2 Esdras 4:30-37

Revised Standard Version

³⁰ For a grain of evil seed was sown in Adam’s heart from the beginning, and how much ungodliness it has produced until now, and will produce until the time of threshing comes! ³¹ Consider now for yourself how much fruit of ungodliness a grain of evil seed has produced. ³² When heads of grain without number are sown, how great a threshing floor they will fill!”

When Will the New Age Come?

³³ Then I answered and said, “How long^[a] and when will these things be? Why are our years few and evil?” ³⁴ He answered me and said, “You do not hasten faster than the Most High, for your haste is for yourself,^[b] but the Highest hastens on behalf of many. ³⁵ Did not the souls of the righteous in their chambers ask about these matters, saying, ‘How long are we to remain here?^[c] And when will come the harvest of our reward?’ ³⁶ And Jeremiel the archangel answered them and said, ‘When the number of those like yourselves is completed;^[d] for he has weighed the age in the balance, ³⁷ and measured the times by measure, and numbered the times by number; and he will not move or arouse them until that measure is fulfilled.’”