OET-RV L ESD Chapter 6

7 Then I answered, “What’ll be the dividing of the times? Or when will be the end of the first and the beginning of the age that follows?”

8 He said to me, “From Avraham to Yitshak (Isaac), because Ya’akov (Jacob) and Esav (Esau) were born to him, for Ya’akov’s hand held Esav’s heel from the beginning. 9 Because Esav is the end of this age, and Ya’akov is the beginning of the one that follows. 10 The[fn] beginning of a man is his hand, and the end of a man is his heel. Seek nothing else between the heel and the hand, Ezra!”

11 Then I answered, “O sovereign master, if I’ve found favour in your sight, 12 I beg you, show your servant the end of your signs which you showed me part on a previous night.”

13 So he answered, “Stand up on your feet, and you’ll hear a mighty sounding voice. 14 If the place you stand on is greatly moved 15 when it speaks don’t be afraid, for the word is of the end, and the foundations of the earth will understand 16 that the speech is about them. They’ll tremble and be moved, for they know that their end must be changed.”

17 It happened that when I’d heard it, I stood up on my feet, and listened, and there was a voice that spoke, and its sound was like the sound of many waters. 18 It said, “Listen, the days come when I draw near to visit those who live on the earth, 19 and when I investigate those who’ve caused harm unjustly with their unrighteousness, and when the affliction of Tsiyon (Zion) is complete, 20 and when the seal will be set on the age that’s to pass away, then I’ll show these signs: the books will be opened before the firmament, and all will see together. 21 The children a year old will speak with their voices. The women with child will deliver premature children at three or four months, and they’ll live and dance. 22 Suddenly the sown places will appear unsown. The full storehouses will suddenly be found empty. 23 The trumpet will give a sound which when every man hears, they’ll suddenly be afraid. 24 At that time friends will make war against one another like enemies. The earth will stand in fear with those who live in it. The springs of the fountains will stand still, so that for three hours they won’t flow.

25 “It’ll be that anyone who remains after all these things that I’ve told you of, he’ll be saved and will see my salvation, and the end of my world. 26 They’ll see the men who’ve been taken up, who haven’t tasted death from their birth. The heart of the inhabitants will be changed and turned into a different spirit. 27 Because evil will be blotted out and deceit will be quenched. 28 Faith will flourish. Corruption will be overcome, and the truth, which has been so long without fruit, will be declared.”

29 When he talked with me, look, little by little, the place I stood on rocked[fn] back and forth. 30 He said to me, “I came to show you these things tonight.[fn] 31 If therefore you’ll pray yet again, and fast seven more days, I’ll again[fn] tell you greater things than these. 32 Because your voice has surely been heard before the Most High. Because the Mighty has seen your righteousness. He’s also seen your purity, which you’ve maintained ever since your youth. 33 Therefore he’s sent me to show you all these things, and to say to you, ‘Believe, and don’t be afraid! 34 Don’t be hasty to think vain things about the former times, that you may not hasten in the latter times.’ ”

35 After this, I wept again, and fasted seven days in the same way, that I might fulfil the three weeks which he told me. 36 On the eighth night, my heart was troubled within me again, and I began to speak in the presence of the Most High. 37 Because my spirit was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress. 38 I said, “O master, truly you spoke at the beginning of the creation, on the first day, and said this: ‘Let heaven and earth be made,’ and your word perfected the work. 39 Then the spirit was hovering, and darkness and silence were on every side. The sound of man’s voice wasn’t yet there.[fn] 40 Then you commanded a ray of light to be brought out of your treasuries, that your works might then appear.

41 “On the second day, again you made the spirit of the firmament and commanded it to divide and to separate the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath.

42 “On the third day, you commanded that the waters should be gathered together in the seventh part of the earth. You dried up six parts and kept them, to the intent that of these some being both planted and tilled might serve before you. 43 Because as soon as your word went out, the work was done. 44 Immediately, great and innumerable fruit grew, with many pleasant tastes, and flowers of inimitable colour, and fragrances of most exquisite smell. This was done the third day.

45 “On the fourth day, you commanded that the sun should shine, the moon give its light, and the stars should be in their order; 46 and gave them a command to serve mankind, who was to be made.

47 “On the fifth day, you said to the seventh part, where the water was gathered together, that it should produce living creatures, fowls and fishes; and so it happened 48 that the mute and lifeless water produced living things as it was told, that the nations might therefore praise your wondrous works.

49 “Then you preserved two living creatures. The one you called Behemot, and the other you called Livyatan. 50 You separated the one from the other; for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both. 51 To Behemot, you gave one part, which was dried up on the third day, that he should live in it, in which are a thousand hills; 52 but to Livyatan you gave the seventh part, namely, the watery part. You’ve kept them to be devoured by whom you wish, when you wish.

53 “But on the sixth day, you commanded the earth to produce before you cattle, animals, and creeping things. 54 Over these, you ordained Adam as ruler over all the works that you’ve made. Of him came all of us, the people whom you’ve chosen.

55 “All this have I spoken before you, Oh master, because you’ve said that for our sakes you made this[fn] world. 56 As for the other nations, which also come from Adam, you’ve said that they’re nothing, and are like spittle. You’ve likened the abundance of them to a drop that falls from a bucket. 57 Now, Oh master, look at these nations, which are reputed as nothing, being rulers over us and devouring us. 58 But we your people, whom you’ve called your firstborn, your only children, and your fervent lover, are given into their hands. 59 Now if the world is made for our sakes, why don’t we possess our world for an inheritance? How long will this endure?”