Old Testament

New Testament

2 Esdras 7:92-101 World English Bible (WEB)

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