2 Esdras 7:58

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.

2 Esdras 7:58 In-Context

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!'

60 So also will be the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few who shall be saved, because it is they who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them my name has now been honored. But they did not believe him, or the prophets after him, or even myself who have spoken to them.