And he answered me, saying, The most High has made this world for many, but the world to come for few. I will tell you a similitude, Esdras; As when you ask the earth, it shall say unto you, that it gives much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold comes of: even so is the course of this present world. There be many created, but few shall be saved. So answered I and said, Swallow then down, O my soul, understanding, and devour wisdom. For you have agreed to give ear, and are willing to prophesy: for you have no longer space than only to live. O Lord, if you suffer not your servant, that we may pray before you, and you 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 bears the place of a man? For you are alone, and we all one workmanship of your hands, like as you have said. For when the body is fashioned now in the mother's womb, and you give it members, your creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months does your workmanship endure your creature which is created in her. But that which keeps and is kept shall both be preserved: and when the time comes, the womb preserved delivers up the things that grew in it. For you have 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, That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till you dispose it to your mercy. You brought it up with your righteousness, and nurtured it in your law, and reformed it with your judgment. And you shall mortify it as your creature, and quicken it as your work. If therefore you shall destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by your commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved. Now therefore, Lord, I will speak; touching man in general, you know best; but touching your people, for whose sake I am sorry; And for your inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled; Therefore will I begin to pray before you for myself and for them: for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land. But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come. Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before you. This is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up: and I said, O Lord, you that dwell in everlastingness which behold from above things in the heaven and in the air; Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling,
