The King James Version Bible

2 Esdras 2:22-38

  1. Keep the old and young within thy walls.

  2. Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.

  3. Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness still come.

  4. Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish their feet.

  5. As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number.

  6. Be not weary: for when the day of trouble and heaviness cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance.

  7. The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord.

  8. My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children shall not see hell.

  9. Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, saith the Lord.

  10. Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the sides of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty.

  11. Embrace thy children until I come and shew mercy unto them: for my wells run over, and my grace shall not fail.

  12. I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord.

  13. And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.

  14. Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.

  15. Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly.

  16. O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom.

  17. Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;