23
It wasn't my purpose to ask about the ways above but about the things that we see every day. Why has Israel been handed over to the Gentiles to our shame? Why has the people you loved been given over to godless tribes? Why has the Law of our ancestors been invalidated and the written ordinances come to nothing?
24
Why do we pass from the world like locusts and our life like a mist? Why aren't we worthy to obtain mercy?
25
What will God do for the sake of his name, which is bestowed on us? About these things I have asked."
26
He answered me: "If you remain alive, you'll see. If you live, you will often be amazed, because the world is indeed rushing to its end.
27
Indeed, it can't bring the things that are promised to the just during this age, because this world is full of sadness and sickliness.
28
The evil about which you asked me has been sown, and its full harvest hasn't yet come.
29
If that which was sown isn't reaped, and the place where evil has been sown hasn't departed, the field where good is sown won't come.
30
A grain of evil seed was sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much godlessness it has produced until now and will produce until the time for threshing comes!
31
Calculate for yourself how much godless fruit the grain of evil seed will have produced!
32
When the innumerable ears of grain are sown, how great a threshing floor will they begin to make!"
33
I answered: "Where and when will these things be? Why are our years few and evil?"