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    2Esdras

    11THESECONDBOOKoftheprophetEzra,sonofSeraiah,sonofAzariah,sonofHilkiah,sonofShallum,sonofZadok,sonof2Ahitub,sonofAhijah,sonofPhinehas,sonofEli,sonofAmariah,sonofAziah,sonofMarimoth,sonofArna,sonofUzzi,son3ofBorith,sonofAbishua,sonofPhinehas,sonofEleazar,sonofAaron,ofthetribeofLevi.I,Ezra,wasacaptiveinMediainthereignofArtaxerxes,kingofPersia,4,5whenthewordoftheLordcametome:'Gotomypeopleandproclaimtheircrimes;telltheirchildrenhowtheyhavesinnedagainstme,andlet6themtelltheirchildren'schildren.Theyhavesinnedevenmorethantheir7fathers;theyhaveforgottenmeandsacrificedtoaliengods.WasitnotIwhorescuedthemfromEgypt,thecountrywheretheywereslaves?Andyettheyhaveprovokedmetoangerandignoredmywarnings.8"Now,Ezra,pluckoutyourhairandletcalamitieslooseuponthesepeople9whohavedisobeyedmylaw.Theyarebeyondcorrection.HowmuchlongershallIendurethem,Iwhohavelavishedonthemsuchbenefits?ManyarethekingsIhaveoverthrownfortheirsake;IstruckdownPharaoh:10withhiscourtandallhisarmy.Idestroyed

    everynationthatstoodintheir11way,andintheeastIroutedthepeoplesoftwoprovinces,TyreandSidon,andkilledalltheenemiesofIsrael.12,13'Saytothem,"ThesearethewordsoftheLord:WasitnotIwhobroughtyouthroughthesea,andmadesaferoadsforyouwherenoroadhadbeen?gaveyouMosesasyourleader,andAaronasyourpriest;14Igaveyoulightfromapillaroffire,andperformedgreatmiraclesamongyou.Andyetyouhaveforgottenme,saystheLord.15'"ThesearethewordsoftheLordAlmighty:Igaveyouthequailsasasign;Igaveyouacampforyourprotection.Butallyoudidtherewasto16grumbleandcomplain-insteadofcelebratingthevictoryIhadgivenyouwhenI

    destroyedyourenemies.Fromthatdaytothisyouhavenever17stoppedcomplaining.HaveyouforgottenwhatbenefitsIconferredonyou?Whenyouwerehungryandthirstyinyourjourneythroughthe18desert,youcriedouttome,'Whyhaveyoubroughtusintothisdeserttokillus?BettertohaveremainedinEgyptasslavesthantodiehereinthe19desert!'Iwasgrievedbyyourcomplaints,andgaveyoumannaforfood;20youatethebreadofangels.Whenyouwerethirsty,Isplitopentherockandoutflowedwaterinplenty.AgainstthesummerheatIgaveyouthe21shelterofleafytrees.IgaveyoufertilelandstodivideamongyourtribesexpellingtheCanaanites,Perizzites,andPhilistineswho

    opposedyou.WhatmorecouldIdoforyou?saystheLord.22'"ThesearethewordsoftheLordAlmighty:Whenyouwereinthe23desert,sufferingthirstbythestreamofbitterwaterandcursingme,Ididnotbringdownfireuponyouforyourblasphemy;Icastatreeintothe24streamandmadethewatersweet.WhatamItodowithyou,Jacob?Judah,youhaverefusedtoobeyme.Iwillturntoothernations;Iwill25givethemmyname,andtheywillkeepmystatutes.Becauseyouhavedesertedme,Iwilldesertyou;whenyoucryformercy,Iwillshowyou26none;whenyoupraytome,Iwillnotlisten.Youhavestainedyour

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    hands27withblood;yourunhot-foottocommitmurder.ItisnotIwhomyouhavedeserted,butyourselves,saystheLord.28'"ThesearethewordsoftheLordAlmighty:HaveInotpleadedwithyouasafatherwithhissons,asamotherwithherdaughtersoranursewith29herchildren?HaveInotsaid,'Bemypeople,andIwillbeyourGod;be30mysons,andIwillbeyourfather?Igatheredyouasahengathersherchickensunderherwings.ButnowwhatamItodowithyou?Iwilltoss31youaway.Whenyouoffermesacrifice,Iwillturnfromyou;Ihaverejected32yourfeasts,yournewmoons,andyourcircumcisions.Isentyoumyservantstheprophets,butyoutookthemandkilledthem,andmutilatedtheirdeadbodies.FortheirmurderIwillcallyoutoaccount,saystheLord.33'"ThesearethewordsoftheLordAlmighty:Yourhouseisabandoned34Iwilltossyouawaylikestrawbeforethewind.Yourchildrenshallhavenoposterity,becauselikeyoutheyhaveignoredmycommandmentsand35

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    donewhatIhavecondemned.Iwillhandoveryourhometoapeoplesoontocome;apeoplewhowilltrustme,thoughtheyhavenotknownme36whowilldomybidding,thoughIgavethemnosigns;whoneversawthe37prophets,andyetwillkeepinmindwhattheprophetstaughtofold.Ivowthatthispeopleyettocomeshallhavemyfavour.Theirlittleonesshalljumpforjoy.Theyhavenotseenmewiththeireyes,buttheyshallperceivebythespiritandbelieveallthatIhavesaid."38'Now,fatherEzra,lookwithtriumphatthenationcomingfromtheeast.39TheleadersIshallgivethemareAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,Hoseaand40Amos,MicahandJoel,ObadiahandJonah,Nahum,Habakkuk,andZephaniah,HaggaiandZechariah,andMalachi,whoisalsocalledtheLord'sMessenger.

    21'ThesearethewordsoftheLord:Ifreedthispeoplefromslavery,andgavethemcommandmentsthroughmyservantstheprophets;buttheyshuttheirearstotheprophets,andletmypreceptsbecomeadeadletter.2Themotherwhoborethemsaystothem:"Go,mysons;Iamwidowed3anddeserted.JoyfullyIbroughtyouup;Ihavelostyouwithgriefandsorrow,becauseyouhavesinnedagainsttheLordGodanddonewhatI4knowtobewrong.WhatcanIdoforyounow,widowedanddeserted5Iam?Go,mysons,asktheLordformercy."NowI

    calluponyou,fatherEzra,toaddyourtestimonytohers,thatherchildrenhaverefusedtokeep6mycovenant;andletyourwordsbringconfusiononthem.Maytheir7motherbedespoiled,andmaytheythemselveshavenoposterity.Condemnthemtobescatteredamongthenations,andtheirnametovanishfromtheearth,becausetheyhavespurnedmycovenant.8'Woetoyou,Assyria,forharbouringsinners!Remember,youwicked9nation,whatIdidtoSodomandGomorrah:theirlandliesburiedunderlumpsofpitchandheapsofashes.ThatishowIwilldealwiththosewhohavedisobeyedme,saystheLordAlmighty.10'ThesearethewordsoftheLordtoEzra:TellmypeoplethatIwill11givetothemthekingdomofJerusalemwhichonceIofferedtoIsrael.Iwillwithdrawthe

    splendourofmypresencefromIsrael,andthehome12thatwastobetheirsforeverIwillgivetomyownpeople.Thetreeoflifeshallspreaditsfragranceoverthem;theyshallnottoilorgrowweary.13Ask,andyoushallreceive;sopraythatyourshorttimeofwaitingmaybemadeshorterstill.Thekingdomisreadyforyounow;beonthewatch!14Callheaven,callearth,towitness:Ihavecancelledtheevilandbroughtthegoodintobeing;forIamtheLivingOne,saystheLord.15'Mother,cherishyoursons.Rearthemjoyfullyasadoverearshernestlings;teachthemtowalkwithoutstumbling.Youaremychosenone,16saystheLord.Iwillraiseupthedeadfromtheirresting-places,andbringthemoutoftheirtombs,forIhaveacknowledgedthattheybearmyname.17Havenofear,

    motherofmanysons;Ihavechosenyou,saystheLord.18'IwillsendmyservantsIsaiahandJeremiahtohelpyou.Astheyprophesied,Ihavesetyouaparttobemypeople.Ihavemadereadyforyoutwelvetreesladenwithdifferentkindsoffruit,19twelvefountainsflowingwithmilkandhoney,andsevengreatmountainscoveredwithrosesand20lilies.TherewillIfillyoursonswithjoy.Championthewidow,defendthecauseofthefatherless,givetothepoor,protecttheorphan,clothethe21naked.Carefortheweakandthehelpless,anddonotmockatthecripple;watchoverthedisabled,andbringthe

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    blindtothevisionofmybrightness.22Keepsafewithinyourwallsbothold,andyoung.23'Whenyoufindthedeadunburied,markthemwiththesignandcommitthemtothetomb;andthen,whenIcausethedeadtorise,Iwillgiveyou24,25thechiefplace.Becalm,mypeople;foryourtimeofrestshallcome.Careforyourchildrenlikeagoodnurse,andtrainthemtowalkwithoutfalling.26OfmyservantswhomIhavegivenyounotoneshallbelost;Iwilldemand27thembackfromamongyournumber.Donotbeanxiouswhenthetimeoftroubleandhardshipcomes;othersshalllamentandbesad,butyoushall28havehappinessandplenty.Allnationsshallenvyyou,butshallbepowerlessagainstyou,saystheLord.29,30'Mypowershallprotectyou,andsaveyoursonsfrom

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    hell.Bejoyful,31mother,youandyoursons,forIwillcometoyourrescue.Rememberyourchildrenwhosleepinthegrave;Iwillbringthemupfromthedepthsoftheearth,andshowmercytothem;forIammerciful,saystheLord32Almighty.CherishyourchildrenuntilIcome,andproclaimmymercytothem;formyfavourflowsabundantlyfromspringsthatwillneverrundry.'33I,Ezra,receivedonMountHorebacommissionfromtheLordtogotoIsrael;butwhenIcame,theyscornedmeandrejectedtheLord'scommandment.34ThereforeIsaytoyouGentiles,youwhohearandunderstand:'Lookforwardtothecomingofyourshepherd,andhewillgiveyoueverlastingrest;forhewhoistocomeattheendoftheworldiscloseat35hand.Bereadytoreceivetherewardsofthekingdom;forlightperpetual36willshineuponyouforeverandever.Fleefromtheshadowofthisworldandreceivethejoyandsplendourthatawaityou.Ibearwitnessopenlyto37mySaviour.ItishewhomtheLordhasappointed;receivehimandbejoyful,givingthankstotheOnewhohassummonedyoutotheheavenly38realms.Rise,standup,andseethewholecompanyofthosewhobearthe39Lord'smarkandsitathistable.Theyhavemovedoutoftheshadowofthis40worldandhavereceivedshiningrobesfromtheLord.Receive,OZion

    yourfullnumber,andclosetherollofthosearrayedinwhitewhohave41faithfullykeptthelawoftheLord.Thenumberofyoursonswhomyousolongdesiredisnowcomplete.PraythattheLord'skingdommaycome,sothatyourpeople,whomhesummonedwhentheworldbegan,maybesetapartashisown.'42I,Ezra,sawonMountZionacrowdtoolargetocount,allsinginghymns43ofpraisetotheLord.Inthemiddlestoodaverytallyoungman,tallerthanalltherest,whowassettingacrownontheheadofeachoneofthem;he44stoodoutabovethemall.Iwasenthralledatthesight,andaskedtheangel45'Sir,whoarethese?'Hereplied,'Theyarethosewhohavelaidasidetheirmortaldressandputontheimmortal,thosewhoacknowledgedthename46ofGod.Nowthey

    arebeinggivencrownsandpalms.'AndIaskedagain,'Whoistheyoungmansettingcrownsontheirheadsandgivingthem47palms?',andtheangelreplied,'HeistheSonofGod,whomtheyacknowledgedinthismortallife.'Ibegantopraisethosewhohadstoodsovaliantly48fortheLord'sname.Thentheangelsaidtome:'GoandtellmypeopleallthegreatandwonderfulactsoftheLordGodthatyouhaveseen.'

