Book of Ezra

In the thirtieth year, while our country was in ruins and I was in Babylon, I, Sutu'el, who am called Ezra, was in my bed, distressed, and my face was covered, and my thoughts rose up in my heart. For I had seen the destruction of Zion and the rejoicing of those who dwell in Babylon. And my spirit was greatly troubled, and I began to speak with the Lord concerning a great matter, and I said, saying, "O Lord God, is it not you who said formerly, when you created the earth, and this only of yours, and you commanded the earth, and it brought forth Adam in a mortal body, and he also is the work of your hands, and you breathed upon him the spirit of life, and he became alive before you, and you brought him into the garden which was planted at your right hand without the earth standing? And you commanded him a righteous commandment, and he transgressed, and then you created death upon him and upon his descendants, and from him were born peoples, nations, tribes, and generations without number. And all the peoples went to their destruction and perished before you, and you are their judge. And again, in his time, you brought a flood upon the earth and upon those who dwell in the world, and you destroyed them, and their punishment was grievous, as you brought death upon Adam; likewise you brought a flood upon these. And you spared one from among them whose name is Noah, with his household, and from him all the righteous.

And then, when they began to multiply and fill the earth, those who dwell upon it, and their offspring were many, and peoples and nations were born from them, numerous, and they began again to sin more than before. And then, when they sinned before you, you chose for yourself one from among them, whose name was Abraham, and you loved him, and you showed him alone the hidden place of the stone in your single night, and you established for him a covenant forever, as to a friend, to destroy his seed... those who came out of Egypt, and you brought them into Mount Sinai, and you shook the heavens and made the earth tremble, and you became for the world, and you thundered with the voice, and you roared at the sea. And then passed away the greatness of your glory, of fire, and of trembling, and of wind, and of hail, as you gave to the seed of Jacob the law, and to the tribe of Israel the commandment. And you did not set upon them an evil heart to fulfill the fruit of your law upon them, for an evil heart clothed the first Adam, and he was corrupted, and it is not only he, but all who were born from him. And then that disease was with your law in the heart of the people, with an evil root, and the good was destroyed, and evil remained. And the days passed, the year was completed, and you established for yourself your servant whose name was David, and you said, "Let him build a city for your name, and let him bring into it from your sanctuary." And there were many days and years, and those who dwell upon the earth sinned.

... while there was nothing that would shame them, as Adam and all his generation had done, for they themselves had put on an evil heart and had delivered your city into the hands of your enemies. And I said in my heart, thinking: "Is there anyone who would shame the inhabitants of Babylon for what they did, so that they would take the city of Zion?" And then, when I arrived here, I saw a sin that has no limit, and many deniers of the vision. My soul has now been in this distress for thirty years. Why do you tolerate the sinners I see, and why do you teach the wicked, and why have you abandoned your people and protected your enemies, and why have you not spoken nor asked? Why, at the end of this path, is there anyone who would shame Babylon for what it did to Zion? Or has another people known you from Israel, or has a people believed like Jacob in your law? Whose value is not revealed and whose thirst is not quenched, I went among the nations and found them rejoicing, while they do not remember your law and your commandment. And now, the poor are in the midst of the wealthy, and those who dwell in the world, by whose side a measure of truth is found, such as would bring the eye of the wealthy. And when will those who dwell in the world be evil before you? Or is there no people that has kept your commandment like this? ... And a perfect people is not found.

Chapter 3 And the angel who was sent to me, whose name is Uriel, answered me and said to me, “Do you think that your heart can find the counsel of the praise of the Most High?” And I said to him, “Yes, my lord.” And he answered me and said to me, “I have set three paths before you, and I have shown you three likenesses of a youth before you. And if you tell me one of them, I will tell you also this path which you seek to know, and I will teach you concerning what this evil heart is.” And I said to him, “Speak, my lord.” And he said to me, “Go, measure fire in one measure, and count the wind in a measure, and bring back to me the day that has passed.” And I answered him and said to him, “Who is born that can do this, that you ask me concerning this?” And he said to me, “When I asked you, I said to you, ‘How many houses are there in the heart of the sea, or how many springs are there on the face of the earth, or how many paths are there in the height of the sky, or is that the path of hell, or is that the path of paradise?’ If you tell me, ‘I have descended into the earth, and I have fully descended into hell, and I have fully ascended into the sky,’ then I would ask you concerning fire and wind and the day that has passed. And now you cannot understand them, and there is none who answered me concerning these.” And he said to me, “When you cannot understand what is before you,

How can the mind comprehend the order of the path of the Most High, since the path of the Most High was created where there is no limit? And you, who seek to comprehend the path of him who cannot be comprehended? And when I heard this, I fell upon my face and said to him, “From the time we were created, what have we been created? And we live in sins, and we are sick, and we do not know between us what we suffer.” And he answered me and said to me, “Go to the forest of the wilderness and take counsel.” And they said, “Come, let us go and seize the sea, so that we may be saved from before it, and make for ourselves another land to dwell in.” And likewise the waves of the sea took counsel and said, “Come, let us rise and seize the land that is in the wilderness, so that we may acquire for ourselves another land.” And the counsel of the land was true, for fire came and consumed it. And likewise the counsel of the waves of the sea, for the sand rose up and prevented them. And if you know the judgment, which of these do you justify, and which do you condemn?” And I answered him and said, “Both of them were true, for the land was given to the land, and the sea to the waves, as the waves are confined.” And he answered me and said, “You have judged well, but why do you not judge for yourself? And as the land was given to the land, and the sea to the waves, likewise those who dwell on the earth can comprehend what is on the earth, but not what is in the heavens and above the heavens.” And I answered him and said, “My lord, I ask you, why was a heart given to us with which we can think?

And I desired to ask concerning what is hidden, the path, or concerning what passes beyond us. All the time, because Israel was given to the nations, and the people whom you loved, the sinful people, and they rejected the Law of our fathers, and there is no covenant that was written, and we pass from the world like a cloud, and our life like grass, and they do not judge us, they do not forgive us. And only what does the holy name, which is called upon us, gain because of this? I asked you. And he answered me and said to me: If you were, you would see, and if you lived, you would know in its time, because when the world turns, it passes, because it is not possible to preserve the hope of the righteous, because this world is full of trouble and full of disease. Because evil seed was sown because of which you asked me, and its harvest has not arrived. And if what was sown had not been uprooted and its place not cleared, where evil was sown... Because the evil seed of the root was sown first in the heart of Adam, and the fruit of sin was born, and it multiplied until now, and it will be born until its harvest arrives. I remained silent for you when the evil seed of the root, how much fruit of sin it bore. When the good seed of the root was sown, how much more it produced fruit without number. And I answered him and said to him: When then? And when will it be? Because it is small and evil, our time.

And he answered me and said to me, "No, you are the one who inquires from the high one separately, and you inquire concerning yourself; but the high one inquires concerning the many. And concerning this, the souls of the righteous are asked within their houses." And she said, "Until when shall we remain here, and when shall the harvest of our time arrive?" And Uriel the angel answered them and said to them, "When the number of those like you is completed, because the world is weighed in a balance, and the measure of the sea is measured, and it does not increase nor diminish until the measure that was given to it is completed." And I asked him further and said to him, "My Lord, O my Lord, behold, we are full of sin, all of us. Woe to us! Yet will the harvest of the righteous be hindered because of the sins of those who dwell in the world?" And he answered me and said to me, "Go, ask the pregnant woman, as when her months are completed, as a tree, the womb, its fruit that was formed within it is delivered." And I said to him, "A tree, my Lord?" And he said to me, "Hell and the houses of the spirits of the righteous are like a womb; they are that. And as the womb labors for birth in pain, so also the earth labors, bringing forth its womb those who from the creation of the world are within it. And when she has finished, they will tell you concerning what you seek to know." And I asked him further and said to him, "If I have found favor before your eyes, and if you have granted me that it may be revealed to me, tell me this also: In the amount of time that has passed, is the time that is to come into the world greater, or is that which has passed greater? For that which has passed I know, but that which is to come I do not know.

