2 Esdras 6:40-50

40 Then you commanded a ray of light to be brought out from your store-chambers, so that your works could be seen.
41 "Again, on the second day, you created the spirit of the firmament, and commanded it to divide and separate the waters, so that one part might move upward and the other part remain beneath.
42 "On the third day you commanded the waters to be gathered together in a seventh part of the earth; six parts you dried up and kept so that some of them might be planted and cultivated and be of service before you.
43 For your word went forth, and at once the work was done.
44 Immediately fruit came forth in endless abundance and of varied appeal to the taste, and flowers of inimitable color, and odors of inexpressible fragrance. These were made on the third day.
45 "On the fourth day you commanded the brightness of the sun, the light of the moon, and the arrangement of the stars to come into being;
46 and you commanded them to serve humankind, about to be formed.
47 "On the fifth day you commanded the seventh part, where the water had been gathered together, to bring forth living creatures, birds, and fishes; and so it was done.
48 The dumb and lifeless water produced living creatures, as it was commanded, so that therefore the nations might declare your wondrous works.
49 "Then you kept in existence two living creatures; the one you called Behemoth and the name of the other Leviathan.
50 And you separated one from the other, for the seventh part where the water had been gathered together could not hold them both.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Syr Ethiop: Lat [two souls]
  • [b]. Other Lat authorities read [Enoch]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.