    31INTHETHIRTIETHYEARafterthefallofJerusalem,I,Salathiel(whoamalsoEzra),wasinBabylon.AsIlayonmybedIwastroubled;my2mindwasfilledwithperplexity,asIconsideredthedesolationofZionand3theprosperityofthosewholivedinBabylon.Myspiritwasdeeplydisturbed;4andIutteredmy

    fearstotheMostHigh,'MyLord,myMaster,'Isaid,'wasitnotyou,andyoualone,whointhebeginningspoketheword5thatformedtheworld?Youcommandedthedust,andAdamappeared.Hisbodywaslifeless;butyourswerethehandsthathadmouldedit,andintoityoubreathedthebreathoflife.Soyoumadehimalivingperson.6Youledhimintoparadise,whichyouyourselfhadplantedbeforethe7earthcameintobeing.Yougavehimyouronecommandmenttoobey;hedisobeyedit,andthereuponyoumadehimsubjecttodeath,himandhisdescendants.'Fromhimwerebornnationsandtribes,peoplesandfamilies,too8numeroustocount.Eachnationwentitsownway,sinning

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    againstyou9andscorningyou;andyoudidnotstopthem.Butthenagain,induetimeyoubroughtthefloodupontheinhabitantsoftheearthanddestroyed10them.Thesamedoomcameuponall:deathuponAdam,andtheflood11uponthatgeneration.OnemanyousparedNoah,withhishouseholdandallhisrighteousdescendants.12'Thepopulationoftheearthincreased;familiesandpeoplesmultiplied,nationuponnation.Butthenonceagaintheybegantosin,morewickedly13thanthosebeforethem.Whentheysinned,youchoseforyourselfoneof14them,whosenamewasAbraham;himyouloved,andtohimalone,15secretly,atdeadofnight,youshowedhowtheworldwouldend.Youmadeaneverlastingcovenantwithhimandpromisednevertoabandon16his

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    descendants.YougavehimIsaac,andtoIsaacyougaveJacobandEsau;oftheseyouchoseJacobforyourselfandrejectedEsau;andJacobgrewtobeagreatnation.17YourescuedhisdescendantsfromEgyptandbroughtthemtoMount18Sinai.Thereyoubentthesky,shooktheearth,movedtheroundworld,19madethedepthsshudder,andturnedcreationupsidedown.Yourglorypassedthroughthefourgatesoffireandearthquake,windandfrost;andyougavethecommandmentsofthelawtotheIsraelites,theraceofJacob.20Butyoudidnottakeawaytheirwickedheartandenableyourlawtobear21fruitinthem.Forthefirstman,Adam,wasburdenedwithawickedheart;22hesinnedandwasovercome,andnotonlyhebutallhisdescendants.Sotheweaknessbecameinveterate.Althoughyourlawwasinyourpeople'shearts,arootedwickednesswastheretoo;sothatthegoodcametonothing,andwhatwasbadpersisted.23Yearswentby,andwhenthetimecameyouraisedupaservantfor24yourself,whosenamewasDavid.Youtoldhimtobuildthecitythatbearsyournameandthereoffertoyouinsacrificewhatwasalreadyyourown.25Thiswasdoneformanyyears;untiltheinhabitantsofthecitywentastray,26behavingjustlikeAdamandallhisline;fortheyhadthesamewicked27heart.Andsoyougaveyourowncityovertoyourenemies.28'Isaidtomyself:"PerhapsthoseinBabylonleadbetterlives,andthatis29whytheyhaveconqueredZion."ButwhenIarrivedhere,IsawmorewickednessthanIcould

    reckon,andthesethirtyyearsIhaveseenmany30evil-doerswithmyowneyes.Myheartsank,becauseIsawhowyoutoleratesinnersandsparethegodless;howyouhavedestroyedyourown31people,butprotectedyourenemies.Youhavegivennohintwhatevertoanyonehowtounderstandyourways.IsBabylonmorevirtuousthan32Zion?HasanynationexceptIsraeleverknownyou?Whattribeshaveput33theirtrustinyourcovenantsasthetribesofJacobhave?Buttheyhaveseennoreward,nofruitfortheirpains.Ihavetravelledupanddownamongthenations,andhaveseenhowtheyprosper,heedlessthoughtheyareof34yourcommandments.Soweighoursinsinthebalanceagainstthesinsoftherestoftheworld;anditwillbeclearwhichwaythescaletips.Hasthereever

    beenatimewhentheinhabitantsoftheearthdidnotsinagainstyou?36HasanynationeverkeptyourcommandmentslikeIsrael?Youmayfindonemanhere,onethere;butnowhereawholenation.'

    412Theangelwhowassenttome,whosenamewasUriel,replied:'Youareatalosstoexplainthisworld;doyouthenexpecttounderstandtheways4oftheMostHigh?''Yes,mylord',Ireplied.3'Ihavebeensenttopropoundtoyouthreeofthewaysofthisworld,'4hecontinued,'togiveyouthreeillustrations.Ifyoucanexplaintomeanyoneofthem,thenIwillansweryourquestionaboutthewayoftheMostHigh,andteachyouwhytheheartiswicked.'5Isaid,'Speak,

    mylord.''Comethen,'hesaid,'weighmeapoundoffire,measuremeabushelofwind,orcallbackadaythathaspassed.'6'Howcanyouaskmetodothat?'Ireplied;'nomanonearthcandoit.'7Hesaid:'SupposeIhadaskedyou,"Howmanydwellingsarethereintheheartofthesea?orhowmanystreamstofeedthedeep?orhowmanywatercoursesabovethevaultofheaven?Wherearethepathsoutofthe8grave,andtheroadsintoparadise?",youmightthenhavereplied,"Ihaveneverbeendownintothedeep,Ihavenotyetgonedownintothe9grave,Ihavenevergoneupintoheaven."But,asitis,Ihaveonlyasked

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    youaboutfire,aboutwind,andaboutyesterday,thingsyouareboundtohavemet;andyetyouhavefailedtotellmetheanswers.10'Ifthen',hewenton,'youcannotunderstandthingsyouhavegrown11upwith,howcanyoursmallcapacitycomprehendthewaysoftheMostHigh?Amancorruptedbythecorruptworldcanneverknowthewayoftheincorruptible.'12WhenIheardthat,Ifellprostrateandexclaimed:'Betternevertohavecomeintoexistencethanbebornintoaworldofwickednessand13sufferingwhichwecannotexplain!'Hereplied,'Iwentoutintoawood,14andthetreesoftheforestweremakingaplan.Theysaid,"Come,letusmakewaronthesea,forceittoretreat,andwingroundfor

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    morewoods."15Thewavesoftheseamadeasimilarplan:theysaid,"Come,letusattack16thetreesoftheforest,conquerthem,andannextheirterritory."Theplanmadebythetreescametonothing,forfirecameandburntthemdown.17Theplanmadebythewavesfailedjustasbadly,forthesandstoodits18groundandblockedtheirway.Ifyouhadtojudgebetweenthetwo,whichwouldyoupronounceright,andwhichwrong?'19Ianswered,'Bothwerewrong;theirplanswereimpossible,forthelandisassignedtothetrees,andtotheseaisallottedaplaceforitswaves.'20'Yes,'hereplied,'youhavejudgedrightly.Whythenhaveyoufailedto21dosowithyourownquestion?Justasthelandbelongstothetreesandtheseatothewaves,somenonearthcanunderstandearthlythingsandnothingelse;onlythosewholiveabovetheskiescanunderstandthethingsabovetheskies.'22'Buttellme,mylord,'Isaid,'whythenhaveIbeengiventhefacultyof23understanding?Myquestionisnotaboutthedistantheavens,butaboutthethingswhichhappeneverydaybeforeoureyes.WhyhasIsraelbeenmadeabywordamongtheGentiles;whyhasthepeopleyoulovedbeenputatthemercyofgodlessnations?Whyhasthelawofourfathersbeen24broughttonothing,andthewrittencovenantsmadeadeadletter?Wepasslikeaflightof

    locusts,ourlifeisbutavapour,andwearenotworththe25Lord'spity,thoughwebearhisname;whatthenwillhedoforus?Thesearemyquestions.'26Heanswered:'Ifyousurvive,youwillsee;ifyoulivelongenough,you27willmarvel.Forthispresentageisquicklypassingaway;itisfullofsorrowandfrailties,toofulltoenjoywhatispromisedinduetimeforthe28godly.Theevilaboutwhichyouaskmehasbeensown,butitsreapinghas29notyetcome.Untilthecropofevilhasbeenreapedaswellassown,untilthegroundwhereitwassownhasvanished,therewillbenoroomforthe30fieldwhichhasbeensownwiththegood.AgrainoftheevilseedwassownintheheartofAdamfromthefirst;howmuchgodlessnesshasitproduced31already!Howmuchmorewill

    itproducebeforetheharvest!Reckonthis32up:ifonegrainofevilseedhasproducedsogreatacropofgodlessness,howvastaharvestwilltherebewhengoodseedsbeyondnumberhavebeensown!33'Iasked,'Butwhen?Howlonghavewetowait?Whyareourlivesso34shortandsomiserable?'Hereplied,'DonotbeinagreaterhurrythantheMostHighhimself.Youareinahurryforyourselfalone;theMostHigh35formany.Arenotthesetheveryquestionswhichwereaskedbytherighteousinthestorehouseofsouls:"Howlongmustwestayhere?36Whenwilltheharvestbegin,thetimewhenwegetourreward?"Andthearch-angelJeremielgavethemthisanswer:"Assoonasthenumberofthoselikeyourselvesiscomplete.FortheLordhasweighedtheworldina37balance,hehasmeasuredandnumberedtheages;hewillmovenothing,alternothing,untiltheappointednumberisachieved."'38'But,mylord,mymaster,'

    Ireplied,'weareallofussinnersthroughand39through.Canitbethatbecauseofus,becauseofthesinsofmankind,the40harvestandtherewardofthejustaredelayed?''Go,'hesaid,'askapregnantwomanwhethershecankeepthechildinherwombanylongerafterthe41ninemonthsarecomplete.''No,mylord,'Isaid,'shecannot.'Hewent42on:'Thestorehousesofsoulsintheworldbelowarelikethewomb.Asawomanintravailisimpatienttoseetheendofhe

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    rlabour,sotheyareimpatienttogivebackallthesoulscommittedtothemsincetimebegan.43Thenallyourquestionswillbeanswered.'44Isaid,'Ifitispossibleforyoutotellandformetounderstand,willyou45begraciousenoughtodiscloseonethingmore:whichisthelonger--the46futurestilltocome,orthepastthathasgoneby?WhatispastIknow,butnotwhatisstilltobe.''Comeandstandonmyright,'hesaid;'youshallseeavision,andIwillexplainwhatitmeans.'48SoIstoodandwatched,andtherepassedbeforemyeyesablazingfirewhentheflameshaddisappearedfromsight,therewasstillsomesmoke49left.Afterthatadarkrain-cloudpassedbeforeme;therewasaheavystorm,50andwhenithadgoneover,therewerestillsomeraindropsleft.'Reflectonthis',saidtheangel.'Theshowerofrainfilledafargreaterspacethanthedropsofwater,andthefiremorethenthesmoke.Inthesameway,thepastfarexceeds

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    thefutureinlength;whatremainsisbutraindropsandsmoke.'51'Praytellme,'Isaid,'doyouthinkthatIshalllivetoseethosedays?52Orinwhoselifetimewilltheycome?''Ifyouaskmewhatsignswillheraldthem,'hesaid,'Icantellyouinpart.ButthelengthofyourownlifeIamnotcommissionedtotellyou;ofthatIknownothing.

    51'Butnowtospeakofthesigns:therewillcomeatimewhentheinhabitantsoftheearthwillbeseizedwithpanic.Thewayoftruthwillbehidden2fromsight,andthelandwillbebarrenoffaith.Therewillbeagreatincreaseinwickedness,worsethananythingyounowseeorhaveever3heardof.Thecountryyounowseegoverningtheworldwillbecomea4tracklessdesert,laidwasteforalltosee.Afterthethirdperiod(iftheMostHighgrantsyoualongenoughlife)youwillseeconfusioneverywhere.Thesunwillsuddenlybegintoshineinthemiddleofthenight,andthe5moonintheday-time.Treeswilldripblood,stoneswillspeak,

    nations6willbeinconfusion,andthecoursesofthestarswillbechanged.Akingunwelcometotheinhabitantsofearthwillsucceedtothethrone;eventhe7birdswillallflyaway.TheDeadSeawillcastupfish,andatnightavoice8willsound,unknowntothemanybutheardbyall.Chasmswillopeninmanyplacesandspurtoutflamesincessantly.Wildbeastswillrangefar9afield,womenwillgivebirthtomonsters,freshspringswillrunwithsaltwater,andeverywherefriendswillbecomeenemies.Thenunderstanding10willbehidden,andreasonwithdrawtohersecretchamber.Manywillseekher,butnotfindher;theearthwilloverflowwithviceandwickedness.11Onecountrywillaskanother,"Has

    justicepassedyourway,oranyjust12man?",anditwillanswer,"No."Inthosedaysmenwillhope,buthopeinvain;theywillstrive,butneversucceed.13'ThesearethesignsIamallowedtotellyou.Butturnagaintoprayer,continuetoweepandfastforsevendays;andthenyoushallhearfurthersigns,evengreaterthanthese.'14IawokeWithaStart,shuddering;myspiritfaltered,andIwasnearto15fainting.Buttheangelwhohadcomeandtalkedtomegavemesupportandstrength,andsetmeonmyfeet.16ThenextnightPhaltiel,theleaderofthepeople,cametome.'Where17haveyoubeen?'heasked,'andwhythatsadlook?Haveyouforgottenthat18Israelinexilehasbeenentrustedtoyourcare?Rouseyourself,takenourishment.Donotabandonuslikeashepherd

    abandoninghisflockto19savagewolves.'Ireplied:'Leaveme;forsevendaysdonotcomenearme,thenyoumaycomeagain.'Whenheheardthis,heleftme.20FORSEVENDAYSIfasted,withtearsandlamentations,astheangel21Urielhadtoldmetodo.Bytheendofthesevendaysmymindwasagain22deeplydisturbed,butIrecoveredthepowerofthoughtandspokeoncemoretotheMostHigh.23'MyLord,myMaster,'Isaid,'outofalltheforestsoftheearth,andall23theirtrees,youhavechosenonevine;fromallthelandsinthewholeworldyouhavechosenoneplot;andoutofalltheflowersinthewholeworldyo

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    u25havechosenonelily.Fromallthedepthsoftheseayouhavefilledonestreamforyourself,andofallthecitieseverbuiltyouhavesetZionapart26asyourown.Fromallthebirdsthatwerecreatedyouhavenamedonedove,andfromalltheanimalsthatwerefashionedyouhavetakenone27sheep.Outofallthecountlessnations,youhaveadoptedoneforyourown,andtothischosenpeopleyouhavegiventhelawwhichallmenhave28approved.Whythen,Lord,haveyouputthisonepeopleatthemercyofsomany?Whyhaveyouhumiliatedthisonestockmorethanallothers,and29scatteredyourownpeopleamongthehordesofheathen?Thosewhorejectyourpromiseshavetrampledonthepeoplewhotrustyourcovenants.30Ifyousohateyourpeople,theyshouldbepunishedbyyourownhand.'31WhenIhadfinishedspeaking,theangelwhohadvisitedmethatprevious32nightwassenttomeagain.'Listentome,'hesaid,'andIwillgiveyouinstruction.Attendcarefully,andIwilltellyoumore.''Speakon,mylord',Ireplied.Hesaidtome,'YouareingreatsorrowofheartforIsrael'ssake.Doyou34loveIsraelmorethanIsrael'sMakerdoes?''No,mylord,'Isaid,'butsorrowhasforcedmetospeak;myheartistorturedeveryhourasItryto