And he said to me, "Stand on the right side, one with me, and I will show you the likeness of the furnace." And I stood and I saw, and behold, that fire passed before me. And after it passed, fire, and behold, there remained ash. And after that, a cloud full of water passed before me, and it rained great rains, and much rain passed, that great rain, and there remained a little wind. And he said to me, "Consider for yourself how the rain is more abundant than the wind and the ash of fire. Likewise, what has passed is more abundant in its measure, and there remained wind and ash." And I questioned him and said to him, "Show me, please, until what times, and what will happen in those times?" And he answered me and said to me, "Concerning the sign about which you asked me, from one aspect I have already told you; and concerning your life, I have hidden it from you, but I will tell you, and I do not know." Chapter 4 And his wonders: behold, times will come, and great confusion will seize those who dwell in the earth, and the voice of righteousness will be hidden, and the land of faith will be shaken. And iniquity will be more abundant than what you have seen and heard. And the land you now see, gentle and cultivated, will reign, and the earth will become desolate. And if the High One gives you life, you will see the earth after the moon, while you are amazed, and the sun will shine at night, and the moon by day. And blood will drip from trees, and stones will speak, and peoples will be amazed, and stars will fall. And he whom they have chosen will reign... many, and all will hear his voice.

And it shall be that a voice is in the multitude, among the passersby, and fire, scattered, shall be kindled, and wild beasts of the desert shall flee from their places, and a sign shall be born from women. And water, sweet and bitter, shall be found, and friends, neighbors, shall kill each other, and she who said wisdom shall hide, and counsel shall enter a house, and many shall seek her but not find her, and iniquity and evil shall increase in the land. And a city shall ask about what is near, and it shall say, "Is there any who passed by you, righteousness, or who does righteousness?" And it shall say, "No." And in those days, a man shall strive and not find, and he shall add and not be glad, and he shall fast and be served, and he shall labor on his way. This wonder I have revealed to you. And if you pray again and weep as before, and fast seven days, you will hear again what is greater. And I awoke again, and my flesh trembled greatly, and my soul was troubled until it was exhausted. And that angel who came and spoke to me took hold of me and set me on my feet and strengthened me. And after that, on the second night, Phaltiel, the chief of the angels of the people, came to me and said to me, "From where are you, and why is your face changed? Do you not know that you have believed concerning Israel in the land where they were exiled? Arise now and taste the food that was, as you would not abandon us, like a shepherd who abandoned his pasture into the hands of evil wolves.

And I said to him, "Go from me, and do not come to me until seven days." And after that, come to me, and I will tell you the matter. And he went from me. And I fasted seven days in my affliction, weeping as the angel Uriel commanded me. And after that, after seven days, he restored to me again the understanding of my heart greatly, and he raised my soul to the spirit of wisdom. And I began again to recite before the Most High. And I said, "O Lord, my God, from all the lands of the earth and its trees, you have chosen for yourself one land. And from all the waves of the sea, you have filled for yourself one river. And from all the cities that were built, you have consecrated for yourself Zion. And from all the birds that were created, you have consecrated for yourself one dove. And from all the cattle that were created, you have chosen for yourself one sheep. And from all the many nations, you have chosen for yourself one people. And from all, you have decreed a law and given it to the people whom you have loved. And now, O Lord, why have you given this one to the many, and reduced the one, scattering it from its place, and cast your only one to the many? And you have delivered those who believed in your law to the enemies of your covenant. And if you hate your people, it is fitting that you strike them with your hand." And this word that was spoken to me was revealed to me by that angel who came to me on that night that passed. And he said to me, "Listen to me, and I will tell you, and be silent, and I will speak before you.

And I said to him, "Speak, my Lord." And he said to me, "Is it not enough that you have been hostile to Israel? This, O woe, have you not loved him more than his Creator?" And I said to him, "No, my Lord, but because of what has terrified me, I have wept and my kidneys have dried up at all times, while I sought to find the path of the Most High and to know the boundary of his justice." And he said to me, "You are able." And I said to him, "For what, my Lord, and why was I born, and why was I not a tomb of the womb for my mother, so that I would not see the suffering of Jacob and the destruction of the descendants of Israel?" And he said to me, "Wait until the time of the end comes, and gather for me the flower that has been scattered, and bring back to me the grass that has withered, and show me the houses of the trees, and bring me the souls of the trees within them, and show me the faces of those who are finished, and let me hear their voices. And at that time I will tell you about the suffering that has befallen them." And I said to him, "My Lord, my Lord, who is it that can understand this, except one whose nature is not with man? And I am a servant and lowly, and how can I tell you this that you ask of me?" And he said to me, "As you are able, do one of those that I have told you. Likewise, you are able to find my justice and the dissolution of my love, with which I am afflicted for my people." And I said to him, "My Lord, behold, you yourself are afflicted for them, and what then will those who come before us and we ourselves, and those after us, inherit?

And he said to me, "Because you have accepted the destruction of my judgment, as if those who are last are not grieved, and those who are first do not hasten." And I said to him, "Yes, if you are able to make their deeds equal, for those who are first and those who are last and those who are present, as if by haste your judgment is revealed." And he said to me, "No, the work is not greater than its worker, each one, and the world is not greater than its inhabitants who were created within it." And I said to him, "How then, my Lord, do you say to your servant, 'If you give life to those whom you created equally, and if you give life to them equally, and if you give life to them equally, and if you give life to them equally, the world will be filled; but if not, now from the power of their being gathered together with those who are present?'" And he said to me, "Behold, O man, the womb of a woman: can she give birth to ten children each year? Can she give birth to three each year? Is it not impossible for us each year? ... And as a child is impossible to be complete, and as an old woman is likewise, so I have arranged for the world which I created at its own time, and I have questioned it." And I said to him, "Since you have given me a path by which I may speak before you, now truly you say to me, 'It is small, that which is from you,' and its foundation has fallen." And he answered me and said to me, "Ask the one who gave birth, and she will tell you. And say, 'Why are those who are now born not like those who were before? Do they not have strength?' And she will say to you, 'The second is born with little strength, and the second is born in a weak womb.'

And he said to me, "Only you know that you hasten the power of you more than your predecessors, and those who are after you hasten more than you, just as that which is created and exists is more than that which has passed, the power of its descent." And I said to him, "Ask me, my Lord, if I have found favor before your eyes, tell your servant by what you change your world." Chapter 5 And he said to me, "The first, indeed, is through the son of the child of the living, and the last, indeed, is for the night, because without the earth being created, and without the paths of the world being established, and without the winds of the air blowing, and without the sound of thunder roaring, and without the light of lightning flashing, and without the garden of Eden being watered, and without the beauty of flowers being shown, and without the power of the hail being strong, and without the power of the angels being changed, and without the height of the clouds being shown, and without the measure of the heavens being named, and without the cycle of the year that comes being known, and without those who guard the faith being sealed—that is what I said, that I am for the night and not for another." And I added and said to him, "What is the sign of his age, and when is the end of the first, and when is the first of the second world?" And he said to me, "From Abraham until Isaac, because from his loins were born Jacob and Esau, because the first of the second world is Jacob, because the hem of his garment is the hand of man, and only you seek, Ezra.

