2 Esdras

1The second book of the prophet Ezra, the son of SaraiYah, the son of AzariYah, the son of HilkiYah, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,

2The son of AhiYah, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the son of AmariYah, the son of AzariYah, son of Meraioth, son of Arna, son of Uzzi, son of Borith, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar,

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

4And the Word of YAHWEH came to me, saying,

5Go and declare to MY people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against ME; that they may tell their children's children

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

7Was it not I who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But they have angered ME and despised MY counsels.

8Pull out the hair of your head and hurl all evils upon them, for they have not obeyed MY Torah, they are a rebellious people.

9How long shall I forbear them, on whom I have bestowed such great tov benefits?

10For their sake I have overthrown many kings; I struck down Pharaoh with his servants, and all his army.

11I have destroyed all nations before them, and scattered in the east the people of two provinces, Tyre and Sidon;" I have slain all their enemies.

12But speak to them, saying, Thus declares YAHWEH,

13Surely it was I who led you through the sea, and made safe the highways for where you were there was no road; I gave you Mosheh for a leader, and Aaron for a kohen.

14I gave Light for you from a pillar of fire, and did great wonders among you; yet have you forgotten

15Thus says YAHWEH ALMIGHTY, The quails were for a sign to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard: nevertheless in them you murmured complained,

16And triumphed not in MY NAME at the destruction of your enemies, but even to this day you still murmur and complain.

17Where are the benefits which I bestowed on you? When you were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did you not cry to ME,

18Saying, Why have YOU led us into this wilderness to kill us? It had been better for us to have served the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.

19Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave you manna to eat; so you ate the bread of malakim.

20When you were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock so that waters flowed in abundance to your fill? Because of heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees. —

21I divided a fruitful land amongst you, I cast out the Canaanites, the Perizzites, and the Philistines, before you: What more can I do for you? says YAHWEH.

22Thus says YAHWEH ALMIGHTY, When you were in the wilderness, at the bitter waters, being athirst, and blaspheming MY NAME,

23I did not send fire upon you for your blasphemies, but cast a tree into the water, and made the water sweet.

24What shall I do to you, oh Yacob? and you Yahudah, who would not obey ME: I will turn to other nations, and to them will I give MY NAME, that they may keep MY statutes.

25Seeing you have forsaken ME, I will forsake you; when you desire ME to be merciful to you, I shall have no mercy upon you!

26When you call upon ME, I will not listen to you: for you have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit murder.

27It is not as though I had forsaken you, but you have forsaken ME, says YAHWEH.

28Thus says YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY, Have I not entreated you as a father entreats his sons, or as a mother her daughters, or a nurse her young children,

29That you would be MY people, and I should be YAHWEH your ALMIGHTY; that you would be MY children, and I should be your ABBA?

30I gathered you together, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from MY presence.

31When you offer oblations to ME, I will turn MY face from you: for I have rejected your solemn feast days, your new moons, and your circumcisions of the flesh.

32I sent to you MY servants the prophets, whom you have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, their blood I shall require of you, says YAHWEH.

33Thus says YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY, Your house is desolate, I will drive and cast you out as the wind does chaff.

34And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have despised MY commandments, and have done deeds that are evil in MY sight.

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

36They have seen no prophets, yet they shall recall their former iniquitous sinful state to remembrance, and acknowledge them.

37I call to witness the gratitude of the free unmerited favor of the people to come, whose little ones rejoice in gladness: and though they have not seen ME with bodily eyes, yet in ruach they believe the thing that I say. — Jn 20:29

38And now, father, behold what splendor; and see the people that come from the east:

39To them I will give as leaders, Abraham, Yitschaq, and Yacob and Hoshea and Amos and Micah and Yoel and ObadiYah and Yonah,

40Nahum and Habakkuk, ZephaniYah, Haggai, ZechariYah and Malachi, who is also called the messenger of YAHWEH.

1Thus says YAHWEH, I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave them MY commandments through MY men-servants the prophets; but they would not listen to them, but despised MY counsels made it void.

2The mother who bore them says to them, Go your way, you children; for I am a widow and forsaken.

3I brought you up with gladness; but with sorrow and heaviness have I lost you: because you have sinned before YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY and have done that which is evil before HIM.

4But what can I do for you? For I am a widow and forsaken: Go your way my children, and ask mercy of YAHWEH.

5I call upon you, father, as a witness over the mother of these children, because they would not keep MY covenant,

6That you bring confusion upon them, and their mother to ruin, that there may be no offspring from them.

7Let them be scattered abroad among the nations, let their names be blotted out of the earth: for they have despised MY covenant.

8Woe be to you, Assyria, who conceal the unrighteous in your midst! Oh you wicked people, remember what I did to Sodom and Gomorrah;

9Whose land lies in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so will I do to them that do not hear ME, says YAHWEH ALMIGHTY.

10Thus says YAHWEH to Ezra, Tell MY people that I will give them the kingdom of Yerusalem, which I was going to give to Yisrael.

11Moreover, I will take back to MYSELF their splendor, and will give to these others the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for Yisrael. — Lk 16:9

12The Tree of Life shall give them ointment of sweet savor; and they shall neither toil, nor become weary. — Mt 25:34; Rev 2:7; Rev 22:2

13Go and ask and you shall receive: pray that your days may be few, that they may be shortened. The Kingdom is already prepared for you; WATCH!

14Call heaven and earth to witness; for I have broken the evil in pieces, and created the tov, because I Live, says YAHWEH.

15Mother, embrace your children, and bring them up with gladness, as does the dove, establish their feet as fast as a pillar: because I have chosen you, says YAHWEH.

16And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of the graves: because I recognize MY NAME in them.

17Fear not, you mother of the children: for I have chosen you, says YAHWEH.

18I will send you help, MY servants YeshaYah and YeremiYah, and according to their counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees laden with many different fruits,

19And twelve fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon grows roses and lilies, by these I will fill your children with joy.

20Guard and do right to the widow, judge and do justice for the fatherless, give to the poor and needy, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,

21Care for the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, protect and defend the maimed, and let the blind man have a vision of MY splendor.

22Protect and keep the old and young within your walls.

23Wheresoever you find the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give you the first place in MY resurrection.

24Abide and be quiet, Oh MY people, because your rest will come.

25Oh you tov nurse, nourish your children, and establish and strengthen their feet.

26Not one of the servants whom I have given you will perish, for I will require them from among your number.

27Be not weary or anxious: for when the day of tribulation and anguish comes, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but you shall rejoice and have abundance.

28The nations shall envy you, but they shall not be able to do anything against you, says YAHWEH.

29MY hands shall cover you, so that your children may not see hell.

30Rejoice and be joyful, Oh you mother, with your children, because I will deliver you, says YAHWEH.

31Remember your children that sleep, because I will bring them out of the hiding places of the earth, and show mercy to them: for I am merciful, says YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY.

32Embrace your children until I come, and proclaim and show mercy to them: for MY wells run over, and MY free unmerited favor shall not fail.

33I, Ezra, received a command from YAHWEH on Mount Horeb, that I should go to Yisrael; but when I came to them, they rejected me and refused the commandment of YAHWEH.

34And therefore I say to you, Oh you nations, that hear and understand, look and wait for your Shepherd, He shall give you everlasting rest; for He is close at hand, that shall come at the end of the age.

35Be ready for the reward of the Kingdom, because the everlasting Light shall shine upon you forevermore.

36Flee the shadow of death of this age, receive the joy of your splendor and honor: I publicly testify of MY Savior openly.

37Receive the gift that YAHWEH has entrusted you and be joyful, giving thanks to HIM that has called and led you to the Heavenly Kingdoms.

38Rise up and stand, and behold at the feast of YAHWEH the number of those who have been sealed;

39Those who have departed from the shadow of death of this age, and have received magnificent garments from YAHWEH.

40Take again your full number, Oh Zion, and reach a final determination those of your people who are clothed in white, who have fulfilled the Torah of YAHWEH. —

41The number of Your children whom You desired is full; beseech YAHWEH's power that your people, who have been called from the beginning, may be made kodesh.

42I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude, whom I could not number, and they all praising YAHWEH with songs.

43And in the midst was a young man of great stature, taller than all the rest, and upon everyone of their heads He set crowns, but He was more exalted than they; which I marveled at greatly. — 1Enoch 46:1

44So I asked the malak, and said, Sir, who are these, my master?

45He answered and said to me, These are they who have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and they have confessed the NAME of YAHWEH: now they are being crowned, and receive palms.

46Then said I to the malak, Who is that young man who places crowns on them, and puts palms in their hands?

47So he answered and said to me, He is the Son of YAHWEH, whom they have confessed in the world. So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the NAME of YAHWEH.

48Then the malak said to me, Go, and tell MY people what manner of things, and how great and many wonders of YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY, which you have seen.

1In the thirtieth year after the destruction of our city, I Salathiel, who am also called Ezra, was in Babylon. I was troubled as I lay on my bed, and my thoughts welled up in my heart

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

3And my ruach was sore moved, so that I began to speak words full of fear to the Most High YAHWEH, and said,

4Oh Sovereign YAHWEH, who bear rule, YOU spoke at the beginning, when YOU did plant the earth, and that YOURSELF did alone and that without help and commanded the dust,

5And gave a body to Adam without soul, which was the workmanship of YOUR hands, and did breathe into him the Breath Of Life, and he was made living soul before YOU.

6And YOU led him into garden, which YOUR right hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward.

7And YOU layed upon him one commandment to love YOUR way: but he transgressed, and immediately YOU appointed death in him and for his generations, of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds, without number.

8And every nation walked after their own will, and did evil deeds before YOU, and despised YOUR commandments, and YOU did not hinder them.

9And again in process of time YOU brought the flood upon those that dwelt in the world, and destroyed them.

