2 Esdras 7:20

20 Better that many of those now alive should perish than that the Law of God, which is laid out before them, be disregarded.

2 Esdras 7:20 In-Context

18 The just then can tolerate the narrow, hoping for the spacious, but those who have acted impiously endure the narrow and won't see the spacious."

19 He said to me: “You aren't a higher judge than God, nor more intelligent than the Most High.

20 Better that many of those now alive should perish than that the Law of God, which is laid out before them, be disregarded.

21 God commanded those who come into the world, after they came, what they needed to do to live, and what laws they should observe to avoid punishment.

22 But they weren't persuaded and opposed him. They filled their heads with worthless thoughts,