30. For a grain of evil seed was sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much wickedness has it brought forth to this time! and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come!
31. Ponder now by yourself, how great fruit of wickedness a grain of evil seed has brought forth.
32. When the ears which are without number shall be sown, how great a floor shall they fill!
33. Then I answered and said, How long? and when shall these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and evil?
34. And he answered me, and said, You do not hasten more than the Most High: for your haste is for your own self, but he that is above hastens on behalf of many.
35. Did not the souls of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, How long are we here? when comes the fruit of the threshing time of our reward?
36. And to them Jeremiel the archangel gave answer, and said, Even when the number is fulfilled of them that are like to you. For he has weighed the world in the balance;
37. and by measure has he measured the times, and by number has he counted the seasons; and he shall not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled.
38. Then answered I and said, O Lord that bear rule, yet even we all are full of impiety:
39. and for our sakes perhaps it is that the threshing time of the righteous is kept back, because of the sins of them that dwell upon the earth.
40. So he answered me, and said, Go your way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she has fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer within her.
41. Then said I, no, Lord, that can it not. And he said to me, in the grave the chambers of souls are like the womb: