2 Esdras 8:12-14

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

¹² You have nurtured it in your righteousness, and instructed it in your law, and reproved it in your wisdom. ¹³ You put it to death as your creation, and make it live as your work. ¹⁴ If then you will suddenly and quickly^[a] destroy what with so great labour was fashioned by your command, to what purpose was it made?