And I answered him, and I said to him, "O my Lord, if I have found favor before your eyes, tell your servant the interpretation of this sign which you told me before, from one side, in the night which has passed." And he answered me and said to me, "Arise and stand on your feet, and I will tell you a word full of sound. And if the place where you stand trembles, when I have told you, do not be afraid, for it is concerning the interpretation that he speaks, and he knows the foundations of the earth, for it is concerning them that he speaks, and he sees and makes tremble, for from where they are, that is their interpretation." And then, when I heard, I arose and stood on my feet. And behold, a voice speaking, and its sound like the sound of many waters. And it says, "Behold, the times come when it will be revealed, and it will consume all those who dwell on the earth. And when it happens, I will seek out their sins from those who sinned when Zion was completed. And when the world which exists is sealed, this will come. It is the sign that I will make: the books will be hidden in the face of the sky, and everything will see me. And children of a year will speak and converse, and old women will bear children of a month and of a month, and they will live and arise. And the earth which does not tremble will tremble, and it will be seen, and houses full of worms will be found, and the trumpet will sound, and everything that hears will be terrified.

And in those days, the months will be shortened, the signs with their signs like an enemy, and they will terrify the land for those who dwell in it. And the springs of waters will stand still and not flow until the hour. And all that remains of all that I have told you is that which will preserve and see my salvation and the end of my world. This, having said, he will show them to those wicked ones who have grown old and have not tasted death since they were born. And the hearts of those who dwell in the world will be changed, and they will be given a second heart, for evil will be erased and folly will perish, and faith will be established, and the dead will be buried, and righteousness which was without fruit will appear in the measure of these days. And when he tells me, each truth will flash in the place where I stand. And he said to me, "I have come to tell you this, concerning the night that has passed. And if you again pray and again fast for seven days, I will again tell you what is greater than this, for your voice has been heard by the Most High, and he has seen the power of your righteousness, which is from your youth. And because of this, the Most High sent me to tell you all this." And he said to me, "Believe and do not fear, and do not be troubled concerning your former evil thought, that you will not be troubled in the last days." And after this, I wept again as before for seven days, and I fasted to complete the week as he told me. On that night, my heart was troubled again, and I began to pray before the Most High, for my spirit burned greatly, and my soul was troubled.

And I said, "O Lord, my Lord," saying, "You said, 'On the first day of your judgment, on the first day, let there be heaven and earth,' and your word also performs a deed. And the spirit that you spread, and darkness full and silence, it says, 'Because there is no voice and word of a child of the living, there is none again.' And you said, 'When will light come from your sun and show your work?' And on the second day, again you created the spirit of the heavens and commanded it to divide between the waters, to descend upon the midst, and the midst to remain beneath. And again, on the third day, you commanded the waters to be gathered into the seven hands of the earth, and the hands of the earth to remain dry, so that within them they might plow, sow, and live before you. And your word, as it went forth, the deed was done. And at the end of that, you completed much fruit without number. And this is how it was on the third day, and its taste for everything, and its color of its flower, and its sight of the tree, and its fragrance. And on the fourth day, you commanded that there be light of the sun and moon, so that they might shine, and the order of the stars. And you commanded them to serve that which would be created, a child of the living. And on the fifth day, you said to this, 'Seven hands to where the water of the south is, so that it may bring forth birds of the living and fish.' And this water that does not flow and has no soul, a work of the soul, so that because of this, generations speak in your praise.

And you kept her, saying, "The animals which you created, and you named one of them Behemoth, and you named the second Leviathan. And you separated them between them, for the one cannot approach the seven cubits where the water of the south surrounds them. And you gave to Behemoth one dry hand, so that on the third day he might sit in it, where the mountains are. And you gave to Leviathan his seven hands for moisture, and you kept them to be food for those whom you wish. And on the sixth day you commanded the earth to bring forth before you animals, wild beasts, and birds. And over all this you appointed Adam as ruler over all that you had previously created, the work of your hands. And because of him we, your people whom you have chosen, are troubled. All this I say before you, O Lord, for you said, 'Because of you I created the world.' And after the nations who were born from Adam, what are they? And what are they like? And they are like the spittle of the mouth, and their joy also. And now, O Lord, behold these nations, what are they? Now they have multiplied over us and have oppressed us. And we, your people, to whom you said, 'My firstborn, you are my only son, whom I love,' have fallen into their hands. And if because of us you created the world, why have we not inherited our world? And until when is this?

Chapter 6 And then, when they had finished speaking these words, that angel who had come to me before on that night was sent to me, and he said to me, "Arise, Ezra, and hear the word for which I have come to you." And I said to him, "Speak, my lord." And he said to me, "The sea which is in a broad place—it is wide and it is spacious, and in it the path of its depth is narrow, and it becomes like a river. And if one desires to enter into that sea, he sees and finds it. But if he passes beyond that narrowness of its depth, how can he be in the spacious? Or another city which is built in the desert, and it is full of all blessing, and the path of its depth is narrow, and it is in a narrow place. And from the right is fire, and from the left is a precipice, and its path is one between fire and precipice, and its path does not allow even one footstep of a man. And if that city is given to a man who will inherit it, if he passes beyond that narrowness, how will he find his inheritance?" And I said to him, "Likewise, my lord." And he said to me, "Likewise is the land of Israel and their portion. For I created the world for their sake. And when Adam disobeyed my command, the ways of this world became narrowness and constriction and difficulty and evil and many afflictions, and full of thirst and toil. And the world to come—its ways are broad and bright, and it produces the fruit of life, in which there is no death.

arose and stood before him. And he said to me, "If they had not sinned against him, you who are alive, for that man and that sin, you would have found what is appointed for you. And now, why do you tremble, you earth? And why do you shake, you mortal? And why did you think in your heart that what is to come is not what exists?" And I answered and said to him, "O my Lord, behold, you say in your law that the righteous will inherit this, and the sinners will be cast down. For the righteous will receive good for the narrow, while they fill the wide; and the sinners will trust the narrow and not see the wide." And he said to me, "It is not you who judge the judgment of one, nor you who guard the high. For those many who have transgressed the law of God which he ordained are to be cast down. For God commanded those who exist to do and to live, and if they had kept it, they would not be judged." And they denied him and abandoned him and ordained for themselves evil counsel, and they appointed for themselves error and iniquity. And with all this, they say, "There is no God," and they abandoned his ways. And they denied the law and broke the covenant and did not believe in his ordinance, and they transgressed his works. And because of this, the empty for the empty, and the full for the full. For behold, the time comes when the sign I told you about will appear, and the land that now appears will be hidden, and the land that now is hidden will appear. And all that is saved from what I told you is evil, for it will see my glory. For my Messiah will appear with those who are with him, and he will gladden those who have arisen.

