2 Esdras 4:1-8

1 Then the angel who had been sent to me, whose name was Uriel, replied:
2 "Your mind has utterly failed with regard to this world, and do you think you can understand the way of the Most High?"
3 I said, "Yes, my Lord." He answered: "I am sent to show you three ways and to set three problems before you.
4 If you can say anything to me about one of these, I will show you the way you want to see, and I will teach you why the heart leans toward evil."
5 I said, "Speak, my Lord." He said to me, "Go, weigh for me the weight of fire, or measure for me a blast of wind, or call back for me the day that is past."
6 I answered, "Who alive can do this? How can you ask me these things?"
7 Uriel said to me: "If I had asked you, ‘How many dwellings are in the depths of the sea, or how many springs are in the source of the abyss, or how many paths are there above the dome, or which are the exits of paradise,'
8 you would perhaps have said to me: ‘I haven't descended into the abyss nor as yet into hell, nor have I ever ascended to heaven.'

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lat heart
  • [b]. Lat; other versions have exits of the netherworld and entrances of paradise.
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