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    understandthewaysoftheMostHighandtofathomsomepartofhisjudgements.'35Hesaidtome,'Youcannot.''Whynot,mylord?'Iasked.'WhythenwasIborn?Whycouldnotmymother'swombhavebeenmygrave?ThenIshouldneverhaveseenJacob'strialsandthewearinessoftheraceofIsrael.'36Hesaidtome,'Countmethosewhoarenotyetborn,collectthescattered37dropsofrain,andmakethewitheredflowersbloomagain;unlockmethestorehousesandletloosethewindsshutupthere;ormakevisibletheshapeofavoice.ThenIwillansweryourquestionaboutIsrael'strials.'38'Mylord,mymaster,'Isaid,'howcantherebeanyonewithsuchknowledge39excepttheOnewhosehomeisnotamongmen?Iamonlyafool;howthencanIansweryourquestions?'40Hesaidtome,'JustasyoucannotdoanyofthethingsIhaveputtoyou,soyouwillnotbeabletofindoutmyjudgementsortheultimatepurposeoftheloveIhavepromisedtomypeople.'41Isaid,'Butsurely,lord,yourpromiseistothosewhoarealiveattheend.Whatistobethefateofthosewholivedbeforeus,orofourselves,orofthosewhocomeafterus?'42Hesaidtome,'Iwillcomparethejudgementtoacircle:thelatestwillnotbetoolate,northeearliesttooearly.'43TothisIreplied,'Couldyounothavemadeallmen,

    past,present,andfuture,atoneandthesametime?Thenyoucouldhaveheldyourassize44withlessdelay.'Butheanswered,'ThecreationmaynotgofasterthantheCreator,norcouldtheworldsupportatthesametimeallthosecreatedtoliveonit.'45'But,mylord,'Isaid,'youhavetoldmethatyouwillatoneandthesametimerestoretolifeeverycreatureyouhavemade;howcanthatbe?Ifitisgoingtobepossibleforallofthemtobealiveatthesametimeandfortheworldtosupportthemall,thenitcouldsupportallofthemtogether46now.''Put

    yourquestionintermsofawoman'swomb',hereplied.'Saytoawoman,"Ifyougivebirthtotenchildren,whydoyoudosoatintervals?47Whynotgivebirthtotenatoneandthesametime?"''No,mylord,she48cannotdothat,'Isaid;'thebirthsmusttakeplaceatintervals.''True,'heanswered;'andIhavemadetheearth'swombtobringforthatintervals49thoseconceivedinit.Aninfantcannotgivebirth,norcanawomanwhoistooold;andIhavemadethesamerulefortheworldIhavecreated.'50Icontinuedmyquestions.'Sinceyouhaveopenedtheway,'Isaid,'mayInowask:isourmotherthatyouspeakofstillyoung,orisshealready5152growingold?'Hereplied,'Askanymotherwhythe

    childrenshehaslately53bornearenotlikethosebornearlier,butsmaller.Andshewilltellyou,"Thosewhowereborninthevigourofmyyouthareverydifferentfrom54thoseborninmyoldage,whenmywombisbeginningtofail."Thinkofit55thenlikethis:ifyouaresmallerthanthosebornbeforeyou,andthosewhofollowyouaresmallerstill,thereasonisthatcreationisgrowingoldandlosingthestrengthofyouth.'56Isaidtohim,'IfIhavewonyourfavour,

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    mylord,showmethrough

    6whomyouwillvisityourcreation.'Hesaidtome,'Thinkofthebeginningofthisearth:thegatesoftheworldhadnotyetbeensetup;nowinds2gatheredandblew,nothunderpealed,nolightningflashed;thefoundations3ofparadisewerenotyetlaid,norwereitsfairflowerstheretosee;thepowersthatmovethestarswerenotestablished,northecountlesshostsof4angelsassembled,northevasttractsofairsetuponhigh;thedivisionsofthefirmamentshadnotreceivedtheirnames.Zionhadnotyetbeenchosen5asGod'sownfootstool;thepresentagehadnotbeenplanned;theschemesofitssinnershadnotyetbeenoutlawed,norhadGod'ssealyetbeenseton6thosewhohavestoredupatreasureoffidelity.ThendidIthinkmythought;andthewholeworldwascreatedthroughmeandthroughmealone.Inthesameway,throughmeandthroughmealonetheendshallcome.'7'Tellme',Iwenton,'abouttheintervalthatdividestheages.Whenwill8thefirstageendandthenextagebegin?'Hesaid,'Theintervalwillbeno

    biggerthanthatbetweenAbrahamandAbraham;forJacobandEsauwerehisdescendants,andJacob'shandwasgraspingEsau'sheelatthe9momentoftheirbirth.Esaurepresentstheendofthefirstage,andJacob10thebeginningofthe

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    nextage.Thebeginningofamanishishand,andtheendofamanishisheel.Betweentheheelandthehand,Ezra,donotlookforanyinterval.'1112'Mylord,mymaster,'Isaid,'ifIhavewonyourfavour,makeknowntomethelastofyoursigns,ofwhichyoushowedmeapartthatformernight.'13'Risetoyourfeet,'hereplied,'andyouwillhearaloudresoundingvoice.1415Whenitspeaks,donotbefrightenediftheplacewhereyoustandtrembleandshakes;itspeaksoftheend,andtheearth'sfoundationswillunderstand16thatitisspeakingofthem.Theywilltrembleandshake;forthey17knowthatattheendtheymustbetransformed.'OnhearingthisIrosetomyfeetandlistened;andavoicebegantospeak.Itssoundwaslikethe18soundofrushingwaters.Thevoicesaid:'ThetimedrawsnearwhenIshallcometojudgethosewholiveonthe19earth,thetimewhenIshallinquireintothewickednessofwrong-doer20thetimewhenZion'shumiliationwillbeover,thetimewhenasealwillbesetontheageabouttopassaway.ThenIwillperformthesesigns:thebooksshallbeopenedinthesightofheaven,andallshallseethematthe21samemoment.Childrenonlyoneyearoldshallbeabletotalk,andpregnantwomenshallgivebirthtoprematurebabesofthreeandfourmonths,22whoshallliveandleapabout.Fieldsthatweresownshallsuddenlyprove23unsown,andbarnsthat

    werefullshallsuddenlybefoundempty.Thereshallbealoudtrumpet-blastanditshallstriketerrorintoallwhohearit.24Atthattimefriendsshallmakewaronfriendsasthoughtheywereenemies,andtheearthandallitsinhabitantsshallbeterrified.Runningstreamsshallstandstill;forthreehourstheyshallceasetoflow.25'WhoeverisleftafterallthatIhaveforetold,heshallbepreserved,andshallseethedeliverancethatIbringandtheendofthisworldofmine.26Theyshallallseethemenwhoweretakenupintoheavenwithouteverknowingdeath.

    Thenshallmenonearthfeelachangeofheartandcometo2728abettermind.Wickednessshallbeblottedoutanddeceitdestroyed,butfidelityshallflourish,corruptionbeovercome,andtruth,solongunfruitful,bebroughttolight.'29Whilethevoicewasspeakingtome,thegroundundermebeganto30quake.Thentheangelsaidtome,'These,then,aretherevelationsIhave31broughtyouthisnight."Ifonceagainyouprayandfastforsevendays,32thenIwillreturntotellyouevengreaterthings.ForbesureyourvoicehasbeenheardbytheMostHigh.TheMightyGodhasseenyourintegrity33andthechastityyouhaveobservedallyourlife.Thatiswhyhehassentmetoyouwithalltheserevelations,andwiththismessage:"Beconfident34andhavenofear.Donotrushtooquicklyintounprofitablethoughtsnowinthepresentage;thenyouwil

    lnotacthastilywhenthelastagecomes."35THEREUPONIWEPTandfastedagainforsevendaysinthesamewayas36before,thuscompletingthethreeweeksenjoinedonme.Ontheeighth37nightIwasagaindisturbedatheart,andspoketotheMostHigh.With38spiritaflameandingreatagonyofmindIsaid:'OLord,atthebeginningofcreationyouspoketheword.Onthefirstdayyousaid,"Letheavenandearthbemade!",andyourwordcarried39outitswork.Atthattimethehoveringspiritwasthere,anddarkness40circledround;

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    therewassilence,nosoundasyetofhumanvoice.Thenyoucommandedarayoflighttobebroughtoutofyourstore-chambers,41tomakeyourworksvisiblefromthattimeonwards.Ontheseconddayyoucreatedtheangelofthefirmament,andcommandedhimtomakeadividingbarrierbetweenthewaters,onepartwithdrawingupwardsandtheother42remainingbelow.Onthethirddayyouorderedthewaterstocollectinaseventhpartoftheearth;theothersixpartsyoumadeintodryland,and43fromitkeptsometobesownandtilledforyourservice.Yourwordwent44forth,andatoncetheworkwasdone.Avastprofusionoffruitsappearedinstantly,ofeverykindandtastethatcanbedesired,withflowersofthemostsubtlecoloursandmysteriousscents.Theseweremadeonthethird45day.Onthefourthdaybyyourcommandyoucreatedthesplendourofthe46sun,thelightofthemoon,andthestarsintheirappointedplaces;andyouorderedthemtobeattheserviceofman,whosecreationwasabouttotake47place.Onthefifthdayyoucommandedtheseventhpart,where

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    thewater48wascollected,tobringforthlivingthings,birdsandfishes.Andso,atyourcommand,dumblifelesswaterbroughtforthlivingcreatures,andgavethe49nationscausetotellofyourwonders.Thenyousetaparttwocreatures;50oneyoucalledBehemothandtheotherLeviathan.Youputtheminseparateplaces,fortheseventhpartwherethewaterwascollectedwasnot51bigenoughtoholdthemboth.ApartofthelandwhichwasmadedryonthethirddayyougavetoBehemothashisterritory,acountryofathousand52hills.ToLeviathanyougavetheseventhpart,thewater.Youhavekept53themtobefoodforwhomyouwillandwhenyouwill.Onthesixthdayyouorderedtheearthtoproduceforyoucattle,wildbeasts,andcreeping54things.TocrownyourworkyoucreatedAdam,andgavehimsovereigntyovereverythingyouhadmade.ItisfromAdamthatwe,yourchosenpeople,arealldescended.55'Ihaverecitedthewholestoryofthecreation,OLord,becauseyouhave56saidthatyoumadethisfirstworldforoursake,andthatalltherestofthenationsdescendedfromAdamarenothing,thattheyarenobetterthan57spittle,and,foralltheirnumbers,nomorethanadropfromabucket.Andyet,OLord,thosenationswhichcountfor

    nothingaretodayrulingover58usanddevouringus;andwe,yourpeople,havebeenputintotheirpower---yourpeople,whomyouhavecalledyourfirst-born,youronlyson,your59champion,andyourbestbeloved.Wastheworldreallymadeforus?Whythen,maywenottakepossessionofourworld?Howmuchlongershallitbeso?'

    71WhenIhadfinishedspeaking,thesameangelwassenttomeasonthe2previousnights.Hesaidtome,'Risetoyourfeet,Ezra,andlistentothe3messageIhavecometogiveyou.''Speak,mylord',Isaid.Hesaidtome:'Imagineaseasetinavastopenspace,spreadingfar45andwide,buttheentrancetoitnarrowlikethegorgeofariver.Ifanyoneisdeterminedtoreachthissea,whethertoseteyesonitortogaincommandofit,hecannotarrivea

    titsopenwatersexceptthroughthenarrowgorge6Oragain,imagineacitybuiltinaplain,acityfullofeverythingyoucan7desire,buttheentrancetoitnarrowandsteep,withfiretotherightand8deepwatertotheleft.Thereisonlytheonepath,betweenthefireandthe9water;andthatisonlywideenoughforonemanatatime.Ifsomemanhasbeengiventhiscityasalegacy,howcanhetakepossessionofhisinheritance10exceptbypassingthroughthesedangerousapproaches?''Thatistheonlyway,mylord',Iagreed.11Hesaidtome:'Such

    isthelotofIsrael.ItwasforIsraelthatImadetheworld,andwhenAdamtransgressedmydecreesthecreationcameunder12judgement.Theentrancestothisworldweremadenarrow,painful,and13arduous,fewandevil,fullofperilsandgrindinghardship.Buttheentrances14tothegreaterworldarebroadandsafe,andleadtoimmortality.Allmenmustthereforeenterthisnarrowandfutileexistence;otherwisetheycan15neverattaintheblessingsinstore.Whythen,Ezra,areyousodeeplydisturbed16atthethoughtthatyouaremortalan

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    dmustdie?Whyhaveyounotturnedyourmindtothefutureinsteadofthepresent?'17Mylord,mymaster,'Ireplied,'inyourlawyouhavelaiditdownthatthejustshallcometoenjoytheseblessingsbuttheungodlyshallbelost.18Thejust,therefore,canendurethisnarrowlifeandlookforthespaciouslifehereafter;butthosewhohavelivedawickedlifewillhavegonethroughthenarrowswithouteverreachingtheopenspaces.'19Hesaidtome:'YouarenotabetterjudgethanGod,norwiserthanthe20MostHigh.Betterthatmanynowlivingshouldbelost,thanthatthelawGodhassetbeforethemshouldbedespised!21Godhasgivenclearinstructionsforallmenwhentheycomeintothisworld,tellingthemhowto22attainlifeandhowtoescapepunishment.Buttheungodlyhaverefusedto23obeyhim;theyhavesetuptheirownemptyideas,andplanneddeceitandwickedness;theyhaveevendeniedtheexistenceoftheMostHigh24andhavenotacknowledgedhisways.Theyhaverejectedhislawandrefusedhispromises,haveneitherputfaithinhisdecreesnordonewhat25hecommands.Therefore,Ezra,emptinessfortheempty,fullnessforthefull!

