(c) The following book is included in the Slavonic Bible as 3 Esdras but is not found in the Greek. It is included in the Appendix to the Latin Vulgate Bible as 4 Esdras. Comprising what is sometimes called 5 Ezra (chapters 1–2), 4 Ezra (chapters 3–14), and 6 Ezra (chapters 15–16)

The Genealogy of Ezra

The book of the prophet Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,

Ezra’s Prophetic Call

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

Thus says the Lord to Ezra: “Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I was going to give to Israel.

Ezra on Mount Horeb

I, Ezra, received a command from the Lord on Mount Horeb to go to Israel. When I came to them, they rejected me and refused the Lord’s commandment.

Ezra Sees the Son of God

I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude that I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs.

Ezra’s Prayer of Complaint

In the thirtieth year after the destruction of the city, I was in Babylon—I, Salathiel, who am also called Ezra. I was troubled as I lay on my bed, and my thoughts welled up in my heart

Ezra’s Second Prayer of Complaint

After seven days the thoughts of my heart were very grievous to me again.

Response to Ezra’s Complaints

When I had spoken these words, the angel who had come to me on a previous night was sent to me.

The beginning of a person is the hand, and the end of a person is the heel; seek for nothing else, Ezra, between the heel and the hand, Ezra!”

Response to Ezra’s Questions

When I had finished speaking these words, the angel who had been sent to me on the former nights was sent to me again.

He said to me, “Rise, Ezra, and listen to the words that I have come to speak to you.”

“That is the reason, Ezra, that empty things are for the empty and full things are for the full.

He answered me and said, “Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct you and will admonish you once more.

Lamentation of Ezra, with Response

I replied and said, “O earth, what have you brought forth, if the mind is made out of the dust like the other created things?

Ezra Appeals to God’s Mercy

I answered and said, “I know, O Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful because he has mercy on those who have not yet come into the world;

But I tell you a parable, Ezra. Just as, when you ask the earth, it will tell you that it provides a large amount of clay from which earthenware is made but only a little dust from which gold comes, so is the course of the present world.

Ezra Again Appeals to God’s Mercy

I answered and said, “Then drink your fill of understanding, O my soul, and drink wisdom, O my heart.

Therefore hear my voice and understand my words, and I will speak before you.”

Ezra’s Prayer

The beginning of the words of Ezra’s prayer, before he was taken up. He said:

Response to Ezra’s Prayer

He answered me and said, “Some things you have spoken rightly, and it will turn out according to your words.

Ezra’s Final Appeal for Mercy

He answered me and said, “Things that are present are for those who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live hereafter.

The People Come to Ezra

When all the people heard that the seven days were past and I had not returned to the city, they all gathered together, from the least to the greatest, and came to me and spoke to me, saying,

The Lord Commissions Ezra

On the third day, while I was sitting under an oak, suddenly a voice came out of a bush opposite me and said, “Ezra, Ezra!”

Ezra’s Concern to Restore the Scriptures

Then I answered and said, “Let me speak in your presence, Lord.

Ezra’s Last Words to the People

Then I went as he commanded me, and I gathered all the people together and said,

And on the next day a voice called me, saying, “Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink.”