2 Esdras 1:26-36

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.

31 When you offer oblations to me, I will turn my face from you; for I have rejected your ^[a] festal days, and new moons, and circumcisions of the flesh. ^[b]

32 I sent you my servants the prophets, but you have taken and killed them and torn their bodies ^[c] in pieces; I will require their blood of you, says the Lord. ^[d]

33 "Thus says the Lord Almighty: Your house is desolate; I will drive you out as the wind drives straw;

34 and your sons will have no children, because with you ^[e] they have neglected my commandment and have done what is evil in my sight.

35 I will give your houses to a people that will come, who without having heard me will believe. Those to whom I have shown no signs will do what I have commanded.

36 They have seen no prophets, yet will recall their former state. ^[f]

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [I have not commanded for you]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities lack [of the flesh]
• [c]. Other ancient authorities read [the bodies of the apostles]
• [d]. Other ancient authorities add [Thus says the Lord Almighty: Recently you also laid hands on me, crying out before the judge's seat for him to deliver me to you. You took me as a sinner, not as a father who freed you from slavery, and you delivered me to death by hanging me on the tree; these are the things you have done. Therefore, says the Lord, let my Father and his angels return and judge between you and me; if I have not kept the commandment of the Father, if I have not nourished you, if I have not done the things my Father commanded, I will contend in judgment with you, says the Lord.]
• [e]. Other ancient authorities lack [with you]
• [f]. Other ancient authorities read [their iniquities]