Without tribulations no man can attain immortal life: 17. which the just shall inherit: and the wicked shall perish. 28. Christ will come, and die for mankind. 36. Prayers of the just shall profit till the end of this world, but not after the general judgment. 48. All sinned in Adam. 52. and have added more sins, 57. but it is in man's power, 62. by God's grace, to live eternally.Without tribulations no man can attayne immortal life: 17. which the iust shal inherite: and the wicked shal perish. 28. Christ wil come, and dye for mankind. 36. Prayers of the iust shal profite til the end of this word, but not after the general iudgement. 48. Al sinned in Adam. 52. and haue added more sinnes, 57. but it is in mans powre, 62. by Gods grace, to liue eternally.
And it came to pass when I had ended to speak these words, the Angel was sent to me, which had been sent to me the first nights,AND it came to passe when I had ended to speake these wordes, the Angel was sent to me, which had bene sent to me the first nights,Et factum est, cum finissem loqui verba hæc, missus est ad me angelus qui missus fuerat ad me primis noctibus,
2and he said to me: Arise Esdras, and hear the words which I am come to speak to thee.and he sayd to me: Arise Esdras, and heare the wordes which I am come to speake to thee.et dixit ad me, Surge Esdra, et audi sermones, quos veni loqui ad te.
3And I said: Speak my God. And he said to me: The sea is set in a large place, that it might be deep and wide:And I sayd: Speake my God. And he sayd to me: The sea is set in a large place, that it might be deepe and wide:Et dixi, Loquere Deus meus. Et dixit ad me, Mare positum est in spatioso loco, ut esset altum et immensum :
4but the entrance to it shall be set in a angusto: a paved street; a narrow place place, that it might be like to rivers.but the entrance to it shal be set in a straict place, that it might be like to riuers.erit autem ei introitus in angusto loco positus, ut esset similis fluminibus.
5For who willing will enter into the sea, and see it, or rule over it: if he pass not the strait, how shall he come into the breadth?For who witting wil enter into the sea, and see it, or rule ouer it: if he passe not the streite, how shal he come into the bredth?Quis enim volens voluerit ingredi mare, et videre eum, vel dominari ejus : si non transierit angustum, in latitudinem quomodo venire poterit ?
6Also another thing: A city is built, and set in a plain place, and it is full of all goods.Also an other thing: A citie is built, and set in a plaine place, and it is ful of al goodes.Item aliud, Civitas est ædificata, et posita in loco campestri : est autem plena omnium bonorum.
7The entrance thereof narrow, and set in a steep place, so that on the right hand there was fire, and on the left deep water:The entrance therof narrow, and set in a stepe place, so that on the right hand there was fire, & on the left depe water:Introitus ejus angustus et in præcipiti positus, ut esset a dextris quidem ignis, a sinistris aqua alta :
8and there is one only path set between them, that is, between the fire and the water, so that the path can not contain, but only a man's step.and there is one onlie pathe set betwen them, that is, betwen the fire and the water, so that the pathe can not conteyne, but onlie a mans steppe.semita autem est una sola inter eos posita, hoc est, inter ignem et aquam, ut non capiat semita, nisi solummodo vestigium hominis.
9And if the city shall be given a man for inheritance, if he never pass through the peril set before it, how shall he receive his inheritance?And if the citie shal be geuen a man for inheritance, if he neuer passe through the peril set before it, how shal he receiue his inheritance?Si autem dabitur civitas homini in hereditatem, si numquam antepositum periculum pertransierit, quomodo accipiet hereditatem suam ?
10And I said: So Lord. And he said to me, So it is: Israel also a part.And I sayd: So Lord. And he sayd to me, So it is: Israel also a part.Et dixi, Sic Domine. Et dixit ad me, Sic est : et Israël pars.
11For I made the world for them: and when Adam transgressed my constitutiones: a state's governing charter; decree, ordinance, that was judged which was done.For I made the world for them: and when Adam transgressed my constitution, that was iudged which was done.Propter eos enim feci sæculum, et quando transgressus est Adam constitutiones meas, judicatum est quod factum est.
12And the entrance of this world were made strait, and sorrowful, and painful, and few and evil, and full of dangers, and stuffed very much with labour.And the entrance of this world were made streite, and sorowful, & paynful, and few and euil, and ful of dangers, & stuffed very much with labour.Et facti sunt introitus hujus sæculi angusti, et dolentes, et laboriosi : pauci autem, et mali, et periculorum pleni : et labore magnopere fulti.
