Translation Comparison
2 Esdras 7
King James Version compared with World English Bible
Listen & follow along
Today's reading with verse-by-verse highlighting
View
King James Version
Authoritative text
World English Bible
Masoretic-derived · highlighted where altered
1And when I had made an end of speaking these words, there was sent unto me the angel which had been sent unto me the nights afore:
1When I had finished speaking these words, the angel which had been sent to me the nights before was sent to me.
2And he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee.
2He said to me, “Rise, Esdras, and hear the words that I have come to tell you.”
3And I said, Speak on, my God.Then said he unto me, The sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deep and great.
3I said, “Speak on, my Lord.” Then he said to me, “There is a sea set in a wide place, that it might be broad and vast,
4But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river;
4but its entrance is set in a narrow place so as to be like a river.
5Who then could go into the sea to look upon it, and to rule it? if he went not through the narrow , how could he come into the broad ?
5Whoever desires to go into the sea to look at it, or to rule it, if he didn’t go through the narrow entrance, how could he come into the broad part?
6There is also another thing; A city is builded, and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things:
6Another thing also: There is a city built and set in a plain country, and full of all good things,
7The entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water:
7but its entrance is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, having fire on the right hand, and deep water on the left.
8And one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once.
8There is one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so that only one person can go there at once.
9If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance?
9If this city is now given to a man for an inheritance, if the heir doesn’t pass the danger before him, how will he receive his inheritance?”
10And I said, It is so, Lord.Then said he unto me, Even so also is Israel’s portion.
10I said, “That is so, Lord.” Then said he to me, “Even so also is Israel’s portion.
11Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that now is done.
11I made the world for their sakes. What is now done was decreed when Adam transgressed my statutes.
12Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, full of sorrow and travail: they are but few and evil, full of perils,: and very painful.
12Then the entrances of this world were made narrow, sorrowful, and toilsome. They are but few and evil, full of perils, and involved in great toils.
13For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure, and brought immortal fruit .
13For the entrances of the greater world are wide and safe, and produce fruit of immortality.
14If then they that live labour not to enter these strait and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them.
14So if those who live don’t enter these difficult and vain things, they can never receive those that are reserved for them.
15Now therefore why disquietest thou thyself, seeing thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou moved, whereas thou art but mortal?
15Now therefore why are you disturbed, seeing you are but a corruptible man? Why are you moved, since you are mortal?
16Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
16Why haven’t you considered in your mind that which is to come, rather than that which is present?”
17Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, thou hast ordained in thy law, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish.
17Then I answered and said, “O sovereign Lord, behold, you have ordained in your law that the righteous will inherit these things, but that the ungodly will perish.
18Nevertheless the righteous shall suffer strait things, and hope for wide: for they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide.
18The righteous therefore will suffer difficult things, and hope for easier things, but those who have done wickedly have suffered the difficult things, and yet will not see the easier things.”
19And he said unto me. There is no judge above God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
19He said to me, “You are not a judge above God, neither do you have more understanding than the Most High.
20For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them .
20Yes, let many perish who now live, rather than that the law of God which is set before them be despised.
21For God hath given strait commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
21For God strictly commanded those who came, even as they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
22Neverthelessthey were not obedient unto him; but spake against him, and imagined vain things;
22Nevertheless, they weren’t obedient to him, but spoke against him and imagined for themselves vain things.
23And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds; and said of the most High, that he is not; and knew not his ways:
23They made cunning plans of wickedness, and said moreover of the Most High that he doesn’t exist, and they didn’t know his ways.
24But his law have they despised, and denied his covenants; in his statutes have they not been faithful , and have not performed his works.
24They despised his law and denied his covenants. They haven’t been faithful to his statutes, and haven’t performed his works.
25And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.
25Therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.
26Behold, the time shall come, that these tokens which I have told thee shall come to pass, and the bride shall appear, and she coming forth shall be seen, that now is withdrawn from the earth.
26For behold, the time will come, and it will be, when these signs of which I told you before will come to pass, that the bride will appear, even the city coming forth, and she will be seen who now is withdrawn from the earth.
27And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils shall see my wonders.
27Whoever is delivered from the foretold evils will see my wonders.
28For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred years.
28For my son Jesus will be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain will rejoice four hundred years.
29After these years shall my son Christ die, and all men that have life.
29After these years my son Christ will die, along with all of those who have the breath of life.
30And the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the former judgments: so that no man shall remain.
30Then the world will be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the first beginning, so that no human will remain.
31And after seven days the world, that yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is corrupt
31After seven days the world that is not yet awake will be raised up, and what is corruptible will die.
32And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliver those souls that were committed unto them.
32The earth will restore those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who dwell in it in silence, and the secret places will deliver those souls that were committed to them.
33And the most High shall appear upon the seat of judgment , and misery shall pass away, and the long suffering shall have an end:
33The Most High will be revealed on the judgment seat, and compassion will pass away, and patience will be withdrawn.
