will we do.

9:11 But forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather, so that we cannot stand without, and this is not a work of a day or two, seeing our sin in these things is spread far:

9:12 Therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all them of our habitations that have strange wives come at the time appointed,

9:13 And with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter.

9:14 Then Jonathan the son of Azael and Ezechias the son of Theocanus accordingly took this matter upon them: and Mosollam and Levis and Sabbatheus helped them.

9:15 And they that were of the captivity did according to all these things.

9:16 And Esdras the priest chose unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth month they sat together to examine the matter.

9:17 So their cause that held strange wives was brought to an end in the first day of the first month.

9:18 And of the priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found:

9:19 Of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Matthelas and Eleazar, and Joribus and Joadanus.

9:20 And they gave their hands to put away their wives and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their errors.

9:21 And of the sons of Emmer; Ananias, and Zabdeus, and Eanes, and Sameius, and Hiereel, and Azarias.

9:22 And of the sons of Phaisur; Elionas, Massias Israel, and Nathanael, and Ocidelus and Talsas.

9:23 And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Semis, and Colius, who was called Calitas, and Patheus, and Judas, and Jonas.

9:24 Of the holy singers; Eleazurus, Bacchurus.

9:25 Of the porters; Sallumus, and Tolbanes.

9:26 Of them of Israel, of the sons of Phoros; Hiermas, and Eddias, and Melchias, and Maelus, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Baanias.

9:27 Of the sons of Ela; Matthanias, Zacharias, and Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and Aedias.

9:28 And of the sons of Zamoth; Eliadas, Elisimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, and Sabatus, and Sardeus.

9:29 Of the sons of Babai; Johannes, and Ananias and Josabad, and Amatheis.

9:30 Of the sons of Mani; Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedeus, Jasubus, Jasael, and Hieremoth.

9:31 And of the sons of Addi; Naathus, and Moosias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathanias, and Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas.

9:32 And of the sons of Annas; Elionas and Aseas, and Melchias, and Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus.

9:33 And of the sons of Asom; Altaneus, and Matthias, and Baanaia, Eliphalet, and Manasses, and Semei.

9:34 And of the sons of Maani; Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the sons of Ozora; Sesis, Esril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Josephus.

9:35 And of the sons of Ethma; Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias.

9:36 All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children.

9:37 And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the country, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their habitations.

9:38 And the whole multitude came together with one accord into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east:

9:39 And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel.

9:40 So Esdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear law in the first day of the seventh month.

9:41 And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and women; and the multitude gave heed unto the law.

9:42 And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon a pulpit of wood, which was made for that purpose.

9:43 And there stood up by him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand:

9:44 And upon his left hand stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, and Nabarias.

9:45 Then took Esdras the book of the law before the multitude: for he sat honourably in the first place in the sight of them all.

9:46 And when he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of hosts, Almighty.

9:47 And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord.

9:48 Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, Auteas, Maianeas, and Calitas, Asrias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it.

9:49 Then spake Attharates unto Esdras the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying,

9:50 This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they all wept when they heard the law:)

9:51 Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part to them that have nothing;

9:52 For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour.

9:53 So the Levites published all things to the people, saying, This day is holy to the Lord; be not sorrowful.

9:54 Then went they their way, every one to eat and drink, and make merry, and to give part to them that had nothing, and to make great cheer;

9:55 Because they understood the words wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled.

The Second Book of Esdras

1:1 The second book of the prophet Esdras, the son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Helchias, the son of Sadamias, the sou of Sadoc, the son of Achitob,

1:2 The son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of And he spake unto the of Borith, the son of Abisei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,

1:3 The son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artexerxes king of the Persians.

1:4 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

1:5 Go thy way, and shew my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children’s children:

1:6 Because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto strange gods.

1:7 Am not I even he that brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and despised my counsels.

1:8 Pull thou off then the hair of thy head, and cast all evil upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people.

1:9 How long shall I forbear them, into whom I have done so much good?

1:10 Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes; Pharaoh with his servants and all his power have I smitten down.

1:11 All the nations have I destroyed before them, and in the east I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon, and have slain all their enemies.

