2 Esdras 15:14-27

Revised Standard Version

¹⁴ Alas for the world and for those who live in it! ¹⁵ For the sword and misery draw near them, and nation shall rise up to fight against nation, with swords in their hands. ¹⁶ For there shall be unrest among men; growing strong against one another, they shall in their might have no respect for their king or the chief of their leaders. ¹⁷ For a man will desire to go into a city, and shall not be able. ¹⁸ For because of their pride the cities shall be in confusion, the houses shall be destroyed, and people shall be afraid. ¹⁹ A man shall have no pity upon his neighbors, but shall make an assault upon their houses with the sword, and plunder their goods, because of hunger for bread and because of great tribulation.

²⁰ “Behold,” says God, “I call together all the kings of the earth to fear me, from the rising sun and from the south, from the east and from Leb′anon; to turn and repay what they have given them. ²¹ Just as they have done to my elect until this day, so I will do, and will repay into their bosom.” Thus says the Lord God: ²² “My right hand will not spare the sinners, and my sword will not cease from those who shed innocent blood on earth.” ²³ And a fire will go forth from his wrath, and will consume the foundations of the earth, and the sinners, like straw that is kindled. ²⁴ “Woe to those who sin and do not observe my commandments,” says the Lord; ²⁵ “I will not spare them. Depart, you faithless children! Do not pollute my sanctuary.” ²⁶ For the Lord knows all who transgress against him; therefore he will hand them over to death and slaughter. ²⁷ For now calamities have come upon the whole earth, and you shall remain in them; for God will not deliver you, because you have sinned against him.