Old Testament

New Testament

2 Esdras 7:86-101 World English Bible (WEB)

86. The sixth way, they shall see how forthwith some of them shall pass into torment.

87. The seventh way, which is more grievous than all the aforesaid ways, because they shall pine away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they have sinned while living, and before whom they shall be judged in the last times.

88. Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from the corruptible vessel.

89. In the time that they lived therein they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly.

90. Wherefore this is the teaching concerning them:

91. First of all they shall see with great joy the glory of him who takes them up, for they shall have rest in seven orders.

92. The first order, because they have striven with great labor to overcome the evil thought which was fashoned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death.

93. The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them.

94. The third order, they see the witness which he that fashioned them bears concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust.

95. The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaits them in the last days.

96. The fifth order, they rejoice, seeing how they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and how they shall inherit that which is to come, while they see moreover the straitness and the painfulness from which they have been delivered, and the large room which they shall receive with joy and immortality.

97. The sixth order, when it is showed to them how their face shall shine as the sun, and how they shall be made like to the light of the stars, being henceforth incorruptible.

98. The seventh order, which is greater than all the aforesaid orders, because they shall rejoice with confidence, and because they shall be bold without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom in their lifetine they served, and from whom they shall receive their reward in glory.

99. This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is announcer to them, and aforesaid are the ways of torture which they that would not give heed shall suffer from henceforth.

100. And I answered and said, shall time therefore be given to the souls after they are separated from the bodies, that they may see that whereof you have spoken to me?

101. And he said, Their freedom shall be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things whereof you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered together in their habitations.

Read complete chapter 2 Esdras 7