1:12 Speak thou therefore unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord,

1:13 I led you through the sea and in the beginning gave you a large and safe passage; I gave you Moses for a leader, and Aaron for a priest.

1:14 I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you; yet have ye forgotten me, saith the Lord.

1:15 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as a token to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard: nevertheless ye murmured there,

1:16 And triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur.

1:17 Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when ye were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry unto me,

1:18 Saying, Why hast thou brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness.

1:19 Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave you manna to eat; so ye did eat angels’ bread.

1:20 When ye were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees.

1:21 I divided among you a fruitful land, I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you: what shall I yet do more for you? saith the Lord.

1:22 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, When ye were in the wilderness, in the river of the Amorites, being athirst, and blaspheming my name,

1:23 I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but cast a tree in the water, and made the river sweet.

1:24 What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? thou, Juda, wouldest not obey me: I will turn me to other nations, and unto those will I give my name, that they may keep my statutes.

1:25 Seeing ye have forsaken me, I will forsake you also; when ye desire me to be gracious unto you, I shall have no mercy upon you.

1:26 Whensoever ye shall call upon me, I will not hear you: for ye have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit manslaughter.

1:27 Ye have not as it were forsaken me, but your own selves, saith the Lord.

1:28 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have I not prayed you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes,

1:29 That ye would be my people, and I should be your God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your father?

1:30 I gathered you together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do unto you? I will cast you out from my face.

1:31 When ye offer unto me, I will turn my face from you: for your solemn feastdays, your new moons, and your circumcisions, have I forsaken.

1:32 I sent unto you my servants the prophets, whom ye have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require of your hands, saith the Lord.

1:33 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is desolate, I will cast you out as the wind doth stubble.

1:34 And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have despised my commandment, and done the thing that is an evil before me.

1:35 Your houses will I give to a people that shall come; which not having heard of me yet shall believe me; to whom I have shewed no signs, yet they shall do that I have commanded them.

1:36 They have seen no prophets, yet they shall call their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them.

1:37 I take to witness the grace of the people to come, whose little ones rejoice in gladness: and though they have not seen me with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they believe the thing that I say.

1:38 And now, brother, behold what glory; and see the people that come from the east:

1:39 Unto whom I will give for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,

1:40 Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggeus, Zachary, and Malachy, which is called also an angel of the Lord.

2:1 Thus saith the Lord, I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave them my commandments by menservants the prophets; whom they would not hear, but despised my counsels.

2:2 The mother that bare them saith unto them, Go your way, ye children; for I am a widow and forsaken.

2:3 I brought you up with gladness; but with sorrow and heaviness have I lost you: for ye have sinned before the Lord your God, and done that thing that is evil before him.

2:4 But what shall I now do unto you? I am a widow and forsaken: go your way, O my children, and ask mercy of the Lord.

2:5 As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness over the mother of these children, which would not keep my covenant,

2:6 That thou bring them to confusion, and their mother to a spoil, that there may be no offspring of them.

2:7 Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen, let their names be put out of the earth: for they have despised my covenant.

2:8 Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the unrighteous in thee! O thou wicked people, remember what I did unto Sodom and Gomorrha;

2:9 Whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so also will I do unto them that hear me not, saith the Almighty Lord.

2:10 Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given unto Israel.

2:11 Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them.

2:12 They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary.

2:13 Go, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already prepared for you: watch.

2:14 Take heaven and earth to witness; for I have broken the evil in pieces, and created the good: for I live, saith the Lord.

2:15 Mother, embrace thy children, and bring them up with gladness, make their feet as fast as a pillar: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.

2:16 And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of the graves: for I have known my name in Israel.

2:17 Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.

2:18 For thy help will I send my servants Esau and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits,

2:19 And as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill thy children with joy.

2:20 Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,

2:21 Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness.

2:22 Keep the old and young within thy walls.

2:23 Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.

2:24 Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness still come.

2:25 Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish their feet.

2:26 As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number.

2:27 Be not weary: for when the day of trouble and heaviness cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance.

2:28 The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord.

2:29 My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children shall not see hell.

2:30 Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, saith the Lord.

2:31 Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the sides of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty.

2:32 Embrace thy children until I come and shew mercy unto them: for my wells run over, and my grace shall not fail.