10And the same fate came to pass on everyone of them, that as death came upon Adam, so was the flood upon them.

11Nevertheless YOU left one of them, namely, Noah with his household, of whom came all the righteous who have descended from him.

12And it happened, that when they that dwelt upon the earth began to multiply, and had produced many children and peoples and many nations, and were a great people, they began again to be more wicked and checedless than the first ancestors.

13Now when they lived so wickedly before YOU and committing iniquity, YOU did choose for YOURSELF a man from among them, whose name was

14And him YOU loved, and to him only YOU revealed the end of the times, secretly by night:

15And YOU made an everlasting covenant with him, promising him that YOU would never forsake his seed.

16And to him YOU gave Yitschaq, and to Yitschaq also you gave Yacob and Esau. As for Yacob, YOU did choose and set him apart for YOURSELF, and did reject Esau: and Yacob became a great multitude.

17And it came to pass, that when YOU led his seed out of Egypt, YOU brought them to Mount Sinai.

18And bowing the heavens, YOU did set fast the earth, moved the whole world, and made the depths to tremble, and troubled the times.

19And YOUR splendor passed through the four gates of fire and of earthquake and of wind and of ice, to give the Torah to the seed of Yacob, and YOUR commandment to the posterity of Yisrael.

20And yet YOU did not take away from them their evil heart, so that YOUR Torah might bring forth fruit in them.

21For the first Adam burdened with an evil heart, transgressed and was overcome, and so are all they that are born of him.

22Thus the disease was made permanent; and the Torah also is in the heart of the people with the malignity of the evil root; so that the tov departed away, and the evil remained.

23So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end: then YOU raised up for YOURSELF a servant, named David:

24Whom YOU commanded to build a city for YOUR NAME, and to offer YOU oblations to YOU therein, from what is YOURs.

25When this was done many years, then they that inhabited the city transgressed and forsook YOU,

26And in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done: for they also had the evil heart:

27And so YOU gave the city over into the hands of YOUR enemies.

28Then I said in my heart, Are the deeds of those who inhabit Babylon any better? Is that why she has gained dominion over Zion?

29For when I came here, I saw checedless impieties without number, and my soul has seen many evildoers and sinners during these thirty years! And my heart failed me,

30For I have seen how YOU suffer and endure them sinning, and have spared those who do wickedness: and have destroyed YOUR people, and have preserved YOUR enemies, and have not made it known.

31And have not shown how YOUR way may be comprehended: Are the deeds of Babylon better than those of Zion?

32Or is there any other nation that knows YOU beside Yisrael? or what tribes has so believed YOUR covenants as these tribes of Yacob?

33And yet their reward has not appeared and their labor has produced no fruit: for I have gone here and there through the nation and I see that they abound in wealth, and think not upon YOUR commandments.

34Weigh YOU therefore our iniquities now in the balance, and their's also that dwell in the world; and so it will be found which way the turn of the scale will incline. So shall YOUR NAME no where be found but in Yisrael.

35Or when have they which dwell upon the earth have not sinned in YOUR sight? Or what nation have kept YOUR commandments so well? — 1En 41:1: 1En 61:8

36YOU may indeed find individual men who have kept YOUR commandments, but nations YOU will not find.

1And the malak that was sent to me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,

2And said, Your understanding has utterly failed regarding this world, and do you think to comprehend the way of the Most High YAHWEH? — 1En 20:2

3Then said I, Yes, Sir. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to show you three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before you:

4Whereof if you can solve one for me, I will show you also the way that you desire to see, and I shall teach you why and from where the evil heart comes from.

5And I said, Speak on, my master. Then said he to me, Go your way, weigh me the weight of the fire, or measure me the blast of the wind, or call back for me the day that is past.

6Then answered I and said, What man is able to do that, that you should ask such things of me?

7And he said to me, If I should ask you how many great dwellings are in the middle 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 exits of hell, or which are the entrances of paradise?

8Peradventure you would say to me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever ascend into heaven.

9Nevertheless now have I asked you but only of the fire and wind, and of the day, things through which you have passed and without which you cannot exist, and yet can you give me no answer of them.

10He said moreover to me, You cannot understand and know the things with which you have grown up with;

11How should your mind then be able to comprehend the way of YAHWEH the Most High, and the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?

12When I heard this, I fell on my face and said to him, It would be better for us not to be here than to come here and live checedless, and to suffer, and not to know and understand why.

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

14And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may recede before us, and that we may make for ourselves more forests.

15Likewise the waves of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the forests of the plain, that there also we may gain more territory for ourselves.

16But the plan of the forest was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it.

17Likewise also the plan of the waves of the sea came to nought, for the sand stood firm and stopped them.

18If now you were to judge now between these two, whom would you begin to justify? or whom would you condemn?

19I answered and said, Each has made a foolish plan that they both have devised, for the ground is given to the wood, and the sea also has his place to carry its waves.

20Then answered he me, and said, You have given a right judgment, but why judge you not yourself also?

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

22Then answered I and said, I beseech YOU YAHWEH ALMIGHTY, Why have I been endowed with the power of understanding?

23For it was not my mind to inquire about the ways above, but of such as pass by us daily and experience, namely, wherefore Yisrael is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom YOU have loved is given up to checedless nations, and why the Torah of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,

24And we pass away out of the world like grasshoppers, and our life is like a vapor with astonishment and fears, and we are not worthy to obtain mercy.

25What will HE then do for HIS NAME, by which we are called? It is about these things have I asked.

26Then he answered me, and said, The more you search, you will see, the more you will marvel; because the age is hastening swiftly to its end,

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

28But as concerning the things which you ask me, I will tell you; for the evil is sown, but the harvest of it has not yet come.

29If therefore that which has been sown is not reaped, and if the place where the evil is sown does not pass away, then the field where the tov has been sown will not come.

30For the grain of evil seed was sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much wickedness has it brought up to this time, and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing comes!

31Ponder now by yourself, how great fruit of wickedness a grain of evil seed has brought forth.

32And when the ears shall be cut down, which are without number, how great a threshing floor they will fill! When Will The New Age Come?

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

34And he answered me and said, Do not you hasten faster than the Most High YAHWEH: for your haste is in vain to be above HIM, but YAHWEH the Most High hastens on behalf of many.

35Did not the souls also of the righteous in their chambers ask question of these matters, saying, How long shall I hope on this fashion? And when will comes the fruit of the floor of our reward?

36And to these things Uriel the malak gave them answer, and said, When the number of those seeds like yourselves is filled: for HE has weighed the age in the balance,

37And HE measure the times by measure; and numbered the times by number; and HE will not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled.

38Then answered I and said, Oh Sovereign YAHWEH that bear rule, but all of us also are full of checedlessness impiety.

39And 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.

40So he answered me, and said, Go your way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she has fulfilled her nine months, if her womb can keep the child any longer within her.

41Then said I, No, my master, that she cannot. And he said to me, In the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb of a woman:

42For just as a woman that travails makes haste to escape the necessity of the travail: even so do these places haste to deliver those things that are committed to them from the beginning.

43Then the things that you desire to see, it shall be shown to you. How Much Time Remains?

44Then answered I and said, If I have found favor in your sight, and if it be possible, and if I be worthy,

45Show me this also: whether there be more time is to come than has past, or whether for us the greater part has gone by.

46For I know what has gone by, but what is to come I do not know.

47And he said to me, Stand up at my right side, and I shall expound the interpretation of a parable to you.

48So I stood and looked, and behold, a flaming burning furnace passed by before me: and it happened that when the flame was gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke remained still.

49And after this a watery cloud passed by before me, and sent down much rain with a storm; and when the rainstorm had passed, the drops remained still.

50Then he said to me, Consider within yourself; 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 that passed was far greater; but drops and smoke remained.

51Then I prayed, and said, Do you think that I shall live until those days? Or what shall happen in those days?

52He answered me, and said, Concerning the signs about which you ask me, I can tell you of them in part: but as touching your life, I am not sent to show you; for I do not know it.

1Nevertheless as concerning the signs, behold, the days shall come, that they which dwell upon earth shall be taken in a great number and shall be seized with great terror, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of true faith.

2And unrighteousness and iniquity shall be increased beyond that which you yourself now see, and beyond which you have heard of formerly. — Mt 24:1

3And the land which you now see ruling shall be waste and untrodden, and men shall see it wasted suddenly.

4But if the Most High YAHWEH grants that you live, you shall see it thrown into confusion after the third shofar that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night, and the moon during in the day:

5And blood shall drip from wood, and the stone shall utter its voice, and the people shall be troubled, and the stars shall fall.

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

7And the Sodomitish sea shall cast up fish, and one whom the many do not know shall make his voice heard by night, and all shall hear his voice.

8There shall be a confusion also in many places, and fire shall be often break out, and the wild beasts shall go beyond their haunts, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters:

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

10And shall be sought by many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and unrestraint be multiplied upon earth.

11And one country shall ask another, and say, Has righteousness, or a man that does upright passed through you? And it shall answer, No.

12And at that same time men shall hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labor, but their ways shall not prosper.

13These are the signs which I am permitted to tell you; and if you will pray again, and weep as you do now, and fast seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these.

14Then I awakened, and my body shuddered violently, and my soul was troubled, so that it fainted.

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

16And in the second night it came to pass, that Phaltiel the captain of the people came to me, saying, Where have you been? and why is your countenance so heavy?

17Know you not that Yisrael is committed to you in the land of their captivity?

18Rise up then, and eat bread, and forsake us not, as the shepherd that leaves his flock in the hands of cruel wolves.

19Then I said to him, Depart from me, and come not nigh me for seven days, and then you may come to me. And he heard what I said, and went from me.

20And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, just as Uriel the malak commanded me.

