2 Esdras 2:11-21

11 Moreover, I will take back to myself their glory, and will give to these others the everlasting habitations, which I had prepared for Israel.
12 The tree of life shall give them fragrant perfume, and they shall neither toil nor become weary.
13 Go and you will receive; pray that your days may be few, that they may be shortened. The kingdom is already prepared for you; be on the watch!
14 Call, O call heaven and earth to witness: I set aside evil and created good; for I am the Living One, says the Lord.
15 "Mother, embrace your children; bring them up with gladness, as does a dove; strengthen their feet, because I have chosen you, says the Lord.
16 And I will raise up the dead from their places, and bring them out from their tombs, because I recognize my name in them.
17 Do not fear, mother of children, for I have chosen you, says the Lord.
18 I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to their counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded with various fruits,
19 and the same number of springs flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains on which roses and lilies grow; by these I will fill your children with joy.
20 "Guard the rights of the widow, secure justice for the ward, give to the needy, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,
21 care for the injured and the weak, do not ridicule the lame, protect the maimed, and let the blind have a vision of my splendor.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lat [for those]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities read [Seek]
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.