34But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong:
34Only judgment will remain. Truth will stand. Faith will grow strong.
35And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall bear no rule.
35Recompense will follow. The reward will be shown. Good deeds will awake, and wicked deeds won’t sleep.
36Then said I, Abraham prayed first for the Sodomites, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in the wilderness:
36The pit of torment will appear, and near it will be the place of rest. The furnace of hell will be shown, and near it the paradise of delight.
37And Jesus after him for Israel in the time of Achan:
37Then the Most High will say to the nations that are raised from the dead, ‘Look and understand whom you have denied, whom you haven’t served, whose commandments you have despised.
38And Samuel and David for the destruction: and Solomon for them that should come to the sanctuary:
38Look on this side and on that. Here is delight and rest, and there fire and torments.’ Thus he will speak to them in the day of judgment.
39And Helias for those that received rain; and for the dead, that he might live:
39This is a day that has neither sun, nor moon, nor stars,
40And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib: and many for many.
40neither cloud, nor thunder, nor lightning, neither wind, nor water, nor air, neither darkness, nor evening, nor morning,
41Even so now, seeing corruption is grown up, and wickedness increased, and the righteous have prayed for the ungodly: wherefore shall it not be so now also?
41neither summer, nor spring, nor heat, nor winter, neither frost, nor cold, nor hail, nor rain, nor dew,
42He answered me, and said, This present life is not the end where much glory doth abide; therefore have they prayed for the weak.
42neither noon, nor night, nor dawn, neither shining, nor brightness, nor light, except only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all will see the things that are set before them.
43But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past,
43It will endure as though it were a week of years.
44Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.
44This is my judgment and its prescribed order; but I have only shown these things to you.”
45Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.
45I answered, “I said then, O Lord, and I say now: Blessed are those who are now alive and keep your commandments!
46I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning.
46But what about those for whom I prayed? For who is there of those who are alive who has not sinned, and who of the children of men hasn’t transgressed your covenant?
47For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment?
47Now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many.
48O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen alone, but we all that come of thee.
48For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has led us astray from these commandments and has brought us into corruption and into the ways of death. It has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life—and that, not a few only, but nearly all who have been created.”
49For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that bring death?
49He answered me, “Listen to me, and I will instruct you. I will admonish you yet again.
50And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are made vain?
50For this reason, the Most High has not made one world, but two.
51And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly?
51For because you have said that the just are not many, but few, and the ungodly abound, hear the explanation.
52And that the glory of the most High is kept to defend them which have led a wary life, whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all?
52If you have just a few precious stones, will you add them to lead and clay?”
53And that there should be shewed a paradise, whose fruit endureth for ever, wherein is security and medicine, since we shall not enter into it?
53I said, “Lord, how could that be?”
54(For we have walked in unpleasant places.)
54He said to me, “Not only that, but ask the earth, and she will tell you. Defer to her, and she will declare it to you.
55And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness?
55Say to her, ‘You produce gold, silver, and brass, and also iron, lead, and clay;
56For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death.
56but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.’
57Then answered he me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight;
57Judge therefore which things are precious and to be desired, what is abundant or what is rare?”
58That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I say.
58I said, “O sovereign Lord, that which is plentiful is of less worth, for that which is more rare is more precious.”
59For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live.
59He answered me, “Weigh within yourself the things that you have thought, for he who has what is hard to get rejoices over him who has what is plentiful.
60Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor me which have spoken unto them,
60So also is the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few that will be saved, because these are those who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them, my name is now honored.
61That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation.
61I won’t grieve over the multitude of those who perish; for these are those who are now like mist, and have become like flame and smoke; they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished.”
62I answered then, and said, I know, Lord, that the most High is called merciful, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world,
62I answered, “O earth, why have you produced, if the mind is made out of dust, like all other created things?
63And upon those also that turn to his law;
63For it would have been better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made from it.
64And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that have sinned, as his creatures;
64But now the mind grows with us, and because of this we are tormented, because we perish and we know it.
65And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give where it needeth;
65Let the race of men lament and the animals of the field be glad. Let all who are born lament, but let the four-footed animals and the livestock rejoice.
66And that he is of great mercy, for he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and also to them which are to come.
66For it is far better with them than with us; for they don’t look forward to judgment, neither do they know of torments or of salvation promised to them after death.
67For if he shall not multiply his mercies, the world would not continue with them that inherit therein.
67For what does it profit us, that we will be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment?
68And he pardoneth; for if he did not so of his goodness, that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousandth part of men should not remain living.
68For all who are born are defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with transgressions.
69And being judge, if he should not forgive them that are cured with his word, and put out the multitude of contentions,
69If after death we were not to come into judgment, perhaps it would have been better for us.”
70There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude.
70He answered me, “When the Most High made the world and Adam and all those who came from him, he first prepared the judgment and the things that pertain to the judgment.