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

22And my soul recovered the ruach of understanding, and I began to speak words in the presence of the Most High YAHWEH again,

23And I said, Oh Sovereign YAHWEH that bears rule, of every wood of the earth, and of all the trees thereof, YOU have chosen for YOURSELF only one vine:

24And of all lands of the whole world YOU have chosen for YOURSELF one region: and of all the flowers of the world YOU have chosen for YOURSELF one lily:

25And from all the depths of the sea YOU have filled for YOURSELF one river: and of all built cities YOU have set it apart and made kodesh Zion to YOURSELF

26And from all the fowls that are created YOU have named for YOURSELF one dove: and from all the cattle that YOU made, YOU have provided for YOURSELF one sheep:

27And from all the multitudes of people YOU have gotten for YOURSELF one people: and to this people, whom YOU loved, YOU gave a Torah that is approved by all.

28And now, Oh YAHWEH, why have YOU given this one people over to the many? And upon the one root have YOU prepared others, and why have YOU scattered YOUR only one people among many?

29And they which did gainsay YOUR promises, and believed not YOUR covenants, have trodden down on those who believed YOUR covenants.

30If YOU hate YOUR people so much, should YOU punish them with YOUR own hands.

31Now when I had spoken these words, the malak who had come to me the previous time was sent to me,

32And he said to me, Hear me, and I will instruct you; hearken to the words that I say, and I shall tell you more.

33And I said, Speak on, my master. Then said he to me, Why are you sore troubled in mind for Yisrael's sake? Do you love that people more than HE that made them?

34And I said, No, my master, but because of my grief I have spoken, for every hour I suffer agonies of heart, while I labor to understand and comprehend the way of the Most High YAHWEH, and to search out part of HIS just judgment.

35And he said to me, You cannot. And I said, Why not, my master? Why then was I born? Or why was not my mother's womb then my grave, that I might not see the travail of Yacob, and the wearisome toil of the people of

36And HE said to me, Count up for me the things that are not yet come, and gather to me the scattered raindrops, and make the flowers bloom again for me that are withered,

37Open for me the places that are closed, and bring for me the winds that are in them that are shut up in them, show me the image of a voice: and then I will declare to you the travail that you labor to know and understand.

38And I said, Oh Sovereign YAHWEH that bears rule, who may know these things, but he that has not his dwelling with men?

39As for me, I am unwise: how may I then speak of these things whereof YOU ask me?

40Then said HE to me, Like as you cannot do one of these things that I have spoken of, even so you cannot discover MY just judgment, or the end of MY love that I have promised to MY people.

41And I said, Behold, Oh YAHWEH, yet are YOU nigh to them that be reserved till the end: and what shall they do that have been before us, or we that be now, or they that shall come after us?

42And HE said to me, I will liken MY judgment to a circle: just as there is no slackness on those who are last, even so there is no haste of the first.

43Then I answered and said, Could YOU not created at one time those who have been and those who are and those who will be; that YOU might show YOUR just judgment the sooner?

44Then answered HE me, and said, The creature cannot make more haste than the Creator; neither may the world hold them all at one time those who have been created in it.

45And I said, As YOU have said to YOUR servant that YOU will certainly give life at one time to YOUR creation? If therefore all creatures will live at one time? And the creation will sustain them, it might even now be able to support all of them present at one time.

46And HE said to me, Ask the womb of a woman, and say to it, If you bring forth ten children, why one after another? Request it therefore to bring forth ten children at one time.

47And I said, It cannot: but must do it by distance of time.

48Then said HE to me, Even so have I given the womb of the earth to those who are to be sown in it in their times.

49For like as a young child does not bring forth the things that belong to the aged, and a woman who has become old does not bring forth any longer, even so have I organized the world which I created.

50And I asked, and said, Seeing YOU have now given me the way, I will proceed to speak before YOU: Is our mother, of whom YOU have told me, still young? Or is she now approaching old age?

51HE answered me, and said, Ask a woman who bears children, and she shall tell you.

52Say to her, Why are to they whom you have now brought forth not like those that were before, but smaller of stature?

53And she herself shall answer you, They that be born in the the strength of youth are of one fashion, and they that are born in the time of age, when the womb fails, are different.

54Consider you therefore also, how that you and your contemporaries are smaller in stature than those that were before you.

55And those who come after you will be smaller than you, as the creatures which now begin to be old, and have passed over the strength of youth.

56Then said I, Oh YAHWEH, I beseech YOU, if I have found favor in YOUR sight, show YOUR servant through whom YOU are going to visit YOUR creation.

1And HE said to me, "At the beginning of the circle of the earth, at first by the Son of Man, and afterwards I MYSELF. For the earth and the lands were created, and before the portals of the world were in place, and before the assembled winds blew,

2And before the rumblings of thunder sounded, and before the flashes of lightning shone, and before the foundations of Paradise were laid,

3And before the beautiful flowers were seen, and before the powers of movement were established, and before the innumerable hosts of malakim were gathered together,

4And before the heights of the air were lifted up, and before the measures of the firmaments were named, and before the footstool of Zion was established, or ever the chimneys in Zion were hot,

5And before the present years were reckoned, and or ever the inventions of them that now sin were turned, before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure:

6Then did I planned these things, and they were all made through ME alone, and not through another: just as the end shall come through ME and not through another.

7Then I answered and said, What shall be the dividing of the times? Or when shall be the end of the first age, and the beginning of the age that follows?

8And HE said to me, From Abraham to Yitschaq, when Yacob and Esau were born of him, for Yacob's hand held first the heel of Esau.

9For Esau is the end of this age, and Yacob is the beginning of the age that follows.

10For the beginning of a man is his hand, and the end of a man is his heel, between the heel and the hand seek for nothing else, Ezra!.

11I answered then and said, Oh YAHWEH that bear rule, if I have found favor in YOUR sight,

12I beseech YOU, show YOUR servant the end of YOUR signs, which YOU had shown me part on a previous night. — 2Ezra 4:51-5:13

13So HE answered and said to me, Stand up upon your feet, and hear a mighty sounding voice.

14And it shall be as it were a great motion while the voice is speaking; but the place where you stand shall not be moved.

15And therefore when it speaks be not afraid: for the Word concerns the End, and the foundation of the earth will understand that the Words concerns them.

16And why? because the Words of these things trembles and is moved: for they know that the end of these things must be changed.

17And it happened, that when I had heard this, 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.

18And it said, Behold, the days are coming, and it shall be that when I draw near to visit the inhabitants of the earth,

19And when I begin to make inquisition of the doers of iniquity, the penalty of what they have hurt unjustly with their unrighteousness, and when the humiliation of Zion shall be fulfilled;

20And when the seal is placed upon the age which is about to pass away, then I will show these signs: The books shall be opened before the firmament, and all shall see it together.

21And the children of a year old shall speak with their voices, and women with child shall bring forth premature children of three or four months old, and they shall live, and be raised up.

22And the sown places shall suddenly appear unsown, and the full storehouses shall suddenly be found empty:

23And the shofar shall sound aloud, and when every man hears, they shall be suddenly be terrified.

24At that time friends fight one against another like enemies, and the earth and those who inhabit it shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein, the springs of the fountains shall stand still, so that for three hours they shall not run.

25It shall be that whosoever remains from all these that I have foretold you shall escape, and see MY yeshua, and the end of your world.

26And 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 converted to a different spirit.

27For evil shall be blotted out, and deceit shall be quenched.

28As for faith, faithfulness shall flourish, corruption shall be overcome, and the Truth, which has been so long without fruit, shall be revealed and declared.

29While he spoke to me, behold, little by little the place where I was standing, began to rock to and fro.

30And he said to me; I am come to show you the time of the night to come.

31If you will pray yet more, and fast seven days again, I shall declare you greater things by day than I have heard.

32Because your voice is surely heard before the Most High YAHWEH: for the ALMIGHTY has seen your righteous dealing, HE has seen also your chastity, which you have maintained from your youth.

33And therefore HE has sent me to show you all these things, and to say to you, Believe and be of tov comfort and fear not

34And do not be quick to think vain thoughts concerning the former things, lest you be hasty concerning the latter times.

35And it came to pass after this, that I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, in order to complete the week which he told me.

36And on the eighth night my heart was troubled within me again, and I began to speak before the Most High YAHWEH.

37For my ruach was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress.

38And I said, Oh YAHWEH, YOU spoke at the beginning of the creation, and said on the first day; Let heaven and earth be made; and YOUR Word accomplished the work.

39And then the Ruach was hovering, and darkness and silence embraced everything; the sound of man's voice was not yet formed.

40Then YOU commanded that a ray of light to come forth from YOUR treasures, so that YOUR work might appear.

41Upon the second day YOU made the ruach of the firmament, and commanded Him to divide and to make a division between the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other part remain beneath.

42Upon the third day YOU commanded the waters to be gathered together in the seventh part of the earth: one parts have YOU dried up, and kept them, to the intent that of these some being planted of YAHWEH and tilled might serve YOU.

43For as soon as YOUR Word went forth the work was made.

44For immediately there was a great abundance of fruit, and a great varity for the taste, and flowers of inimitable color, and odors of wonderful inexpressible fragrances: and this was done the third day.

45Upon the fourth day YOU commanded the brightness of the sun to shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars should come to be, and all in order:

46And YOU gave them a charge to do service to man, who was about to be made.

47Upon the fifth day YOU commanded the seven parts, where the waters were gathered together, to bring forth living creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it came to pass.

48For the dumb water and without life brought forth living things at the commandment of YOU, YAHWEH, that all people might declare and praise YOUR wondrous works.

49Then did YOU ordain two living creatures, the name of one YOU called Behemoth, and the name of the other Leviathan;

50And YOU did separate one from the other, for the seven parts, namely, where the water was gathered together, could not hold them both.

51And to Behemoth YOU gave one part, which was dried up on the third day, to dwell in the same part, where there are one thousand mountains:

52But to Leviathan YOU gave the seven parts, namely, the moist; and have kept him to be devoured by whom YOU wish, and when YOU wish.

