2
I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world.
3
There be many created, but few shall be saved.
4
So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom.
5
For thou hast agreed to give ear, and art willing to prophesy: for thou hast no longer space than only to live.
6
O Lord, if thou suffer not thy servant, that we may pray before thee, and thou give us seed unto our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it; how shall each man live that is corrupt, who beareth the place of a man?
7
For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of thine hands, like as thou hast said.
8
For when the body is fashioned now in the mother's womb, and thou givest it members, thy creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her.
9
But that which keepeth and is kept shall both be preserved: and when the time cometh, the womb preserved delivereth up the things that grew in it.
10
For thou hast commanded out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, milk to be given, which is the fruit of the breasts,
11
That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy.
12
Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness, and nurturedst it in thy law, and reformedst it with thy judgment.