And after this, my son the Messiah will be completed, and every person who has a spirit, and the world will enter into its former dwelling place, where it will rest for seven days as before, and there will be none who remain. And after seven days, the dead world will awaken and be renewed. And the earth will bring forth those who slept within it, and the land will bring forth those who rested within it. And after this, the houses will also bring forth the souls that were appointed within them. And that same one, the Most High, will appear upon his throne, which he created, and his mercy will come, and his compassion will enter, and his patience will be gathered. And only judgment will remain, and his righteousness will stand, and his faith will flourish. And his work will be exalted, and his grace will appear, and righteousness will awaken, and sin will no longer sleep. (1) And the veil of judgment will be removed before the place of rest, and the fire of Gehenna will appear before the garden of joy. (2) And that same one, the Most High, will say to them, to the peoples who have awakened: "Behold, see and know who it is whom you have denied, and whom you have rejected, and whose commandment you have despised." (3) "Behold, see before you from my mouth joy and rest, and from my mouth judgment and fire." And thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment. (4) And the day of judgment is thus: there is no sun, nor moon, nor stars. (5) Nor cloud, nor lightning, nor thunder, nor wind, nor water, nor sky, nor darkness, nor night, nor day.

6. And there will be no winter, no summer, no harvest, no cold, no heat, no dew, no hail, no snow, no rain, no cloud, no shadow, 7. no evening, no morning, no day, no noon, no night, no hour, except only the flash of His glory, the Lord, as it is fitting for all who are righteous to Him. 8. And that day will be a rest, like the seven years. 9. And this is the judgment and the sentence for you; I have told you for your own sake. 10. And I answered and said to him, “My Lord, now I speak: blessed are those who are and who await your commandment.” 11. “But only concerning what I asked you: who is he among those who are and do not wither, and who is he who was born and did not abandon your ordinance?” 12. “And now I see that they are few, those who are with you, whom you will save in the world that is to come, and many who will be condemned.” 13. “For an evil heart has risen against us, which has led us astray from this, and guided us into error, and led us onto the path of death and onto the path of ruin, and removed us from life, alas, over all who are born.” 14. And he answered and said to me, “Listen to me, and I will tell you, and again I will teach you.” 15. “Concerning this, the Most High made not one world, but two.” And I answered and said to him, “How have we found now, as Abraham asked first about Sodom, and Moses about our fathers when they sinned in the wilderness, and Joshua about Israel in the days of Achan, and Samuel in the days of Saul?

and David concerning the harp, and Solomon concerning the temple, and Elijah concerning rain and concerning the dead, that they might live, and Hezekiah concerning the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many concerning many. When now, while death is diminishing and iniquity is increasing, the righteous ask concerning the sinners, “Why is it now as it was?” She answered me and said to me, “Because now again is the end of this world, and there is no praise of the Lord within it, but a lie that dwells for the fleeting.” And concerning this, the strong ask concerning the weak. And the day of judgment is the end of this world, and its beginning is the world that is to come, in which death will pass away and the immortal will stand. Then weakness will cease, and forgetfulness will pass away, and righteousness will increase, and justice will prevail. And she answered, “There is none who can forgive the one who has sinned in judgment, and there is none who can pardon the one who has died.” And I added and said to him, “It is as my word before, and now, because from the beginning, when the earth brought forth Adam, it brought him forth and taught him in what it dries up. And what will benefit us, who have all lived in sorrow, and our death is still a severe judgment for us? O Adam, what have you done? For it is not you who have spoiled, if it were not for this evil upon us. And what will benefit us, that you have brought us a world that has no death? And we, the work of death, have done, and the good hope that was told to us, and we, evil, have chosen.

And as for the one who is appointed for us, the fathers, to a place where there is no sickness and no sorrow—but we have committed sins. And because their praises exist for the Most High on account of the righteous whom they have seen, they strengthen them; but we, through our errors, have gone astray. And because a garden appears whose fruit never ceases, within which is joy and life—but we have not entered, because through what we have rejected, we have done a deed. And because the faces of those who have strengthened patience shine, but our face is darkened from darkness. And behold, we have lived, yet we do not know what awaits us after death. And he answered me and said to me: "This is the understanding of this world, in which man, who is born on earth, struggles. For if he is thirsty, he finds what he seeks; and if he dies, he finds what he seeks. Because this is the path that Moses told the people: 'Choose for yourselves for life, so that you may live,' and they rejected it. And also those prophets after him, and I myself, to whom I spoke about this—there is no sorrow concerning their repentance, as... concerning the life of those who believe." And I added and said to him: "I know, my Lord, that now the Most High is called merciful and compassionate, for he has mercy on those who have always been like... and what have they become? And he is forgiving when he forgives those who have erred within his law. And he is patient, for he is patient with those who have sinned like his children. And he is generous, for he gives generously to those whom I have told you, as they deserve, on account of their deeds.

and abundant mercy, because he increases his mercy repeatedly upon those who exist and upon those who are troubled, and upon those also who have them, they are honored. For if his mercy were not abundant, they would not live forever, and those who dwell in it. And a giver, for if he did not give from his goodness, sinners would be lightened from their sins, if they did not live all the offspring of the children of the living. And a judge, for if he did not preserve the deed of what he did, he would destroy them, the multitude of the deniers, and nothing would remain from the multitude of their evil, if not a little indeed. Chapter 7 And he answered me and said to me, "For this world, concerning the many deeds of the Most High, and what comes only concerning the wretched. And now I think for you a parable before you, Ezra. Ask the earth, and it will tell you that the earth gives a portion from within it that becomes silver, and the earth that becomes gold, and it increases more than silver, repeatedly. Likewise also the deed of this world. For many who are created within it, and the wretched who live." And I answered him and said to him, "Let the soul rejoice from the heart and drink the ear from wisdom. For the ear has come for the hearer, and it goes in that which it does not desire while it is not given to it without a little life. O Lord, if I have revealed your servant when you gave us heart and thought in that we sow, and where we plow and sow, so that it may bear fruit for us, and all the living may be able to endure in that which the world turns for the children of the living.

Because we are all sinners, we have done evil deeds, as you say, because you create him first in the womb, and you make for him his flesh and his limbs, and you give him a heart, and you guard him with fire and water, and for nine months you form this one whom you created, and he is kept by your word. And then again, his mother gives birth to him, and after he is born and formed, you command from within the limbs, milk flows, which gives him suck, the fruit of the breast, so that this work of yours may be nourished until the time of his days, and you cause him to pass the night in your mercy, and you feed him with your righteousness, and you teach him your law, and you instruct him in your wisdom. And then you kill this one whom you created, and your work lives. And if you lie, you lie to this one whom you created with measured days, and you made and did him, and why did you create him? And now truly I have spoken, and you yourself know everything, and only to me have you revealed concerning your people and concerning this your inheritance which we hold, and this which I have held, I have set forth before you concerning myself and concerning them, because I see our salvation for us who live in the world. And I hear the law of the world that is to come. And concerning this, hear my voice and grant my prayer, and let me speak before you. First, the word of the prayer of Ezra, without his raising it, and he said: O Lord, who lives forever, who sees from on high, who is in heaven, whose throne cannot be approached, and whose glory cannot be diminished, and your angels stand in fear.

