2 Esdras 1:4-11

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Ezra’s Prophetic Call

⁴ The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁵ “Go, declare to my people their evil deeds and to their children the iniquities that they have committed against me, so that they may tell their children’s children^{(A) 6} that the sins of their parents have increased in them, for they have forgotten me and have offered sacrifices to strange gods.^{(B) 7} Was it not I who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But they have angered me and despised my counsels.^{(C) 8} Now you, pull out the hair of your head and hurl^[a] all evils upon them, for they have not obeyed my law—they are a rebellious people.^{(D) 9} How long shall I endure them, on whom I have bestowed such great benefits?^{(E) 10} For their sake I have overthrown many kings; I struck down Pharaoh with his servants and all his army.^{(F) 11} I destroyed all nations before them and scattered in the east the peoples of two provinces,^[b] Tyre and Sidon; I killed all their enemies.^(G)