1 And I answered and said: 'Lo! Thou hast shown me the method of the times, and that which shall be alter these things, and Thou hast said unto me, that the retribution, which has been spoken of by Thee, shall come upon (2BA) 2 the nations. And now I know that those who have sinned are many, and they have lived in prosperity, and departed from the world, but that few nations will be left in those times, to whom those words shall be said which Thou didst (2BA) 3 say. For what advantage is there in this, or what (evil), worse than what we have seen befall us, are we to expect to see? (2BA) 4 But again I will speak in Thy presence: What have they profited who had knowledge before Thee, and have not walked in vanity as the rest of the nations, and have not said to the dead: "Give (2BA) 6 us life," but always feared Thee, and have not left Thy ways? And lo! they have been carried off, (2BA) 7 nor on their account hast Thou had mercy on Zion. And if others did evil, it was due to Zion, that on account of the works of those who wrought good works she should be forgiven, and (2BA) 8 should not be overwhelmed on account of the works of those who wrought unrighteousness. But who, O Lord, my Lord, will comprehend Thy judgement, Or who will search out the profoundness of Thy way? Or who will think out the weight of Thy path? (2BA) 9 Or who will be able to think out Thy incomprehensible counsel? Or who of those that are born has ever found The beginning or end of Thy wisdom? (2BA) 10 For we have all been made like a breath. For as the breath ascends involuntarily, and again dies, so it is with the nature of men, who depart not according to their own will, and know not (2BA) 12 what will befall them in the end. For the righteous justly hope for the end, and without fear depart from this habitation, because they have with Thee a store of works preserved in treasuries. (2BA) 13 On this account also these without fear leave this world, and trusting with joy they hope to (2BA) 14 receive the world which Thou hast promised them. But as for us --- woe to us, who also are (2BA) 15 now shamefully entreated, and at that time look forward (only) to evils. But Thou knowest accurately what Thou hast done by means of Thy servants; for we are not able to understand (2BA) 16 that which is good as Thou art, our Creator. But again I will speak in Thy presence, O LORD, (2BA) 17 my Lord. When of old there was no world with its inhabitants, Thou didst devise and speak (2BA) 18 with a word, and forthwith the works of creation stood before Thee. And Thou didst say that Thou wouldst make for Thy world man as the administrator of Thy works, that it might be known that he was by no means made on account of the world, but the world on… (2BA)
2 Baruch 14:1–19
Semantically similar passages
2 Baruch 24:3–4
3 who sin and (those who) are righteous.' And I answered and said: 'But, behold! O Lord, no one knows the number of those things which have passed nor yet of those things which are to come. (2BA) 4 For I know indeed that which has befallen us, but what will happen to ou… (2BA)
2 Esdras 7:121–123
121 And that there are reserved habitations of health and safety, but we have lived wickedly? (WEB) 122 And that the glory of the Most High will defend those who have led a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways of all? (WEB) 123 And that a paradise will be revealed, wh… (WEB)
2 Esdras 5:40–42
40 Then said he to me, “Just as you can do none of these things that I have spoken of, even so you can’t find out my judgment, or the end of the love that I have promised to my people.” (WEB) 41 I said, “But, behold, O Lord, you have made the promise to those who are aliv… (WEB)
Book of Enoch 9:10–11
10 And now, behold, the souls of those who have died are crying and making their suit to the gates of heaven, and their lamentations have ascended: and cannot cease because of the lawless deeds which are wrought on the earth. (ENO) 11 And Thou knowest all things before th… (ENO)
2 Esdras 7:49–51
49 He answered me, “Listen to me, and I will instruct you. I will admonish you yet again. (WEB) 50 For this reason, the Most High has not made one world, but two. (WEB) 51 For because you have said that the just are not many, but few, and the ungodly abound, hear the explanation. (WEB)
2 Baruch 3:3–4
3 that I may go to my fathers and not behold the destruction of my mother. For two things vehemently constrain me: for I cannot resist Thee, and my soul, moreover, cannot behold the evils (2BA) 4 of my mother. But one thing I will say in Thy presence, O Lord. What, ther… (2BA)
2 Baruch 15:3–5
3 what thou hast said, that the righteous are carried off and the impious are prospered, And as (2BA) 4 regards what thou hast said "Man knows not Thy judgement" -- On this account hear, and I will (2BA) 5 speak to thee, and hearken, and I will cause thee to hear My words. Man w… (2BA)
2 Baruch 21:10–12
10 righteous [as living (and) being past finding out]. For Thou alone dost live immortal and past (2BA) 11 finding out, and knowest the number of mankind. And if in time many have sinned, yet others not a few have been righteous. (2BA) 12 Thou knowest where Thou preservest the end… (2BA)
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