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    26'Listen!ThetimeshallcomewhenthesignsIhaveforetoldwillbeseen;thecitywhichisnowinvisibleshallappearandthecountrynow27concealedbemadevisible.Everyonewhohasbeendeliveredfromtheevils28Ihaveforetoldshallseeforhimselfmymarvellousacts.MysontheMessiahshallappearwithhiscompanionsandbringfourhundredyears29ofhappinesstoallwhosurvive.Attheendofthattime,mysonthe30Messiahshalldie,andsoshallallmankindwhodrawbreath.Thentheworldshallreturntoitsoriginalsilenceforsevendaysasatthebeginning31ofcreation,andnooneshallbeleftalive.Aftersevendaystheagewhichisnotyetawakeshallberousedandtheagewhichiscorruptibleshalldie.32Theearthshallgiveupthosewhosleepinit,andthedustthosewhorestthereinsilence;andthestorehousesshallgivebackthesoulsentrustedto33them.ThentheMostHighshallbeseenonthejudgement-seat,andthere33shallbeanendofallpityandpatience.Judgementaloneshallremain;35truthshallstandfirmandfaithfulnessbestrong;requitalsshallatoncebeginandopenpaymentbemade;gooddeedsshallawakeandwicked[36]deedsshallnotbe

    allowedtosleep.Thentheplaceoftormentshallappearandoveragainstittheplaceofrest;thefurnaceofhellshallbedisplayed,andontheoppositesidetheparadiseofdelight.[37]'ThentheMostHighshallsaytothenationsthathavebeenraisedfromthedead:"Lookandunderstandwhoitisyouhavedeniedandrefusedto[38]serve,andwhosecommandmentyouhavedespised.Lookonthisside,thenonthat:herearerestanddelight,therefireandtorments."Thatiswhathewillsaytothemonthedayofjudgement.[39][40]'Thatdaywillbeadaywithoutsun,moon,orstars;withoutcloud,thunder,orlightning;wind,water,orair;darkness,evening,ormorning;[41]withoutsummer,spring,or

    winter;withoutheat,frost,orcold;without[42]hail,rain,ordew;withoutnoonday,night,ordawn;withoutbrightness,glow,orlight.ThereshallbeonlytheradiantgloryoftheMostHigh,by[43]whichallmenwillseeeverythingthatliesbeforethem.Itshalllastasit[44]wereforaweekofyears.SuchistheorderthatIhaveappointedfortheJudgement.Ihavegiventhisrevelationtoyoualone.'[45]Ireplied:'Mylord,IrepeatwhatIsaidbefore:"Howblestarethe[46]livingwhoobeythedecreesyouhavelaiddown!"ButasforthosewhomIhavebeenpraying,isthereanymanalivewhohasneversinned,[47]anymanwhohasnevertransgressedyourcovenant?Iseenowthattherearefewto

    whomtheworldtocomewillbringhappiness,andmanyto[48]whomitwillbringtorment.ForthewickedhearthasgrownupinuswhichhasestrangedusfromGod'sways,broughtusintocorruptionandthewayofdeath,openedouttousthepathsofruin,andcarriedusfarawayfromlife.Ithasdonethis,notmerelytoafew,buttoalmostallwhohavebeencreated.'[49]Theangelreplied:'ListentomeandIwillgiveyoufurtherinstruction[50]andcorrection.ItisforthisreasonthattheMostHighhascreatednotone[51]worldbuttwo.Thereare,yousay,notmanywhoarejust,butonlyafew,[52]whereasthewickedareverynumerous;wellthen,heartheanswer.Supposeyouhadavery

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    fewpreciousstones;wouldyouaddtotheirnumber[53]byputtingcommonleadandclayamongthem?''No,'Isaid,'noone[54]woulddothat.''Lookatitalsointhisway,'hecontinued;'speaktothe[55]earthandhumblyaskher;shewillgiveyoutheanswer.Saytoher:"You[56]producegold,silver,andcopper,iron,lead,andclay.Thereismoresilverthangold,morecopperthansilver,moreironthancopper,moreleadthan[57]iron,moreclaythanlead."Thenjudgeforyourselfwhichthingsarevaluableanddesirable--thosethatarecommon,orthosethatarerare.'[58]'Mylord,mymaster,'Isaid,'thecommonthingsarecheaper,andthe[59]rareraremorevaluable.'Hereplied,'Considerthenwhatfollowsfromthat:theownerofsomethinghardtogethasmorecausetobepleasedthan[60]theownerofwhatiscommon.Inthesameway,atmypromisedjudgement,Ishallhavejoyinthefewwhoaresaved,becauseitistheywhohavemademygloryprevail,andthroughthemthatmynamehasbeenmade[61]known.ButIshallnotgrieveforthemanywhoarelost;fortheyarenomorethanavapour,theyarelikeflameorsmoke;theycatchfire,blazeup

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    andthendieout.'[62]ThenIsaid:'MotherEarth,whathaveyoubroughtforth!Isthemind[63]ofman,liketherestofcreation,aproductofthedust?Farbettertheniftheverydusthadneverbeencreated,andsohadneverproducedman'smind[64]But,asitis,Wegrowupwiththepowerofthoughtandaretorturedbyit;[65]wearedoomedtodieandweknowit.Whatsorrowformankind;whathappinessforthewildbeasts!Whatsorrowforeverymother'sson;what[66]gladnessforthecattleandflocks!HowmuchbettertheirlotthanoursTheyhavenojudgementtoexpect,noknowledgeoftormentorsalvationafterdeath.Whatgoodtousisthepromiseofafuturelifeifitisgoing[67]tobeoneoftorment?Foreverymanaliveisburdenedanddefiled[68]withwickedness,asinnerthroughandthrough.Woulditnothave[69]beenbetterforusiftherehadbeennojudgementawaitingusafterdeath?'[70]Theangelreplied:'WhentheMostHighwascreatingtheworldandAdamandhisdescendants,hefirstofallplannedthejudgementandwhat[71]goeswithit.Yourownwords,whenyousaidthatmangrowsupwiththe[72]powerofthought,willgiveyoutheanswer.Itwaswithconsciousknowledgethatthepeopleofthisworldsinned,andthatiswhytormentawaitsthem;theyreceivedthecommandmentsbutdidnotkeepthem,they[73]acceptedthelawbutviolatedit.Whatdefensewilltheybeabletomake[74]atthejudgement,what

    answeratthelastday?HowpatienttheMostHighhasbeenwiththemenofthisworld,andforhowlong!-notfortheirownsake,butforthesakeofthedestinedagetobe.'[75]ThenIsaid:'IfIhavewonyourfavour,mylord,makethisplaintome:atdeath,wheneveryoneofusgivesbackhissoul,shallwebekeptatrestuntilthetimewhenyoubegintocreateyournewworld,ordoesourtorment

    [76]beginatonce?''Iwilltellyouthatalso',hereplied.'Butdonotincludeyourselfamongthosewhohavedespisedmylaw;donotcount[77]yourselfwiththosewhoaretobetormented.Foryouhaveatreasureofgoodworksstoredup

    withtheMostHigh,thoughyouwillnotbeshown[78]ituntilthelastdays.Butnowtospeakofdeath:whentheMostHighhasgivenfinalsentenceforamantodie,thespiritleavesthebodytoreturntotheOnewhogaveit,andfirstofalltoadorethegloryoftheMostHigh.[79]ButasforthosewhohaverejectedthewaysoftheMostHighanddespised[80]hislaw,andwhohateallthatfearGod,theirspiritsenternosettledabode,butroamthenceforwardintorment,grief,andsorrow.Andthisforseven[81][82]reasons.First,theyhavedespisedthelawoftheMostHigh.Secondly,theyhavelosttheirlastchanceofmakingagoodrepentanceandsogaining[83]life.Thirdly,theycanseetherewardinstoref

    orthosewhohavetrustedthe[84]covenantsoftheMostHigh.Fourthly,theybegintothinkofthetorment[85]thatawaitsthemattheend.Fifthly,theyseethatangelsareguarding[86]theabodeoftheothersoulsindeepsilence.Sixthly,theyseethattheyare[87]soontoenterintotorment.Theseventhcauseforgrief,thestrongestcauseofall,isthis:atthesightoftheMostHighinhisglory,theybreakdowninshame,wasteawayinremorse,andshrivelwithfear

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    rememberinghowtheysinnedagainsthimintheirlifetime,andhowtheyaresoontobebroughtbeforehimforjudgementonthelastday.[88]'AsforthosewhohavekepttothewaylaiddownbytheMostHigh,thisiswhatisappointedforthemwhentheirtimecomestoleavetheirmortal[89]bodies.DuringtheirstayonearththeyservedtheMostHighinspiteofconstanthardshipanddanger,andkepttothelastletterthelawgiven[90][91]thembythelawgiver.Theirrewardisthis:firsttheyshallexulttoseethegloryofGodwhowillreceivethemashisown,andthentheyshallenter[92]intorestinsevenappointedstagesofjoy.Theirfirstjoyistheirvictoryinthelongfightagainsttheirinbornimpulsestoevil,whichhavefailedto[93]leadthemastrayfromlifeintodeath.Theirsecondjoyistoseethesoulsofthewickedwanderingceaselessly,andthepunishmentinstorefor[94]them.TheirthirdjoyisthegoodreportgivenofthembytheirMaker,thatthroughouttheirlifetheykeptthelawwithwhichtheywereentrusted.[95]Theirfourthjoyistounderstandtherestwhichtheyarenowtoshareinthestorehouses,guardedbyangelsindeepsilence,andtheglory

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    waitingfor[96]theminthenextage.Theirfifthjoyisthecontrastbetweenthecorruptibleworldtheyhaveescapedandthefuturelifethatistobetheirpossession,betweenthecrampedlaboriouslifefromwhichtheyhavebeensetfreeandthespaciouslifewhichwillsoonbetheirstoenjoyforeverandever.

    [97]Theirsixthjoywillbetherevelationthattheyaretoshinelikestars,never[98]tofadeordie,withfacesradiantasthesun.Theirseventhjoy,thegreatestjoyofall,willbetheconfidentandexultantassurancewhichwillbetheirs,freefromallfearandshame,astheypressforwardtoseefacetofacetheOnewhomtheyservedintheirlifetime,andfromwhomtheyarenowtoreceivetheirrewardinglory.[99]'ThejoysIhavebeendeclaringaretheappointeddestinyforthesoulsofthejust;thetormentsIdescribedbeforearethesufferingsappointedfortherebellious.'[100]ThenIasked:'Whensoulsareseparatedfromtheirbodies,willtheybe]begiventheopportunitytoseewhatyouhavedescribedtome?'

    'Theywillbeallowedsevendays,'hereplied;'forsevendaystheywillbepermittedtoseethethingsIhavetoldyou,andafterthattheywilljointheothersoulsintheirabodes.'[102]ThenIasked:'IfIhavewonyourfavour,mylord,tellmemore.Onthedayofjudgementwillthejustbeabletowinpardonforthewicked,or[103]prayforthemtotheMostHigh?Canfathersdosofortheirsons,orsonsfortheirparents?Canbrothersprayforbrothers,relativesandfriendsfortheirnearestanddearest?'[104]'Youhavewonmyfavour,'hereplied,'andIwill

    tellyou.Thedayofjudgementisdecisive,andsetsitssealonthetruthforalltosee.Inthepresentageafathercannotsendhissoninhisplace,norasonhisfather,amasterhisslave,noramanhisbestfriend,tobeillforhim,orsleepy,or[105]eatorbecuredforhim.Inthesamewaynooneshalleveraskpardonforaanother;whenthatdaycomes,everyindividualwillbeheldresponsiblyforhisownwickednessorgoodness.'TothisIreplied:'Buthowisit,then,thatwereadofintercessionsin36[106]scripture?First,thereisAbraham,whoprayed

    forthepeopleofSodomthenMoses,whoprayedforourancestorswhentheysinnedinthedesert.37[107]Next,thereisJoshua,whoprayedfortheIsraelitesinthetimeofAchan,38[108]thenSamuelinthetimeofSaul,Davidduringtheplague,andSolomon39[109]atthededicationofthetemple.Elijahprayedforrainforthepeople,and40[110]foradeadmanthathemightbebroughtbacktolife.HezekiahprayedforthenationinthetimeofSennacherib;andtherearemanymorebesides.41[111]If,then,inthetimewhencorruptiongrewand

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    wickednessincreased,thejustaskedpardonforthewicked,whycannotitbethesameonthedayofjudgement?'42[112]Theangelgavemethisanswer:'Thepresentworldisnottheend,andthegloryofGoddoesnotstayinitcontinually.Thatiswhythestrong43[113]haveprayedfortheweak.Butthedayofjudgementwillbetheendofthepresentworldandthebeginningoftheeternalworldtocome,aworldin44[114]whichcorruptionwillbeover,allexcessabolished,andunbeliefuprooted,inwhichjusticewillbefull-grown,andtruthwillhaverisenlikethesun.45[115]Onthedayofjudgement,therefore,therecanbenomercyforthemanwhohaslosthiscase,noreversalforthemanwhohaswonit.'46[116]Ireplied,'Butthisismypoint,myfirstpointandmylast:howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeeniftheearthhadneverproducedAdamatall,or,47[117]sinceithasdoneso,ifhehadbeenrestrainedfromsinning!Forwhatgooddoesitdousalltoliveinmiserynowandhavenothingbutpunishmentto48[118]expectafterdeath?OAdam,whathaveyoudone?Yoursinwasnotyour49[119]fallalone;itwasoursalso,thefallofallyourdescendants.Whatgoodisthe50[120]promiseofimmortalitytous,whenwehavecommittedmortalsins;orthehopeofeternity,inthewretchedandfutilestatetowhichwehavecome;51[121]ortheprospectofdwellinginhealthandsafety,whenwe

    havelivedsuch52[122]evillives?ThegloryoftheMostHighwillguardthosewhohaveledalifeofpurity;butwhathelpisthattouswhoseconducthasbeensowicked?53[123]Whatgoodistherevelationofparadiseanditsimperishablefruit,thesource54[124]ofperfectsatisfactionandhealing?Forweshallneverenterit,sincewe55[125]havemadedepravityourhome.Thosewhohave

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    practisedself-disciplineshallshinewithfacesbrighterthanthestars;butwhatgoodisthattous56[126]whosefacesaredarkerthanthenight?Forduringalifetimeofwickednesswehavenevergivenathoughttothesufferingsawaitingusafterdeath.'57[127]Theangelreplied,'Thisisthethoughtforeverymantokeepinmind58[128]duringhisearthlycontest:ifheloses,hemustacceptthesufferingsyouhavementioned,butifhewins,therewardsIhavebeendescribingwillbehis.59[129]ForthatwasthewaywhichMosesinhistimeurgedthepeopleto60[130]take,whenhesaid,"Chooselifeandlive!"Buttheydidnotbelievehim,61[131]northeprophetsafterhim,normewhenIspoketothem.Overtheirdamnationtherewillbenosorrow;therewillonlybejoyforthesalvationofthosewhohavebelieved.'[132]62'Mylord,'Ireplied,'IknowthattheMostHighiscalled"compassionate",[133]63becausehehascompassiononthoseyetunborn;andcalled"merciful",becauseheshowsmercytothosewhorepentandlivebyhis[134]64law;and"patient",becauseheshowspatiencetothosewhohavesinned,[135]65hisowncreaturesastheyare;and

    "benefactor",becauseheprefersgiving[136]66totaking;and"richinforgiveness",becauseagainandagainheforgives[137]67sinners,past,present,andtocome.Forwithouthiscontinuedforgiveness[138]68therecouldbenohopeoflifefortheworldanditsinhabitants.Andheiscalled"generous",becausewithouthisgenerosityinreleasingsinnersfromtheirsins,notoneten-thousandthpartofmankindcouldhopetobe[139]69givenlife;andheisalsocalled"judge",forunlesshegrantspardontothosewhohavebeencreatedbyhisword,andblotsouttheircountless[140]70offences,Isupposethatoftheentire

    humanraceonlyveryfewwouldbespared.'

