Ezra Sutuel

And he answered and said to me: The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but that which is to come for the sake of few.

I will speak a similitude before you, Ezra. As you ask concerning the earth, I will tell you: For as you ask concerning it, it shall bring forth its fruit; and as you till it, it shall yield you its increase.

For I have said long ago: Why have you not done with your own hands that which is good, that this earth might bring forth its fruit?

Now also I have spoken concerning all men; but even more, you know, that concerning your people I suffer, and concerning your heritage that concerning it I mourn; and concerning Israel that concerning him I am grieved, and concerning Jacob's seed that concerning it I am moved.

Therefore behold I will begin to pray and supplicate before you for myself and for them; because lo, I see the trespasses of us who inhabit the world,

but also now have heard the decree of judgment that is to come.

Therefore hear my voice, and listen to the words of my prayer, and I will speak before you, O Lord my God.

O Lord that dwells forever, whose heights are exalted, and whose chambers are in the air;

whose throne is infinite, and whose glory is inconceivable; before whom the hosts stand in fear, at whose word they change to fire and wind;

whose word is trustworthy, and whose speech abides; whose commandment is strong, and whose utterances are terrible;

whose look dries up the deep, and whose rebuke melts the mountains, and whose truth bears witness—

Hear the voice of your servant, and listen to your creature's petition, and regard my words!

For while I live I will speak, and while I have understanding will I answer.

O regard not the trespasses of your people, but them that have served you in truth;

and regard not the follies of the intrigues of the ungodly, but them that have kept your covenants in ignominy;

think not upon those that have behaved themselves badly before you, but remember them that with good will have recognized your fear;

and will not to destroy those that have become like the cattle, but regard them that have received the splendor of your law;

and be not angry against those who have behaved worse than the beasts, but love them that have always put their trust in your glory.

Because we and those before us have practiced works of corruption, and behaved madly; but you because of us sinners are called the Compassionate.

For if us, who have no works, you are willing to compassionate, you shall be named Gracious One.

For the righteous who have works laid up with you can receive out of their own works.

For—what is man that you should be so angry with him, or a corruptible race that you should be so hot against it?

For in truth there is none of those born that has not dealt wickedly, nor of these who exist that has not sinned!

For in this, O Lord my Lord, shall your goodness be known if you are compassionate towards them that have no wealth of works.

And he answered and said to me: Some things you have spoken rightly, and according to your words, so shall it be.

Because in truth I take no thought about the fashioning of the evildoers, or about their death, or about their judgment, or about their perdition;

but I delight rather over the coming of the fashioning of the righteous, and over their life, and over the recompense of their reward.

For as you have said so shall it be.

For as the husbandman who sows many seeds and plants many plants, but not all the seeds live in due season, nor indeed do all the plants strike root; so also they who are sown in the world do not all live.

And I answered and said: If I have found favor in your sight I would speak before you:

For the husbandman's seed, if it receive not your rain at its proper time, will it live? Yes rather from much rain it is destroyed.

But man who has been fashioned by your hands and is called your image, because he is made like you, for whose sake you have made all things—have you also made him like the husbandman's seed?

No! I beseech you, O Lord my Lord, spare your people, and compassionate your heritage your creature—for yours he is—you do compassionate!

And he answered and said to me: Things of the present are for them of the present, and things of the future are for them who are future!

For you come far short of being able to love my creation more than I.

You, however, have many times likened yourself to the ungodly. It must not be so!

But in this also you shall be honored before the Most High,

because you have humbled yourself, as befits you, and have not compared yourself with the righteous. Therefore you shall be the more honored.

Because with much affliction shall the inhabitants of the world be afflicted at the last on account of the great pride that they have displayed.

But do you rather consider your own self, and ask concerning the glories of those who are like yourself.

For for you is opened Paradise, and planted the Tree of life; and the future world prepared, and delight made ready; and a City builded, and a Rest ordained; and good perfected, and wisdom completed;

And the evil root is sealed up from you, and infirmity from you extinguished, and Death is hidden, and Sheol fled; and corruption is forgotten, and pains departed from you;

And in the consummation the treasures of life are manifested.

Do not you, therefore, again ask any more concerning the many who perish;

because they have received liberty and have despised the Most High, his law also they have scorned much, and have made his ways to cease:

Yes, his saints they have trampled upon, and they have said in their heart that there is no God, while they know that they shall surely die.

Therefore as these things aforesaid await you, so also thirst and torment are destined for them.

For the Most High willed not that men should perish;

but these who have been created dishonored the name of their Maker and were ungrateful and confessed me not—who have prepared life for them.

Therefore my Judgment has drawn near, which thing I have not made known to the many, but only to you and to the few like you.

And I answered and said: Behold now, O Lord, you have made known to me the great number of the signs that you are about to do in the last days; but you have not made known to me at what time.