62 I answered, “O earth, why have you produced, if the mind is made out of dust, like all other created things? (WEB) 63 For it would have been better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made from it. (WEB) 64 But now the mind grows with us, and because of this we are tormented, because we perish and we know it. (WEB) 65 Let the race of men lament and the animals of the field be glad. Let all who are born lament, but let the four-footed animals and the livestock rejoice. (WEB) 66 For it is far better with them than with us; for they don’t look forward to judgment, neither do they know of torments or of salvation promised to them after death. (WEB) 67 For what does it profit us, that we will be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment? (WEB) 68 For all who are born are defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with transgressions. (WEB) 69 If after death we were not to come into judgment, perhaps it would have been better for us.” (WEB)
2 Esdras 7:62–69
Semantically similar passages
2 Esdras 7:116–118
116 I answered then, “This is my first and last saying, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, to have restrained him from sinning. (WEB) 117 For what profit is it for all who are in this present time to live in… (WEB)
2 Esdras 7:125–127
125 And that the faces of those who have practiced self-control will shine more than the stars, but our faces will be blacker than darkness? (WEB) 126 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we didn’t consider what we would have to suffer after death.” (WEB) 127 Then he answered, “… (WEB)
2 Esdras 7:46–48
46 But what about those for whom I prayed? For who is there of those who are alive who has not sinned, and who of the children of men hasn’t transgressed your covenant? (WEB) 47 Now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many. (WEB) 48 For an evil h… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 5:12–14
12 Or it is like when an arrow is shot at a mark, the air it divided closes up again immediately, so that men don’t know where it passed through. (WEB) 13 So we also, as soon as we were born, ceased to be; and we had no sign of virtue to show, but we were utterly consumed… (WEB)
2 Esdras 7:55–57
55 Say to her, ‘You produce gold, silver, and brass, and also iron, lead, and clay; (WEB) 56 but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.’ (WEB) 57 Judge therefore which things are precious and to be desi… (WEB)
2 Enoch 30:14–16
14 'This is good, and that bad,' that I should learn whether he has love towards me, or hatred, that it be clear which in his race love me. (2EN) 15 For I have seen his nature, but he has not seen his own nature, therefore through not seeing he will sin worse, and I said… (2EN) 16 … (2EN)
2 Baruch 51:14–16
14 For they have been delivered from this world of tribulation, And laid down the burden of anguish. (2BA) 15 For what then have men lost their life, And for what have those who were on the earth exchanged their soul? (2BA) 16 For then they chose (not) for themselves this time, Whi… (2BA)
2 Baruch 21:17–18
17 and what we now are we shall not afterwards remain. For if a consummation had not been prepared (2BA) 18 for all, in vain would have been their beginning. But regarding everything that comes from Thee, do Thou inform me, and regarding everything about which I ask Thee,… (2BA)
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