    81Theangelsaidtomeinreply:'TheMostHighhasmadethisworldfor2many,butthenextworldforonlyafew.Letmegiveyouanillustration,Ezra.Asktheearth,anditwilltellyouthatitcanproduceplentyofclayformakingearthenware,butverylittlegold-dust.Thesameholdsgood3forthepresentworld:manyhavebeencreated,butonlyafewwillbesaved.'4ISAID:'Mysoul,drinkdeepofunderstandingandeatyourfillofwisdom!5Withoutyourconsentyoucamehere,andunwillinglyyougoaway;only6abriefspanoflifeisgivenyou.OLordabove,ifImaybeallowedtoapproachyouinprayer,plantaseedi

    nourheartsandminds,andmakeit7growuntilitbearsfruit,sothatfallenmanmayobtainlife.ForyoualoneareGod,andweareallshapedbyyouinonemould,asyourworddeclares.8Thebodymouldedinthewombreceivesfromyoubothlifeandlimbsthatwhichyoucreateiskeptsafeamidfireandwater;forninemonthsthe9bodymouldedbyyoubearswhatyouhavecreatedinit.Boththewombwhichholdssafelyandthatwhichissafelyheldwillbesafeonlybecauseyoukeepthemso.Andafterthewombhasdeliveredupwhathasbeen

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    10createdinit,thenfromthehumanbodyitself,thatisfromthebreasts11milk,thefruitofthebreasts,issuppliedbyyourcommand.Foracertaintimewhathasbeenmadeisnourishedinthatway;andafterwardsitisstill12caredforbyyourmercy.Youbringituptoknowyourjustice,trainitin13yourlaw,andcorrectitbyyourwisdom.Itisyourcreatureandyoumade14it;youcanputittodeathorgiveitlife,asyouplease.Butifyoushouldlightlydestroyonewhowasfashionedbyyourcommandwithsomuchlabour,whatwasthepurposeofcreatinghim?15'Andnowletmesaythis:aboutmankindatlarge,youknowbest;but16itisforyourownpeoplethatIgrieve,foryourinheritancethatImourn17mysorrowisforIsraelandmydistressfortheraceofJacob.Forthemandformyself,therefore,Iwilladdressmyprayertoyou,sinceIperceivehow18lowwehavefallen,wedwellersonearth;andIknowwellhowquickly19yourjudgementwillfollow.Hearmywordsthen,andconsidertheprayerwhichImaketoyou.'HerebeginstheprayerwhichEzramade,beforehewastakenuptoheaven.20'OLord,whodostinhabiteternity,towhomtheskyandthehighest21heavensbelong;whosethroneisbeyondimagining,andwhosegloryis22pastconceiving;whoartattendedbythehostofangelstremblingastheyturn

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    themselvesintowindandfireatthybidding;whosewordistrueand23constant;whosecommandsaremightyandterrible;whoseglancedriesupthedeeps,whoseangermeltsthemountains,andwhosetruthstands24forever:hearthyservant'sprayer,OLord,listentomypetition,for25thouhastfashionedme,andconsidermywords.WhileIliveIwillspeak;whileunderstandinglasts,Iwillanswer.26'Donotlookuponthypeople'soffences,lookonthosewhohaveserved27theefaithfully;paynoheedtothegodlessandtheirpursuits,buttothose28whohaveobservedthycovenantandsufferedforit.Donotthinkofthosewhoalltheirlifehavebeenuntruetothee,butrememberthosewhohave29acknowledgedandfearedtheefromtheheart.Donotdestroythosewhohavelivedlikeanimals,buttakeaccountofthosewhohaveborneshining30witnesstothylaw.Donotbeangrywiththosejudgedtobeworsethanbeasts;butshowlovetothosewhohaveputunfailingtrustinthyglory.31Forweandourfathershavelivedinmortalsin,yetitisonouraccount32thatthouartcalledmerciful;forifitisthydesiretohavemercyonussinners,whohavenojustdeedstoourcredit,thenindeedthoushaltbe33calledmerciful.Fortherewardwhichwillbe

    giventothejust,whohavemanygoodworksstoredupwiththee,willbenomorethantheirowndeedshaveearned.34'Whatisman,thatthoushouldstbeangrywithhim?ortherace35ofmortals,thatthoushouldsttreatthemsoharshly?Thetruthis,noman36waseverbornwhodidnotsin;nomanaliveisinnocentofoffence.Itisthroughthymercytowardsthosewithnostoreofgooddeedstotheirnamethatthyjusticeandkindness,OLord,willbemadeknown.'37Theangelsaidtomeinreply:'Muchofwhatyouhavesaidisjust,and38itwillbeasyousay.BesurethatIshallnotgiveanythoughttosinners,to39theircreation,death,judgement,ordamnation;butIshalltakedelightinthejust,in

    theircreation,theirdeparturefromthisworld,theirsalvation,4041andtheirfinalreward.SoIhavesaid,andsoitis.Thefarmersowsmanyseedsinthegroundandplantsmanyplants,butnotalltheseedssowncomeupsafelyinseason,nordoalltheplantsstrikeroot.Sotoointheworldofmen:notallwhoaresownwillbepreserved.'4243TothatIreplied:'IfIhavewonyourfavour,letmespeak.Thefarmer'sseedmaynevercomeupbecauseitisgivennorainattherighttime,orit44mayrotbecauseoftoomuchrain.Butman,whowasformedbyyourhandsandmadeinyourimage,andforwhosesakeyoumadeeverything---willyou45comparehimwithseedsownbyafarmer?Surelynot,

    OLordabove!Spareyourownpeopleandpitythem,foryouwillhepityingyourowncreation.'46Heanswered:'Thepresentisforthosenowalive,thefutureforthose47yettocome.Youcannotlovemycreationwithalovegreaterthanmine---farfromit!Butneveragainrankyourselfamongtheunjust,asyouhave49sooftendone.YettheMostHighapprovesofthemodestyyouhaverightlyshown;youhavenotsoughtgreatglorybyincludingyourselfamongthe50godly.Inthelastdays,then,theinhabitantsoftheworldwillbepunished51fortheirarrogantlivesbybittersufferings.Butyou,Ezra,shoulddirect52your

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    thoughtstoyourselfandthegloryawaitingthoselikeyou.Forallofyou,paradiseliesopen,thetreeoflifeisplanted,theagetocomeismadeready,andrichabundanceisinstore;thecityisalreadybuilt,restfrom53toilisassured,goodnessandwisdomarebroughttoperfection.Therootofevilhasbeensealedofffromyou;foryouthereisnomoreillness,death54isabolished,hellhasfled,anddecayisquiteforgotten.Allsorrowsareat55anend,andthetreasureofimmortalityhasbeenfinallyrevealed,Askno56morequestions,therefore,aboutthemanywhoarelost.FortheyweregivenfreedomandusedittodespisetheMostHigh,totreathislawwith57contemptandabandonhisways.Yes,andtheytrampledonhisjustservants;58theysaidtothemselves,"ThereisnoGod",thoughwellawarethat59theymustdie.Yours,then,willbethejoysIhavepredicted;theirsthethirstandtormentswhichareprepared.ItisnotthattheMostHighhas60wantedanymantobelost,butthatthosehecreatedhavethemselvesbroughtdishonourontheirCreator'sname,andshowningratitudetothe61Onewhohadputlifewithintheirreach.Mydayofjudgementisnow62

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    closeathand,butIhavenotmadethisknowntoall;onlytoyouandafewlikeyou.'63'Mylord,'Ireplied,'youhavenowrevealedtomethemanysignswhichyouaregoingtoperforminthelastdays;butyouhavenottoldmewhenthatwillbe.'

    91Theangelanswered:'Keepacarefulcountyourself;whenyouseethat2someofthesignspredictedhavealreadyhappened,thenyouwillunderstandthatthetime!hascomewhentheMostHighwilljudgetheworldhe3hascreated.Whentheworldbecomesthesceneofearthquakes,insurrections,plotsamongthenations,unstablegovernment,andpanicamong4rulers,thenyouwillrecognizetheseastheeventswhichtheMostHigh5hasforetoldsincefirsttheworldbegan.Justaseverythingthatisdoneon6earthhasitsbeginningandendclearlymarked,soitiswiththetimeswhichtheMostHighhasdetermined:theirbeginningismarkedbyportentsandmiracles,theirendbymanifestationsofpower.7'Whoevercomessafelythroughandescapesdestruction,thankstohis8gooddeedsorthefaithhehasshown,willsurviveallthedangersIhaveforetoldandwitnessthesalvationthatIshallbringtomyland,thecountry9Ihavemarkedoutfromalleternityasmyown.Thenthosewhohavemisusedmy

    lawwillbetakenbysurprise;theircontemptforitwillbring10themcontinualtorment.Allwhointheirlifetimefailedtoacknowledgeme11inspiteofallthegoodthingsIhadgiventhem,allwhodisdainedmylawwhilefreedomstillwastheirs,whoscornfullydismissedthethoughtof12penitencewhilethewaywasstillopen-allthesewillhavetolearnthe13truththroughtormentsafterdeath.Donotbecuriousanymore,Ezra,toknowhowthegodlesswillbetormented,butonlyhowandwhenthejustwillbesaved;theworldistheirsanditexistsfortheirsake.'1415Ianswered,'IrepeatwhatIhavesaidagainandagain:thelost

    outnumber16thesavedasawaveexceedsadropofwater.'17Theangelreplied:'Theseedtobesowndependsonthesoil,thecolourontheflower,theproductontheworkman,andtheharvestonthefarmer.18Therewasonceatimebeforetheworldhadbeencreatedformentodwellin;atthattimeIwasplanningitforthesakeofthosewhonowexist.Noone19thendisputedmyplan,fornooneexisted.Isuppliedthisworldwithunfailingfoodandamysteriouslaw;butthosewhomIcreatedturnedtoa20lifeofcorruption.Ilookedatmyworld,andthereitlayspoilt,atmyearth21indangerfrommen'swickedthoughts;andatthesightIcouldscarcelybringmyselftosparethem.OnegrapeIsavedoutofacluster,onetree22outofaforest.Sothenletitbe:

    destructionforthemanywhowereborninvain,andsalvationformygrapeandmytree,whichhavecostmesuchlabourtobringtoperfection.2324'You,Ezra,mustwaitonemoreweek.Donotfastthistime,butgotoafloweryfieldwherenohousestands,andeatonlywhatgrowsthere---no25meatorwine---andprayunceasinglytotheMostHigh.ThenIwillcomeandtalktoyouagain.'26SOIWENTOUTastheangeltoldmetoafieldcalledArdat.ThereIsatamongtheflowers;myfoodwaswhatgrewinthefield,andIate27tomyheart'scontent.

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    Theweekended,andIwaslyingonthegrass28troubledagaininmindwithallthesameperplexities.Ibrokemysilence29andaddressedtheMostHigh'OLord,'Isaid,'youshowedyourselftoourfathersinthedesertatthetimeoftheexodusfromEgypt,whenthey30weretravellingthroughthebarrenanduntroddenwaste.Yousaid,"Hear31me,Israel;listentomywords,raceofJacob.Thisismylaw,whichIsow32amongyoutobearfruitandbringyougloryforever."Butourfatherswhoreceivedyourlawdidnotkeepit;theydidnotobserveyourcommandments.Notthatthefruitofthelawperished;thatwasimpossible,forit33wasyours.Thosewhoreceiveditperished,becausetheyfailedtokeep34safethegoodseedthathadbeensowninthem.Nowtheusualwayofthingsisthatwhenseedisputintotheearth,orashiponthesea,orfood35ordrinkintoajar,theniftheseed,ortheship,orthecontentsofthejarshouldbedestroyed,whatheldorcontainedthemdoesnotperishwith36them.Butwithussinnersitisdifferent.Destructionwillcomeuponus,therecipientsof

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    thelaw,anduponourhearts,thevesselthatheldthelaw.37Thelawitselfisnotdestroyed,butsurvivesinallitsglory.'38Whilethesethoughtswereinmymind,Ilookedround,andonmyrightIsawawomaningreatdistress,mourningandloudlylamenting;herdress39wastorn,andshehadashesonherhead.Abandoningmymeditations,I40turnedtoher,andsaid:'Whyareyouweeping?Whatistroublingyou?'41'Sir,'shereplied,'pleaseleavemetomytearsandmygrief;greatismy42bitternessofheart,greatmydistress.''Tellme,'Iasked,'whathashappened43toyou?''Sir,'shereplied,'Iwasbarrenandchildlessthroughthirty44yearsofmarriage.Everyhourofeverydayduringthosethirtyyears,day45andnightalike,IprayedtotheMostHigh.Thenafterthirtyyears,myGodansweredmyprayerandhadmercyonmydistress;hetooknoteofmysorrowandgrantedmeason.Whathappinesshebroughttomyhusbandandmyselfandtoallourneighbours!Whatpraisewegavetothe4647MightyGod!Itookgreatpainsoverhisupbringing.Whenhecameofage,Ichoseawifeforhim,andfixedthedateofthewedding.