2:33 I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord.

2:34 And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.

2:35 Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.

2:36 Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly.

2:37 O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom.

2:38 Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;

2:39 Which are departed from the shadow of the world, and have received glorious garments of the Lord.

2:40 Take thy number, O Sion, and shut up those of thine that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord.

2:41 The number of thy children, whom thou longedst for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that thy people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.

2:42 I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs.

2:43 And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly.

2:44 So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?

2:45 He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms.

2:46 Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?

2:47 So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord.

2:48 Then the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast seen.

3:1 In the thirtieth year after the ruin of the city I was in Babylon, and lay troubled upon my bed, and my thoughts came up over my heart:

3:2 For I saw the desolation of Sion, and the wealth of them that dwelt at Babylon.

3:3 And my spirit was sore moved, so that I began to speak words full of fear to the most High, and said,

3:4 O Lord, who bearest rule, thou spakest at the beginning, when thou didst plant the earth, and that thyself alone, and commandedst the people,

3:5 And gavest a body unto Adam without soul, which was the workmanship of thine hands, and didst breathe into him the breath of life, and he was made living before thee.

3:6 And thou leadest him into paradise, which thy right hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward.

3:7 And unto him thou gavest commandment to love thy way: which he transgressed, and immediately thou appointedst death in him and in his generations, of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds, out of number.

3:8 And every people walked after their own will, and did wonderful things before thee, and despised thy commandments.

3:9 And again in process of time thou broughtest the flood upon those that dwelt in the world, and destroyedst them.

3:10 And it came to pass in every of them, that as death was to Adam, so was the flood to these.

3:11 Nevertheless one of them thou leftest, namely, Noah with his household, of whom came all righteous men.

3:12 And it happened, that when they that dwelt upon the earth began to multiply, and had gotten them many children, and were a great people, they began again to be more ungodly than the first.

3:13 Now when they lived so wickedly before thee, thou didst choose thee a man from among them, whose name was Abraham.

3:14 Him thou lovedst, and unto him only thou shewedst thy will:

3:15 And madest an everlasting covenant with him, promising him that thou wouldest never forsake his seed.

3:16 And unto him thou gavest Isaac, and unto Isaac also thou gavest Jacob and Esau. As for Jacob, thou didst choose him to thee, and put by Esau: and so Jacob became a great multitude.

3:17 And it came to pass, that when thou leadest his seed out of Egypt, thou broughtest them up to the mount Sinai.

3:18 And bowing the heavens, thou didst set fast the earth, movedst the whole world, and madest the depths to tremble, and troubledst the men of that age.

3:19 And thy glory went through four gates, of fire, and of earthquake, and of wind, and of cold; that thou mightest give the law unto the seed of Jacob, and diligence unto the generation of Israel.

3:20 And yet tookest thou not away from them a wicked heart, that thy law might bring forth fruit in them.

3:21 For the first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed, and was overcome; and so be all they that are born of him.

3:22 Thus infirmity was made permanent; and the law (also) in the heart of the people with the malignity of the root; so that the good departed away, and the evil abode still.

3:23 So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end: then didst thou raise thee up a servant, called David:

3:24 Whom thou commandedst to build a city unto thy name, and to offer incense and oblations unto thee therein.

3:25 When this was done many years, then they that inhabited the city forsook thee,

3:26 And in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done: for they also had a wicked heart:

3:27 And so thou gavest thy city over into the hands of thine enemies.

3:28 Are their deeds then any better that inhabit Babylon, that they should therefore have the dominion over Sion?

3:29 For when I came thither, and had seen impieties without number, then my soul saw many evildoers in this thirtieth year, so that my heart failed me.

3:30 For I have seen how thou sufferest them sinning, and hast spared wicked doers: and hast destroyed thy people, and hast preserved thine enemies, and hast not signified it.

3:31 I do not remember how this way may be left: Are they then of Babylon better than they of Sion?

3:32 Or is there any other people that knoweth thee beside Israel? or what generation hath so believed thy covenants as Jacob?

3:33 And yet their reward appeareth not, and their labour hath no fruit: for I have gone here and there through the heathen, and I see that they flow in wealth, and think not upon thy commandments.

