2 Esdras 1:20-30

20 When you were thirsty, did I not split the rock so that waters flowed in abundance? Because of the heat I clothed you with the leaves of trees. ^[a]

21 I divided fertile lands among you; I drove out the Canaanites, the Perizzites, and the Philistines ^[b] before you. What more can I do for you? says the Lord.

22 Thus says the Lord Almighty: ^[c] When you were in the wilderness, at the bitter stream, thirsty and blaspheming my name,

23 I did not send fire on you for your blasphemies, but threw a tree into the water and made the stream sweet.

24 "What shall I do to you, O Jacob? You, Judah, would not obey me. I will turn to other nations and will give them my name, so that they may keep my statutes.

25 Because you have forsaken me, I also will forsake you. When you beg mercy of me, I will show you no mercy.

26 When you call to me, I will not listen to you; for you have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit murder.

27 It is not as though you had forsaken me; you have forsaken yourselves, says the Lord.

28 "Thus says the Lord Almighty: Have I not entreated you as a father entreats his sons or a mother her daughters or a nurse her children,

29 so that you should be my people and I should be your God, and that you should be my children and I should be your father?

30 I gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [I made for you trees with leaves]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities read [Perizzites and their children]
• [c]. Other ancient authorities lack [Almighty]