2 Esdras 1:3-13

3 son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, who was a captive in the country of the Medes in the reign of Artaxerxes, king of the Persians. ^[a]

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5 "Go, declare to my people their evil deeds, and to their children the iniquities that they have committed against me, so that they may tell ^[b] their children's children

6 that the sins of their parents have increased in them, for they have forgotten me and have offered sacrifices to strange gods.

7 Was it not I who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But they have angered me and despised my counsels.

8 Now you, pull out the hair of your head and hurl ^[c] all evils upon them, for they have not obeyed my law—they are a rebellious people.

9 How long shall I endure them, on whom I have bestowed such great benefits?

10 For their sake I have overthrown many kings; I struck down Pharaoh with his servants and all his army.

11 I destroyed all nations before them, and scattered in the east the peoples of two provinces, ^[d] Tyre and Sidon; I killed all their enemies.

12 "But speak to them and say, Thus says the Lord:

13 Surely it was I who brought you through the sea, and made safe highways for you where there was no road; I gave you Moses as leader and Aaron as priest;

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities, which place chapters 1 and 2 after 16.78, lack verses 1-3 and begin the chapter: [The word of the Lord that came to Ezra son of Chusi in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar, saying, "Go,]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities read [nourish]
• [c]. Other ancient authorities read [and shake out]
• [d]. Other ancient authorities read [Did I not destroy the city of Bethsaida because of you, and to the south burn two cities . . . ?]