2 ESDRAS: The Hidden Book of Prophecy With 1st Esdras - Book - Page 114
7 : M E S S I A H
47 For what profit is it for men
now in this present time to live
in heaviness, and after death
to look for punishment?
48 O Adam, what have you
done? for though it was you
that sinned, you are not fallen
alone, but we all that come of
you.
49 For what profit is it unto
us, if there be promised us
an immortal time, whereas
we have done the works that
bring death?
50 And that their is promised
us an everlasting hope,
whereas ourselves being most
wicked are made vain?
51 And that there are laid up
for us dwellings of health and
safety, whereas we have lived
wickedly?
52 And that the glory of the
Most High is kept to defend
them which have led a weary
life, whereas we have walked
in the most wicked ways of
Or, a chast
life. all?
53 And that there should be
shown a paradise whose fruit
endures forever, wherein is
security and medicine, since
Or, fullness.
we shall not enter into it?
54 For we have walked in
unpleasant places.
55 And that the faces of them
which have used abstinence,
shall shine above the stars,
whereas our faces shall be
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blacker than darkness?
56 For while we lived and
committed
iniquity,
we
considered not that we should
begin to suffer for it after
Or, intent.
death.
57 Then he answered me and
said, This is the condition of
the battle, which man that
is born upon the earth shall
fight,
58 That if he be overcome, he
shall suffer as you have said,
but if he get the victory, he
shall receive the thing that I
say.
59 For this is the life whereof
Moses spoke unto the people
while he lived, saying, Choose
Cf. Dt. 30:19.
you life that you may live.
60 Nevertheless they believed
him not, nor yet the prophets
after him, no nor me which
have spoken unto them,
61 That there should not
be such heaviness in their
destruction, as shall be joy
over them that are persuaded
Cf. Rom. 2:4.
to salvation.
Ezra Appeals to Yahuah’s
Mercy
62 I answered then and said,
I know, Yahuah, that the Most
High is called merciful, in that
he hath mercy upon them,
which are not yet come into
the world,
