1
The angel replied, "God Most High made this world for many people, but the future world for only a few.
2
Ezra, let me give you an illustration. If you ask the earth, it will tell you that it produces a large amount of clay for pots but only a small amount of gold dust. And that's the way it is with the present world:
3
many have been created, but only a few will be saved."
4
I said to myself, "I must search for wisdom and try to understand.
5
I was brought into this world without my consent, and I will leave it against my will. God has given me only a few short years as my span of life."