2 Esdras 6:1

1 He said to me, "I made this decision before I created the world: before the gates of the world were standing; before the winds were brought together to blow,

2 Esdras 6:1 In-Context

1 He said to me, "I made this decision before I created the world: before the gates of the world were standing; before the winds were brought together to blow,

2 or the lightning flashed, or the thunder rolled; before the foundations of Paradise were laid,

3 or the beautiful flowers appeared; before the powers that move the stars were established, or the armies of angels assembled;

4 before the air was piled up high, or the divisions of the heavens given their names; before I chose Mount Zion as my footstool;

5 before the present age was planned, or the scheming of its sinners was rejected, or my seal was placed on those who obeyed the Law and laid up a treasure of faithfulness.