2 Esdras 8:1

1 He answered me and said, "The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of only a few.

2 Esdras 8:1 In-Context

1 He answered me and said, "The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of only a few.

2 But I tell you a parable, Ezra. Just as, when you ask the earth, it will tell you that it provides a large amount of clay from which earthenware is made, but only a little dust from which gold comes, so is the course of the present world.

3 Many have been created, but only a few shall be saved."

4 I answered and said, "Then drink your fill of understanding, O my soul, and drink wisdom, O my heart.

5 For not of your own will did you come into the world, and against your will you depart, for you have been given only a short time to live.