The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Esdras 01
The Second Book of Esdras is included
in the Slavonic Bible as 3 Esdras, but is
not found in the Greek Septuagint. It is
included in the Appendix to the Latin
Vulgate Bible as 4 Esdras. It is considered to
be Apocrypha by most church traditions.
It is preserved here for its supplementary
historical value.
1 The second book of the prophet Esdras,
the son of Saraias, the son of Azaraias, the
son of Helkias, the son of Salemas, the son
of Sadoc, the son of Ahitob,
2 the son of Achias, the son of Phinees,
the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son
of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of
Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Borith,
the son of Abissei, the son of Phinees, the
son of Eleazar,
3 the son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi,
who was captive in the land of the Medes,
in the reign of Artaxerxes king of the Persians.
4 The Lord’s word came to me, saying,
5 “Go your way and show my people
their sinful deeds, and their children their
wickedness which they have done against
me, that they may tell their children’s children,
6 because the sins of their fathers have
increased in them, for they have forgotten
me, and have offered sacrifices to
foreign gods.
7 Didn’t I bring them out of the land of
Egypt, out of the house of bondage? But
they have provoked me to wrath and have
despised my counsels.
8 So pull out the hair of your head and
cast all evils upon them, for they have not
been obedient to my law, but they are a
rebellious people.
9 How long shallI endure them, to whom
I have done so much good?
10 I have overthrown many kings for
their sakes. I have struck down Pharoah
with his servants and all his army.
11 I have destroyed all the nations before
them. In the east, I have scattered the
people of two provinces, even of Tyre and
Sidon, and have slain all their adversaries.
12 Speak therefore to them, saying:
13 “The Lord says, truly I brought you
through the sea, and where there was no
path I made highways for you. I gave you
Moses for a leader and Aaron for a priest.
14 I gave you light in a pillar of fire. I
have done great wonders among you, yet
you have forgotten me, says the Lord.
15 “The Lord Almighty says: The quails
were for a token to you. I gave you a camp
for your protection, but you complained there.
16 You didn’t celebrate in my name for
the destruction of your enemies, but even
to this day you still complain.
17 Where are the benefits that I have
given you? When you were hungry and
thirsty in the wilderness, didn’t
you cry to me,
18 saying, ‘Why have you brought us into
this wilderness to kill us? It would have
been better for us to have served the
Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.’
19 I had pity on your mourning and gave
you manna for food. You ate angels’ bread.
20 When you were thirsty, didn’t I split
the rock, and water flowed out in abundance?
Because of the heat, I covered you
with the leaves of the trees.
21 I divided fruitful lands among you. I
drove out the Canaanites, the Pherezites,
and the Philistines before you. What more
shall I do for you?” says the Lord.
22 The Lord Almighty says, “When you
were in the wilderness, at the bitter
stream, being thirsty and blaspheming my
name,
23 I gave you not fire for your blasphemies,
but threw a tree in the water, and
made the river sweet.
24 What shall I do to you, O Jacob? You,
Judah, would not obey me. I will turn
myself to other nations, and I will give
my name to them, that they may keep my
statutes.
25 Since you have forsaken me, I also
will forsake you. When you ask me to be
merciful to you, I will have no mercy upon
you.
26 Whenever you call upon me, I will
not hear you, for you have defiled your
hands with blood, and your feet are swift
to commit murder.
27 It is not as though you have forsaken
me, but your own selves,” says the Lord.
28 The Lord Almighty says, “Haven’t I
asked you as a father his sons, as a mother
her daughters, and a nurse her young babies,
29 that you would be my people, and I
would be your God, that you would be my
children, and I would be your father?
30 I gathered you together, as a hen
gathers her chicks under her wings. But now,
what should I do to you? I will cast you out
from my presence.
31 When you offer burnt sacrifices to
me, I will turn my face from you, for I
have rejected your solemn feast days, your
new moons, and your circumcisions of the
flesh.
32 I sent to you my servants the prophets,
whom you have taken and slain, and torn
their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will
require from you,” says the Lord.
33 The Lord Almighty says, “Your house
is desolate. I will cast you out as the wind
blows stubble.
34 Your children won’t be fruitful, for
they have neglected my commandment to
you, and done that which is evil before me.
35 I will give your houses to a people
that will come, which not having heard
of me yet believe me. Those to whom I
have shown no signs will do what I have
commanded.
36 They have seen no prophets, yet they
will remember their former condition.
37 I call to witness the gratitude of the
people who will come, whose little ones
rejoice with gladness. Although they see
me not with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they
will believe what I say.”
38 And now, father, behold with glory,
and see the people that come from the east:
39 to whom I will give for leaders,
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and
Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,
40 Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias,
Aggaeus, Zachary, and Malachy, who is also
called the Lord’s messenger.