2 Esdras 8:41-43

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁴¹ “For just as the farmer sows many seeds in the ground and plants a multitude of seedlings and yet not all that have been sown will come up^[a] in due season and not all that were planted will take root, so also those who have been sown in the world will not all be saved.”

⁴² I answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, let me speak.^{(A) 43} If the farmer’s seed does not come up because it has not received your rain in due season or if it has been ruined by too much rain, it perishes.^[b]