And by your command, spirit and fire come into being, and your word is firm, and your prophecy dwells, and your decree is powerful, and your command is mighty, and it subdues the mountains, your wrath and righteousness, your name. Hear the voice of your servant, and fulfill the prayer of your servant, and fulfill my prophecy. For as long as I am alive, I will tell you, and as long as I have my heart, I will inform you. Do not look upon the sins of your people; rather, know their righteousness, those who have bent the knee to you. And do not see the deeds of sinners; rather, know the sufferings of those who have kept your decree. And do not be angry because of those who have done evil before you; rather, remember those who have believed in your law with all their heart. And do not condemn those who have been like beasts in their deeds; rather, look upon those who have brightened the eyes of your decree. And do not be angry with those who have become worse than wild animals; rather, love those who have trusted in your praise in humility. And we alone, and those before us, have done the work of death, and you, for our sake and for the sake of those who have sinned, be merciful. For if you have mercy on us who have no good deeds, then you will be called merciful. But for the righteous, who have good deeds, what is reserved for them from you by their deeds? You will have mercy on them. And what is the child of the living that you should be angry with him? And what is the offspring of death that you should be bitter against him? I say truly that there is none who is born who is not guilty. And only in this way is your mercy known, when you have mercy on those who have no good deeds.

And he answered me and said to me, "Truly, in my presence you have spoken righteousness, and it is so. And truly, I do not wish for those who sow death and judgment and injustice, but I rejoice only on account of the righteous, for they are the ones who live and find their reward. And as you say, it is so. As a farmer sows much seed and plants many plants, yet not all the seed that is sown lives, nor does every plant put down roots, so also in this world not all who live [are righteous]." And I answered him and said to him, "If I have found favor before you, I will tell you: As for the farmer's seed, if it does not receive rain, it does not find it, and on account of this it perishes. But man, whom you made with your hands and in your own image, you fashioned. If he is in your image, and you made everything for his sake, why do you fashion him and abandon him like a farmer's seed? It is not fitting for you, O Lord. Teach your people wisdom and instruct your inheritance, for your work is instruction." And he answered me and said to me, "Those in this world are like those in this world, and those of the coming world are like those of that world. But you, you are very foolish, as you multiply your love for my work beyond me. And you, you compare yourself to the multitude, like the sinners, though you are not a sinner. But only on account of this do you boast before the Most High.

Because you have humbled yourself as it pleases you, and you have made yourself like the righteous, as if you were prostrating yourself repeatedly. And now, the sinners are many who will perish, those who live in the world in the last times, because they have gone forth in great pride. But you, know yourself, and seek honor for those who are like you. For to you the Garden was revealed, and the Tree of Life was planted, and the world to come was prepared, and joy was established and built, and rest was purified, and blessing and goodness stood, and the root of wisdom was planted. Disease was sealed off, and death was destroyed, and Sheol was hidden, and corruption was destroyed. Pain was healed, and the treasure of life was revealed. And do not grieve any longer over the multitude of those who are troubled, for they themselves have found the service of the servants of the Most High, and they have drunk the Law, and they have abandoned His path. And they have mocked His righteous ones, and they have said in their hearts, "We do not wish for the Lord," while they know that they will die. And because of this, just as this is good for you, so also for them this is corruption. For they have denied the name of their Creator, and they do not honor the one who prepared them. Now their judgment will overtake them. This I have told to many, but not to you and to the few who are like you. And I added and said to him, "Now, O Lord, you have told me that in the last times you will perform many wonders that are with you, but you have not told me only when his time will be.

Chapter 8 And he answered me and said to me, “You have thought a thought for yourself, and as you have seen, indeed, what has passed from the sign of which I speak to you—this I have said, ‘I know that the time of the Most High has arrived, who changes the world he created.’ When he appeared in the world, he was manifest in each region, and the peoples were confounded, and the nations were gathered together, and the angels fought, and the princes trembled. This I have said, ‘I know that before this time the Most High said, “As everything that happened in the world, the first by word and the last by revelation, likewise the world of the Most High, the first by speech and by sign and by power, and the last by deed and by miracle. And he who is saved and is able to be hidden by his deed and by his faith, by which he believed—he is the one who will be saved from the suffering of which I speak to you, and he will see life in my land and in my sanctuary, which I have consecrated for myself from this world.”’ And this I have said, ‘Those who now have transgressed my commandments and have fallen into judgment, those who have abandoned my law and have despised me—and all those who have not known me in their lives while I was helping them—and all those who have rebelled against my law, while they were strangers—and while a place of my patience was open to them, and they did not enter, but they despised me—they will know me only after their death. And you, do you not desire to know how sinners are judged? Rather, desire to know how the righteous live in their world, because for their sake the world exists.’” And I added and said to him,

First, I said, and now I say, that those who will be destroyed are more numerous than those who live. As the wave is more abundant than the drop. And he answered me and said to me, “In proportion to the land, its seed, and according to its cultivation, its judgment, and by the reckoning of its plowman, the field is cleared. For in its seasons, it is the world that I have arranged. Now, without their world existing, within which they dwell, there is none who can answer me this, saying, for there is none who exists, nor is there any. And now their destruction within the world is fixed, and within the measure that is for the multitude, by a law that has no bond of death, according to their deeds. When I saw the world, and behold, it is transitory, and my world, and behold, they are troubled because of their deeds that were sown in the earth. And I went and I found a little strength, and I saved for myself a plant from among the thorns, and one tree from among many trees. And the multitude of those who were created in vain will be destroyed, and my plant and my tree, which by much labor have become strong, will be preserved. And as for you, if you again pray and fast seven days, and go into the desert to the place of the ruined altar, and eat only of the fruit of the desert, and eat no flesh, and drink no wine, but only the fruit of the tree, and pray to the Most High at all times, then I will come and tell you.” And after that, I went into the desert whose name is Arfad, as he commanded me, and I dwelt in the grass, and I fed myself from the fruit of the desert, and this I ate, and it sustained me.

And after seven days, while I was lying in the grass, my heart troubled me as before, and I covered my mouth and began to speak before the Most High, and I said, “O Lord, Lord, show yourself as you showed yourself to our fathers in the desert, in the wilderness, where there is no water or grass.” And you said, “You, Israel, hear me and listen to my voice, for now I sow my law among you, and it will bear fruit over you, and you will be honored forever.” And our fathers received your law and stood by your ordinance. And then the fruit of your law withered, for it cannot flourish, because it is yours. For those who trampled it flourished, because they received what was sown among them. For the law is like the earth: as it receives seed, and like the sea: as it receives into it mud and refuse, and like the stomach: as it receives food into it. It is as it was in its time. Whether for the seed itself or for what is cast into it, as it is fitting… And when I looked with my eyes, I saw a woman from the right side weeping and crying out with a loud voice, and her soul was greatly distressed, and her garments were torn, and ashes were on her head. And she left me this understanding that I have, and I approached her and said to her, “What makes you weep, and why is your soul distressed?” And she said to me, “Leave me, leave me. I weep, O Lord, over my head, and I pour out my pain, for I am very sorrowful and my soul is distressed.

And I said to her, “What happened? Tell me.” And she said to me, “I was a virgin for thirty years, living with my husband. And I prayed every day and every night to the Most High for thirty years. And after thirty years, the Lord heard my prayer, saw my suffering, beheld my affliction and my labor, and gave me a son. And I rejoiced greatly in him—I, my husband, and all the people of my city. And we thanked the Lord and honored him with much labor. And then, when he grew up, I took a wife for him and made a wedding feast. Chapter 9 And then, when he entered the bridal chamber, he fell and died. And then we extinguished our lamps and sat weeping. And all the people of my city rose up and began to reproach me. And then I mourned until the night of the following day. And then, when all had mourned and left me alone, I tore my garments and cried out, rising in the night, and came here into this desert. And I said, ‘I will not return to the city again; I will dwell here, and I will not eat nor drink again; I will fast and pray until I die.’ And that thought which I had conceived left me, and I forgot it. And I said to her, ‘O woman, you are more wretched than all women. Have you not seen another like us, and what befell us concerning Zion? For all of us are in sorrow, all of us are in pain; we have suffered greatly.’

