1
He answered me and said, "The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of only a few.
2
But I tell you a parable, Ezra. Just as, when you ask the earth, it will tell you that it provides a large amount of clay from which earthenware is made, but only a little dust from which gold comes, so is the course of the present world.
3
Many have been created, but only a few shall be saved."
4
I answered and said, "Then drink your fill of understanding, O my soul, and drink wisdom, O my heart.
5
For not of your own will did you come into the world, and against your will you depart, for you have been given only a short time to live.
6
O Lord above us, grant to your servant that we may pray before you, and give us a seed for our heart and cultivation of our understanding so that fruit may be produced, by which every mortal who bears the likeness of a human being may be able to live.
7
For you alone exist, and we are a work of your hands, as you have declared.