2 Esdras 7:57

57 Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare?" He answered and said, "This is the meaning of the contest which every man who is born on earth shall wage,

2 Esdras 7:57 In-Context

55 Say to her, `You produce gold and silver and brass, and also iron and lead and clay; Or that the faces of those who practiced self-control shall shine more than the stars, but our faces shall be blacker than darkness?

56 but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.' For while we lived and committed iniquity we did not consider what we should suffer after death."

57 Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare?" He answered and said, "This is the meaning of the contest which every man who is born on earth shall wage,

58 I said, "O sovereign Lord, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what is more rare is more precious." that if he is defeated he shall suffer what you have said, but if he is victorious he shall receive what I have said.

59 He answered me and said, "Weigh within yourself what you have thought, for he who has what is hard to get rejoices more than he who has what is plentiful. For this is the way of which Moses, while he was alive, spoke to the people, saying, `Choose for yourself life, that you may live!'