And now, truly, it has happened to you that you are sorrowful and mourn, for we all are mourners, we, and you, because of one son, you are sorrowful. She asked the earth, and it will tell you truly: it is fitting that she be sorrowful, she who has borne as many as those who were born upon her. All those who were created from the beginning upon her, and now others have come and have destroyed all of them to corruption and to mourning in their fullness. Who, then, is truly more worthy of mourning, one who has borne many children, or you, because of one, you weep? And if you say, “It is not as my case, the case of the earth, for I bore the fruit of my womb in difficulty and in pain and gave birth,” and the earth, as many have come upon her, likewise have gone. But only I say to you, as you gave birth in pain, likewise the earth also gave her fruit to the children of living beings from the beginning, because of her fruit which her Creator gave her. And now, put aside from you this sorrow of yours, and be one who is consoled for what has befallen you, your pain and your judgment. For if you justify the Lord, who sees you, you will find your son at his time, and you will be numbered among women who are consoled. And now, go into the city and go to your husband. And she said to me, “I will not do thus, and I will not enter the city again; here I will die.” And I persuaded her in conversation and said to her, “Do not do this thing. Oh, rather, accept your head as the judgment of Zion, and be consoled for the city of Jerusalem. Do not show yourself as if our sanctuary has risen.

And our psalm was silenced, and our praise was cut off, and our strength fell, and our supplication was lost, and our light was extinguished, and the ark of our law was shaken, and our sanctity was hidden, and our name was defiled, and our nobles were diminished, and our priests were wounded, and our Levites were scattered, and our virgins were slain, and our women were violated, and our righteous were dragged away, and our youths were stoned, and our children were destroyed, and our strong ones were crushed. And from all that was great, Zion was sealed, and her glory departed from her, and we fell into the hands of our enemies. And you too, cast off from yourself your great sorrow, and remove from yourself this great suffering, so that the Most High Mighty One may have mercy on you, and the Lord may grant you rest from your labor. And after that, while I was speaking, Gibta suddenly appeared before me, and her appearance was like a flash of lightning, and I was greatly afraid of her proximity, and my heart trembled. And while I was wondering what this was, Gibta cried out with a loud voice, and her voice was great and terrible, so that the earth shook from her voice. And when I saw her, behold, she was not a woman, but a city built, and I saw her place and her walls, great and terrible, and I cried out with a loud voice. And I said, "Where is Uriel, the angel who came to me before? Why have you left me to enter into this great confusion, and to become the last for destruction and my prayer for ruin?" And while I was speaking thus, behold, the angel who had come to me before arrived.

And he found me, and I was sitting like a dead man, and my heart was not with me, and he took me by my right hand, and he strengthened me, and he set me on my feet straight, and he made me speak, and he said to me, "What have you become, and what frightens you, and why is your heart not with you?" And I said to him, "Because you cast me off and abandoned me, and I, as you told me, went out into the desert, and behold, I have seen what the mind cannot comprehend." And he said to me, "Be silent, and I will tell you as a man." And I said to him, "Speak, my lord, and do not leave me again like a dead man, for I have seen what I have not seen, and I have heard what I do not know, and only the grief that struck my heart and the sorrow of my soul remain. And now, my lord, tell your servant his judgment concerning this." And he made me speak and said to me, "Hear me, and I will have mercy on you because of what you fear, for the Most High God has revealed to you, for the mystery is hidden. When he saw your righteousness, for you have grieved much for your people and greatly mourned for Zion, this is the matter, and this is the woman whom you saw earlier. She is like a mourner, and you began to lament. And now, the woman whom you see as a city of ruins will become for you, for she told you about the pain of her child. That woman whom you saw is Zion, who now appears as a city of ruins. And this is what she said to you: 'I have been a dwelling place for thirty years, for the world existed for three hundred years without anyone entering to offer sacrifice.'

And after three hundred years, Solomon built the city and brought offerings. That is what the barren woman bore, a son. And this I have confirmed with great effort, what you say, how Jerusalem was. And this I tell you: on the day my son entered his courtyard, he died, and this sickness of prostration befell me, that of Jerusalem. And now you have seen how she is; why do you blame the children? And you yourself have begun to be afflicted from sorrows. And now, when the Most High Lord saw you, that you were wholly grieved in your soul and wholly pained in your heart for her sake, and he showed you the light of her glory and the beauty of her joy. And because of this I tell you: you will dwell in the wilderness where the house is built, for I know all that exists; the Most High will show you. And because of this I tell you: you will come here, where there is no foundation for destruction, for the destruction of the work of the children of men cannot be; he will be in his place where he is; the Most High will show. And you, do not fear, and let not your heart be troubled; be steadfast, and see the light and the strength of destruction. And when you hear the sound of the tree, listen with your ear, for you have surpassed many and have been named before the Most High as a friend. And here the night has fallen, and the Most High Lord will show you a vision in a dream, which he does at each age over those who dwell in the world. And I spent that night in Sanitani, as he commanded me.

Chapter 10 And after that, on the second night, I saw in a dream an eagle rising from the sea, and its twelve wings and three heads. And it flies with its wings over all the earth, and all the winds of the sky blow upon it, and clouds gather over it. And from within these wings, a head sprouts, and that head becomes a wing of small and tiny ones. And its heads roar, and the middle head is larger than its two heads, and it alone roars with them. And this eagle flies its wings as if it rules over the earth and those who dwell in the earth, as if it devours everything under the sky, and there is none who can oppose it, nor any among those created on earth. And then this eagle rose and stood on its talons and cried out with a loud voice and said to its wings: "All of you, do not be gathered together; each one of you, stay in its place, and at its time you will move." And its head was later enlarged. And when I see, it is not from within its head that its voice comes forth, but from within its body. And the portion of those heads is eight. And then a wing came out from the right side and ruled over all the earth. And when the time of its old age reached, it vanished, and it itself, until its place was not seen, and another came out and ruled, and it itself for many days and strengthened. And then, when its old age reached, it vanished, it itself like the first. And a word came to it and said to it:

Hear, you who have been wearied by this time: you have strengthened the earth. This which I tell you, before it perishes, there is none after you who will strengthen like you, and there is no end of your measure. And a third came forth and strengthened, and he also judged like the first, and then he too perished. And likewise all his wings came forth and judged, each one, and they too perished. And then his wings arose, each in their time, from the right side, as if to strengthen and to judge, but they quickly perished. And there were among them those who arose, but they only judged. And after this, those twelve wings and the two heads perished. And there remained nothing within the body of that eagle except its three heads, which were sleeping, and six heads. And then from among those six heads, two were stirred up and dwelt within its head on the right side, and four remained in their place. And those four heads deliberated whether they should stand and judge, they themselves. And then one arose and stood, and quickly perished. And a second likewise, and he perished more quickly than the first. And then those two likewise, which remained, deliberated whether they should stand and judge. And while they were deliberating, behold, one of the three heads which were sleeping, the middle one, and it was larger than those two heads, arose. And then it took with it those two heads, and that head was joined with those which were with it, and it struck down those two heads which had deliberated as to whether they should judge, whichever of them.