13For the entrances of the greater world are large and secure, and making fruit of immortality.For the entrances of the greater world are large and secure, and making fruite of immortalitie.nam majoris sæculi introitus spatiosi et securi, et facientes immortalitatis fructum.
14If then they that live entering in enter into these strait and vain things: they can not receive the things that are laid up.If then they that liue entring in enter into these streite and vayne thinges: they can not receiue the thinges that are layd vp.Si ergo ingredientes non fuerunt ingressi qui vivunt, angusta et vana hæc : non poterunt recipere quæ sunt reposita.
15Now therefore why art thou troubled, whereas thou art corruptible? and why art thou moved, whereas thou art mortal?Now therfore why art thou trubled, wheras thou art corruptible? and why art thou moued, wheras thou art mortal?Nunc ergo quare tu conturbaris, cum sis corruptibilis ? et quid moveris tu, cum sis mortalis ?
16And why hast thou not taken in thy heart that which is to come, but that which is present?And why hast thou not taken in thy hart that which is to come, but that which is present?Et quare non accepisti in corde tuo quod est futurum, sed quod in præsenti ?
17I answered, and said: Lord dominator: the sovereign Lord, not a domineering tyrant: behold thou hast disposed by thy law that the just shall inherit these things, and the impious shall perish.I answered, and sayd: Lord dominatour: behold thou hast disposed by thy law that the iust shal inherite these thinges, and the impious shal perish.Respondi et dixi, Dominator Domine, ecce disposuisti lege tua, quoniam justi hereditabunt hæc, impii autem peribunt.
18But the just shall suffer the straits, hoping for the wide places, for they that have done impiously, have both suffered the straits, and shall not see the wide places.But the iust shal suffer the streites, hoping for the wyde places, for they that haue done impiously, haue both suffered the streites, and shal not see the wide places.Justi autem ferent angusta, sperantes spatiosa. Qui enim impie gesserunt, at angusta passi sunt, et spatiosa non videbunt.
19And he said to me: There is no judge above God, nor that understandeth above the Highest.And he sayd to me: There is no iudge aboue God, nor that vnderstandeth aboue the Highest.Et dixit ad me, Non est judex super Deum, neque intelligens super Altissimum.
20For many present do perish, because the law of God which was set before, is neglected.For manie present doe perish, becaufe the law of God which was set before, is neglected.Pereunt enim multi præsentes, quia negligitur quæ anteposita est Dei lex.
21For God commanding commanded them that came, when they came, what doing they should live, and what observing they should not be punished.For God commanding commanded them that came, when they came, what doing they should liue, and what obseruing they should not be punished.Mandans enim mandavit Deus venientibus, quando venerunt, quid facientes viverent, et quid observantes non punirentur.
22But they were not persuaded, and gainsaid him, and made to themselves a cogitation of vanity,But they were not perswaded, and gaynesayd him, and made to them selues a cogitation of vanitie,Hi autem non sunt persuasi, et contradixerunt ei, et constituerunt sibi cogitamen vanitatis,
23and proposed to themselves deceits of sins, and they said to the Highest that he was not, and they knew not his ways,and proposed to them selues deceites of sinnes, & they sayd to the Highest that he was not, and they knew not his wayes,et proposuerunt sibi circumventiones delictorum, et superdixerunt Altissimo non esse, et vias ejus non cognoverunt,
24and despised his law, and denied his covenants, and had not fidelity in his ordinances, and did not accomplish his works.and dispised his law, and denyed his couenaunces, and had not fidelitie in his ordinances, and did not accomplish his workes.et legem ejus spreverunt, et sponsiones ejus abnegaverunt, et in legitimis ejus fidem non habuerunt, et opera ejus non perfecerunt.
25For this cause Esdras, the empty to the empty, and the full to the full.For this cause Esdras, the emptie to the emptie, and the ful to the ful.Propter hoc Esdra vacua vacuis, et plena plenis.