53Upon the sixth day YOU commanded the earth to bring forth before YOU cattle, beasts, and creeping things;

54And after these, Adam also, whom YOU made, and over these YOU placed Adam as ruler over all the works which YOU had made; and from him we have all come, the people from whom YOU have chosen. Why Does Yisrael Not Possess Her Inheritance?

55All this have I spoken before YOU, Oh YAHWEH, because YOU have said that it was for us that YOU created this first-born world.

56As for the other nations, which also come of Adam, YOU have said that they are nothing, and they are as spittle: and have compared the abundance of them to as a drop that falls from a vessel.

57And now, Oh YAHWEH, behold, these nations, which are been reputed as nothing, have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us.

58But we YOUR people, whom YOU have called YOUR firstborn, YOUR only begotten, and YOUR fervent lover, have been given into their hands.

59If the world has indeed been created for us, why do we not possess our world as an inheritance? How long shall this endure so?

1And when I had made an end of speaking these words, there was sent to me the malak which had been sent to me the former nights:

2And he said to me, Rise up, Ezra, and hear the Words that I am come to tell you.

3And I said, Speak on, Oh YAHWEH. Then said HE to me, There is a sea set in a wide expanse so that it is broad and vast,

4But it has an entrance set in a narrow place so that it is like a river.

5If anyone, then, wishes to reach the sea, to look at it, to navigate it, and to rule it, how can he come to the broad part unless he passes through the narrow part?

6There is also another thing; A city is built, and set upon a broad plain, and is full of all tov things:

7The entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous and precipitous place, so that there is fire on the right hand and deep water on the left:

8And there is only one path between them both, that is, between the fire and the water, so small that there can only be one man walk thereon at a time.

9If this city now were given to a man for an inheritance, how shall he receive this inheritance, unless he shall pass through the danger set before him?

10And I said, He cannot, Oh YAHWEH. Then said HE to me, so also is Yisrael's portion.

11Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed MY statutes, then was decreed that now is done.

12And so the entrances of this world were made narrow, full of sorrow, toilsome and travail: they are but few and evil, full of dangers and involved in great hardships and very painful.

13But the entrances of the future world are broad and safe, and really yield the fruit of immortality.

14Therefore unless the living labor not to enter this strait and narrow way to pass through the difficult and vain experiences, they can never receive those things that have been laid up for them.

15Now therefore why disquiet you yourself, seeing you are but a corruptible man? And why are you moved, seeing that you are mortal?

16Why have you not considered in your mind what thing is to come, rather than that which is now present?

17Then answered I and said, Oh YAHWEH that bears rule, behold, YOU have ordained in YOUR Torah, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the checedless wicked shall perish.

18Nevertheless the righteous shall endure difficult circumstances while hoping for easier ones; but they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the easier ones.

19And HE said to me. There is no judge above YAHWEH, and none that is wiser and has understanding above the Most High!

20For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the Torah of YAHWEH that is set before them.

21For YAHWEH has given strict commandment to those who came into the world, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.

22Nevertheless they were not obedient to HIM; but spoke against HIM, and imagined vain thoughts;

23And deceived themselves by their wicked fraudulent deeds; they even declared that the Most High YAHWEH does not exist; and they ignored HIS ways!

24But HIS Torah they have scorned and despised, and denied HIS Covenants, and in HIS statutes they have been unfaithful, and have not performed HIS works.

25Therefore, Ezra, empty things are for the empty, and full things for the full.

26For behold, the time shall come, when the signs which I have foretold to you will come to pass, that the bride shall appear, even the city which now is not seen shall be seen, and the earth which now is hidden shall be disclosed.

27And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils that I have foretold shall see MY wonders.

28For MY Son the MessiYah shall be revealed with those that be with Him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred years.

29After these years shall MY son MessiYah die, and all men that have life.

30And the world shall be turned back to primeval silence the seventh day, as it was at the first beginnings: so that no one shall remain.

31And after seventh day the world, that is not awake, shall be raised up, and that which is corruptible shall perish and die.

32And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and the chambers shall give up the souls which have been committed to them.

33And the Most High shall be revealed upon the seat of judgment, and then comes the end, and misery shall pass away, and the long suffering shall have an end:

34But judgment only shall remain, Truth shall stand, and faith shall grow strong:

35And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be manifested, and the righteous deeds shall be of force, and unrighteous wicked deeds shall bear no rule.

36Then the pit of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest; and the furnace of Hell shall be disclosed, and opposite it the Paradise of delight.

37Then the Most High YAHWEH will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, Look now, and understand whom you have denied, whom you have not served, whose commandments you have despised!

38Look on this side and on that; here are delight and rest, and there are fire and torments!

39Thus HE will speak to them on the day of judgment, a day that has no sun or moon or stars,

40Or cloud or thunder or lightning or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning,

41Or summer or spring or heat or winter or storm or frost or cold or hail or rain or dew,

42Or noon or midnight, or dawn or shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the splendor of the Most High YAHWEH, by which all shall see what has been determined for them.

43For it will last for about a week of years.

44This is MY judgment and its prescribed order; and to you alone have I shown these things.

45I answered and said, "Oh Sovereign YAHWEH, I said then and I say now: Blessed are those who are alive and keep YOUR commandments!

46But what of those for whom I prayed? For who among the living is there that has not sinned, or who among men that has not transgressed YOUR covenant?

47And now I see that the world to come, will bring delight to few, but torments to many.

48For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has alienated us from YOU YAHWEH, and has brought us into corruption and the ways of death, and has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life, and that not just a few of us but almost all who have been created!

49HE answered me and said, Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct you, and will admonish you yet again.

50For this reason the Most High YAHWEH has made not one world but two.

51For whereas you have said that the righteous are not many but a few, while the checedless wicked abound, hear the explanation for this.

52If you have just a few precious stones, will you add to them lead and clay?

53Then said I, Oh YAHWEH, how could that be?

54And HE said to me, "Not only that, but ask the earth and she will tell you; defer to her, and she will declare it to you.

55Say to her, You produce gold and silver and copper, and also iron and lead and clay;

56But silver is more abundant than gold, and copper than silver, and iron than copper, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.

57Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare?

58I said, Oh Sovereign YAHWEH, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what is more rare, is more precious.

59HE answered me and said, Weigh within yourself what you have thought, for he who has what is hard to get rejoices more than he who has what is plentiful.

60So also will be the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few who shall be delivered, because it is they who have made MY splendor to prevail now, and through them MY NAME has now been honored.

61And I will not grieve over the multitude of those who perish; for it is they who are now like a mist, and are similar to a flame and smoke, they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished.

62I replied and said, "Oh earth, what have you brought forth, if the mind is made out of the dust like the other created things!

63For it would have been better if the dust itself had not been born, so that the mind might not have been made from it,

64But now the mind grows with us, and therefore we are tormented, because we perish and know it.

65Let the human race lament, but let the beasts of the field be glad; let all who have been born lament, but let the four-footed beasts and the flocks rejoice!

66For it is much better with them than with us; for they do not look for a judgment, nor do they know of any torment nor deliverance promised to them after death.

67For what does it profit us that we shall be preserved alive but cruelly tormented?

68For all who have been born are involved in iniquities, and are full of sins and burdened with transgressions.

69And if we were not to come into judgment after death, perhaps it would have been better for us.

70He answered me and said, "When the Most High YAHWEH made the world and Adam and all who have come from him, HE first prepared The Judgment and the things that pertain to The Judgment.

71And now understand from your own words, for you have said that the mind grows with us.

72For this reason, therefore, those who dwell on earth shall be tormented, because though they had understanding, they committed iniquity, and though they received the commandments, they did not keep them, and though they obtained the Torah, they dealt unfaithfully with what they received.

73What then, will they have to say in The Judgment, or how will they answer in the last times?

74For how long the time is that the Most High YAHWEH has been patient with those who inhabit the world, and not for their sake, but because of the times which HE has fore-ordained!"

75I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, my master, show this also to your servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when you will renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?"

76He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented.

77For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High YAHWEH; but it will not be shown to you until the last time.

78Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High YAHWEH that a man shall die, as the ruach leaves the body to return again to HIM who gave it, first of all it adores the splendor of the Most High YAHWEH.

79And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High YAHWEH, and who have despised HIS Torah, and who have hated those who fear YAHWEH,

80Such ruachim shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways.

81The first way, because they have scorned the Torah of the Most High.

82The second way, because they cannot now make a tov repentance that they may live.

83The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the Covenants of the Most High YAHWEH.

84The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last day.

85The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by malakim in profound quiet.

86The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will pass over into torments.

87The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the splendor of the Most High YAHWEH before whom they sinned while they were alive, and before whom they are to be judged in the last time.

88Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High YAHWEH, when they shall be separated from their corruptible body.

89During the time that they decayed in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour, that they might keep the Torah of the Torah-giver perfectly.

90Therefore this is the teaching concerning them:

91First of all, they shall see with great joy the splendor of HIM who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders.

92The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome evil which was formed with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death.

93The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the checedless wander, and the punishment that waits them.

94The third order, they see the witness which HE who formed them bears concerning them, that while they were alive they kept the Torah which was given them in trust.

95The fourth order, they understand the rest which they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by malakim in profound quiet, and the splendor which awaits them in the last day.

96The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is mortal, and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and the fullness of toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they are to receive and enjoy in immortality.

97The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on.

98The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of HIM whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when magnified.

99This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced, and the aforesaid are the ways of torment which those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter."

100I answered and said, Will time therefore be given to the souls after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?

101He said to me, They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterward they shall be gathered in their habitations.

102I answered and said, If I have found favor in your sight, show further to me, YOUR servant, whether on The Day Of Judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the checedless or to entreat the Most High YAHWEH for them,

103Fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kinsmen, or friends for those who are most dear.