And this is the head that strengthened the whole earth and made those who dwell within it to rest with much labor, and it surpassed the world one after another more than all those wings that stood. And after this head perished, this central head was like those wings. And two heads remained, and they likewise judged the earth and those who dwell within it. And then this head from the right side fell to the left side. And I heard a voice saying to me, "Look before you and understand what you see." And when I looked, behold, a lion arose from the forest, roaring, and I heard it crying out like the voice of a child of men. And it said to this eagle, "Hear, and I will tell you what the High One said to you: 'Are you not the one who remained from those four beasts that I made to judge the world, and through them the end of times would be reached?'" And the coming of the fourth will destroy all those beasts that passed away and surpassed the world with much labor and suffering for these, and it dwelt in the place of the rod of years within the world in humility it dwelt. And it did not judge the world with righteousness, for it surpassed the righteous and oppressed the wicked and hated the peaceful and loved the deceitful, and you took away the strength of the righteous and you increased the punishment of those who sinned against you. And your sin ascended to the High One, and your pride to the Mighty One. And the High One looked upon his people, and now the world is finished and ended.

And concerning this, the head perishes—you, eagle, and your wings are sinful, and your heads are wicked, and your talons are evil, and your flesh is corrupt, so that the earth may be freed and cleansed from all suffering, having been delivered from you, and may await its judgment and mercy from its Creator. Chapter 11 And then, when the merciful one had spoken this word to that eagle, that head which remained also perished, and those wings that had fled to him rose up, and they themselves stood as if to be and to be destroyed, their talons. And then they themselves also perished, and all their flesh withered, and the earth trembled greatly, and I also trembled with excessive agitation and cried out in great fear. And I said to my soul, “You have prepared all this while contemplating the ways of the Most High.” And my soul was weakened, and my spirit was greatly afflicted, and I had no strength, and I trembled with much fear on that night. And now I pray to the Most High that he may strengthen me for this. And I said, “O Lord, my God, if I have found favor before your eyes, and if I have multiplied many entreaties before you, and if my prayer has ascended before your face, save me and strengthen me, and tell me the interpretation of this glorious dream, so that my soul may rejoice fully, for you have granted me the blessedness of showing me the end of times, and also concerning the passing of the ages of the world.” And he said to me, “Thus is the interpretation of this dream that you have seen.

The eagle rises from the sea. The fourth kingdom is that which appeared to Daniel, your brother, in a dream, and I have not interpreted it, but only for you, that now I interpret for you. Behold, the time comes, and a kingdom will arise in the earth that is more terrible than all the kingdoms that were before it. And twelve kings will reign in it, and the one who reigns again is the one who endures, and his time is longer than the twelve. And this is the interpretation of those twelve wings that you saw. And this that you saw speaks a word, and it is not from its head that it comes forth, but from its flesh, from its wing. For thus is its word: from the wing of its flesh of that kingdom, a tumult will be created, much, and it will be shaken to fall, and only if it falls, it says, but it will not stand in the midst. And this also that you saw from its wing came forth heads. For thus is its word: eight kings will stand in it, and their plans are evil, and their times are short, and two from among them will quickly be destroyed in the midst of their days. And only four kingdoms will be preserved until the time of their end arrives, and two will be preserved for destruction. And this that you saw, its three heads are dark. For thus is its word: in the last times, it will set up three high kings, and many will be destroyed within it, and they will mock the earth and those who dwell in it with great fear, and more than all who were before them. And because of this, the heads of the eagle are called.

For they are the heads of the kingdom, they are the hinges of the kingdom. And this one of your vision: one of its heads that is higher than the rest, because one of them is the only one that will die in its nest, and it alone is wounded. And those that remain, two by nature will die, and one also... the last one will die by nature. And this I saw: two heads that split apart within its head on the right side. Thus is the account of those whom the Most High has kept for the last days, those who will be the first of the hinges, and there will be much confusion, as you have seen. And this lion that you saw arose from the forest, roaring and speaking to that eagle, and it will reproach it for all its sins. All this account that you have heard: and it is this that the Most High has kept for the last times from the vision of David, and it is he who will go out and come and reproach them for their sins and reproach them for their iniquity and will prepare for them their ransom before them, and will anticipate their condemnation in the judgment of their lives. And then, when he has reproached them at that time, he will condemn them. And for those of the people who remain, he will redeem them with mercy for those who are saved within the generations, and he will make them rejoice until the day of judgment arrives, which I told you before. And thus is this dream that you saw, and thus is its interpretation. And for you alone the Most High has granted that you should know this mystery. And write it only in a book, all that you have seen, and place it in a hidden place.

And the teachers of the wise people, for those who know how they can conceal the secret within their hearts. And you, stay here for seven more days, so that you may see what the Most High wishes to show you. Then he went away from me. And when all the people heard that those seven days had passed, I also went into the city. All the peoples, both the small and the great, gathered together and came to me, and they said to me: "What have we done wrong to you, and what have we sinned against you, that you should abandon us and dwell in this place? For you alone have remained for us from among all the prophets, like a single ear of grain from all that is harvested, and like a lamp in a place of darkness, and like a myrrh tree among thorns. Or is it that the evil that has befallen us has consumed you? And if you also have abandoned us, it would be better for us when we were in the destruction of Zion. For it is not that we are better than those who died there." And they wept with a loud voice. And I comforted them and said to them: "Trust and do not grieve, house of Jacob, for our remembrance exists before the Most High, and He is the one who has betrothed us firmly. And I will not abandon you, nor will I be far from you. But I have come to this place only to inquire concerning the ruin of Zion and to seek mercy for the pain of our joy. And now, all of you, go into your houses, and tomorrow I will come to you after those days." And the people went into their houses as I told them.

And I was in that place, in the desert, for seven days, as he commanded me, and I sustained myself with the fruit of the desert alone, and I ate the herb of the desert during those days. Chapter 12 And then, after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night. And behold, I saw a great wind coming forth from the sea, and it destroyed all its harbors. And I saw that same wind coming forth from the sea in the likeness of a man. And then that man destroyed the clouds of the sky, and when he turned his face and looked, at that time everything before him would be consumed. And above, from where his voice came forth, all who heard his voice would be melted like wax near fire. And then I saw many people gathered together, without number, from the four winds of the sky, as they looked at the man who came forth from the sea. And then they built for him a great mountain, and he destroyed it above them. And I desired to know from where that mountain was built, and I asked. And then all those who were gathered above him looked at him, feared him greatly, and only trembled as they looked at him. And then, when they saw him and came upon him, he did not raise his hand, nor lift a weapon, nor any implement of the field.

days had passed, without water, from his mouth came forth a tongue of fire, and from his nostrils came forth fire, and from his tongue came forth a flame of fire like a whirlwind, and all that tongue of fire and that fire and that flame of fire gathered together and became like a whirlwind, and it descended upon those many who had stoned him as if to kill him, and it burned them all until there was none left of them, without the need of their swords or their spears. And then I awoke. And after this, I saw that same man descending from that mountain, and he called to him many wild beasts by name, and many people came to him, and among them there were joyful ones, and among them there were sorrowful ones, and among them there were wounded ones. And then, when I was greatly amazed, I awoke and prayed to the Most High, and I said, "You have shown me this glory of yours before, and you have granted me that you would hear my prayer. And now, tell me again the interpretation of this dream." And truly, I think, woe to those who are in those days, and woe also to those who are not, for they will grieve with a firm understanding that is theirs in the latter days, which will also reach them. And for those who are, for they have known the end. And between these, woe to them, for they will see great calamity and much suffering, as I have seen in this dream.

