OET-RV L ESD Chapter 14

14 On the third day, I sat under an oak, and a voice came out of a bush near me, and said, “Ezra, Ezra!”

2 I said, “Here I am, master,” and I stood up on my feet.

3 Then he said to me, “I revealed myself in a bush and talked with Mosheh (Moses) when my people were in bondage in Mitsrayim (Egypt). 4 I sent him, and he[fn] led my people out of Mitsrayim. I brought him up to Mt. Sinay, where I kept him with me for many days. 5 I told him many wondrous things, and showed him the secrets of the times and the end of the seasons. I commanded him, saying, 6 ‘Publish these openly, and keep these secret.’ 7 Now I say to you: 8 Lay up in your heart the signs that I’ve shown, the dreams that you’ve seen, and the interpretations which you’ve heard; 9 for you’ll be taken away from men, and from now on you’ll live with my Son and with those who are like you, until the times have ended. 10 Because the world has lost its youth, and the times begin to grow old. 11 Because[fn] the age is divided into twelve parts, and ten parts of it are already gone, even[fn] the half of the tenth part. 12 There remain of it two parts after the middle of the tenth part. 13 Now therefore set your house in order, reprove your people, comfort the lowly among them, and instruct those of them who are wise,[fn] and now renounce the life that’s corruptible, 14 and let go of the mortal thoughts, throw away from you the burdens of man, put off now your weak nature, 15 lay aside the thoughts that are most grievous to you, and hurry to escape from these times. 16 Because worse evils than those which you’ve seen happen will be done after this. 17 Because look how much the world will be weaker through age, so much that more evils will increase on those who live in it. 18 Because the truth will withdraw itself further off, and falsehood will be near. Because now the[fn] eagle which you saw in vision hurries to come.”

19 Then I replied, “Let me speak[fn] in your presence, Oh master. 20 Listen, I’ll go, as you’ve commanded me, and reprove the people who now live, but who’ll warn those who’ll be born afterward? Because the world is set in darkness, and those who live in it are without light. 21 Because your law has been burnt, therefore no one knows the things that are done by you, or the works that’ll be done. 22 But if I’ve found favour before you, send the Holy Spirit to me, and I’ll write all that’s been done in the world since the beginning, even the things that were written in your law, that men may be able to find the path, and that those who’d live in the latter days may live.”

23 He answered me and said, “Go your way, gather the people together, and tell them not to seek you for forty days. 24 But prepare for yourself many tablets, and take with you Serayah, Dabria, Shelemyah, Eytan, and Asiyel, these five, which are ready to write swiftly; 25 and come here, and I’ll light a lamp of understanding in your heart which won’t be put out until the things have ended about which you’ll write. 26 When you’re done, publish some things openly, and give some things privately to the wise. Tomorrow at this hour you’ll begin to write.”

27 Then went I out, as he commanded me, and gathered all the people together, and said, 28 “Hear these words, Oh Yisrael (Israel)! 29 Our fathers at the beginning were foreigners in Mitsrayim (Egypt), and they were delivered from there, 30 and received the law of life, which they didn’t keep, which you also have transgressed after them. 31 Then the land of Tsiyon (Zion) was given to you for a possession; but you yourselves and your ancestors have done unrighteousness, and haven’t kept the ways which the Most High commanded you. 32 Because he’s a righteous judge, in due time, he took from you what he’d given you. 33 Now you’re here, and your kindred are among you. 34 Therefore if you’ll rule over your own understanding and instruct your hearts, you’ll be kept alive, and after death you’ll obtain mercy. 35 Because after death the judgement will come, when we’ll live again. Then the names of the righteous will become manifest, and the works of the ungodly will be declared. 36 Let no one therefore come to me now, nor seek me for forty days.”

37 So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went out into the field, and remained there. 38 The next day, a voice called me, saying, “Ezra, open your mouth, and drink what I give you to drink.”

39 Then I opened my mouth, and a full cup was handed to me. It was full of something like water, but its colour was like fire. 40 I took it, and drank. When I’d drunk it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my chest, for my spirit retained its memory. 41 My mouth was opened, and shut no more. 42 The Most High gave understanding to the five men, and they wrote by course the things that were told them, in characters[fn] which they didn’t know, and they sat forty days. Now they wrote in the day-time, and at night they ate bread. 43 As for me, I spoke in the day, and by night I didn’t hold my tongue. 44 So in forty days, ninety-four books were written.

45 When the forty days were fulfilled, that the Most High spoke to me, saying, “The first books that you’ve written, publish openly, and let the worthy and unworthy read them; 46 but keep the last seventy, that you may deliver them to those who are wise among your people; 47 for in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge.”

48 I did so.