26Behold the time shall come, and it shall be when the signs shall come, which I have foretold thee, and the bride shall appear, and appearing she shall be shewed that now is hid with the earth:Behold the time shal come, and it shal be when the signes shal come, which I haue foretold thee, and the bride shal appeare, and appearing she shal be shewed that now is hid with the earth:Ecce tempus veniet, et erit quando venient signa quæ prædixi tibi, et apparebit sponsa, et apparescens ostendetur quæ nunc subducitur terra :
27and every one that is delivered from the foresaid evils, he shall see my marvellous things.and euerie one that is deliuered from the foresaid euils, he shal see my meruelous thinges.et omnis qui liberatus est de prædictis malis, ipse videbit mirabilia mea.
28For my son Jesus shall be revealed with them that are with him, and they shall be merry that are left in the four hundred years.For my sonne IESVS shal be reueled with them that are with him, and they shal be merie that are leaft in the foure hundred yeares.Revelabitur enim filius meus Jesus cum bis qui cum eo sunt, et jucundabuntur qui relicti sunt in annis quadringentis.
29And it shall be after these years, and my son Christ shall die: and all men that have breath,And it shal be after these yeares, and my sonne CHRIST shal dye: and al men that haue breath,Et erit post annos hos, et morietur filius meus Christus, et omnes qui spiramentum habent homines :
30and the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, as in the former judgments, so that none shall be left.and the world shal be turned into the old silence seuen dayes, as in the former iudgementes, so that none shal be leaft.et convertetur sæculum in antiquum silentium diebus septem, sicut in prioribus judiciis, ita ut nemo derelinquatur.
31And it shall be after seven days, and the world shall be raised up that yet waketh not, and shall die corrupted:And it shal be after seuen dayes, and the world shal be raysed vp that yet waketh not, and shal dye corrupted:Et erit post dies septem, et excitabitur quod nondum vigilat sæculum, et morietur corruptum :
32and the earth shall render the things that sleep in it, and the dust them that dwell in it with silence, and the promptuaria: storehouses, garners shall render the souls that are commended to them.and the earth shal render the thinges that sleepe in it, & the dust them that dwel in it with silence, and the cellars shal render the soules that are commended to them.et terra reddet quæ in ea dormiunt, et pulvis qui in eo silentio habitant, et promptuaria reddent quæ eis commendatæ sunt animæ.
33And the Highest shall be revealed upon the seat of judgment, and miseries shall pass, and long sufferance shall be gathered together.And the Highest shal be reueled vpon the seate of iudgement, and miseries shal passe, and long sufferance shal be gathered together.Et revelabitur Altissimus super sedem judicii, et pertransibunt miseriæ, et longanimitas congregabitur.
34And judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong,And iudgement onlie shal remayne, truth shal stand, and fayth shal waxe strong,judicium autem solum remanebit, veritas stabit, et fides convalescet,
35and the work shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and justice shall awake, and injustice shall not have dominion.and the worke shal folow, and the reward shal be shewed, and iustice shal awake, and iniustice shal not haue dominion.et opus subsequetur, et merces ostendetur, et justitiæ vigilabunt, et iniustitiæ non dominabuntur.
36And I said: First Abraham prayed for the Sodomites, and Moyses for the fathers that sinned in the desert.And I sayd: First Abraham prayed for the Sodomites, and Moyses for the fathers that sinned in the desert.Et dixi, Primus Abraham propter Sodomitas oravit, et Moyses pro patribus qui in deserto peccaverunt,
37And they that were after him for Israel in the days of Achaz, and of Samuel,And they that were after him for Israel in the dayes of Achaz, and of Samuel,et qui post eum pro Israël in diebus Achaz, et Samuelis,
38and David for the destruction, and Salomon for them that came unto the sanctification.and Dauid for the destruction, and Salomon for them that came vnto the sanctification.David pro confractione, et Salomon pro eis qui venerunt in sanctificationem.
39And Elias for them that received rain, and for the dead that he might live,And Elias for them that receiued raine, and for the dead that he might liue,Et Elias pro his qui pluviam acceperunt, et pro mortuo ut viveret,
40and Ezechias for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many for many.and Ezechias for the people in the dayes of Sennacherib, and manie for manie.et Ezechias pro populo in diebus Sennacherib, et multi pro multis.
41If therefore now when corruptible did increase, and injustice was multiplied, and the just prayed for the impious: why now also shall it not be so?If therfore now when corruptible did increase, and iniustice was multiplied, and the iust prayed for the impious: why now also shal it not be so?Si ergo modo quando corruptibile increvit, et iniustitia multiplicata est, et oraverunt justi pro impiis : quare et nunc sic non erit ?
