44
But people, who have been formed by your hands and are called your own image because they are made like you, and for whose sake you have formed all things—have you also made them like the farmer's seed?
45
Surely not, O Lord above! But spare your people and have mercy on your inheritance, for you have mercy on your own creation."
46
He answered me and said, "Things that are present are for those who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live hereafter.
47
For you come far short of being able to love my creation more than I love it. But you have often compared yourself to the unrighteous. Never do so!
48
But even in this respect you will be praiseworthy before the Most High,
49
because you have humbled yourself, as is becoming for you, and have not considered yourself to be among the righteous. You will receive the greatest glory,
50
for many miseries will affect those who inhabit the world in the last times, because they have walked in great pride.
51
But think of your own case, and inquire concerning the glory of those who are like yourself,
52
because it is for you that paradise is opened, the tree of life is planted, the age to come is prepared, plenty is provided, a city is built, rest is appointed, goodness is established and wisdom perfected beforehand.
53
The root of evil is sealed up from you, illness is banished from you, and death is hidden; Hades has fled and corruption has been forgotten;
54
sorrows have passed away, and in the end the treasure of immortality is made manifest.