2 Esdras 13:39-50

Common English Bible

³⁹ “As to the fact that you saw him collecting to himself another peaceful multitude, ⁴⁰ these are the ten tribes that were taken captive from their land in the days of King Hoshea, whom King Shalmaneser of the Assyrians took across the river as a captive. They were taken into another land, ⁴¹ but they made this plan for themselves: They would leave the multitude of the nations and go into a more remote region, where the human race had never lived. ⁴² There they would be able to observe their customs, which they hadn’t kept in their own region. ⁴³ They went in through the narrow passages of the Euphrates River. ⁴⁴ Then the Most High gave them signs and stopped the flow of the river until they had passed. ⁴⁵ They made a long journey through that region for a year and a half, and that region is called Arzareth. ⁴⁶ They lived there until the last time, and now they begin again to return. ⁴⁷ The Most High will once again stop the flow of the river so that they can cross. These people make up the multitude gathered in peace, ⁴⁸ along with those who are left of your people, who are found within my holy boundaries. ⁴⁹ Then when he begins to destroy the multitude of the nations that are gathered, he will protect the people who have survived. ⁵⁰ Then he will show them many more signs.”