42And he answered me and said: This present world is not the end, much glory remaineth in it: for this cause they prayed for the invalidis: sexually powerless; the weak, the feeble.And he answered me and sayd: This present world is not the end, much glorie remaineth in it: for this cause they prayed for the impotent.Et respondit ad me, et dixit, Præsens sæculum non est finis, gloria in eo frequens manet : propter hoc oraverunt pro invalidis.
43For the day of judgment shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality to come, wherein corruption is past:For the day of iudgement shal be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortalitie to come, wherein corruption is past:Dies enim judicii erit finis temporis hujus, et initium temporis futuræ immortalitatis, in quo transivit corruptela :
44intemperance is dissolved, incredulity is cut off: and justice hath increased, truth is sprung.intemperance is dissolued, incredulitie is cut of: and iustice hath increased, truth is sprong.soluta est intemperantia, abscissa est incredulitas : crevit autem justitia, orta est veritas.
45For then no man can save him that hath perished, nor drown him that hath overcome. And I answered,For then no man can saue him that hath perished, nor drowne him that hath ouercome. And I answered,Tunc enim nemo poterit salvare eum qui periit, neque demergere qui vicit. Et respondi,
46and said: This is my word the first and the last, that it had been better not to give the earth to Adam, or when he had now given it, to restrain him that he should not sin.and sayd: This is my word the first and the last, that it had bene better not to geue the earth to Adam, or when he had now geuen it, to restraine him that he should not sinne.et dixi, Hic est sermo meus primus et novissimus, quoniam melius erat non dare terram Adam, vel cum jam dedisset, coërcere eum ut non peccaret.
47For what doth it profit men presently to live in sorrow, and being dead to hope for punishment?For what doth it profit men presently to liue in sorow, and being dead to hope for punishment?Quid enim prodest hominibus in præsenti vivere in tristitia, et mortuos sperare punitionem ?
48O what hast thou done Adam? For if thou didst sin, it was not made thy fall only, but ours also which came of thee.O what hast thou done Adam? For if thou didst sinne, it was not made thy fal only, but ours also which came of thee.O tu quid fecisti Adam ? Si enim tu peccasti, non est factus solius tuus casus, sed et noster qui ex te advenimus.
49For what doth it profit us if immortal time be promised to us: but we have done mortal works?For what doth it profit vs if immortal time be promised to vs: but we haue done mortal workes?Quid enim prodest nobis, si promissum est nobis immortale tempus : nos autem mortalia opera egimus ?
50And that everlasting hope is foretold us: but we most wicked are become vain?And that euerlasting hope is foretold vs: but we most wicked are become vayne?Et quoniam prædicta est nobis perennis spes, nos vero pessimi vani facti sumus.
51And that habitations of health and security are reserved for us, but we have conversati: changed one's religion; lived, conducted oneself male: wickedly?And that habitations of health and securitie are reserued for vs, but we haue conuerst naughtely?Et quoniam reposita sunt nobis habitacula sanitatis et securitatis : nos vero male conversati sumus.
52And that the glory of the Highest is reserved to protect them that have slowly converst: but we have walked in most wicked ways.And that the glorie of the Highest is reserued to protect them that haue slowly conuerst: but we haue walked in most wicked wayes.Et quoniam reposita est gloria Altissimi protegere eos qui tarde conversati sunt : nos autem pessimis viis ambulavimus.
53And that paradise shall be shewed, whose fruit continueth incorrupted, wherein is security and remedy:And that paradise shal be shewed, whose fruite continueth incorrupted, wherin is securitie and remedie:Et quoniam ostendetur paradisus, cujus fructus incorruptus perseverat, in quo est securitas et medela :
54but we shall not enter in: for we have converst in unlawful places.but we shal not enter in: for we haue conuerst in vnlawful places.nos vero non ingrediemur. In ingratis enim locis conversati sumus.
55And their faces which have had abstinence, shall shine above the stars: but our faces black above darkness.And their faces which haue had abstinence, shal shyne aboue the starres: but our faces blacke aboue darkenes.Et quoniam super stellas fulgebunt facies eorum qui abstinentiam habuerunt : nostræ autem facies super tenebras nigræ.
