21 For just as the ground is given to the wood, and the sea to its waves, even so those who dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but what is upon the earth. Only he who dwells above the heavens understands the things that are above the height of the heavens.” (WEB) 22 Then answered I and said, “I beg you, O Lord, why has the power of understanding been given to me? (WEB) 23 For it was not in my mind to be curious of the ways above, but of such things as pass by us daily, because Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen. The people whom you have loved have been given over to ungodly nations. The law of our forefathers is made of no effect, and the written covenants are nowhere regarded. (WEB)
2 Esdras 4:21–23
Semantically similar passages
2 Esdras 5:37–39
37 Open for me the chambers that are closed, and bring out the winds for me that are shut up in them. Or show me the image of a voice. Then I will declare to you the travail that you asked to see.” (WEB) 38 And I said, “O sovereign Lord, who may know these things except h… (WEB)
2 Esdras 4:10–12
10 He said moreover to me, “You can’t understand your own things that you grew up with. (WEB) 11 How then can your mind comprehend the way of the Most High? How can he who is already worn out with the corrupted world understand incorruption?” When I heard these things, I… (WEB) 12 … (WEB)
2 Esdras 4:1–3
1 The angel who was sent to me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer, (WEB) 2 and said to me, “Your understanding has utterly failed you regarding this world. Do you think you can comprehend the way of the Most High?” (WEB) 3 Then I said, “Yes, my Lord.” He answered me, “I ha… (WEB)
2 Esdras 4:5–7
5 I said, “Say on, my Lord.” Then said he to me, “Go, weigh for me the weight of a fire, or measure for me a blast of wind, or call back for me the day that is past.” (WEB) 6 Then answered I and said, “Who of the sons of men is able to do this, that you should ask me ab… (WEB)
2 Esdras 12:3–5
3 I saw, and behold, they disappeared, and the whole body of the eagle was burned, so that the earth was in great fear. Then I woke up because of great perplexity of mind and great fear, and said to my spirit, (WEB) 4 “Behold, you have done this to me, because you searc… (WEB)
2 Baruch 54:8–10
8 For if my members were mouths, And the hairs of my head voices, Even so I could not give Thee the meed of praise, Nor laud thee as is befitting, Nor could I recount Thy praise, Nor tell the glory of Thy beauty. (2BA) 9 For what am I amongst men, Or why am I reckoned a… (2BA)
2 Esdras 5:32–34
32 and said to me, “Hear me, and I will instruct you. Listen to me, and I will tell you more.” (WEB) 33 I said, “Speak on, my Lord.” Then said he to me, “You are very troubled in mind for Israel’s sake. Do you love that people more than he who made them?” (WEB) 34 I said, “No, Lord… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 9:15–17
15 For a corruptible body weighs down the soul. The earthy tent burdens a mind that is full of cares. (WEB) 16 We can hardly guess the things that are on earth, and we find the things that are close at hand with labor; but who has traced out the things that are in the hea… (WEB)
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