17
I answered, "Lord and master, in your Law you said that the righteous would receive all these blessings, but that the wicked would perish.
18
The righteous then can endure all the difficulties of this narrow way because they look forward to the broad and open life of the future, but the wicked must pass through the narrow way without any hope of seeing the broad open life."
19
The angel replied, "Do you think you are a better judge than God? Do you think you are wiser than God Most High?
20
It is better to let many people of the present age perish than to allow them to neglect the Law that God has given them.
21
God has given clear commandments to everyone coming into this world, telling them what they should do to obtain life and to avoid punishment.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.