Old Testament

New Testament

2 Esdras 5:6-21 Common English Bible (CEB)

6. A person no one on earth expected will come to power, and birds will migrate together.

7. The sea of Sodom will cast up fish; it will utter sounds in a voice that many don’t know, but all will hear its voice.

8. Chasms will open up in many places, and fire will be shot forth frequently. Wild beasts will roam beyond their territory, and women will give birth to monsters.

9. Salt waters will be found in sources of freshwater. Friends everywhere will begin to fight each other. Reason will be hidden, and intelligence will go into hiding.

10. Many will look for it, but they won’t find it, and injustice and lust will be multiplied on earth.

11. One country will ask its neighbor, ‘Has justice passed through you, doing what is right?’ and the answer will be no.

12. At that time people will hope but not get what they hoped for; they will labor, but they will make no progress.

13. I am permitted to tell you these signs, and if you pray again and continue to weep as you are now doing and fast for seven days, you will again hear greater things than these."

14. I awoke, my body shuddered greatly, and my spirit labored so that it fainted.

15. The angel who came and talked to me held me, comforted me, and set me on my feet.

16. On the second night, Phaltiel a leader of the people came to me and said, "Where were you, and why is your face sad?

17. Don’t you realize that Israel has been entrusted to you while it is in exile in this land?

18. Arise then, and take some food so that you may not abandon us like a shepherd who leaves his flock in the power of cruel wolves."

19. I said to him, "Leave me and don’t come near me again for seven days. After that, you will come to me." He heard how I spoke and withdrew from me.

20. I didn’t eat food for seven days, wailing and weeping, as the angel Uriel had commanded me.

21. After seven days, my deepest thoughts were again very troubling to me.

Read complete chapter 2 Esdras 5