    101'Butwhenmysonenteredhiswedding-chamber,hefelldowndead.2Soweallputoutourlamps,andallmyneighbourscametocomfortme;3Icontrolledmygrieftilltheeveningofthefollowingday.Whentheyhadallceasedurgingmetotakecomfortandcontrolmygrief,Iroseand4stoleawayinthenight,andcamehere,asyoucansee,tothisfield.Ihavemadeupmymindnevertogobacktothetown,buttostayhereeatingnothinganddrinkingnothing,andtocontinuemymourningandfastingunbrokentillIdie.'5AtthatIinterruptedthetrainofmythoughts,andIspokesternlyto6thewoman:'Youarethemostfoolishwomanintheworld,'Isaid;'are7youblindtothegriefandsufferingsofournation?ItisforthesorrowandhumiliationofZion,themoth

    erofusall,thatyoushouldmournsodeeply;8youshouldshareinourcommonmourningandsorrow.Butyouaredeep9insorrowforyouroneson.Asktheearthandshewilltellyou;shemustmournforthethousandsandthousandswhocometobirthuponher.10Fromherwealloriginallysprang,andtherearemoretocome.Almostall11herchildrengotoperdition,andtheirvastnumbersarewipedout.Whothenhasthebetterrighttobeinmourning---theearth,whohaslostsuch12vastnumbers,oryou,whosesorrowisforonealone?Youmaysaytome,"Butmygriefisverydifferentfromtheearth'sgrief;Ihavelostthefruit13ofmyownwomb,whichIbroughttobirthwithpainandtravail,butitis

    onlyinthecourseofnaturethatthevastnumbersnowaliveonearthshould14departinthesamewayastheyhavecome."Myanswertothatis:atthecostofpainyouhavebeenamother,butinthesamewaytheearthhasalwaysbeenthemotherofmankind,bearingfruittoearth'screator.15'Keepyoursorrowtoyourself,therefore,andbearyourmisfortunes16bravely.IfyouwillacceptGod'sdecreeasjust,theninduetimeyouwillreceiveyoursonbackagain,andwinanhonourednameamongwomen.17Sogobacktothetownandtoyourhusband.'18'No,Iwillnot,'shereplied;'Iwillnotgobacktothetown;Iwillstayh

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    eretodie.'1920ButIcontinuedtoarguewithher.'Donotdowhatyousay,'Iurged;'bepersuadedbecauseofZion'smisfortunes,andtakecomforttoyourself21fromthesorrowofJerusalem.Youseehowoursanctuaryhasbeenlaid22waste,ouraltardemolished,andourtempledestroyed.Ourharpsareunstrung,ourhymnssilenced,ourshoutsofjoycutshort;thelightofthesacredlampisout,andthearkofourcovenanthasbeentakenasspoil;theholyvesselsaredefiled,andthenamewhichGodhasconferredonusisdisgraced;ourleadingmenhavebeentreatedshamefully,ourpriestsburntalive,andtheLevitestakenoffintocaptivity;ourvirginshavebeenrapedandourwivesravished,ourgod-fearingmencarriedoff,andourchildrenabandoned;ouryouthshavebeenenslaved,andourstrong23warriorsreducedtoweakness.Worstofall,Zion,oncesealedwithGod's24ownseal,hasforfeiteditsgloryandisinthehandsofourenemies.Thenthrowoffyourownheavygrief,andlayallyoursorrowsaside;maytheMightyGodrestoreyoutohisfavour,maytheMostHighgiveyourestandpeace

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    afteryourtroubles!'25Suddenly,whileIwasstillspeakingtothewoman,Isawherfacebegintoshine;hercountenanceflashedlikelightning,andIshrankfromherin26terror.WhileIwonderedwhatthismeant,shesuddenlyutteredaloudand27terriblecry,whichshooktheearth.Ilookedupandsawnolongerawomanbutacompletecity,builtonmassivefoundations.Icriedaloudinterror,28'WhereistheangelUriel,whovisitedmebefore?ItishisdoingthatIhavefallenintothisbewilderment,thatallmyhopesareshattered,andallmyprayersinvain.'29Iwasstillspeakingwhentheangelappearedwhohadvisitedmebefore.30Whenhesawmelyinginadeadfaint,unconsciousontheground,hegraspedmebymyrighthand,putstrengthintome,andraisedmetomy31feet.'Whatisthematter?'heasked.'Whyareyouovercome?Whatwasit32thatdisturbedyourmindandmadeyoufaint?''Itwasbecauseyoudesertedme',Ireplied.'Ididwhatyoutoldme:Icameouttothefield;andwhatIhaveseenhereandcanstillseeisbeyondmypowertorelate.'33'Standuplikeaman,'hesaid,'andIwillexplainittoyou.'34Speak,mylord,'Ireplied;'onlydonotabandonmeandleavemetodie35unsatisfied.ForIhaveseenandIhear

    thingsbeyondmyunderstanding---3637unlessthisisallanillusionandadream.Ibegyoutotellme,mylord,themeaningofmyvision.'38Listentome,'repliedtheangel,'whileIexplaintoyouthemeaningofthethingsthatterrifyyou;fortheMostHighhasrevealedmanysecrets39toyou.Hehasseenyourblamelesslife,yourunceasinggriefforyour40people,andyourdeep'mourningoverZion.Herethenisthemeaningof41thevision.Alittlewhileagoyousawawomaninmourning,andtriedto4243givehercomfort;nowyounolongerseethatwoman,butawholecity.She44toldyoushehadlostherson,andthisistheexplanation.Thewomanyou45sawisZion,whichyounowseeasacitywith

    allitsbuildings.Shetoldyoushewaschildlessforthirtyyears;thatwasbecausetherewerethree46thousandyearsinwhichsacrificeswerenotyetofferedinZion.Butthen,afterthethreethousandyears,Solomonbuiltthecityandofferedthe47sacrifices;thatwasthetimewhenthebarrenwomanboreherson.Shetookgreatpains,shesaid,overhisupbringing;thatwastheperiodwhen48Jerusalemwasinhabited.Thenshetoldyouofthegreatlossshesuffered,howhersondiedonthedayheenteredhiswedding-chamber;thatwasthe49destructionwhichovertookJerusalem.Suchthenwasthevisionthatyou---sawthewomanmourningforherson---andyoutriedtocomfortherin50hersufferings;thiswastherevelationyouhadtoreceive.Seeingyoursinceregrief

    andheartfeltsympathyforthewoman,theMostHighisnow51showingyouherradiantgloryandherbeauty.ThatwaswhyItoldyouto52stayinafieldwherenohousestood,forIknewthattheMostHighintended53tosendyouthisrevelation.Itoldyoutocometothisfield,whereno54foundationhadbeenlaidforanybuilding;forintheplacewherethecityoftheMostHighwastoberevealed,nobuildingmadebymancouldstand.55'Havenofearthen,Ezra,andsetyourtremblingheartatrest;gointothecity,andseethemagnificenceofthe

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    buildings,sofarasyoureyeshave56powertoseeitall.Then,afterthat,youshallhearasmuchasyourears57havepowertohear.Youaremoreblessedthanmostothermen,andfew58havesuchanamewiththeMostHighasyouhave.Stayheretilltomorrow59night,whentheMostHighwillshowyouindreamsandvisionswhatheintendstodototheinhabitantsofearthinthelastdays.'IdidasIwastoldandslepttherethatnightandthenext.

    111ONTHESECONDNIGHTIhadavisioninadream;Isaw,risingfrom2thesea,aneaglewithtwelvewingsandthreeheads.Isawitspreaditswingsoverthewholeearth;andallthewindsblewonit,andtheclouds3gathered.OutofitswingsIsawrivalwingssprout,whichprovedtobe4onlysmallandstunted.Itsheadslaystill;eventhemiddlehead,whichwas5biggerthantheothers,laystillbetweenthem.AsIwatched,theeaglerose6onitswingstosetitselfupasrulerovertheearthanditsinhabitants.Isawitbringintosubjectioneverythingunderheaven;itmetwithno7oppositionatallfromanycreatureonearth.I

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    sawtheeaglestanderecton8itstalons,anditspokealoudtoitswings:'Donotallwakeatonce,'itsaid9'sleepinyourplaces,andeachwakeupinturn;theheadsaretobekepttill10thelast.'Isawthatthesoundwasnotcomingfromitsheads,butfromthe11middleofitsbody.Icounteditsrivalwings,andsawthattherewereeightofthem.12AsIwatched,oneofthewingsonitsrightsideroseandbecameruler13overthewholeearth.Afteratime,itsreigncametoanend,anditdisappearedfromsightcompletely.Thenthenextonearoseandestablished14itsrule,whichitheldforalongtime.Whenitsreignwascomingtoan15endanditwasabouttodisappearlikethefirstone,avoicecouldbeheard16sayingtoit:'Youhaveruledtheworldforsolong;nowlistentomymessage17beforeyourtimecomestodisappear.Noneofyoursuccessorswill18achieveareignaslongasyours,norevenhalfaslong.'Thenthethirdwingarose,ruledtheworldforatimelikeitspredecessors,andlikethemdisappeared.19Inthesamewayallthewingscametopowerinsuccession,andinturn

    disappearedfromsight.20Astimewenton,Isawthewingsontheleftsidealsoraisethemselvesuptoseizepower.Someofthemdidso,andpassedimmediatelyfrom2122sight,whileothersarosebutnevercametopower.AtthispointInoticedthattwoofthelittlewingswere,likethetwelve,nolongertobeseen.23Nothingwasnowleftoftheeagle'sbodyexceptthethreemotionlessheadsand24sixlittlewings.AsIwatched,twoofthesixlittlewingsseparatedfromtherestandtookupaplaceundertheheadontheright.Theotherfour25remainedwheretheywere;andIsawthemplanningtoriseupandseize2627

    power.Onerose,butdisappearedimmediately;sotoodidthesecond28vanishingevenmorequicklythanthefirst.Isawthelasttwoplanningto29seizethekingshipforthemselves.Butwhiletheywerestillplotting,suddenlyoneoftheheadswokefromsleep,theoneinthemiddle,the3031biggestofthethree.Isawhowitjoinedwiththeothertwoheads,andalongwiththemturnedanddevouredthetwolittlewingswhichwereplanning32toseizepower.Thisheadgotthewholeearthintoitsgrasp,establishinganoppressiveruleoverallitsinhabitantsandaworld-widekingdommightierthan33anyofthewingshadruled.ButafterthatIsawthemiddleheadvanish34justassuddenlyasthe

    wingshaddone.Thereweretwoheadsleft,andthey35alsoseizedpowerovertheearthanditsinhabitants,butasIwatched,theheadontherightdevouredtheheadontheleft.36ThenIheardavoicewhichsaidtome:'Lookcarefullyatwhatyousee37beforeyou.'Ilooked,andsawwhatseemedtobealionrousedfromtheforest;itroaredasitcame,andIhearditaddresstheeagleinahuman3839voice.'ListentowhatItellyou',itsaid.'TheMostHighsaystoyou:AreyounottheonlysurvivorofthefourbeaststowhichIgavetheruleover4041

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    myworld,intendingthroughthemtobringmyagestotheirend?Youarethefourthbeast,andyouhaveconqueredallwhowentbefore,rulingoverthewholeworldandholdingitinthegripoffearandharshoppression.Youhavelivedlongintheworld,governingitwithdeceitandwithno42regardfortruth.Youhaveoppressedthegentleandinjuredthepeaceful,hatingthetruthfulandlovingliars;youhavedestroyedthehomesoftheprosperous,andrazedtothegroundthewallsofthosewhohaddoneyou43noharm.YourinsolenceisknowntotheMostHigh,andyourpridetothe44MightyOne.TheMostHighhassurveyedtheperiodshehasfixed:they45arenowatanend,andhisageshavereachedtheircompletion.Soyou,eagle,mustnowdisappearandbeseennomore,youandyourterriblegreatwings,yourevilsmallwings,yourcruelheads,yourgrimtalons,and46yourwholeworthlessbody.Thenalltheearthwillfeelreliefatitsdeliverancefromyourviolence,andlookforwardhopefullytothejudgementandmercyofitsCreator.'

