43
So I answered and said, Couldest thou not make those that have been made, and be now, and that are for to come, at once; that thou mightest shew thy judgment the sooner?
44
Then answered he me, and said, The creature may not haste above the maker; neither may the world hold them at once that shall be created therein.
45
And I said, As thou hast said unto thy servant, that thou, which givest life to all, hast given life at once to the creature that thou hast created, and the creature bare it: even so it might now also bear them that now be present at once.
46
And he said unto me, Ask the womb of a woman, and say unto her, If thou bringest forth children, why dost thou it not together, but one after another? pray her therefore to bring forth ten children at once.
47
And I said, She cannot: but must do it by distance of time.
48
Then said he unto me, Even so have I given the womb of the earth to those that be sown in it in their times.
49
For like as a young child may not bring forth the things that belong to the aged, even so have I disposed the world which I created.
50
And I asked, and said, Seeing thou hast now given me the way, I will proceed to speak before thee: for our mother, of whom thou hast told me that she is young, draweth now nigh unto age.
51
He answered me, and said, Ask a woman that beareth children, and she shall tell thee.
52
Say unto her, Wherefore are unto they whom thou hast now brought forth like those that were before, but less of stature?
53
And she shall answer thee, They that be born in the strength of youth are of one fashion, and they that are born in the time of age, when the womb faileth, are otherwise.