2 Esdras 14:12-22

12 and it is half over; only two and a half parts remain.
13 So set your house in order, warn your people, comfort those who are humble, and teach those who are wise. Then say good-bye to this mortal life.
14 Put earthly cares away from you, throw down your human burdens, and lay aside your weak human nature.
15 Put all your anxieties aside, and get ready to leave this world quickly.
16 You have seen many evil things already, but far worse things are about to happen.
17 As the world grows older and weaker, the evils that will come upon its people will multiply.
18 Truth will depart and falsehood will draw ever nearer. The eagle you saw in your vision is just about to arrive."
19 I replied, "Let me speak in your presence, Lord.
20 I am ready to depart, as you have commanded, and I will warn the present generation; but who will warn the people who have not yet been born? This world is a dark place, and its people have no light.
21 Your Law has been destroyed by fire, so no one can know what you have done in the past or what you are planning to do in the future.
22 Please send your holy spirit to me, so that I can write down everything that has been done in this world from the beginning, everything that was written in your Law. Then in these last days, people will be able to find the right way and obtain life if they want to."

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] teach . . . wise; [Latin does not have these words.]
  • [b]. [Some ancient translations] Let me speak; [Latin does not have these words.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.