2 Esdras 10:36-46

36 Or is my mind playing tricks on me, and is this just a bad dream?
37 I beg you, sir, tell me what this vision means."
38 The angel said, "Now listen closely, and I will explain the meaning of these things that you fear. God Most High has revealed many secrets to you
39 because he has seen that you have lived a righteous life and have always grieved and mourned for your people and for Jerusalem.
40 This is what the vision means: A woman appeared to you a little while ago,
41 and when you saw that she was mourning, you tried to console her.
42 The woman told you about the death of her son. Then she vanished from your sight, and a whole city appeared. This is the meaning:
44 The woman you saw is Jerusalem, which you now see as a completed city.
45 When she told you that for thirty years she had had no children, it meant that for three thousand years no offerings had yet been made there.
46 Then Solomon built the city, and sacrifices began to be offered there. At that time the childless woman gave birth to her son.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] whole city; [Latin] city being built.
  • [b]. [Some ancient translations] three thousand; [Latin] three.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.