2 Esdras 8:13-15

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

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? ¹⁵ And now I will speak out: About all humankind you know best; but I will speak about your people, for whom I am grieved,