2 Esdras 1:7-17

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 ^[a] 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, ^[b] 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;

14 I provided light for you from a pillar of fire, and did great wonders among you. Yet you have forgotten me, says the Lord.

15 "Thus says the Lord Almighty: ^[c] The quails were a sign to you; I gave you camps for your protection, and in them you complained.

16 You have not exulted in my name at the destruction of your enemies, but to this day you still complain. ^[d]

17 Where are the benefits that I bestowed on you? When you were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did you not cry out to me,

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [and shake out]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities read [Did I not destroy the city of Bethsaida because of you, and to the south burn two cities . . . ?]
• [c]. Other ancient authorities lack [Almighty]
• [d]. Other ancient authorities read verse 16, [Your pursuer with his army I sank in the sea, but still the people complain also concerning their own destruction.]