2 Esdras 2:23-33

23 When you find any who are dead, commit them to the grave and mark it, and I will give you the first place in my resurrection.
24 Pause and be quiet, my people, because your rest will come.
25 "Good nurse, nourish your children; strengthen their feet.
26 Not one of the servants whom I have given you will perish, for I will require them from among your number.
27 Do not be anxious, for when the day of tribulation and anguish comes, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but you shall rejoice and have abundance.
28 The nations shall envy you, but they shall not be able to do anything against you, says the Lord.
29 My power will protect you, so that your children may not see hell.
30 "Rejoice, O mother, with your children, because I will deliver you, says the Lord.
31 Remember your children that sleep, because I will bring them out of the hiding places of the earth, and will show mercy to them; for I am merciful, says the Lord Almighty.
32 Embrace your children until I come, and proclaim mercy to them; because my springs run over, and my grace will not fail."
33 I, Ezra, received a command from the Lord on Mount Horeb to go to Israel. When I came to them they rejected me and refused the Lord's commandment.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Or [seal it]; or [mark them and commit them to the grave]
  • [b]. Or [slaves]
  • [c]. Lat [hands will cover]
  • [d]. Lat [Gehenna]
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.