104He answered me and said, Since you have found favor in MY sight, I will show you this also. The Day of Judgment is decisive and displays to all The Seal Of Truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead,

105So no one shall be able to pray for another on that day, neither shall anyone lay a burden on another; for then everyone shall bear his own righteousness or unrighteousness.

106I answered and said, How then do we find that first Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for our fathers who sinned in the desert,

107And Yahshua Ben Nun after him for Yisrael in the days of Achan,

108And Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the plague: and Solomon for those in the sanctuary,

109And Eliyah for those who received the rain, and for the one who was dead, that he might live

110And Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many others prayed for many?

111Therefore the righteous have prayed for the checedless now, when corruption has increased and unrighteousness has multiplied, why will it not be so then as well?"

112He answered me and said, "This present world is not the end; the full splendor does not abide in it; therefore those who were strong prayed for the weak.

113But The Day Of Judgment will be the end of this age and the beginning of the immortal age to come, in which corruption has passed away,

114Sinful indulgence has come to an end, unbelief has been cut off, and righteousness has increased and Truth has appeared.

115Therefore no one will then be able to have mercy on him who has been condemned in The Day Of Judgment, or to overwhelm him to harm him who is victorious."

116I answered and said, "This is my first and last word: It would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, had restrained him from sinning.

117For what tov is it to all that they live in sorrow now and expect punishment after death?

118Oh Adam, what have you done? For though it was you who sinned, the fall was not yours alone, but ours also who are your descendants.

119For what tov is it to us, if an eternal age has been promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death?

120And what tov is it that an everlasting hope has been promised us, but we have miserably failed?

121Or that safe and healthful habitations have been reserved for us, but we have lived wickedly?

122Or that the splendor of the Most High YAHWEH will defend those who have led a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways?

123Or that a paradise shall be revealed, whose fruit remains unspoiled and in which are abundance and healing, but we shall not enter into it,

124because we have lived in unseemly places?

125Or that the faces of those who practiced self-control shall shine more than the stars but our faces shall be blacker than darkness?

126For while we lived and committed iniquity we did not consider what we should suffer after death.

127He answered and said, This is the meaning of the contest which every man who is born on earth shall wage,

128That if he is defeated he shall suffer what you have said, but if he is victorious he shall receive what I have said."

129For this is the way of which Mosheh, while he was alive, spoke to the people, saying, Choose for yourself life, that you may live!

130But they did not believe him, nor the prophets after him, or even myself who have spoken to them.

131Therefore there shall not be grief at their damnation, and so much joy over those to whom Deliverance is assured.

132I answered and said, I know, my master, that the Most High YAHWEH is now called merciful, because HE has mercy on those who have not yet come into the world;

133And free unmerited favor, because HE is full of free unmerited favor to those who turn in repentance to HIS Torah;

134And patient, because HE shows patience toward those who have sinned, since they are HIS own works;

135And bountiful, because HE would rather give than take away;

136And abundant in compassion, because HE makes HIS compassions abound more and more to those now living and to those who are gone and to those yet to come,

137For if HE did not make them abound, the world with those who inhabit it, would not have life;

138And HE is called Giver, because if HE did not give out of HIS tov so that those who have committed iniquities might be relieved of them, not one ten-thousandth of mankind could have life;

139And judge, because if HE did not pardon those who were created by HIS Word and blot out the multitude of their sins,

140There would probably be left only very few of the innumerable multitude.

1And HE answered me, saying, The Most High YAHWEH has made this world for many, but the world to come for few.

2I will tell you a parable, Ezra; Just as, when you ask the earth, it shall say to you, that it gives much clay whereof earthen vessels are made, but only a little dust that gold comes of: even so is the course of this present world.

3There be many created, but few shall be delivered.

4So answered I and said, Swallow then down, Oh my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom.

5For you have agreed to give ear, and are willing to prophesy: for you have no longer space than only to live.

6Oh YAHWEH, if YOU suffer not YOUR servant, that we may pray before YOU, and YOU give us seed to our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it, by which every mortal man who bears the likeness of a human being may be able to live.

7For YOU alone exist, and we all one workmanship of YOUR hands, like as YOU have said.

8For when the body is fashioned now in the mother's womb, and YOU give it members, YOUR creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months does YOUR workmanship endure YOUR creature which is created in her.

9But that which keeps and that which is kept shall both be preserved by YOUR keeping! And when the time comes, the womb gives up again what has been created in it.

10For YOU have 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,

11So that the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterward YOU will guide him in YOUR mercy.

12YOU brought it up in YOUR righteousness, and instructed and nurtured him in YOUR Torah, and reproved him with YOUR wise judgment.

13YOU will take away his life, for he is YOUR creation; and YOU will make him live, for he is YOUR work

14If therefore YOU shall destroy him, which with so great labor was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by YOUR commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved, to what purpose was he made?. —

15Now therefore, YAHWEH, I will speak; touching man in general, YOU know best; but touching YOUR people, for whose sake I lament;

16And for YOUR inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Yisrael, for whom I am heavy; and about the seed of Yacob, for whose sake I am troubled;

17Therefore will I begin to pray before YOU for myself and for them: for I see the failings of us that dwell in the land.

18But I have heard the swiftness of the judgment which is to come.

19Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before YOU. This is the beginning of the words of Ezra, before he was taken up: and I said,

20Oh YAHWEH, YOU that dwell in eternity, whose eyes are exalted and whose upper chambers are in the air, which beholds from above the things in the heaven and in the air;

21Whose throne is beyond measure and whose splendor is beyond comprehension; before whom the hosts of malakim stand with trembling,

22And at whose command they are changed to wind and fire, whose Word is sure and whose utterances are certain, whose commandment is strong and whose ordinance is fearful,

23Whose look dries up the depths, and indignation makes the mountains to melt away; and whose Truth is established forever:

24Hear, Oh YAHWEH, the prayer of YOUR servant, and give ear to the petition of YOUR creature; attend to my words.

25For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer.

26Oh look not upon the sins of YOUR people; but on them which serve YOU in Truth.

27Regard not the endeavors of those who act wickedly, but the endeavors of those who have kept YOUR Covenants amid afflictions.

28Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before YOU: but remember them, which according to YOUR will have known YOUR fear.

29Let it not be YOUR will to destroy them which have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught YOUR Torah.

30Take YOU no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that always put their trust in YOUR righteousness and splendor.

31For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners, YOU shall be called merciful.

32For if YOU have a desire to have mercy upon us, YOU shall be called merciful, to us namely, that have no works of righteousness.

33For the righteous, which have many works laid up with YOU, shall receive their reward in consequence of their own deeds.

34For what is man, that YOU should take displeasure at him? Or what is a corruptible generation, that YOU are so bitter toward it?

35For in truth there is no one among them who has been born who has not dealt wickedly; and among the faithful there is none which has not transgressed.

36For in this, Oh YAHWEH, YOUR righteousness and YOUR tov shall be declared, when YOU are merciful to them which have not in store the confidence of tov works.

37Then answered HE me, and said, Some things have you spoken aright, and it shall come to pass according to your words.

38For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned, or about their death, their judgment, or their damnation:

39But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember and rejoice also over their pilgrimage, and their deliverance, and their receiving their reward.

40As I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.

41For as the husbandman sows many seed upon the ground, and plants many trees, and yet not all that have been sown will come up in due season, and not all that were planted will take root: even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be delivered.

42I answered and said, If I have found free unmerited favor, let me speak.

43Like as the husbandman's seed perishes, if it come not up, and receive not YOUR rain in due season; or if there come too much rain, and corrupt it:

44Even so perishes man also, which is formed with YOUR hands, and is called YOUR own image, because he is made like YOU, and for whose sake YOU have made all things, have YOU also made him like the farmer's seed?

45Be not wroth with us YAHWEH, but cover YOUR people with an atonement, and have mercy upon YOUR own inheritance: for YOU are merciful to YOUR own creation.

46Then answered HE me, and said, Things present are for those who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live hereafter.

47For you come far short of being able to love MY creation more than I love it. But I have ofttimes drawn nigh to you, and to it, but never to the unrighteous.

48But even in this respect you will be praiseworthy before the Most High,

49Because you have humbled yourself, as it is becoming of you, and have not judged yourself to be among the righteous so that you will receive great honor among the righteous.

50For many great miseries shall affect them that dwell in the world in the last times, because they have walked in great pride.

51But think and understand your own case, and seek and inquire concerning the splendor of those who are like yourself.

52For to you is paradise opened, The Tree of Life is planted, the age to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is built, and rest is allowed, yes, tov is established and wisdom perfected beforehand.

53The root of evil is sealed up from you, illness is banished from you, and death is hidden from you, hell has fled and corruption has been forgotten:

54Sorrows have passed away, and in the end the treasure of immortality is made manifest.

55Therefore do not ask any more questions about the multitude of those who perish.

56For when they also received freedom, they despised the Most High YAHWEH, thought scorn and were contemptuous of HIS Torah, and forsook HIS ways.

57Moreover they have even trampled upon HIS righteous ones,

58And said in their hearts, that there is no YAHWEH ALMIGHTY; yes, though knowing full well that they must die.

59For as the things which I have aforesaid shall receive you, so thirst and torment are prepared for them: For the Most High YAHWEH did not intend that men should be destroyed;

60But they themselves who were created have defiled the NAME of YAHWEH who made them, and have been ungrateful to HIM who prepared Life for them.

61And therefore MY judgment is now drawing near.

62These things have I not shown to all men, but only to you, and a few like you.

63Then answered I and said, Behold, Oh YAHWEH, now have you shown me the multitude of the signs and wonders which YOU will begin to do in the last times: but YOU have not shown me when YOU will do them.

1HE answered me then, and said, Measure you carefully the time in your mind: and when you see part of the predicted signs are past, which I have told you before,

2Then shall you know and understand what is the very time when the Most High YAHWEH is about to visit the world which HE has made.

