2 Esdras 8:5-15

5 I was brought into this world without my consent, and I will leave it against my will. God has given me only a few short years as my span of life."
6 Then I prayed, "O Lord above, permit me, your humble servant, to offer this prayer: Plant a seed within us, and let it grow until it produces new hearts and minds, so that sinful humanity may have life.
7 For you alone are God, and you created all of us, as the scripture says.
8 You give life and provide arms and legs to the body formed in the womb, where it is kept safe in the elements of fire and water. The body which you form is carried in the womb for nine months,
9 and you alone provide safety for the protecting womb and the protected body. Then when the womb delivers what was created in it,
10 your command produces milk from the breasts of the human body.
11 The infant you created is fed in this way for a while, and then you continue to provide your mercy.
12 You raise the person on your righteousness, teach him your Law, and discipline him with your wisdom.
13 You are his Creator and, as you wish, you can take away his life or allow him to live.
14 But if you are so ready to destroy a person that was so carefully created at your command, why was he created in the first place?
15 "Now, Lord, I must say this: You may know what is best in regard to the rest of the human race, but I mourn for your own people - %0

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [One ancient translation] without my consent; [Latin] to obey.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.