13. You are his Creator, and, as you wish, you can take away his life or allow him to live.
14. But if you are so ready to destroy a person that was so carefully created at your command, why was he created in the first place?”
15. “Now, Lord, I must say this: You may know what is best with regard to the rest of human race, but I mourn for your own people —
16. I am disturbed and grieved for your own nation Israel, the descendants of Jacob.
17. So I want to pray for them and for myself, because I can see how all of us who live on this earth have failed,
18. and I know that judgement will soon come upon us.
19. So please hear me and listen to my prayer.”The prayer that Ezra prayed before he was taken up into heaven begins here. He prayed,
20. “O Lord, you live for ever, and the highest heavens are yours.