2 Esdras 9:17-23

1. 17 And he answered me, saying, Like as the field is, so is also the seed; as the flowers be, such are the colours also; such as the workman is, such also is the work; and as the husbandman ls himself, so is his husbandry also: for it was the time of the world.

2. 18 And now when I prepared the world, which was not yet made, even for them to dwell in that now live, no man spake against me.

3. 19 For then every one obeyed: but now the manners of them which are created in this world that is made are corrupted by a perpetual seed, and by a law which is unsearchable rid themselves.

4. 20 So I considered the world, and, behold, there was peril because of the devices that were come into it.

5. 21 And I saw, and spared it greatly, and have kept me a grape of the cluster, and a plant of a great people.

6. 22 Let the multitude perish then, which was born in vain; and let my grape be kept, and my plant; for with great labour have I made it perfect.

7. 23 Nevertheless, if thou wilt cease yet seven days more, (but thou shalt not fast in them,

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