16
Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?"
17
Then answered I and said, "O Lord who bearest rule, Thou hast ordained in Thy law that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish.
18
Nevertheless the righteous shall suffer straitened things and hope for wide; for those who have done wickedly have suffered the straitened things, and yet shall not see the wide."
19
And He said unto me. "There is no judge above God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
20
For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them.
21
For God hath given strict commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
22
Nevertheless they were not obedient unto Him, but spoke against Him and imagined vain things,
23
and deceived themselves by their wicked deeds, and said of the Most High that He is not, and knew not His ways.
24
But His law have they despised, and denied His covenants; in His statutes have they not been faithful, and have not performed His works.
25
And therefore, Ezra, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.
26
"Behold, the time shall come that these signs which I have told thee shall come to pass; and the bride shall appear, and she, coming forth, shall be seen, who now is withdrawn from the earth.