2 Esdras 4:32-47
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32 And when the ears shall be cut down, which are without number, how great a floor shall they fill?
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33 Then I answered and said, How, and when shall these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and evil?
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34 And he answered me, saying, Do not thou hasten above the most Highest: for thy haste is in vain to be above him, for thou hast much exceeded.
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35 Did not the souls also of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, How long shall I hope on this fashion? when cometh the fruit of the floor of our reward?
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36 And unto these things Uriel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance.
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37 By measure hath he measured the times; and by number hath he numbered the times; and he doth not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled.
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38 Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, even we all are full of impiety.
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39 And for our sakes peradventure it is that the floors of the righteous are not filled, because of the sins of them that dwell upon the earth.
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40 So he answered me, and said, Go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she hath fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer within her.
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41 Then said I, No, Lord, that can she not. And he said unto me, In the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb of a woman:
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42 For like as a woman that travaileth maketh haste to escape the necessity of the travail: even so do these places haste to deliver those things that are committed unto them.
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43 From the beginning, look, what thou desirest to see, it shall be shewed thee.
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44 Then answered I and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, and if it be possible, and if I be meet therefore,
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45 Shew me then whether there be more to come than is past, or more past than is to come.
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46 What is past I know, but what is for to come I know not.
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47 And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side, and I shall expound the similitude unto thee.