33
Then I answered and said, "How and when shall these things come to pass? Why are our years few and evil?"
34
And he answered me, saying, "Do not thou hasten above the Most Highest; for thy haste is in vain to be above Him, for thou hast much exceeded.
35
Did not the souls also of the righteous ask questions about these things in their chambers, saying, `How long shall I hope in this fashion? When cometh the fruit of the floor of our reward?'
36
And unto these things Jeremiel the archangel gave them answer and said, `Even when the number of seeds is filled in you, for He hath weighed the world in the balance.
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By measure hath He measured the times, and by number hath He numbered the times; and He doth not move nor stir them until the said measure be fulfilled.'"
38
Then answered I and said, "O Lord who bearest rule, even we all are full of impiety.
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And for our sakes perhaps it is that the floors of the righteous are not filled, because of the sins of those who dwell upon the earth."
40
So he answered me and said, "Go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her if, when she hath fulfilled her nine months, her womb may keep the birth any longer within her."
41
Then said I, "No, lord, that can she not." And he said unto me, "In the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb of a woman;
42
for as a woman who travaileth maketh haste to escape the necessity of the travail, even so do these places hasten to deliver those things that are committed unto them.
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From the beginning look what thou desirest to see; it shall be shown thee."