43. The farmer's seed may not come up because you did not send rain at the right time, or it may be ruined by too much rain.
44. But people are different. You formed them with your own hands; you created them to be like you; and you made everything for their benefit. How can you compare them to a farmer's seed?
45. It's impossible, O Lord above! Spare the people who are your own. Have pity on them. Show your mercy to the people you have created.”
46. He answered, “The present is for those who live now, and the future for those who are to come.
47. You are certainly not able to love what I have created more than I do. Never again consider yourself among the unrighteous, as you have done so often.
48. Yet I am very pleased
49. that you have shown proper humility and not boasted by thinking of yourself as righteous.
50. The people of this world who have lived their lives in pride and arrogance will suffer many things in the last days.
51. But, Ezra, you should be thinking about the glory that is waiting for you and those like you.