    1212Whilethelionwasstilladdressingtheeagle,Ilookedandsawtheoneremainingheaddisappear.Thenthetwowingswhichhadgoneovertohimaroseandsetthemselvesupasrulers.Theirreignwasshortand3troubled,andwhenIlookedatthemtheywerealreadyvanishing.Thentheeagle'senticebodyburst

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    intoflames,andtheearthwasstruckwithterror.4SogreatwasmyalarmandfearthatIawoke,andsaidtomyself:'See5theresultofyourattempttodiscoverthewaysoftheMostHigh!Mymindisweary;Iamutterlyexhausted.Theterrorsofthisnighthavecompletely6drainedmystrength.SoIwillnowpraytotheMostHighforstrengthto7holdouttotheend.'ThenIsaid:'MyMasterandLord,ifIhavewonyourfavourandstandhigherinyourapprovalthanmostmen,ifitistruethat8myprayershavereachedyourpresence,thengivemestrength;revealtome,myLord,theexactinterpretationofthisterrifyingvision,andso9bringfullconsolationtomysoul.Foryouhavealreadyjudgedmeworthytobeshowntheendofthepresentage.'1011Hesaidtome:'Hereistheinterpretationofyourvision.Theeagleyousawrisingfromthesearepresentsthefourthkingdominthevisionseen12byyourbrotherDaniel.ButhewasnotgiventheinterpretationwhichIam13nowgivingyouorhavealreadygivenyou.Thedaysarecomingwhenthe14earthwillbeunderanempiremoreterriblethananybefore.Itwillberuled15bytwelvekings,oneafteranother.Thesecondtocometothethronewill16havethelongestreignofallthetwelve.Thatisthemeaningofthetwelvewingsyousaw.17'Asforthevoicewhichyouheardspeakingfromthemiddleofthe18eagle'sbody,andnotfromitsheads,

    thisiswhatitmeans:Afterthissecondking'sreign,greatconflictswillarise,whichwillbringtheempireintodangeroffalling;andyetitwillnotfallthen,butwillberestoredtoitsoriginalstrength.19'Asfortheeightlesserwingswhichyousawgrowingfromtheeagle's20wings,thisiswhattheymean:Theempirewillcomeundereightkings21whosereignswillbetrivialandshort-lived;twoofthemwillcomeandgojustbeforethemiddleoftheperiod,fourwillbekeptbackuntilshortlybeforeitsend,andtwowillbeleftuntiltheenditself.22'Asforthe

    threeheadswhichyousawsleeping,thisiswhattheymean:23Inthelastyearsoftheempire,theMostHighwillbringtothethronethree24kings,whowillrestoremuchofitsstrength,andruleovertheearthanditsinhabitantsmoreoppressivelythananyonebefore.Theyarecalledthe25eagle'sheads,becausetheywillcompleteandbringtoaheaditslongseries26ofwickeddeeds.Asforthegreatesthead,whichyousawdisappear,it27signifiesoneofthekings,whowilldieinhisbed,butingreatagony.The28twothatsurvivedwillbedestroyedbythesword;oneofthemwillfallbytheswordoftheother,whowillhimselffall

    bytheswordinthelastdays.29'Asforthetwolittlewingsthatwentovertotheheadontherightside,30thisiswhattheymean:TheyaretheoneswhomtheMostHighhasreserveduntilthelastdays,andtheirreign,asyousaw,wasshortandtroubled.31'Asforthelionwhichyousawcomingfromtheforest,rousedfromsleepandroaring,whichyouheardaddressingtheeagle,taxingitwithits32wickeddeedsandwords,thisistheMessiahwhomtheMostHighhaskeptbackuntiltheend.Hewilladdressthoserulers,taxingthemopenly33withthe

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    irsins,theircrimes,andtheirdefiance.Hewillbringthemalive34tojudgement;hewillconvictthemandthendestroythem.Buthewillbemercifultothoseofmypeoplethatremain,allwhohavebeenkeptsafeinmyland;hewillsetthemfreeandgivethemgladness,untilthefinaldayofjudgementcomes,aboutwhichItoldyouatthebeginning.35,36'That,then,isthevisionwhichyousaw,anditsmeaning.ItisthesecretoftheMostHigh,whichnooneexceptyourselfhasprovedworthytobe37told.Whatyouhaveseenyoumustthereforewriteinabookanddepositit38inahiding-place.Youmustalsodisclosethesesecretstothoseofyourpeoplewhomyouknowtobewiseenoughtounderstandthemandtokeepthemsafe.39Butstayhereyourselfforsevenmoredays,toreceivewhateverrevelationtheMostHighthinksfittosendyou.'Thentheangelleftme.40Whenallthepeopleheardthatsevendayshadpassedwithoutmy41returningtothetown,theyassembledandcametome.Whatwrongorinjuryhavewedoneyou,'theyaskedme,'thatyouhavedesertedusand42settledhere?Outofalltheprophetsyouaretheonlyonelefttous.Youarelikethelastclusterinavineyard,likealampinthedarkness,orasafe4344harbourfora

    shipinastorm.Havewenotsufferedenough?Ifyoudesertus,wehadfarbetter

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    havebeendestroyedinthefirethatburntupZion.45Wearenobetterthanthosewhoperishedthere.'Thentheyraisedaloudlamentation.46Ireplied:'Takecourage,Israel;houseofJacob,layasideyourgrief.47TheMostHighbearsyouinmind,andtheMightyOnehasnotforever48forgottenyou.Ihavenotleftyou,norabandonedyou;IcameheretoprayforZioninherdistress,andtobegformercyforyoursanctuarythathas49fallensolow.Gotoyourhomesnow,everyoneofyou;andinafewdays'timeIwillcomebacktoyou.'50SothepeoplereturnedtothetownasItoldthem,whileIremainedinthefield.Istayedthereforsevendaysinobediencetotheangel,eatingnothingbutwhatgrewinthefield,andlivingonthatforthewholeofthetime.

    1312THESEVENDAYSPASSED;andthenextnightIhadadream.Inmydream,3awindcameupoutoftheseaandsetthewavesinturmoil.Andthiswindbroughtahumanfigurerisingfromthedepths,andasIwatchedthismancameflyingwiththecloudsofheaven.Whereverheturnedhis4eyes,everythingthattheyfellonwasseizedwithterror;andwhereverthesoundofhisvoicereached,allwhohearditmeltedlikewaxatthetouchoffire.5NextIsawaninnumerablehostofmengatheringfromthefourwinds6ofheaventowagewaronthemanwhohadrisenfromthesea.Isawthat7themanhewedoutavastmountainforhimself,andflewupontoit.Itriedtoseefromwhatquarteror

    placethemountainhadbeentaken,butI8couldnot.ThenIsawthatallwhohadgatheredtowagewaragainstthe9manwerefilledwithfear,andyettheydaredtofightagainsthim.Whenhesawthehordesadvancingtoattack,hedidnotsomuchasliftafinger10againstthem.Hehadnospearinhishand,noweaponatall;only,asIwatched,hepouredwhatseemedlikeastreamoffireoutofhismouth,a11breathofflamefromhislips,andastormofsparksfromhistongue.Allofthemcombinedintoonemass---thestreamoffire,thebreathofflame,andthegreatstorm.Itfellonthehostadvancingtojoinbattle,andburntupeverymanofthem;suddenlyallthatenormousmultitudehaddisappeared,leavingnothingbutdustandashesandareekofsmoke.Iwas

    dumbfoundedatthesight.12Afterthat,Isawthemancomingdownfromthemountainandcalling13tohimselfadifferentcompany,apeacefulone.Hewasjoinedbygreatnumbersofmen,somewithjoyontheirfaces,otherswithsorrow.Somecamefromcaptivity;somebroughtotherstohimasanoffering.Iwokeup14interror,andprayedtotheMostHigh.Isaid,'Youhaverevealedthesemarvelstome,yourservant,allthewaythrough;youhavejudgedme15worthytohavemyprayersanswered.Nowshowmethemeaningofthis16dreamalso.Howterrible,tomythinking,itwillbeforallwhosurviveto17thosedays!Buthowmuchworseforthosewhodonotsurvive!Thosewho18donotsurvivewillhavethesorrowofknowingwhatisinstoreinthelast19daysandyetmissingit.Thosewhodosurvivearetobepitiedfortheterrible20danger

    sandtrialswhich,asthesevisionsshow,theywillhavetoface.Butperhapsafterallitisbettertoendurethedangersandreachthegoalthantovanishoutoftheworldlikeacloudandneverseetheeventsofthelastdays.'21'Yes,'hereplied,'Iwillexplainthemeaningofthisvision,andtellyou22allthatyouask.Asforyourquestionaboutthosewhosurvive,thisisthe23answer:theveryperson

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    fromwhomthedangerwillthencomewillprotectindangerthosewhohaveworksandfidelitylaiduptotheircreditwiththe24MostHigh.Youmaybeassuredthatthosewhosurvivearemorehighlyblessedthanthosewhodie.25'Thisiswhatthevisionmeans:Themanyousawrisingfromthedepths26oftheseaishewhomtheMostHighhasheldinreadinessthroughmanyages;hewillhimselfdelivertheworldhehasmade,anddeterminethelot27ofthosewhosurvive.Asforthebreath,fire,andstormwhichyousaw28pouringfromthemouthoftheman,sothatwithoutaspearoranyweaponinhishandhedestroyedthehordesadvancingtowagewaragainsthim,29thisisthemeaning:ThedayisnearwhentheMostHighwillbeginto30bringdeliverancetothoseonearth.Thenmenwillallbefilledwithgreat31alarm;theywillplottomakewar

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    ononeanother,cityoncity,regionon32region,nationonnation,kingdomonkingdom.Whenthishappens,andallthesignsthatIhaveshownyoucometopass,thenmysonwillbe33revealed,whomyousawasamanrisingfromthesea.Onhearinghisvoice,allthenationswillleavetheirownterritoriesandtheirseparatewars,anduniteinacountlesshost,asyousawinyourvision,withacommonintent35togoandwagewaragainsthim.Hewilltakehisstandonthesummitof36MountZion,andZionwillcomeintosightbeforeallmen,completeandfullybuilt.Thiscorrespondstothemountainwhichyousawhewnout,37notbythehandofman.Thenmysonwillconvictoftheirgodlessdeedsthenationsthatconfronthim.Thiswillcorrespondtothestormyousaw.38Hewilltauntthemwiththeirevilplottingsandthetorturestheyaresoontoendure.Thiscorrespondstotheflame.Andhewilldestroythemwithouteffortbymeansoffthelaw---andthatislikethefire.3940Thenyousawhimcollectingadifferentcompany,apeacefulone.TheyarethetentribeswhichweretakenoffintoexileinthetimeofKingHoshea,whomShalmaneserkingofAssyriatookprisoner.Hedeportedthem41beyondtheRiver,andtheyweretakenawayintoastrangecountry.ButthentheyresolvedtoleavethecountrypopulatedbytheGentilesandgo42toadistantlandneveryetinhabitedbyman,andthereatlasttobeobedient43totheirlaws,whichintheirowncountrytheyhadfailedtokeep.A

    sthey44passedthroughthenarrowpassagesoftheEuphrates,theMostHighperformedmiraclesforthem,stoppingupthechannelsoftheriveruntilthey45hadcrossedover.Theirjourneythroughthatregion,whichiscalled46Arzareth,waslong,andtookayearandahalf.Theyhavelivedthereever47since,untilthisfinalage.Nowtheyareontheirwayback,andoncemoretheMostHighwillstopthechannelsoftherivertoletthemcross.48'Thatisthemeaningofthepeacefulassemblythatyousaw.Withthemtooarethesurvivorsofyourown

    people,allwhoarefoundinsidemysacred49boundary.Sothen,whenthetimecomesforhimtodestroythenations50assembledagainsthim,hewillprotecthispeoplewhoareleft,andshowthemmanyprodigies.'51'Mylord,mymaster,'Iasked,'explaintomewhythemanthatIsaw52roseupoutofthedepthsofthesea.'Hereplied:'Itisbeyondthepowerofanymantoexplorethedeepseaanddiscoverwhatisinit;inthesamewaynooneonearthcanseemysonandhiscompanyuntiltheappointedday.53Suchthenisthemeaningofyourvision.Therevelationhasbeengivento54you,andtoyoualone,becauseyouhavegivenupyourownaffairs,and55devotedyourselfentirelytomine,andtothestudyofmylaw.Youhavetakenwisdomasyourguideineverything,andcalled

    understandingyour56mother.ThatiswhyIhavegiventhisrevelationtoyou;thereisarewardinstoreforyouwiththeMostHigh.Inthreedays'timeIwillspeakwithyouagain,andtellyousomemomentousandwonderfulthings.'57SoIwentawaytothefield,givingworshipandpraisetotheMostHigh58forthewondersheperformedfromtimetotimeandforhisprovidentialcontrolofthepassingagesandwhathappensinthem.ThereIremainedforthreedays.

