2 Esdras 12:24-34

24 and its people with more harshness than any before them. The reason they are called the eagle's heads
25 is that these three kings will bring to a head and complete the godless work of the eagle.
26 You saw the largest head disappear. This means that one of the kings will die in his bed, in great agony.
27 The other two will die in battle.
28 One of them will kill the other; then he also will be killed in battle at the end of time.
29 "You saw the two small wings moving under the head on the right side.
30 That means that God Most High has kept them until the end, but their rule was short and full of trouble, as you saw.
31 "You saw the angry lion come roaring out of the forest, and you heard it speak to the eagle and rebuke it for the evil that it had done and for all that it had said.
32 The lion represents the Messiah, whom God Most High has held back until the end. He will be a descendant of David and will come and speak to the rulers. He will rebuke them for their wickedness, their sinfulness, and their contempt for God's ways. 1
33 While they are still living, he will bring them to judgment, condemn them for their sin, and destroy them.
34 But he will have mercy on the rest of my people, those who are left in my land; he will set them free and make them happy until the end comes, the Judgment Day about which I told you at the beginning.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 12.32Daniel 7.13, 14.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] He will . . . speak; [Latin does not have these words.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.