2 Esdras 16:34-49

1. 34 In the wars shall their bridegrooms be destroyed, and their husbands shall perish of famine.

2. 35 Hear now these things and understand them, ye servants of the Lord.

3. 36 Behold, the word of the Lord, receive it: believe not the gods of whom the Lord spake.

4. 37 Behold, the plagues draw nigh, and are not slack.

5. 38 As when a woman with child in the ninth month bringeth forth her son, with two or three hours of her birth great pains compass her womb, which pains, when the child cometh forth, they slack not a moment:

6. 39 Even so shall not the plagues be slack to come upon the earth, and the world shall mourn, and sorrows shall come upon it on every side.

7. 40 O my people, hear my word: make you ready to thy battle, and in those evils be even as pilgrims upon the earth.

8. 41 He that selleth, let him be as he that fleeth away: and he that buyeth, as one that will lose:

9. 42 He that occupieth merchandise, as he that hath no profit by it: and he that buildeth, as he that shall not dwell therein:

10. 43 He that soweth, as if he should not reap: so also he that planteth the vineyard, as he that shall not gather the grapes:

11. 44 They that marry, as they that shall get no children; and they that marry not, as the widowers.

12. 45 And therefore they that labour labour in vain:

13. 46 For strangers shall reap their fruits, and spoil their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captives, for in captivity and famine shall they get children.

14. 47 And they that occupy their merchandise with robbery, the more they deck their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons:

15. 48 The more will I be angry with them for their sin, saith the Lord.

16. 49 Like as a whore envieth a right honest and virtuous woman:

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