1
In the thirtieth year after the destruction of our city, I Salathiel, who am also called Ezra, was in Babylon. I was troubled as I lay on my bed, and my thoughts welled up in my heart,
2
because I saw the desolation of Zion and the wealth of those who lived in Babylon.
3
My spirit was greatly agitated, and I began to speak anxious words to the Most High, and said,
4
"O sovereign Lord, didst thou not speak at the beginning when thou didst form the earth -- and that without help -- and didst command the dust
5
and it gave thee Adam, a lifeless body? Yet he was the workmanship of thy hands, and thou didst breathe into him the breath of life, and he was made alive in thy presence.
6
And thou didst lead him into the garden which thy right hand had planted before the earth appeared.
7
And thou didst lay upon him one commandment of thine; but he transgressed it, and immediately thou didst appoint death for him and for his descendants. From him there sprang nations and tribes, peoples and clans without number.
8
And every nation walked after its own will and did ungodly things before thee and scorned thee, and thou didst not hinder them.