3:34 Weigh thou therefore our wickedness now in the balance, and theirs also that dwell the world; and so shall thy name no where be found but in Israel.

3:35 Or when was it that they which dwell upon the earth have not sinned in thy sight? or what people have so kept thy commandments?

3:36 Thou shalt find that Israel by name hath kept thy precepts; but not the heathen.

4:1 And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,

4:2 And said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High?

4:3 Then said I, Yea, my lord. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to shew thee three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before thee:

4:4 Whereof if thou canst declare me one, I will shew thee also the way that thou desirest to see, and I shall shew thee from whence the wicked heart cometh.

4:5 And I said, Tell on, my lord. Then said he unto me, Go thy way, weigh me the weight of the fire, or measure me the blast of the wind, or call me again the day that is past.

4:6 Then answered I and said, What man is able to do that, that thou shouldest ask such things of me?

4:7 And he said unto me, If I should ask thee how great dwellings are in the midst of the sea, or how many springs are in the beginning of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or which are the outgoings of paradise:

4:8 Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.

4:9 Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day wherethrough thou hast passed, and of things from which thou canst not be separated, and yet canst thou give me no answer of them.

4:10 He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;

4:11 How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?

4:12 Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore.

4:13 He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,

4:14 And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods.

4:15 The floods of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the woods of the plain, that there also we may make us another country.

4:16 The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it.

4:17 The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped them.

4:18 If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom wouldest thou condemn?

4:19 I answered and said, Verily it is a foolish thought that they both have devised, for the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea also hath his place to bear his floods.

4:20 Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, but why judgest thou not thyself also?

4:21 For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.

4:22 Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:

4:23 For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pass by us daily, namely, wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,

4:24 And we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear, and we are not worthy to obtain mercy.

4:25 What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked.

4:26 Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast to pass away,

4:27 And cannot comprehend the things that are promised to the righteous in time to come: for this world is full of unrighteousness and infirmities.

4:28 But as concerning the things whereof thou askest me, I will tell thee; for the evil is sown, but the destruction thereof is not yet come.

4:29 If therefore that which is sown be not turned upside down, and if the place where the evil is sown pass not away, then cannot it come that is sown with good.

4:30 For the grain of evil seed hath been sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much ungodliness hath it brought up unto this time? and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come?

4:31 Ponder now by thyself, how great fruit of wickedness the grain of evil seed hath brought forth.

4:32 And when the ears shall be cut down, which are without number, how great a floor shall they fill?

4:33 Then I answered and said, How, and when shall these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and evil?

4:34 And he answered me, saying, Do not thou hasten above the most Highest: for thy haste is in vain to be above him, for thou hast much exceeded.

4:35 Did not the souls also of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, How long shall I hope on this fashion? when cometh the fruit of the floor of our reward?

4:36 And unto these things Uriel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance.

4:37 By measure hath he measured the times; and by number hath he numbered the times; and he doth not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled.

4:38 Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, even we all are full of impiety.

4:39 And for our sakes peradventure it is that the floors of the righteous are not filled, because of the sins of them that dwell upon the earth.

4:40 So he answered me, and said, Go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she hath fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer within her.

4:41 Then said I, No, Lord, that can she not. And he said unto me, In the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb of a woman:

4:42 For like as a woman that travaileth maketh haste to escape the necessity of the travail: even so do these places haste to deliver those things that are committed unto them.

4:43 From the beginning, look, what thou desirest to see, it shall be shewed thee.

4:44 Then answered I and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, and if it be possible, and if I be meet therefore,

4:45 Shew me then whether there be more to come than is past, or more past than is to come.

4:46 What is past I know, but what is for to come I know not.

4:47 And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side, and I shall expound the similitude unto thee.

4:48 So I stood, and saw, and, behold, an hot burning oven passed by before me: and it happened that when the flame was gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke remained still.

4:49 After this there passed by before me a watery cloud, and sent down much rain with a storm; and when the stormy rain was past, the drops remained still.

4:50 Then said he unto me, Consider with thyself; as the rain is more than the drops, and as the fire is greater than the smoke; but the drops and the smoke remain behind: so the quantity which is past did more exceed.

