Open English Translation L ESD Chapter 8

4 I answered, “Drink your fill of understanding then, Oh my soul, and let my heart devour wisdom. 5 Because you have[fn] come here apart from your will, and depart against your will, for you’ve only been given a short time to live. 6 Oh master over us, grant to your servant that we may pray before you, and give us seed for our heart and cultivation for our understanding, that fruit may grow from it, by which everyone who’s corrupt, who bears the likeness[fn] of a man, may live. 7 Because you alone exist, and we all one workmanship of your hands, just as you’ve said. 8 Because you give life to the body that’s now fashioned in the womb, and give it members, your creature is preserved in fire and water, and your workmanship endures nine months as your creation which is created in it. 9 But that which keeps and that which is kept will both be kept by[fn] your keeping. When the womb gives up again what’s grown in it, 10 you’ve commanded that out of the parts of the body, that’s to say, out of the breasts, be given milk, which is the fruit of the breasts, 11 that the body that’s fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterwards you guide it in your mercy. 12 Yes, you’ve brought it up in your righteousness, nurtured it in your law, and corrected it with your judgement. 13 You put it to death as your creation, and make it live as your work. 14 If therefore you lightly[fn] and suddenly destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned by your commandment, to what purpose was he made? 15 Now therefore I’ll speak. About man in general, you know best, but about your people for whose sake I’m sorry, 16 and for your inheritance, for whose cause I mourn, for Yisrael (Israel), for whom I’m heavy, and for the seed of Ya’akov (Jacob), for whose sake I’m troubled, 17 therefore I’ll begin to pray before you for myself and for them; for I see the failings of us who live in the land; 18 but I’ve heard the swiftness of the judgement which is to come. 19 Therefore hear my voice, and understand my saying, and I’ll speak before you.”

The beginning of Ezra’s words, before he was taken up. He said, 20 “O master, you who remain forever, whose eyes are exalted, and whose chambers are in the air, 21 whose throne is beyond measure, whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the army of angels stand with trembling, 22 at whose bidding they’re changed to[fn] wind and fire, whose word is sure, and sayings constant, whose ordinance is strong, and commandment fearful, 23 whose look dries up the depths, and whose indignation makes the mountains to melt away, and whose truth bears witness—24 hear, Oh master, the prayer of your servant, and give ear to the petition of your handiwork. 25 Attend to my words, for as long as I live, I’ll speak, and as long as I have understanding, I’ll answer. 26 Don’t look at the sins of your people, but on those who’ve served you in truth. 27 Don’t regard the doings of those who act wickedly, but of those who’ve kept your covenants in affliction. 28 Don’t think about those who’ve lived wickedly before you, but remember those who’ve willingly known your fear. 29 Let it not be your will to destroy those who’ve lived like cattle, but look at those who have clearly[fn] taught your law. 30 Don’t be indignant at those who are deemed worse than animals, but love those who’ve always put their trust in your glory. 31 Because we and our fathers have passed[fn] our lives in ways[fn] that bring death, but you’re called merciful because of us sinners. 32 Because if you have a desire to have mercy on us who have no works of righteousness, then you’ll be called merciful. 33 Because the just, which have many good works laid up with you, will be rewarded for their own actions. 34 Because what’s man, that you should take displeasure at him? Or what’s a corruptible race, that you should be so bitter towards it? 35 Because in truth, there’s no man among those who are born who hasn’t done wickedly, and among those who’ve lived, there’s none which haven’t done wrong. 36 Because in this, Oh master, your righteousness and your goodness will be declared, if you’re merciful to those who have no store of good works.”

37 Then he answered me, “Some things you’ve spoken rightly, and it’ll happen according to your words. 38 Because indeed I won’t think about the fashioning of those who’ve sinned, or about their death, their judgement, or their destruction; 39 but I’ll rejoice over the creation of the righteous and their pilgrimage, their salvation, and the reward that they’ll have. 40 Therefore as I’ve spoken, so it’ll be. 41 Because as the farmer sows many seeds in the ground, and plants many trees, and yet not all that’s sown will come[fn] up in due season, neither will all that’s planted take root, even so those who are sown in the world won’t all be saved.”

42 Then I answered, “If I’ve found favour, let me speak before you. 43 If the farmer’s seed doesn’t come up because it hasn’t received your rain in due season, or if it’s ruined by too much rain and perishes, 44 likewise man, who’s formed with your hands and is called your own image, because he’s made like you, for whose sake you’ve formed all things, even him have you made like the farmer’s seed. 45 Don’t be angry with us, but spare your people and have mercy on your inheritance, for you have mercy on your own creation.”

46 Then he answered me, “Things present are for those who live now, and things to come for those who’ll live in the future. 47 Because you come far short of being able to love my creature more than I. But you’ve compared yourself to the unrighteous. Don’t do that! 48 Yet in this will you be admirable to the Most High, 49 in that you’ve humbled yourself, as it becomes you, and haven’t judged yourself among the righteous, so as to be much glorified. 50 Because many grievous miseries will fall on those who live in the world in the last times, because they’ve walked in great pride. 51 But understand for yourself, and for those who enquire about the glory of those like you, 52 because paradise is opened to you. The tree of life is planted. The time to come is prepared. Plenteousness is made ready. A city is built. Rest is allowed.[fn] Goodness is perfected, and wisdom is perfected beforehand. 53 The root of evil is sealed up from you. Weakness is done away from you, and death[fn] is hidden. Hell and corruption have fled into forgetfulness. 54 Sorrows have passed away, and in the end, the treasure of immortality is shown. 55 Therefore ask no more questions about the multitude of those who perish. 56 Because when they’d received liberty, they despised the Most High, scorned his law, and forsook his ways. 57 Moreover they have trodden down his righteous, 58 and said in their heart that there’s no god—even knowing that they must die. 59 Because as the things I’ve said will welcome you, so thirst and pain which are prepared for them. Because the Most High didn’t intend that men should be destroyed, 60 but those who are created have themselves defiled the name of him who made them, and were unthankful to him who prepared life for them. 61 Therefore my judgement is now at hand, 62 which I haven’t shown to all men, but to you, and a few like you.”

Then I answered, 63 “Listen, Oh master, now you’ve shown me the multitude of the wonders which you’ll do in the last times, but you haven’t shown me when.”