2 Esdras 7:138

138 He is spoken of as pardoning because, if it were not for his goodness in pardoning sinners, not one person in ten thousand would gain life.

2 Esdras 7:138 In-Context

136 And he is known as very forgiving because he continues to forgive sinners of the past, present, and future.

137 If he did not continue to forgive, there would be no life for this world or the people in it.

138 He is spoken of as pardoning because, if it were not for his goodness in pardoning sinners, not one person in ten thousand would gain life.

139 He is called judge because he pardons and blots out the many sins of those who were created by his word.

140 If he did not, only a handful of the whole human race would be left."