3Therefore when there shall appear in the world earthquakes, tumult of peoples, intrigues of nations, wavering of leaders, confusion of princes,

4Then you shall know and understand well, that YAHWEH the Most High spoke of those things from the days that were of old, that were even before you, from the beginning.

5For just as with everything that is made in the world, has a beginning and is evident, and the end is manifest:

6Even so also are the times of the Most High YAHWEH; the plain beginnings manifest in wonders and mighty powerful works, and endings in requital, effects and signs.

7And it shall be that everyone who shall be delivered and shall be able to escape on account of his works, or on account of the faith whereby he has believed,

8Shall be preserved from the said imminent perils that have been predicted, and shall see MY Deliverance in MY land, and within MY borders: which I have made kodesh for ME from the beginning.

9Then those who have now abused MY Ways shall be in a pitiful state, and they that have rejected and cast them away despitefully with contempt shall dwell in torments.

10For many such as this did not acknowledge ME in their lifetime, although they received MY benefits,

11And as many that scorned and loathed MY Torah, while they still had freedom, and did not understand but despised ME while an opportunity of repentance was still open to them,

12The same must in torment acknowledge ME after death.

13And therefore, do not continue to be curious as to how the checedless wicked shall be punished, but inquire how the righteous shall be delivered, those to whom the age belongs and for whose sake the age was created and when.

14Then I answered and said,

15I have said before, and now do speak, and will speak it again, that there be many more of them which perish, than of them which shall be delivered:

16Like as a wave is greater than a drop of water.

17And HE answered me, saying, as is the field, so is also the seed; and as are the flowers so are the colors; and as is the workman, so is the product; and as is the husbandman, so is the threshing floor.

18For there was a time in this age when I was preparing for those who now exist, before the world was made for them to dwell in, and no one opposed ME then, for no one existed.

19For then everyone obeyed: but now the manners of them which are created in this world that is made are corrupted by a perpetual seed, have become corrupt in their ways, and by a Torah which is unsearchable rid themselves.

20So I considered MY world, and behold, it was lost, and MY earth, and behold, it was in peril because of the devices of those who had come into it.

21And I saw and spared some with great difficulty, and delivered for MYSELF one grape out of a cluster, and one plant out of a great forest.

22So let the multitude perish which has been born in vain; but let MY grape be kept, and MY plant be delivered; for with much labor I have made them perfect.

23Nevertheless, if you will let yet seven days more pass, but you shall not fast in them,

24But go into a field of flowers where no house has been built, and eat only the flowers of the field; taste no flesh, drink no wine, but eat only flowers;

25And pray to the Most High YAHWEH continually, then will I come and talk with you.

26So I went my way into the field which is called Ardath, like as he commanded me; and there I sat among the flowers, and did eat of the herbs of the field, and the food of the same satisfied me.

27After seven days, as I sat upon the grass, and my heart was troubled within me, like as before:

28And I opened my mouth, and began to talk before the Most High YAHWEH, and said,

29Oh YAHWEH, YOU that show YOURSELF to us, YOU were shown to our fathers in the wilderness, in a place where no man treads, in a barren place, when they came out of Egypt.

30And YOU said, Hear ME, Oh Yisrael; and give heed to MY Words, you seed of Yacob.

31For, behold, I sow MY Torah in you, and it shall bring fruit in you, and you shall be magnified through it forever.

32But though our fathers received the Torah, they did not keep it, and did not observe YOUR ordinances: yet the fruit of YOUR Torah did not perish, neither could it, because it was YOURs;

33Yet they that received it perished, because they kept not the thing that was sown in them.

34And, lo, it is a custom, when the ground has received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, that, that being perished wherein it was sown or cast into,

35That thing also which was sown, or cast therein, or received, does perish, and remains not with us: but with us it has not happened so.

36For we that have received the Torah perish by sin, and also our heart also which received it;

37However the Torah does not perishes but remains in its force.

38And when I had spoke these things in my heart, I lifted up my eyes and saw a woman on my right, and behold, she was mourning and weeping with a loud voice, and was deeply grieved in her heart, and her clothes were rent, and she had ashes upon her head.

39Then I dismissed the thoughts with which I had been engaged, and turned to her,

40And said to her, Why are you weeping, and why are you grieved in your heart?

41And she said to me, Sir, let me alone, that I may bewail for myself, and continue to mourn and add to my sorrow, for I am greatly embittered in ruach and brought very low.

42And I said to her, What has happened to you? Tell me.

43She said to me, I your servant have been barren and had no child, though I lived with my husband thirty years,

44And those thirty years I did nothing else day and night, and every hour, but make my prayer to the Most High.

45After thirty years YAHWEH heard your handmaid, and looked upon my misery, considered my distress, and gave me a son: and I was very glad of him, so was my husband also, and all my neighbors: and we gave great honor and splendor to YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY.

46And I nourished him with great care.

47So when he grew up, and came to the time that he should have a wife, I set a day for the marriage and made a feast.

1And it so came to pass, that when my son entered his wedding chamber, he fell down, and died.

2Then we all put out the lights, and all my neighbors and friends attempted to comfort me: so I remained quiet until evening of the second day.

3And it came to pass, when they had all left off comforting me, so that I might be quiet; then rose I up by night and fled, and came here into this field, as you see.

4And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.

5Then left I the meditations wherein I was, and spoke to her in anger, saying,

6You most foolish of woman, do you not see our mourning, and what has happens to us?

7For Zion, the mother of us all, is full of heaviness and is in deep grief, and great humiliation, and is mourning very sore.

8It is most appropriate to mourn now, because we are all mourning, and to be sorrowful, because we are all sorrowing; you are sorrowing for one son, but we, the whole world, for our mother.

9For ask the earth, and she shall tell you, that it is she which ought to mourn for the fall of so many that grow upon her.

10And from the beginning all have been born of her, and others will come; and behold, almost all go into perdition, and a multitude of them are destined for utter destruction.

11Who then should make more mourning than she who has lost so great a multitude, or you who are sorry for but for one?

12But if you say to me, My lamentation is not like the earth's, because I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth with pains, and bare with sorrows;

13But the earth not so: for the multitude present in it according to the way of the earth, the multitude that is now in it goes as it came:

14Then say I to you, Like as you have brought forth with labor; even so the earth also has from the beginning given her fruit, namely, man, to HIM that made her.

15Now, therefore, keep your sorrow to yourself, and bear with a strong courage that which has befallen you.

16For if you shall acknowledge the determination of YAHWEH to be just, you shall both receive your son in time, and shall be commended among women.

17Therefore go into the city to your husband.

18And she said to me, That will I not do so: I will not go into the city, but I will die here.

19So I proceeded to speak further to her, and said,

20Do not say that, but be counseled by me: for how many are the adversities of Zion? be comforted because of the sorrow of Yerusalem.

21For you see that our Kodesh Place has been laid waste, our altar broken down, and our Great Tabernacle destroyed;

22Our psaltery has been laid on the ground, our song has been silenced, our rejoicing has been ended, the light of our menorah has been put out, the ark of our covenant has been spoiled, our kodesh things has been defiled, and the NAME of YAHWEH that is called upon us is almost profaned: our children are put to shame, our kohenim are burnt to death, our Levites have gone into captivity, our virgins have been defiled, and our wives have been ravished; our righteous men have been carried away, our little ones have been destroyed, our young men have been brought into bondage, and our strong men made powerless;

23And, which is the greatest of all, the seal of Zion, for she has now lost the seal of her splendor and great honor; for she is delivered into the hands of them that hate us.

24And therefore shake off your great heaviness, and put away the multitude of sorrows, so that YAHWEH the ALMIGHTY may be merciful to you again, and YAHWEH the Most High may give you rest and ease from your troubles.

25And it came to pass while I was talking with her, behold, her face upon a sudden shined exceedingly, and her countenance glistered, so that I was afraid of her, and mused what it might be.

26And, behold, suddenly she made a great cry very fearful: so that the earth shook at the sound of the woman.

27And I looked, and, behold, the woman appeared to me no more, but there was a city built, and a large place shown itself from the foundations: then was I afraid, and cried with a loud voice, and said,

28Where is Uriel the malak, who came to me at the first? for he has brought me into this overpowering bewilderment, and my end has turned into corruption, and my prayer to reproach.

29And as I was speaking these words, behold, the malak who had come to me at first, came to me, and looked upon me.

30And behold, I lay there like a corpse and I was deprived of my understanding. Then he grasped my right hand and strengthened me and set me on my feet, and said to me,

31What is the matter with you? And why are you so troubled? and why are your understanding and thoughts of your heart so troubled?

32And I said, Because you have forsaken me, and yet I did according to your words, and I went into the field, and behold, I have seen, and still see, what I am not able to express.

33And he said to me, Stand up like a man, and I will instruct you.

34Then I said, Speak on, my master; only do not forsake me, lest I die before my time frustrate of my hope.

35For I have seen that which I did not know, and heard that which I do not understand.

36Or is my sense deceived, or my soul in a dream?

37Now therefore I entreat you to give your servant an explanation of this bewildering vision.

38Then he answered me and said, Hear me, and I shall inform you, and tell you about the things which you are afraid of, for YAHWEH the Most High will reveal many secret things to you.

39HE has seen that your way is right: for that you sorrow continually for your people, and make great lamentation for Zion.

40This therefore is the meaning of the vision which you have seen:

41The woman who appeared to you a little while ago, whom you saw mourning and began to comfort her:

42But now see you the form of the woman no more, but there appeared to you an established city.

43And whereas she told you of the death of her son, this is the interpretation:

44This woman whom you saw, whom you now behold as an established city, is Zion.

45Whereas for her telling you that she was barren for thirty years, it is because there were three thousand years in the world before any offering was made in her.

46And after three thousand Solomon built the city and offered offerings: and then it was that the barren woman bore a son.

