2 Esdras 16:45-55

45 Because of this, those who labor, labor in vain;
46 for strangers shall gather their fruits, and plunder their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captive; for in captivity and famine they will produce their children.
47 Those who conduct business, do so only to have it plundered; the more they adorn their cities, their houses and possessions, and their persons,
48 the more angry I will be with them for their sins, says the Lord.
49 Just as a respectable and virtuous woman abhors a prostitute,
50 so righteousness shall abhor iniquity, when she decks herself out, and shall accuse her to her face when he comes who will defend the one who searches out every sin on earth.
51 Therefore do not be like her or her works.
52 For in a very short time iniquity will be removed from the earth, and righteousness will reign over us.
53 Sinners must not say that they have not sinned; for God will burn coals of fire on the head of everyone who says, "I have not sinned before God and his glory."
54 The Lord certainly knows everything that people do; he knows their imaginations and their thoughts and their hearts.
55 He said, "Let the earth be made," and it was made, and "Let the heaven be made," and it was made.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [therefore those who are married may know that they will produce children for captivity and famine]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities add [or the unjust done injustice]
  • [c]. Lat [for he]
  • [d]. Other ancient authorities read [Lord God]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.