2 Esdras 4:39-49

39 Is it perhaps because of us, and because of the sins of those who live on earth, that the harvest of the just is delayed?"
40 He answered me, "Go ask a pregnant woman whether her womb can keep the baby inside her when she has completed her nine months."
41 I said, "It can't, Lord." He said to me: "The underworld and the resting places of the souls are like the womb.
42 As the one who gives birth hastens to escape the distress of giving birth, so these also hasten to give back those things that were entrusted to them from the beginning.
43 Then you will be shown the things you want to see."
44 I answered, "If I have found favor with you, if it is possible, if I am worthy,
45 show me this also, whether there is more time yet to come than has past or whether the greater times have passed over us,
46 for I know what has passed, but I don't know what is to come."
47 He answered me: "Stand off to the right, and I will show you the interpretation of a parable."
48 I stood aside and looked, and right there a burning furnace passed before me, and when the flame had passed, I looked and the smoke remained.
49 And after this a cloud full of water passed before me, and it poured down much rain with force, and when the rainstorm had passed there remained drops in the cloud.

Footnotes 2

Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible