2 Esdras 8:12-14

Revised Standard Version

¹² Thou hast brought him up in thy righteousness, and instructed him in thy law, and reproved him in thy wisdom. ¹³ Thou wilt take away his life, for he is thy creation; and thou wilt make him live, for he is thy work. ¹⁴ If then thou wilt suddenly and quickly^[a] destroy him who with so great labor was fashioned by thy command, to what purpose was he made?