Old Testament

New Testament

2 Esdras 7:36-53 Good News Bible Anglicised (GNBDC)

36. The pit of torment, the fires of hell, will appear, and opposite them the Paradise of joy and rest.

37. “Then God Most High will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, ‘Look! I am the one whom you have denied and refused to serve; it is my commands that you have rejected.

38. Look around you; there is joy and peace in one direction, fire and torment in the other.’ That is what he will say to them on Judgement Day.

39. “On Judgement Day there will be no sun, moon, or stars;

40. no cloud, thunder, or lightning; no wind, water, or air; no darkness, evening, or morning;

41. no summer, spring, or winter; no heat, frost, or cold; no hail, rain, or dew;

42. no noon, night or dawn; no daylight, brightness, or light. The only light will be the dazzling brightness of God Most High, making it possible for everyone to see.

43. The judgement will last seven years.

44. That's the arrangement I have made for Judgement Day, but I have revealed these things only to you.”

45. Then I said, “Lord, I repeat what I said earlier: How fortunate are the people who can live now and obey your commands!

46. But what about those for whom I have been praying? There is no one in the present generation who has not sinned, no one who has not broken your covenant.

47. Now I understand that the world to come will bring joy to only a few, but torment to many.

48. The evil impulse within us has grown and it has led us away from God's ways, brought us to ruin, put us on the way to death and destruction, and taken us far from life. It has destroyed not only a few, but almost everyone who was ever created.”

49. “Listen to me,” the angel said, “and I will teach you further and correct your thinking.

50. Because only a few will be saved, God created two worlds, instead of only one.

51. As you say, only a few people are righteous, but there are large numbers of wicked people. But listen:

52. If you had only a few precious stones, would you add lumps of lead and clay to them in order to have more?”

53. “Surely no one would do that, sir,” I answered.

Read complete chapter 2 Esdras 7