    141ONTHETHIRDDAYIwassittingunderanoak-tree,whenavoice2cametomefromabush,saying,'Ezra,Ezra!''HereIam,Lord',I3answered,androse

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    tomyfeet.Thevoicewenton:'Irevealedmyselfinthebush,andspoketoMoses,whenmypeopleIsraelwasinslaveryinEgypt,4andsenthimtoleadmypeopleoutofEgypt.IbroughthimupontoMount5Sinai,andkepthimwithmeformanydays.Itoldhimofmanywonders,showinghimthesecretsoftheagesandtheendoftime,andinstructedhim67whattomakeknownandwhattoconceal.SotooInowgivethisorderto8you:committomemorythesignsIhaveshownyou,thevisionsyouhave9seen,andtheexplanationsyouhavebeengiven.Youyourselfareabouttobetakenawayfromtheworldofmen,andthereafteryouwillremainwith10mysonandwiththoselikeyou,untiltheendoftime.Theworldhaslost11itsyouth,andtimeisgrowingold.Forthewholeoftimeisintwelve12divisions;nineadivisionsandhalfthetenthhavealreadypassed,andonly13twoandahalfstillremain.Setyourhouseinorder,

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    therefore;givewarningstoyournation,andcomforttothoseinneedofit;andtakeyourleave14ofmortallife.Putawayyourearthlycares,andlaydownyourhuman15burdens;stripoffyourweaknature,setasidetheanxietiesthatvexyouI6andbereadytodepartquicklyfromthislife.Howevergreattheevilsyou17havewitnessed,thereareworsetocome.Asthisageingworldgrows18weakerandweaker,sowillevilsincreaseforitsinhabitants.Truthwillmovefartheraway,andfalsehoodcomenearer.Theeaglethatyousawinyourvisionisalreadyonthewing.'1920'MayIspeakinyourpresence,Lord?'Ireplied.'Iamtodepart,byyourcommand,aftergivingwarningtothoseofmypeoplewhoarenowalive.Butwhowillgivewarningtothosebornhereafter?Theworldis21shroudedindarkness,anditsinhabitantsarewithoutlight.Foryourlawwasdestroyedinthefire,andsonoonecanknowaboutthedeedsyouhave22doneorintendtodo.IfIhavewonyourfavour,fillmewithyourholyspirit,sothatImaywritedownthewholestoryoftheworldfromtheverybeginning,everythingthatiscontainedinyourlaw;thenmenwillhavethechancetofindtherightpath,and,iftheychoose,gainlifeinthelastdays.'23'Go,'hereplied,'callthe

    peopletogether,andtellthemnottolookfor24youforfortydays.Havealargenumberofwriting-tabletsready,andtakewithyouSeraiahandDibri,Shelemiah,Ethan,andAsiel,fivemenall25trainedtowritequickly.Thenreturnhere,andIwilllightalampofunderstandinginyourmind,whichwillnotgooutuntilyouhavefinishedall26thatyouaretowrite.Whenyourworkiscomplete,someofityoumustmakepublic;therestyoumustgivetowisementokeepsecret.Tomorrowatthistimeyoushallbegintowrite.'2728IwentasIwasorderedandsummonedallthepeople,andsaid:'Israel,29listentowhatIsay.Our

    ancestorslivedoriginallyinEgyptasforeigners.30Theywererescuedfromthatland,andweregiventhelawwhichofferslife.31Buttheydisobeyedit,andyouhavefollowedtheirexample.Thenyouweregivenalandofyourown,thelandofZion;butyou,likeyourancestorssinnedandabandonedthewaylaiddownforyoubytheMostHigh.32Becauseheisajustjudgehetookawayfromyouinduetimewhathehad33given.Andsoyouarenowhereinexile,andyourfellow-countrymenare34stillfartheraway.Ifthenyouwilldirectyourunderstandingandinstructyourminds,youshallbekeptsafeinlifeandmeetwithmercyafteryou35die.Forafterdeathwillcomethejudgement;weshallbe

    restoredtolife,andthenthenamesofthejustwillbeknownandthedeedsofthegodless36exposed.Fromthismomentnoonemustcometotalktome,norlookformeforthenextfortydays.'37ItookwithmethefivemenasIhadbeentold,andwewentawaytothe38field,andtherewestayed.OnthenextdayIheardavoicecallingme,which39said:'Ezra,openyourmouthanddrinkwhatIgiveyou.'SoIopenedmymouth,andwashandedacupfullofwhatseemedlikewater,exceptthat40itscolourwasthecolouroffire.Itookitanddrank,andas

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    soonasIhaddonesomymindbegantopourforthafloodofunderstanding,andwisdomgrewgreaterandgreaterwithinme,forIretainedmymemoryunimpaired.4142Iopenedmymouthtospeak,andIcontinuedtospeakunceasingly.TheMostHighgaveunderstandingtothefivemen,whotookturnsatwritingdownwhatwassaid,usingcharacterswhichtheyhadnotknownbefore.Theyremainedatworkthroughthefortydays,writingallday,andtaking43foodonlyatnight.Butasforme,Ispokeallthroughtheday;evenatnight4445Iwasnotsilent.Inthefortydays,ninety-fourbookswerewritten.AttheendofthefortydaystheMostHighspoketome.'Makepublicthe46booksyouwrotefirst,'hesaid,'tobereadbygoodandbadalike.Butthelastseventybooksaretobekeptback,andgiventononebutthewise47amongyourpeople.Theycontainastreamofunderstanding,afountain48ofwisdom,afloodofknowledge.'AndIdidso.

    151PROCLAIMTOMYPEOPLEthewordsofprophecywhichIgiveyouto2speak,saystheLord;andhavethemwrittendown,becausetheyare3trustworthyandtrue.Havenofearofplotsagainstyou,anddonotbe4troubled

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    bytheunbeliefofthosewhoopposeyou.Foreveryonewhodoesnotbelievewilldiebecauseofhisunbelief.5Beware,saystheLord,Iamlettinglooseterribleevilsontheworld,6swordandfamine,deathanddestruction,becausewickednesshasspreadoverthewholeearthandthereisnoroomforfurtherdeedsofviolence.78ThereforetheLordsays,Iwillnotkeepsilenceabouttheirgodlesssins;Iwillnottoleratetheirwickeddeeds.Seehowthebloodofinnocentvictimscriestomeforvengeance,andthesoulsofthejustneverceaseto9pleadwithme!Iwillmostsurelyavengethem,saystheLord,andwillhear10thepleaofalltheinnocentbloodthathasbeenshed.Mypeoplearebeingledtotheslaughterlikesheep.Iwillnolongerallowthemtoremainin11Egypt,butwilluseallmypowertorescuethem;IwillstriketheEgyptians12withplagues,asIdidbefore,anddestroytheirwholeland.HowEgyptwillmourn,shakentoitsveryfoundations,whenitisscourgedandchastised13bytheLord!Howthetillersofthesoilwillmourn,whentheseedfailstogrow,andwhentheirtreesaredevastatedbyblightandhailandterrible1415storm!Alasfortheworldandi

    tsinhabitants!Theswordthatwilldestroythemisnotfaraway.Nationwilldrawswordagainstnationandgotowar.16Stablegovernmentwillbeatanend;onefactionwillprevailoveranother,17caringnothingintheirdayofpowerforkingorleadingmanofrank.Aman18maywanttovisitacity,butwillnotbeabletodoso;forambitionandrivalrywillhavereducedcitiestochaos,destroyedhouses,andfilledmenwith19panic.Amanwillviolentlyassaulthisneighbour'shouseandplunderhisgoods;nopitywillrestrainhim,whenheisinthegripoffamineandgrindingmisery.20SeehowIsummonbeforemeallthekingsofthe

    earth,saysGod,fromsunriseandsouthwind,fromeastandsouth,toturnbackandrepaywhat21theyhavebeengiven.Iwilldotothemastheyaredoingtomychosenpeopleeventothisday;Iwillpaythembackintheirowncoin.22ThesearethewordsoftheLordGod:Iwillshowsinnersnopity;theswordwillnotsparethosemurdererswhostainthegroundwithinnocent23blood.TheLord'sangerhasoverflowedinfiretoscorchtheearthtoits24foundationsandconsumesinnerslikeburningstraw.Alasforsinnerswho25floutmycommands!saystheLord;Iwillshowthemnomercy.Awayfrom26me,yourebels!Donotbringyourpollutionnearmyholiness.TheLordwellknowsallwhosinagainsthim,andhasconsignedthemtodeathand21destruction.Alreadydisasterhasfallenupontheworld,andyouwillneverescapeit;Godwillrefusetorescuey

    ou,becauseyouhavesinnedagainsthim.2829Howterriblethesightofwhatiscomingfromtheeast!HordesofdragonsfromArabiawillsallyforthwithcountlesschariots,andfromthefirstdayoftheiradvancetheirhissingwillspreadacrosstheland,tofillall30whohearthemwithfearandconsternation.TheCarmanians,madwithrage,willrushlikewildboarsoutoftheforest,advancinginfullforcetojoinbattlewiththem,andwilldevastatewholetractsofAssyria

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    withtheir31tusks.Butthenthedragonswillsummonuptheirnativefury,andwillprovethestronger.Theywillrallyandjoinforces,andfallonthemwith32overwhelmingmightuntiltheyarerouted,untiltheirpowerissilenced33andeveryoneofthemturnstoflight.ThentheirwaywillbeblockedbyalurkingenemyfromAssyria,whowilldestroyoneofthem.Fearandpanicwillspreadintheirarmy,andwaveringamongtheirkings.34Seethecloudsstretchingfromeastandnorthtosouth!Theirappearance35ishideous,fulloffuryandtempest.Theywillclashtogether,theywillpouroverthelandavaststorm;blood,shedbythesword,willreachas3637highasahorse'sbelly,aman'sthigh,oracamel'shock.Terrorandtremblingwillcovertheearth;allwhoseetheragingfurywillshudderandbe38strickenwithpanic.Thenvaststorm-cloudswillapproachfromnorthand39south,andothersfromthewest.Butthewindsfromtheeastwillbestrongerstill,andwillholdinchecktheragingcloudanditsleader;andthestormwhichwasbentondestructionwillbefiercelydrivenbacktothe40southandwestbythewindsfromtheeast.Hugemightyclouds,fulloffury,willmountup

    andravagethewholelandanditsinhabitants;a41terriblestormwillsweepoverthegreatandthepowerful,withfireandhailandflyingswords;andadelugeof

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    waterwillfloodallthefieldsand42rivers.Theywillflattentothegroundcitiesandwalls,mountainsandhills,43treesinthewoodsandcropsinthefields.Theywilladvanceallthewayto44Babylon,andblotitout.Whentheyreachit,theywillsurroundit,andletlooseastorminallitsfury.Thedustandsmokewillreachthesky,andall45herneighbourswillmournforBabylon.Anyofhersurvivorswillbeenslavedbyherdestroyers.46Andyou,Asia,whohavesharedthebeautyandthesplendourof47Babylon,alasforyou,poorwretch!Likeheryouhavedressedupyourdaughtersaswhores,toattractandcatchyourloverswhohavealways48lustedforyou.Youhavecopiedalltheschemesandpracticesofthatvile49harlot.ThereforeGodsays,Iwillbringuponyouterribleevils:widowhoodandpoverty,famine,sword,andplague,bringingruintoyourhomes,50bringingviolenceanddeath.Yourstrengthandsplendourwillwitherlike51aflower,whenthatscorchingheatbearsdownuponyou.Thenyouwillbeapoorweakwoman,bruised,beaten,andwounded,unabletoreceiveyour5253wealthyloversanymore.ShouldIbesofiercewithyou,saystheLord,ifyouhadnotkilledmychosenonescontinually,gloatingovertheblowsyoustruckthem,

    andhurlingyourdrunkentauntsattheircorpses?5455Paintyourface;makeyourselfbeautiful!Theharlot'spayshallbeyours;56youwillgetwhatyouhaveearned.Whatyoudotomychosenpeople,God57willdotoyou,saystheLord;hewillconsignyoutoaterriblefate.Yourchildrenwilldieofhunger;youwillfallbythesword,yourcitieswillbe58blottedout,andallyourpeoplewillfallonthefieldofbattle.Thosewhoareuponthemountainswillbedyingofhunger,andtheirhungerandthirstwillforcethemtognawtheirownfleshanddrinktheirownblood.5960Youwillbeforemostinmisery,andstilltherewillbemoretocome.AsthevictorsgopastontheirwayhomefromthesackofBabylon,they

    willsmashyourpeacefulcity,destroyagreatpartofyourterritory,andbring61muchofyoursplendourtoanend.Theywilldestroyyou---youwillbe62stubble,andtheythefire.Theywillcompletelydevouryouandyourcities,yourlandandyourmountains,andwillburnallyourforestsand63yourfruit-trees.Theywillmakeyourchildrenprisonersandplunderyourproperty;andnotatracewillbeleftofyoursplendidbeauty.

    1612Alasforyou,BabylonandAsia!Alasforyou,EgyptandSyria!Putonsackclothandhair-shirt,andraiseahowloflamentationforyoursons;3yourdoomiscloseathand.Theswordisletlooseagainstyou,andwhowill45turn

    itaside?Fireisletlooseuponyou,andwhowillputitout?Calamitieshavebeenletlooseagainstyou,andwhoistheretostopthem?6Cananymanstopahungrylioninaforest,orputoutafireamongthe7stubbleonceithasbeguntoblaze?Cananymanstopanarrowshotbya8strongarcher?WhentheLordGodsendscalamities,whocanstopthem?910Whenhisangeroverflowsinfire,whocanputitout?Whenthelightningflashes,whowillnottremble?Whenitthunders,whowillnotshakewith11dread?WhenitistheLordwhouttershisthreats,is

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    thereanymanwho12willnotbecrushedtothegroundathisapproach?Theearthisshakentoitsveryfoundations,andtheseaischurnedupfromitsdepths;thewavesandallthefishwiththemareinturmoilbeforethepresenceoftheLord13andthemajestyofhisstrength.Forstrongishisarmwhichbendsthebow,andsharpthearrowswhichheshoots;oncetheyareontheirway,they14willnotstopbeforetheyreachtheendsoftheearth.Calamitiesareletloose,15andwillnotturnbackbeforetheystriketheearth.Thefireisalightand16willnotbeputoutuntilithasburntupearth'sfoundations.Anarrowshotbyapowerfularcherdoesnotturnback;nomorewillthecalamitiesberecalledwhichareletlooseagainsttheearth.1718Alas,alasforme!Whowillrescuemeonthatday?Whentroublescome,manywillgroan;whenfaminestrikes,manywilldie;whenwarsbreakout,empireswilltremble;whenthecalamitiescome,allwillbefilledwith19terror.Whatwillmendothen,inthefaceofcalamity?Famineandplague20sufferingandhardship,arescourgessenttoteachmenbetterways.Butevensotheywillnotabandontheircrimes,norkeepinmind

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    theirscourging.21Atimewillcomewhenfoodgrowscheap,socheapthattheywillimaginetheyhavebeensentpeaceandprosperity.Butatthatverymomenttheearthwillbecomeahotbedofdisasters---sword,famine,andanarchy.22Mostofitsinhabitantswilldieinthefamine;andthosewhosurvivethe23faminewillbedestroyedbythesword.Thedeadwillbetossedoutlikedung,andtherewillbenoonetoofferanycomfort.Fortheearthwillbe24leftempty,anditscitiesaruin.Nonewillbelefttotillthegroundandsow2526it.Thetreeswillbeartheirfruits,butwhowillpickthem?Thegrapeswillripen,butwhowilltreadthem?Therewillbevastdesolationeverywhere.2728Amanwilllongtoseeahumanf