Old Testament

New Testament

2 Esdras 7:50-61 Good News Bible Anglicised (GNBDC)

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.

54. “Take another illustration,” he continued. “The earth herself will give you an answer if you humbly ask it

55. whether it produces more gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, or clay.

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

57. So judge for yourself which are more desirable and valuable, common things or rare things.”

58. I answered, “Lord and master, the common things are cheap; it is the rare things that are valuable.”

59. “All right,” he replied, “so draw the logical conclusion: the person who has what is scarce has more reason to be pleased than the person who has what is plentiful.

60. It's the same with the judgement that I have promised: I will be pleased with the few who will be saved, because they are the ones who now praise and honour me and make my name known.

61. I will not be sad about the large number of people who will be lost, because even now they last no longer than a vapour; they disappear like fire and smoke; they catch fire, blaze up, and quickly go out.”

Read complete chapter 2 Esdras 7