36
And he said unto me, "Number me the things that have not yet come, gather me together the dross that are scattered abroad, make me the flowers green again that are withered,
37
open me the places that are closed and bring me forth the winds that in them are shut up, show me the image of a voice; and then I will declare to thee the thing that thou laborest to know."
38
And I said, "O Lord who bearest rule, who may know these things but He that hath not His dwelling with men?
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As for me, I am unwise; how may I then speak of these things whereof Thou askest me?"
40
Then said He unto me, "As thou canst do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so canst thou not find out My judgment, or in the end the love that I have promised unto My people."
41
And I said, "Behold, O Lord, yet art Thou nigh unto those who are reserved till the end; and what shall they do who have been before me, or we who are now, or those who shall come after us?"
42
And He said unto me, "I will liken My judgment unto a ring: as there is no slackness of the last, even so there is no swiftness of the first."
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So I answered and said, "Couldest Thou not make those who have been made and who are now and who are to come, at once, that Thou mightest show Thy judgment the sooner?"
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Then answered He me, and said, "The creature may not hasten above the Maker, neither may the world hold those at once who shall be created therein."
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And I said, "As Thou hast said unto Thy servant that Thou, who givest life to all, hast given life at once to the creature that Thou hast created, and the creation bear it, even so it might now also bear those who now are present at once."
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And He said unto me, "Ask the womb of a woman, and say unto her, `If thou bringest forth children, why doest thou it not together, but one after another?' Pray her therefore to bring forth ten children at once."