47And as for her telling you that she brought him up with much care and labor: that was the period of dwelling in Yerusalem.

48And whereas she saying to you, When my son entered his wedding chamber, he failed and died: that was the destruction which befell Yerusalem.

49And, behold, you saw her likeness, and how she mourned for her son, you began to console her for what had happened: and of these happenings which have affected mans well-being, these are to be opened to you.

50For now YAHWEH the Most High sees that you are grieved unfeignedly, and suffer from your whole heart for her, so has HE shown you the brightness of her splendor, and the comeliness of her beauty:

51Therefore I bade you to remain in the field where no house had been built:

52For I knew that the Most High YAHWEH would reveal these happenings to you.

53Therefore I commanded you to go into the field, where there was no foundation of any building.

54For in the place wherein the Most High YAHWEH reveals HIS city, there can be no building of men hands that have stood there.

55And therefore do not be afraid, and do not let your heart be affrighted, but go in and see the splendor and beauty and the vast greatness of the building, as far as it is possible for your eyes be able to see:

56And then afterward you shall hear as much as your ears can comprehend.

57For you are more blessed above many other, and you have been called before the Most High YAHWEH, as but few have been.

58But tomorrow at night you shall remain here;

59And so shall the Most High YAHWEH show you visions of what the Most High will do to those who dwell on earth in the last days. So I slept that night and following one, as he commanded me.

1On the second night I had a dream, and, behold, there came up from the sea an eagle, which had twelve feathered wings, and three heads.

2And I saw, and, behold, she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of the heaven blew on her, and the clouds were gathered together about her.

3And I beheld, and out of her wings there grew other contrary wings; and they became little pudgy wings.

4But her heads were at rest: the head in the middle was greater than the other, yet rested it with the rest with them.

5Moreover I looked, and, behold, the eagle flew with her wings, and reigned upon earth, and over them that dwelt in it.

6And I saw that all things under heaven were subject to her, and no man spoke against her, no, not even one creature that is on earth.

7And I looked, and, behold, the eagle rose upon her talons, and uttered a cry to her wings, saying,

8Do not all watch at the same time; let each sleep in her own place, and watch by the course of her turn:

9But let the heads be preserved for the last.

10And I looked, and behold, the voice did not come out from her heads, but from the middle of her body.

11And I numbered her opposing wings, and, behold, there were eight of them.

12And I looked, and, behold, on the right side there arose one feather, and reigned over all the earth;

13And so it was, that when it reigned, the end of it came, and the place thereof appeared no more: so the next wing following stood up, and reigned, and had a long reign.

14And it happened, that when it reigned, the end of it came also, like as the first, so that it appeared no more.

15Then came there a voice to it, and said,

16Hear you that have borne rule over the earth so long: this I say to you, before you begin to appear no more,

17There shall none after you attain to your time, neither to the half thereof.

18Then arose the third wing, and reigned as the other before, and appeared no more also.

19So went it with all the wing one after another, as that everyone reigned with power, and then appeared no more.

20Then I looked, and behold, in due process of time the wings that followed stood up upon the right side, that they might rule also;

21And some of them ruled, but within a while they disappeared suddenly: and some of them rose up, but did not rule.

22After this I looked, and behold, the twelve wings appeared no more, nor the two little wings:

23And there was no more upon the eagle's body, but three heads that rested, and six little wings.

24Then saw I also that two little wings divided themselves from the six, and remained under the head that was upon the right side; but the four continued in their place.

25And I looked, and behold, these two little wings planned to set themselves up and hold the rule.

26And I looked, and behold, there was one set up, but suddenly disappeared.

27And the second also, and this disappeared more quickly than the first.

28And I looked, and behold, the two that remained were planning between themselves to reign together:

29And when they were planning, behold, there awakened one of the heads that were at rest, namely, the one that was in the middle; for that was greater than the other two heads.

30And I saw how it allied the two heads with itself,

31And, behold, the head turned with two that were with it, and did eat up the two little wing which were planning to reign.

32Moreover this middle head gained control of the whole earth, and with much oppression dominated its inhabitants; and it had greater power over the world than all the wings that had gone before.

33And after this I looked, and behold, the middle head suddenly disappeared and was no more, just as the wings had done.

34But there remained the two heads, which also ruled over the earth and its inhabitants.

35And I looked, and behold, the head upon the right side devoured the one that was upon the left side.

36Then I head a voice, which said to me, Look before you, and consider what you see.

37And I looked, and behold, a creature like a lion was aroused out of the forest, roaring; and I heard how he uttered with a man's voice to the eagle, and spoke, saying,

38Hear you, I will speak with you what the Most High YAHWEH shall say to you,

39Are you not the one that remain of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in MY world, that the end of MY times might come through them?

40And you the fourth that has come, and has conquered all the beasts that have gone before, and had power over the world with great fearful terror, and over all the earth with much grievous oppression; and for so long as you have dwelt upon the earth with deceit.

41And you have judged the earth, but not with truth.

42For you have afflicted the meek, you have injured the peaceable, you have hated those who tell the truth, you have loved liars, and you have destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and have cast down the walls of them as did you no harm.

43Therefore is your insolent wrongful dealings has come up before the Most High YAHWEH, and your pride before the ALMIGHTY.

44And the Most High YAHWEH has also looked upon HIS times, and, behold, they are ended, and his ages are completed, and his abominations are fulfilled!

45Therefore you will surely disappear, you eagle, and your terrifying wings, and your most evil little wings, and your malicious heads, and your most evil talons, and your whole worthless body,

46So that the whole earth be freed from your violence, and may be refreshed and return, being delivered from your violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of HIM that made her.

1And it came to pass, whiles the lion spoke these words to the eagle, I looked,

2And, behold, the remaining head disappeared. And the two wings that had gone over to it arose and set themselves up to reign, and their reign was brief and full of tumult.

3And I looked, and behold, they also disappeared, and the whole body of the eagle was burnt so that the earth was exceedingly terrified.

4Then I awoke in great perplexity of mind and great fear, and I said to my spirit, "Behold, you have brought this upon me, because you search out the ways of the Most High YAHWEH.

5Behold, I am still weary in mind and very weak in my spirit, and not even a little strength is left in me, because of the great fear with which I have been terrified this night.

6Therefore will I now beseech the Most High YAHWEH that HE will comfort and strengthen me to the end.

7And so I said, Oh YAHWEH that bear rule, if I have found free unmerited favor before YOUR sight, and if I have been accounted righteous before YOU beyond many others, and if my prayer has indeed come up before YOUR face,

8Comfort and strengthen me and show me, YOUR servant, the interpretation and meaning of this terrifying vision, that YOU may fully comfort my soul.

9For YOU have judged me worthy to be shown the end of the times and the last events of the time.

10And HE said to me, This is the interpretation of the vision which you have seen:

11The eagle, whom you saw come up from the sea, is the kingdom which was seen in the vision of your brother Daniel.

12But it was not expounded to him, therefore now I declare it to you.

13Behold, the days shall come, that there shall rise up a kingdom upon earth, and it shall be more terrifying than all the kingdoms that have been before it.

14And twelve kings shall reign in it, one after another:

15But the second that is to reign shall have more time than any of the twelve.

16This is the interpretation of the twelve wings signify, which you saw.

17As for your hearing a voice that spoke, coming not from the eagle's heads but from the midst of his body, this is the interpretation:

18That after the time of that kingdom there shall arise great strivings, and it shall stand in peril of failing: nevertheless it shall not fall then, but shall regain again its former power.

19And whereas you saw the eight little wings (under wings) clinging to her wings, this is the interpretation:

20That in him there shall arise eight kings, whose times shall be short, and their years swift.

21And two of them shall perish when the middle of their time approaches: and four shall be kept for the time when its end begin to approach: but two shall be kept until the end.

22And whereas you saw three heads resting, this is the interpretation:

23In his last days shall the most High raise up three kingdoms, and they shall renew many things in it, and they shall have the dominion of the earth,

24And its inhabitants more oppressively than all who were before them: therefore are they called the heads of the eagle.

25For these are they who shall accomplish his final wickedness, and perform his last actions.

26And whereas you saw that the great head appeared no more, it signifies that one of them shall die upon his bed, and yet with pain.

27For the two that remain shall be slain with the sword.

28For the sword of the one shall devour the other who was with him: but at the end he shall fall by the sword in the last days.

29As for you seeing two little wings from under the wings passing over the head that is on the right side;

30This is the interpretation: It signifies that these are they, whom the Most High YAHWEH has kept for the eagle's end: this was the reign which was brief and full of trouble, as you saw.

31And the lion, whom you saw rising up out of the wood, and roaring, and speaking to the eagle, and rebuking her for her unrighteousness with all the words which you have heard;

32This is the anointed, which the Most High YAHWEH has kept until the end of days, who will arise from the posterity of David, and will come and speak to them; He will denounce them for their checedlessness and for their wickedness, and will cast up before them their contemptuous dealings.

33For first HE shall set them living before HIS judgment seat, and shall rebuke them, then He will destroy them.

34For the rest of MY people shall HE deliver with mercy, those that have been pressed upon throughout MY borders, and HE shall make them joyful until the end comes, the day of judgment, whereof I have spoken to you from the beginning.

35This is the dream that you saw, and this is the interpretation.

36And you alone were worthy to learn this secret of the Most High YAHWEH.

37Therefore write all these things that you have seen in a book, and put it in a hidden place:

38And teach them to the wise among your people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep these secrets.

39But wait you here yourself yet seven days more, so that you may be shown whatever it pleases the Most High YAHWEH to show you. And with that he went his way.

40And it came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and that I did not come again into the city, they gathered themselves all together, from the least to the greatest, and came to me, and said,

41How have we offended you? And what evil have we done you, that you have forsaken us and sit in this place?

