12
Thou hast brought him up in thy righteousness, and instructed him in thy law, and reproved him in thy wisdom.
13
Thou wilt take away his life, for he is thy creation; and thou wilt make him live, for he is thy work.
14
If then thou wilt suddenly and quickly destroy him who with so great labor was fashioned by thy command, to what purpose was he made?
15
And now I will speak out: About all mankind thou knowest best; but I will speak about thy people, for whom I am grieved,
16
and about thy inheritance, for whom I lament, and about Israel, for whom I am sad, and about the seed of Jacob, for whom I am troubled.
17
Therefore I will pray before thee for myself and for them, for I see the failings of us who dwell in the land,
18
and I have heard of the swiftness of the judgment that is to come.
19
Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I will speak before thee." The beginning of the words of Ezra's prayer, before he was taken up. He said:
20
"O Lord who inhabitest eternity, whose eyes are exalted and whose upper chambers are in the air,
21
whose throne is beyond measure and whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the hosts of angels stand trembling
22
and at whose command they are changed to wind and fire, whose word is sure and whose utterances are certain, whose ordinance is strong and whose command is terrible,