1. THE second book of the prophet Esdras, Saraias, the son of Azaraias, the son of Helkias, the son of Salemas, the son of Sadoc, the son of Ahitob,
2. the son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Borith, the son of Abissei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,
3. the son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of the Persians.
4. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5. Go your way, and show my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children’s children:
6. because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have done sacrifice to strange gods.
7. Did I not bring them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? but they have provoked me to wrath, and have despised my counsels.
8. Shake you then the hair of your head, and cast all evils upon them, for they have not been obedient to my law, but it is a rebellious people.
9. How long shall I forbear them, to whom I have done so much good?
10. I have overthrown many kings for their sakes; I have struck down Pharoah with his servants and all his host.
11. I have destroyed all the nations before them, and in the east I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyre and Sidon, and have slain all their adversaries.
12. Speak therefore to them, saying,
13. Thus says the Lord, of a truth I brought you through the sea, and where there was no path I made for you highways; I gave you Moses for a leader, and Aaron for a priest.
14. I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you; yet have you⌃ forgotten me, says the Lord.
15. Thus says the Lord Almighty, The quails were for a token to you; I gave you a camp for your safeguard, nevertheless you⌃ murmured there:
16. and you⌃ triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do you⌃ yet murmur.
17. Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when you⌃ were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did you⌃ not cry to me,
18. saying, Why have you brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness.
19. I had pity upon your mournings, and gave you manna for food; you⌃ did eat angels’ bread.
20. Wnen you⌃ were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees.
21. I divided among you fruitful lands; I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you: what shall I yet do more for you? says the Lord.