And many will be sick, and they will be afflicted by this. Some will pass away from the world like a cloud, and they will not know what will befall them at their end. And he answered and said to me, “I will tell you the interpretation of this dream of yours, and also what you say to me, I will think for you, because you speak concerning those who remain and are sick like this, they have told. Those are the ones who see that same suffering in those days, and it itself will hinder those who have it, that same suffering, for those who have good deeds and faith before the Most High and Firm. And know only that the blessed living are more than the dead. And the interpretation of your dream is this: this seed of yours, a man, will come out from the midst of the sea. It is this that the Most High has kept for many days, as if to redeem the world, and it will destroy those who remain. And this seed of yours will come out from his mouth fire and flame and sparks like a whirlwind. And this one, who did not raise a weapon and did not brandish a sword, killed those many who pursued him and came to kill him. Thus is his story. A time will come when the Most High will redeem those who dwell in the earth. And that time will be sick. Among themselves, city will fight against city, region against region, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom. And when this happens and the miracle that I showed you before arrives, that man, your seed, will come out from the sea.

And when all the peoples hear his voice, they will leave, each according to their own ways, their fingers that do not touch each other, and they will gather together; many will increase, who have no number, as you have seen; they will desire to come and kill him. But he will stand on the summit of Mount Zion. And Zion will come and show herself, a fortress for all, and a refuge, as you have seen the mountain that came out alone and was created, which was made by the hand of the son of the man of clay. And he is the son who will surpass the peoples, their sins, for those who were like a storm, and he will spread out before them the likeness of their deeds and judge them with a great judgment that will judge. Those who were like a flame of fire, he will destroy them together with their sins without thirst, for those who were like the heat of fire. And this that you have seen, how many gathered to him in his time. These are the nine tribes that were exiled from their land in the days of Shalmaneser, king of Persia, who were exiled in his reign, and he settled them in the region of Togarma, and they multiplied and became another people. They themselves devised this plan, that they would leave the tribe of their people and go into a land where the son of the man of clay was not. So that they might keep their law, which they had not kept in their land. And concerning the crossing of the Euphrates, there is a ford. And he did for them this, saying, "A high miracle," and he fixed the eyes of Togarma, for they would pass. And the land is a circuit of a year and a half-year, and the name of the land is Azaf. And they dwelt there until the end of days.

And after that, again, when they are present, they will come. Again, the high one will raise his eyes to the sky, as if he were passing through. And between this, your seed, the multitude of the peoples, I took them and they gathered together in my blessed womb. And when I destroyed those many peoples who had gathered against him, he, having said, will save those who remain of the peoples. He, having said, will show them his wonders. And I said to him, "My Lord, my Lord, tell me this also: between what did I see a man coming out from the midst of the sea?" And he said to me, "As it is impossible, and there is no one in the depths of the sea, understanding like that does not exist, which can understand the Son more than those who are on earth. And there is no one like him without, when his time and day have come. And this is the interpretation of your dream that you saw. And between this, I have shown you for yourself alone, because your sorrow and my care have left you, and you have desired my law. And your life you have devoted to understanding, and to wisdom you have entrusted yourself. And between this, I have shown you thus, because your worth and goodness exist before the Most High. And you, after the shortness of days, because it is far off, I will tell you and I will think for you a song." And I went and passed through the desert, while I praised and glorified God for his glory, which he does according to his times, and how he arranges his years, and what happens in each year. And I stayed there for three days.

Chapter 13 And on the third day, while we were sitting under the tree, a voice came from the top of that tree and said, "Ezra, Ezra!" And I said, "I am here." And I arose and stood. And it said to me, "Reveal! I revealed myself to Moses and spoke with him by the tree of the bush when my people were oppressed in Egypt. And I instructed him and brought out my people from Egypt and led them into Mount Sinai and placed them with me for many days. And I told him many things and taught him the mystery of the days and taught him the end of time. And I commanded him and said to him, 'This matter tell, and this matter hide.' And now I say to you: the sign that I told you and the dream that you saw and the thought that you heard, keep them in your heart, for they will take you from the children of men, and you will dwell with my son where those like you are until the world passes away. For the world has passed its course and received its days, for the world was divided into ten parts and has reached the tenth, and the half of the tenth remains. And now, build your house and comfort their mourners and instruct their wise men, and strive for eternal life. And abandon mortal thought, and cast off from yourself the burden of the children of men, and put on that which does not die, and abandon sorrowful thought, and hasten as one who flees from this world. For this that you have seen is an evil arrival; now what is bitter from me will be bitter again.

Because the world grows old and weak, and because many of those who dwell in it are evil, and because righteousness perishes and falsehood stands, and because this eagle which you saw flies and passes by, I have answered and said to him, "I will tell you before you go, O Lord, since I am going, and as you commanded me, I will teach the people who are now. But who will teach those who are born afterward? For the world is in darkness, and those who dwell in it have no light. For your Law is hidden, and there is no one who knows what you have done and what you will do. And if I have found favor before you, send the Holy Spirit upon me, and I will write everything that has happened in the world from its beginning, and everything that is in your Law, written, so that men may find the way of life, those who wish to live." And he answered and said to me, "Go, gather your people together and tell them not to seek you for forty days. And you yourself prepare many tablets, and take them with you, together with Soria, Debria, Salamia, Ecanan, and Asalmelel, these five scribes, for they are wise in writing. And I will come here, and I will put the gift of wisdom into your heart, and it will not perish until you finish writing everything that you have to write. And when you have finished, you will reveal some and hide some, and you will give them to the wise men." And at that hour he began to write. And I went as he commanded me, and I gathered all the people together.

And I said to them, "Listen, Israel, to this matter. Your fathers dwelt in the land of Egypt, and they sought from there, and they took the law of life, and they did not keep it. And you also, who are after them, you have denied it. And He gave us the land and bequeathed to us the lands of Zion. And you and your fathers have corrupted it, and you have not kept the paths of the Most High which He commanded you. And because the righteous judge is He, He went to you, He who gave to you in His time. And now you are here, and your brothers are only among you. And as you have hardened your heart and sharpened your mind and kept your life, you will die. For judgment comes after death, and it does not spare us. And that which is bitter will reveal the names of the righteous, and the deeds of the sinners will be hidden. And there is none who comes to me from among you, and you will not wait for me until forty days." And I took those five loaves as He commanded me, and we went into the desert and dwelt there. And on the second day a voice came and called me and said to me, "Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink." And I opened my mouth, and a cup full of water was given to me, and its color was like fire. And I took and drank, and my heart was greatly filled with wisdom, and heaviness was in my belly, understanding, and my spirit was kept and remembered. And my mouth was hidden and did not speak again. And the Most High gave wisdom to those five loaves, and they wrote all this sign which they had not seen, each in his own language. And they dwelt there forty days, and they wrote during the day.

and I commanded that they should eat food, and I myself would read by day and meditate by night. And the forty books were written in those forty days. And after those forty days were completed, the Most High spoke to me and said to me, "This writing which I have set before you, conceal it, and let everyone who is worthy and who is not worthy read it. And keep this as a testament for the wise ones of the people, for they have the keys of light and the fountain of wisdom and knowledge like a river." And I did accordingly, in the fourth year from the Sabbaths of years after the year of judgment, in the five hundredth year, on the tenth of the darkness, in the third month, and its days were ninety-two. And that one, having completed, took Ezra and brought him to the land of those like him, having written all this. And he is called the scribe of the wisdom of the Most High, forever and ever.