4:51 Then I prayed, and said, May I live, thinkest thou, until that time? or what shall happen in those days?

4:52 He answered me, and said, As for the tokens whereof thou askest me, I may tell thee of them in part: but as touching thy life, I am not sent to shew thee; for I do not know it.

5:1 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.

5:2 But iniquity shall be increased above that which now thou seest, or that thou hast heard long ago.

5:3 And the land, that thou seest now to have root, shalt thou see wasted suddenly.

5:4 But if the most High grant thee to live, thou shalt see after the third trumpet that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night, and the moon thrice in the day:

5:5 And blood shall drop out of wood, and the stone shall give his voice, and the people shall be troubled:

5:6 And even he shall rule, whom they look not for that dwell upon the earth, and the fowls shall take their flight away together:

5:7 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.

5:8 There shall be a confusion also in many places, and the fire shall be oft sent out again, and the wild beasts shall change their places, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters:

5:9 And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall destroy one another; then shall wit hide itself, and understanding withdraw itself into his secret chamber,

5:10 And shall be sought of many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied upon earth.

5:11 One land also shall ask another, and say, Is righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through thee? And it shall say, No.

5:12 At the same time shall men hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper.

5:13 To shew thee such tokens I have leave; and if thou wilt pray again, and weep as now, and fast even days, thou shalt hear yet greater things.

5:14 Then I awaked, and an extreme fearfulness went through all my body, and my mind was troubled, so that it fainted.

5:15 So the angel that was come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet.

5:16 And in the second night it came to pass, that Salathiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where hast thou been? and why is thy countenance so heavy?

5:17 Knowest thou not that Israel is committed unto thee in the land of their captivity?

5:18 Up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd that leaveth his flock in the hands of cruel wolves.

5:19 Then said I unto him, Go thy ways from me, and come not nigh me. And he heard what I said, and went from me.

5:20 And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me.

5:21 And after seven days so it was, that the thoughts of my heart were very grievous unto me again,

5:22 And my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I began to talk with the most High again,

5:23 And said, O Lord that bearest rule, of every wood of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, thou hast chosen thee one only vine:

5:24 And of all lands of the whole world thou hast chosen thee one pit: and of all the flowers thereof one lily:

5:25 And of all the depths of the sea thou hast filled thee one river: and of all builded cities thou hast hallowed Sion unto thyself:

5:26 And of all the fowls that are created thou hast named thee one dove: and of all the cattle that are made thou hast provided thee one sheep:

5:27 And among all the multitudes of people thou hast gotten thee one people: and unto this people, whom thou lovedst, thou gavest a law that is approved of all.

5:28 And now, O Lord, why hast thou given this one people over unto many? and upon the one root hast thou prepared others, and why hast thou scattered thy only one people among many?

5:29 And they which did gainsay thy promises, and believed not thy covenants, have trodden them down.

5:30 If thou didst so much hate thy people, yet shouldest thou punish them with thine own hands.

5:31 Now when I had spoken these words, the angel that came to me the night afore was sent unto me,

5:32 And said unto me, Hear me, and I will instruct thee; hearken to the thing that I say, and I shall tell thee more.

5:33 And I said, Speak on, my Lord. Then said he unto me, Thou art sore troubled in mind for Israel’s sake: lovest thou that people better than he that made them?

5:34 And I said, No, Lord: but of very grief have I spoken: for my reins pain me every hour, while I labour to comprehend the way of the most High, and to seek out part of his judgment.

5:35 And he said unto me, Thou canst not. And I said, Wherefore, Lord? whereunto was I born then? or why was not my mother’s womb then my grave, that I might not have seen the travail of Jacob, and the wearisome toil of the stock of Israel?

5:36 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,

5:37 Open me the places that are closed, and bring me forth the winds that in them are shut up, shew me the image of a voice: and then I will declare to thee the thing that thou labourest to know.

5:38 And I said, O Lord that bearest rule, who may know these things, but he that hath not his dwelling with men?

5:39 As for me, I am unwise: how may I then speak of these things whereof thou askest me?

5:40 Then said he unto me, Like as thou canst do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so canst thou not find out my judgment, or in the end the love that I have promised unto my people.