2 Esdras 16:66-76

66 What will you do? Or how will you hide your sins before the Lord and his glory?
67 Indeed, God is the judge; fear him! Cease from your sins, and forget your iniquities, never to commit them again; so God will lead you forth and deliver you from all tribulation.
68 The burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you; they shall drag some of you away and force you to eat what was sacrificed to idols.
69 And those who consent to eat shall be held in derision and contempt, and shall be trampled under foot.
70 For in many places and in neighboring cities there shall be a great uprising against those who fear the Lord.
71 They shall be like maniacs, sparing no one, but plundering and destroying those who continue to fear the Lord.
72 For they shall destroy and plunder their goods, and drive them out of house and home.
73 Then the tested quality of my elect shall be manifest, like gold that is tested by fire.
74 Listen, my elect ones, says the Lord; the days of tribulation are at hand, but I will deliver you from them.
75 Do not fear or doubt, for God is your guide.
76 You who keep my commandments and precepts, says the Lord God, must not let your sins weigh you down, or your iniquities prevail over you.

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [the Lord]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities read [the Lord]
  • [c]. Meaning of Lat uncertain
  • [d]. Other ancient authorities read [For people, because of their misfortunes, shall]
  • [e]. Other ancient authorities read [fear God]
  • [f]. Other ancient authorities read [the Lord]
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.