42For of all the prophets, you alone are left to us, as a cluster of grapes from the vintage, and as a lamp in a dark place, and as a haven for a ship preserved from the tempest.

43Are not the evils which have befallen us sufficient?

44Therefore if you forsake us, how much better had it been for us, if we also had been consumed in the burning of Zion?

45For we are no better than they that died there. And they wept with a loud voice.

46Then answered I them, and said, Take hold of strong courage, Oh Yisrael; and be not heavy and sorrowful, Oh you house of Yacob:

47For the Most High YAHWEH has you in remembrance, and the ALMIGHTY has not forgotten you in your struggle,

48As for me, I have neither forsaken you nor departed from you: but I have come to this place to pray on account of the desolation of Zion, and that I might seek mercy for the low estate of our sanctuary.

49And now go your way home every man, and after these days will I come to you.

50So the people went their way into the city, as I commanded them to do:

51But I remained still in the field seven days, as the malak commanded me; and did eat only of the flowers of the field, and had my food of the herbs during those days.

1And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream in the night, and behold, a wind arose from the sea and stirred up all its waves.

2And I looked, and behold, this wind made something like the figure of a Man come up out of the heart of the sea.

3And I looked, and behold, that Man waxed strong and flew with the clouds of heaven: and wherever He turned His face to look, all things trembled under His gaze.

4And whensoever His voice went out of His mouth, all they melted that heard His voice, like wax melts when it feels the fire.

5And after this I looked, and behold, there was gathered together a multitude of men, without number, from the four winds of the heaven, to war against the Man that came out of the sea,

6But I looked, and behold, He craved out for Himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it.

7But I tried to see the region or place from which the great mountain was carved out, but I could not.

8And after this I looked, and behold, all they which were gathered together to wage war and subdue Him were sore afraid, and yet dared to fight.

9And behold, as He saw the violent approach of the multitude, He neither lifted up His hand, nor held sword, nor any weapon of war:

10But only I saw that He sent out of His mouth as it were a blast of fire, and out of His lips a flaming breath, and from His tongue He shot forth sparks and tempests.

11And they were all mixed together; the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and the great tempest; and fell on the onrushing multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them all up, so that suddenly nothing was seen of the innumerable multitude but only ash dust and smell of smoke: when I saw this I was afraid.

12Afterward saw I the same Man come down from the mountain, and call to Him another multitude which is peaceable.

13And there came many people to Him, whereof some joyful, some sorry, and some of them bound, and some were bringing others as offerings.

14Then I was sick through great fear, and I awoke; and I besought the Most High YAHWEH, and said,

15From the beginning YOU have shown YOUR servant these wonders, and have counted me worthy that YOU should receive my prayer, now show me also the interpretation of this dream.

16For as I consider it in my understanding, woe to them that shall be left in those days! And still much more woe to those who do not survive!

17For those who do not survive will be sorrowful,

18Because they understand what things that are laid up in the latter days, but not attaining it, but shall happen to them, and to those that are left behind.

19But woe also to those who do survive, for this reason, because they shall see great perilous dangers and much distress for necessities, as these dreams declare.

20Yet it is better for them to come into these things though incurring perilous dangers, than to pass away from the world like a cloud, and not to see the things that shall happen in the last days.

21And HE answered to me, and said, I will tell you the interpretation of the vision, and I will explain to you the thing which you have inquired.

22Whereas you have spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation:

23HE who brings the peril at that time will HIMSELF protect those who fall into peril, who have works and have faith in the ALMIGHTY.

24Know this therefore, that they which be left behind are more blessed than those who have died.

25This is the interpretation of the vision: As for you seeing a Man coming up from the middle of the sea:

26The same is He whom the Most High YAHWEH has kept a great season, which by Himself shall deliver HIS creature: and He shall order and direct them that are left behind.

27And as for you seeing a blast of wind and fire and a storm coming out of His mouth,

28And as for His not holding sword or weapon of war, yet destroying the onrushing multitude which came to conquer and subdue Him, this is the interpretation:

29Behold, the days are coming, when the Most High YAHWEH will deliver them that are upon the earth.

30And bewilderment of mind shall come over those who dwell on the earth.

31And they shall plan to make war against one another, one city against another city, one place against another place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom.

32And the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I showed you before, and then shall MY Son be revealed, whom you saw as a Man ascending.

33And when all the people hear His voice, every man shall in their own land leave the warfare they have against one another.

34And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as you saw, desiring to come and conquer Him by fighting.

35But He shall stand on top of the mount Zion.

36And Zion shall come, and shall be shown to all men, being prepared and built, like as you saw the mountain carved without hands.

37And He, MY Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked checedlessness life which have fallen into the tempest; (this was symbolized by the storm)

38And shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like to a flame: and He shall destroy them without effort by the Torah which is like to ME. (which was symbolized by the fire)

39And whereas you saw that He gathered to Himself another peaceable multitude;

40Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Hoshea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so that they came into another land.

41But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where mankind had never dwelt,

42That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.

43And they went in by the narrow passages of the Euphrates River.

44For YAHWEH the Most High then shown signs for them, and held still the flood, until they had passed over.

45For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and that country is called Arzareth.

46Then dwelt they there until the latter time; and now when they shall begin to come,

47The Most High YAHWEH shall stay the springs of the stream again, that they may go through: therefore saw you the multitude gathered together in shalom.

48But those that be left behind of your people are they that are found within MY borders, shall be delivered.

49Now when He destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, He shall defend His people that remain.

50And then shall HE show them very many great wonders.

51Then I said, Oh Sovereign YAHWEH that bear rule, explain this to me: Why did I see the Man coming up from the middle of the sea?

52And HE said to me, Like as you can neither seek out nor know the things that are in the deep of the sea: even so can no man upon earth see MY Son, or those that are with Him, except in the time of His day.

53This is the interpretation of the dream which you saw.

54And you alone have been enlightened about this, because you have forsaken your own ways, and applied yourself with diligence to MINE, and have searched out MY Torah.

55For you have devoted and ordered your life in wisdom, and have called understanding your mother.

56Therefore I have shown you treasures, for there is a reward laid up with the Most High YAHWEH. And after another three days I will tell you other things, and declare to you weighty and wondrous matters.

57Then I arose and walked in the field, giving praise and thanks and great splendor to YAHWEH the Most High because of HIS wonders which HE did in time;

58And because HE governs the times and whatever things come to pass in their seasons. And there I sat three days.

1And it came to pass upon the third day, I sat under an oak, and behold, there came a voice out of a bush opposite me, and said, Ezra, Ezra.

2And I said, Here am I, YAHWEH And I stood up upon my feet.

3Then said HE to me, In the bush I did manifestly reveal MYSELF to Mosheh, and talked with him, when MY people were in bondage in Egypt:

4And I sent him and led MY people out of Egypt, and led him up upon Mount Sinai of where I kept him by ME many days,

5And told him many wondrous things, and shown him the secrets of the times, and declared to him the end of the times. Then I commanded him, saying,

6These words shall you declare, and these shall you hide.

7And now I say to you,

8That you lay up in your heart the signs that I have shown, and the dreams that you have seen, and the interpretations which you have heard:

9For you shall be taken away from all, and from henceforth you shall remain with MY Son, and with those such as be like you, until the times are ended.

10For the world has lost its youthfulness, and the times begin to wax old.

11For the age of the world is divided into twelve parts, and nine parts of it have already passed, and half of the tenth part:

12So that two of its parts remain, that which is after the half part of the tenth.

13Now therefore set your house in order, and reprove your people, comfort the lowly among them, and instruct those that are wise.

14And now renounce corruption, and put away from you mortal thoughts, cast away the burdens of man, put off now the weak nature,

15And lay aside the thoughts that are most heavy and grievous to you, and hasten to flee from these times.

16For yet greater evils than those which you have seen happen shall be done hereafter.

17For the weaker the world becomes through old age, the more shall evils be multiplied among its inhabitants.

18For truth shall go farther away, and falsehood shall come near. For the eagle which you saw in the vision is hastening to come.

19Then I answered and said, Let me speak in your presence, YAHWEH,

20Behold, YAHWEH, I will go, as YOU have commanded me, and reprove the people which are present: but they that shall be born afterward, who shall admonish them? Thus the world is set in darkness, and they that dwell therein are without light.

21For YOUR Torah is burnt, therefore no man knows the things that are done of YOU, or the work that shall begin.

22But if I have found free unmerited favor before YOU, send the Ruach HaKodesh into me, and I shall write all that has been done in the world since the beginning, which were written in YOUR Torah, that men may find YOUR path, and that they which will live in the latter days may live.

23And HE answered me, saying, Go your way, gather the people together, and say to them, that they seek you not for forty days.

24But look and prepare you many writing tablets, and take with you Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel, these five, because they are ready to write swiftly;

25And come hither, and I shall light a menorah of understanding in your heart, which shall not be put out until the writings and purpose be performed.

26And when you have done, some writings shall you publish, and some writings you shall deliver in secret to the wise: tomorrow at this hour shall you begin to write.

27Then I went forth as HE commanded me, and gathered all the people together, and said,

28Hear these words, Oh Yisrael.

29Our fathers in the beginning were strangers in Egypt, from there they were delivered:

30And received the Torah of Life, which they did not keep, which you also have transgressed after them.

31Then was the land, even the land of Zion, parted among you by lot for a possession: but you and your fathers committed iniquity and unrighteousness, and have not kept the ways which the Most High YAHWEH commanded you.

32And because HE is a righteous judge, in due time HE took from you what HE had given you.

33And now are you here, and your brethren are farther in the interior.

34If you, then will rule over your minds and subdue your own understanding, and discipline your hearts, you shall be kept alive and after death you shall obtain mercy.

35For after death shall the judgment come, when we shall live again: and then the names of the righteous shall become manifest, and the deeds of the wicked shall be declared.

36Let no man therefore come to me now, nor seek me for forty days.