22 Then I replied, “I beg you, Oh master, why has the power of understanding been given to me? 23 Because it wasn’t in my mind to be curious of the ways above, but of such things as pass by us daily, because Yisrael (Israel) is given up as a reproach to the heathen. The people whom you’ve loved have been given over to ungodly nations. The law of our forefathers is made of no effect, and the written covenants are nowhere regarded. 24 We pass away out of the world like locusts. Our life is like a vapour, and we aren’t worthy to obtain mercy. 25 What’ll he then do for his name by which we’re called? I’ve asked about these things.”

26 Then he answered me, and said, “If you’re alive you’ll see, and if you live long, you’ll marvel, for the world hastens quickly to pass away. 27 Because it isn’t able to bear the things that are promised to the righteous in the times to come; for this world is full of sadness and infirmities. 28 Because the evil[fn] about which you asked me has been sown, but its harvest hasn’t yet come. 29 If therefore that which is sown isn’t reaped, and if the place where the evil is sown doesn’t pass away, the field where the good is sown won’t come. 30 Because a grain of evil seed was sown in Adam’s heart from the beginning, and how much wickedness it’s produced to this time! How much more it’ll yet produce until the time of threshing comes! 31 Ponder now by yourself, how much fruit of wickedness a grain of evil seed has produced. 32 When the grains which are without number are sown, how great a threshing floor they’ll fill!”

33 Then I replied, “How long? When will these things happen? Why are our years few and evil?”[fn]

34 He answered me, and said, “Don’t hurry faster than the Most High; for your haste is[fn] for your own self, but he who’s above hurries on behalf of many. 35 Didn’t the souls of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, ‘How long will[fn] we be here? When does the fruit of the threshing floor come?’ 36 To them, Yeremiel the archangel answered, ‘When the number is fulfilled of those who are like you. Because he’s weighed the world in the balance. 37 By measure, he’s measured the times. By number, he’s counted the seasons. He won’t move[fn] or stir them until that measure is fulfilled.’ ”

38 Then I answered, “O sovereign master, all of us are full of ungodliness. 39 Perhaps it’s for our sakes that the threshing time of the righteous is kept back—because of the sins of those who live on the earth.”

40 So he answered me, “Go your way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she’s fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the baby any longer within her.”

41 Then I said, “No, master, it can’t.”

He said to me, “In Haidais, the chambers of souls are like the womb. 42 Because just like a woman in labour hurries to escape the anguish of the labour pains, even so these places hurry to deliver those things that are committed to them from the beginning. 43 Then you’ll be shown those things which you desire to see.”