2 Esdras 13:13-58

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹³ Then the forms of many people appeared to him, some of whom were joyful and some sorrowful; some of them were bound, and some were bringing others as offerings.

The Interpretation of the Vision

Then I woke up in great terror and prayed to the Most High and said, ¹⁴ “From the beginning you have shown your servant these wonders and have deemed me worthy to have my prayer heard by you; ¹⁵ now show me the interpretation of this dream also. ¹⁶ For as I consider it in my mind, alas for those who will be left in those days! And still more, alas for those who are not left!^{(A) 17} For those who are not left will be sad ¹⁸ because they understand the things that are reserved for the last days but cannot attain them. ¹⁹ But alas for those also who are left and for that very reason! For they shall see great dangers and much distress, as these dreams show.^{(B) 20} Yet it is better^[a] to come into these things,^[b] though incurring peril, than to pass from the world like a cloud and not to see what will happen in the last days.”

He answered me and said,^{(C) 21} “I will tell you the interpretation of the vision, and I will also explain to you the things that you have mentioned. ²² As for what you said about those who survive, and concerning those who do not survive,^[c] this is the interpretation:^{(D) 23} The one who brings the peril at that time will protect those who fall into peril, who have works and faith toward the Almighty.^{(E) 24} Understand, therefore, that those who are left are more blessed than those who have died.

²⁵ “This is the interpretation of the vision: As for your seeing a man come up from the heart of the sea,^{(F) 26} this is he whom the Most High has been keeping for many ages, who will himself deliver his creation, and he will direct those who are left. ²⁷ And as for your seeing wind and fire and a storm coming out of his mouth^{(G) 28} and as for his not holding a spear or weapon of war, yet destroying the onrushing multitude that came to conquer him, this is the interpretation:^{(H) 29} The days are coming when the Most High will deliver those who are on the earth. ³⁰ And bewilderment of mind shall come over those who inhabit the earth.^{(I) 31} They shall plan to make war against one another, city against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom.^{(J) 32} When these things take place and the signs occur that I showed you before, then my Son will be revealed, whom you saw as a man coming up from the sea.^[d](K)

³³ “Then, when all the nations hear his voice, all the nations shall leave their own lands and the warfare that they have against one another, ³⁴ and an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as you saw, wishing to come and conquer him.^{(L) 35} But he shall stand on the top of Mount Zion.^{(M) 36} And Zion shall come and be made manifest to all people, prepared and built, as you saw the mountain carved out without hands.^{(N) 37} Then he, my Son, will reprove the assembled nations for their ungodliness (this was symbolized by the storm)^{(O) 38} and will reproach them to their face with their evil thoughts and the torments with which they are to be tortured (which were symbolized by the flames) and will destroy them without effort by means of the law^[e] (which was symbolized by the fire).^(P)

³⁹ “And as for your seeing him gather to himself another multitude that was peaceable,^{(Q) 40} these are the nine^[f] tribes that were taken away from their own land into exile in the days of King Hoshea, whom Shalmaneser, king of the Assyrians, made captives; he took them across the river, and they were taken into another land.^{(R) 41} But they formed this plan for themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the nations and go to a more distant region where no humans had ever lived, ⁴² so that there at least they might keep their statutes that they had not kept in their own land. ⁴³ And they went in by the narrow passages of the River Euphrates.^{(S) 44} For at that time the Most High performed signs for them and stopped the channels of the river until they had crossed over.^{(T) 45} Through that region there was a long way to go, a journey of a year and a half, and that country is called Arzareth.

⁴⁶ “Then they lived there until the last times, and now, when they are about to come again, ⁴⁷ the Most High will stop^[g] the channels of the river again, so that they may be able to cross over. Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together in peace.^{(U) 48} But those who are left of your people, who are found within my holy borders, shall be saved.^{[h](V) 49} Therefore when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he will defend the people who remain. ⁵⁰ And then he will show them very many wonders.”

⁵¹ I said, “O sovereign Lord, explain this to me: Why did I see the man coming up from the heart of the sea?”^(W)

⁵² He said to me, “Just as no one can explore or know what is in the depths of the sea, so no one on earth can see my Son or those who are with him, except in the time of his day.^{[i](X) 53} This is the interpretation of the dream that you saw. And you alone have been enlightened about this, ⁵⁴ because you have forsaken your own ways and have applied yourself to mine and have searched out my law,^{(Y) 55} for you have devoted your life to wisdom and called understanding your mother.^{(Z) 56} Therefore I have shown you these things, for there is a reward laid up with the Most High. For it will be that after three more days I will tell you other things and explain weighty and wondrous matters to you.”^(AA)

⁵⁷ Then I got up and walked in the field, giving great glory and praise to the Most High for the wonders that he did from time to time ⁵⁸ and because he governs the times and whatever things come to pass in their seasons. And I stayed there three days.^(AB)