56For we did not think living when we did iniquity, that we shall begin after death to suffer.For we did not thinke liuing when we did iniquitie, that we shal beginne after death to suffer.non enim cogitavimus viventes quando iniquitatem faciebamus, quòd incipiemus post mortem pati.
57And he answered, and said: This is the cogitation of the battle which man shall fight, who is born upon the earth,And he answered, and sayd: This is the cogitation of the battel which man shal fight, who is borne vpon the earth,Et respondit, et dixit, Hoc est cogitamentum certaminis quod certabit qui super terram natus est homo,
58that if he shall be overcome, he suffer that which thou hast said: but if he overcome he shall receive that which I say:that if he shal be ouercome, he suffer that which thou hast sayd: but if he ouercome he shal receiue that which I say:ut si victus fuerit, patiatur quod dixisti :si autem vicerit, recipiet quod dico :
59for this is the life which Moyses spake of when he lived, to the people, saying: Choose unto thee life, that thou mayst live.for this is the life which Moyses spake of when he liued, to the people, saying: Choose vnto thee life, that thou mayst liue.quoniam hæc est vita quam Moyses dixit cum viveret, ad populum, dicens, Elige tibi vitam, ut vivas.
60But they believed him not, no nor the Prophets after him, no nor me which have spoken to them.But they beleued him not, no nor the Prophetes after him, no nor me which haue spoken to them.Non crediderunt autem ei, sed nec post eum prophetis : sed nec mihi qui locutus sum ad eos,
61Because there should not be sorrow unto their perdition, as there shall be joy upon them, to whom salvation is persuaded.Because there should not be sorow vnto their perdition, as there shal be ioy vpon them, to whom saluation is perswaded.quoniam non esset tristitia in perditionem eorum. Sicut futurum est gaudium super eos, quibus persuasa est salus.
62And I answered, and said: I know Lord, that the Highest is called merciful in that, that he hath mercy on them which are not yet come into the world,And I answered, and sayd: I know Lord, that the Highest is called merciful in that, that he hath mercie on them which are not yet come into the world,Et respondi, et dixi, Scio Domine, quoniam vocatus est Altissimus misericors in eo, quòd misereatur his qui nondum in sæculo advenerunt,
63and that he hath mercy on them which converse in his law:and that he hath mercie on them which conuerse in his law:et quod miseretur illis qui conversionem faciunt in lege ejus :
64and he is long suffering, because he sheweth long sufferance to them that have sinned, as it were with their own works:and he is long suffering, becaufe he sheweth long sufferance to them that haue sinned, as it were with their owne workes:et longanimis est, quoniam longanimitatem præstat his qui peccaverunt quasi suis operibus :
65and he is bountiful, because he will give according to exigentiis: needs, requirements:and he is bountiful, because he wil geue according to exigentes:et munificus est, quoniam quidem donare vult pro exigentiis :
66and of great mercy, because he multiplieth more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and that are to come.and of great mercie, because he multiplieth more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and that are to come.et multæ misericordiæ, quoniam multiplicat magis misericordias his qui præsentes sunt, et qui præterierunt, et qui futuri sunt.
67For if he shall not multiply his mercies, the world shall not be made alive with them that did inherit it.For if he shal not multiplie his mercies, the world shal not be made aliue with them that did inherite it.Si enim non multiplicaverit misericordias suas : non vivificabitur sæculum cum his qui inhereditabunt in eo.
68And he giveth: for if he shall not give of his bounty, that they may be relieved which have done iniquity, the tenth thousand part of men can not be quickened from their iniquities.And he geueth: for if he shal not geue of his bountie, that they may be releeued which haue done iniquitie, the tenth thousand part of men can not be quickned from their iniquities.Et donat : quoniam si non donaverit de bonitate sua, ut alleventur hi qui iniquitatem fecerunt, de suis iniquitatibus non poterit decies millesima pars vivificari hominum.
69And the judge if he shall not forgive them that are cured with his word, and wipe away a multitude of contentions: there should not perhaps be left in an innumerable multitude, but very few.And the iudge if he shal not forgeue them that are cured with his word, and wype away a multitnde of contentions: there should not perhaps be leaft in an innumerable multitude, but very few.Et judex si non ignoverit his qui curati sunt verbo ejus, et deleverit multitudinem contentionum : non fortassis derelinquerentur in innumerabili multitudine, nisi pauci valde.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.