Old Testament

New Testament

2 Esdras 7:37-53 World English Bible (WEB)

37. And then shall the Most High say to the nations that are raised from the dead, See you⌃ and understand whom you⌃ have denied, or whom you⌃ have not served, or whose commandments you⌃ have despised.

38. Look on this side and on that: here is delight and rest, and there fire and torments. Thus shall he speak to them in the day of judgement:

39. This is a day that has neither sun, nor moon, nor stars,

40. neither cloud, nor thunder, nor lightning, neither wind, nor water, nor air, neither darkness, nor evening, nor morning,

41. neither summer, nor spring, nor heat, nor winter, neither frost, nor cold, nor hail, nor rain, nor dew,

42. neither noon, nor night, nor dawn, neither shining, nor brightness, nor light, save only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, whereby all shall see the things that are set before them:

43. for it shall endure as it were a week of years.

44. This is my judgement and the ordinance thereof; but to you only have I showed these things.

45. And I answered, I said even then, O Lord, and I say now: blessed are they that be now alive and keep the statutes ordained of you.

46. But as touching them for whom my prayer was made, what shall I say? for who is there of them that be alive that has not sinned, and who of the sons of men that has not transgressed your covenant?

47. And now I see, that the world to come shall bring delight to few, but torments to many.

48. For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has led us astray from these statutes, and has brought us into corruption and into the ways of death, has showed us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life; and that, not a few only, but well near all that have been created.

49. And he answered me, and said, Hearken to me, and I will instruct you; and I will admonish you yet again:

50. for this cause the Most High has not made one world, but two.

51. For whereas you have said that the just are not many, but few, and the ungodly abound, hear the answer thereto.

52. If you has choice stones exceeding few, will you set for you over against them according to their number things of lead and clay?

53. And I said, Lord, how shall this be?

Read complete chapter 2 Esdras 7