2 Esdras 7:53

53 "Surely no one would do that, sir," I answered.

2 Esdras 7:53 In-Context

51 As you say, only a few people are righteous, but there are large numbers of wicked people. But listen:

52 If you had only a few precious stones, would you add lumps of lead and clay to them in order to have more?"

53 "Surely no one would do that, sir," I answered.

54 "Take another illustration," he continued. "The earth itself will give you an answer if you humbly ask it

55 whether it produces more gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, or clay.