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 have 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 is 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 have said. 8 Because you give life to the body that is 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 has grown in it, 10 you have commanded that out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, be given milk, which is the fruit of the breasts, 11 that the body that is fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterwards you guide it in your mercy. 12 Yes, you have 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 will speak. About man in general, you know best, but about your people for whose sake I am sorry, 16 and for your inheritance, for whose cause I mourn, for Yisrael (Israel), for whom I am heavy, and for the seed of Ya’akov (Jacob), for whose sake I am troubled, 17 therefore I will begin to pray before you for myself and for them; for I see the failings of us who dwell in the land; 18 but I have heard the swiftness of the judgement which is to come. 19 Therefore hear my voice, and understand my saying, and I will speak before you.”

The beginning of the words of Ezra, 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 are 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 will speak, and as long as I have understanding, I will answer. 26 Don’t look at the sins of your people, but on those who have served you in truth. 27 Don’t regard the doings of those who act wickedly, but of those who have kept your covenants in affliction. 28 Don’t think about those who have lived wickedly before you, but remember those who have willingly known your fear. 29 Let it not be your will to destroy those who have 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 have 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 are called merciful because of us sinners. 32 Because if you have a desire to have mercy upon us who have no works of righteousness, then you will 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 is man, that you should take displeasure at him? Or what is a corruptible race, that you should be so bitter towards it? 35 Because in truth, there is no man amongst those who are born who has not done wickedly, and amongst those who have lived, there is none which have not done wrong. 36 Because in this, Oh master, your righteousness and your goodness will be declared, if you are merciful to those who have no store of good works.”