APOCRYPHA – 2 Esdras 13

2 Esdras 13

The visions of the wind coming forth of the sea. 3 Which became a man. 5 His property and power against his enemies. 21 The declaration of his vision.

AND after the seven days I dreamed a dream by night.

And behold, there arose a wind from the sea, and it moved all the waves thereof.

And I looked, and behold, there was a mighty man with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him.

And when the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, as the earth faileth when it feels the fire.

After these things I saw, and behold, there was gathered together a multitude of men out of number, from the four winds of the heaven, to fight against the man that came out of the sea.

And I looked, and behold, he graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it.

But I would have seen the country or place whereout the hill was graven, and I could not.

I saw after these things, and behold, all they which came to fight against him, were sore afraid, and yet they durst fight.

Nevertheless, when he saw the fierceness of the multitude that came, he lifted not up his hand: for he held no sword nor any instrument of war,

But only, as I saw, he sent out of his mouth, as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips the wind of the flame, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and storms.

And they were all mixed together, even this blast of fire, the wind of the flame, and the great storm, and fell with violence upon the multitude, which was prepared to fight, and burnt them all up, so that of the innumerable multitude there was nothing seen, but only dust, and smell of smoke. When I saw this, I was afraid.

Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and calling unto him another peaceable multitude.

And there came many unto him, some with joyful countenance, and some with sad: some of them were bound, and some brought of them that were offered: and I was sick through great fear, and awoke, and said,

Thou hast showed thy servant these wonders from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy to receive my prayer.

Show me now therefore the interpretation of this dream.

For thus I consider in mine understanding, woe unto them that shall be left in those days, and much more woe unto them that are not left behind.

For they that were not left, were in heaviness.

Now understand I the things that are laid up in the latter days, which shall come both unto them, and to those that are left behind.

Therefore are they come into great perils and many necessities, as these dreams declare.

Yet is it easier, that he that is in danger, should fall into these, and foresee the things to come hereafter, then to pass away as a cloud of the world.

Then answered he me, and said, The interpretation of the vision will I show thee, and I will open to thee the thing that thou hast required.

Where as thou hast spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation,

He that shall bear the danger in that time, he shall keep himself. They that be fallen into danger are such as have works and faith toward the most Mighty.

Know therefore, that they which be left behind, are more blessed than they that be dead.

These are the meanings of the vision, Where as thou saw a man coming up from the midst of the sea,

The same is he whom the most High hath kept a great season, who by his own self that deliver his creature, and he shall order them that are left behind.

And where as thou saw, that out of his mouth there came as a blast with fire and storm,

And that he neither held sword nor weapon, but that by his fierceness he destroyed the whole multitude, that came to fight against him, this is the interpretation,

Behold, the days come that the most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth:

And he shall astonish the hearts of them that dwell upon the earth:

And one shall prepare to fight against another, city against city, and place against place, and nation against nation, and realm against realm.

When this comes to pass, then shall the tokens come, that I showed thee before, and then shall my Son be revealed, whom thou saw go up as a man.

And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle that they have one against another.

And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered as one, as they that be willing to come, and to fight against him.

But he shall stand upon the top of mount Sion.

And Sion shall come, and shall be showed to all, being prepared and built, as thou saw the hill graven forth without any hands.

And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest,

And into torments like to flame, whereby they shall be tormented: and without any labor will he destroy them, even by the Law, which is compared unto the fire.

And where as thou saw that he gathered another peaceable people unto him,

Those are the ten tribes which were carried away captives out of their own land, in the time of Oseas the King, whom Salmansar the King of the Assyrias took captive, and carried them beyond the river: so were they brought into another land.

But they took this counsel to themselves that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,

That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.

And they entered in at the narrow passages of the river Euphrates.

For the most High then showed them signs, and stayed the springs of th eflood til they were passed over.

For through the country there was a great journey, even of a year and a half, and the same region is called Arsareth.

Then dwelt they there until the latter time: and when they come forth again,

The most High shall hold still the springs of the river again, that they may go through: therefore saw thou the multitude peaceable.

But they that be left behind of thy people, are those that be found within my borders.

Now when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he shall defend the people that remain,

And then shall he show great wonders unto them.

Then said I, O Lord, Lord, show me this, wherefore have I seen the man coming up from the midst of the sea?

And he said unto me, As thou canst neither seek out, nor know these things, that are in the deep of the sea, so can no man upon earth see my Son, or those that be with him, but in the time of that day.

This is the interpretation of the dream which thou saw, and whereby thou only are lightened.

For thou hast forsaken thine own Law, and applied thy diligence unto mine, and sought it.

Thy life hast thou ordered in wisdom, and have called understanding thy mother.

Therefore have I showed thee the rewards with the most High: and after three other days I will speak other things unto thee, and will declare the great and wondrous things.

Then went I forth unto the field, glorifying and praising the most High for the wonders which he did in time,

Which he governs, and such things as come in their seasons: and there I sat three days.