44
This is my judgment and its prescribed order; and to you alone have I shown these things." sinful indulgence has come to an end, unbelief has been cut off, and righteousness has increased and truth has appeared.
45
I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, I said then and I say now: Blessed are those who are alive and keep thy commandments! Therefore no one will then be able to have mercy on him who has been condemned in the judgment, or to harm him who is victorious."
46
But what of those for whom I prayed? For who among the living is there that has not sinned, or who among men that has not transgressed thy covenant? I answered and said, "This is my first and last word, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, had restrained him from sinning.
47
And now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many. For what good is it to all that they live in sorrow now and expect punishment after death?
48
For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has alienated us from God, and has brought us into corruption and the ways of death, and has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life -- and that not just a few of us but almost all who have been created!" O Adam, what have you done? For though it was you who sinned, the fall was not yours alone, but ours also who are your descendants.
49
He answered me and said, "Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct you, and will admonish you yet again. For what good is it to us, if an eternal age has been promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death?
50
For this reason the Most High has made not one world but two. And what good is it that an everlasting hope has been promised to us, but we have miserably failed?
51
For whereas you have said that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound, hear the explanation for this. Or that safe and healthful habitations have been reserved for us, but we have lived wickedly?
52
"If you have just a few precious stones, will you add to them lead and clay?" Or that the glory of the Most High will defend those who have led a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways?
53
I said, "Lord, how could that be?" Or that a paradise shall be revealed, whose fruit remains unspoiled and in which are abundance and healing, but we shall not enter it,
54
And he said to me, "Not only that, but ask the earth and she will tell you; defer to her, and she will declare it to you. because we have lived in unseemly places?