2 Esdras

capitolul 11


Capitole:


versetul 1

It came to pass the second night that I saw a dream, and behold, an eagle which had twelve feathered wings and three heads came up from the sea.


versetul 2

I saw, and behold, she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of heaven blew on her, and the clouds were gathered together against her.


versetul 3

I saw, and out of her wings there grew other wings near them; and they became little, tiny wings.


versetul 4

But her heads were at rest. The head in the middle was larger than the other heads, yet rested it with them.


versetul 5

Moreover I saw, and behold, the eagle flew with her wings to reign over the earth and over those who dwell therein.


versetul 6

I saw how all things under heaven were subject to her, and no one spoke against her—no, not one creature on earth.


versetul 7

I saw, and behold, the eagle rose on her talons, and uttered her voice to her wings, saying,


versetul 8

“Don’t all watch at the same time. Let each one sleep in his own place and watch in turn;


versetul 9

but let the heads be preserved for the last.”


versetul 10

I saw, and behold, the voice didn’t come out of her heads, but from the midst of her body.


versetul 11

I counted her wings that were near the others, and behold, there were eight of them.


versetul 12

I saw, and behold, on the right side one wing arose and reigned over all the earth.


versetul 13

When it reigned, the end of it came, and it disappeared, so that its place appeared no more. The next wing rose up and reigned, and it ruled a long time.


versetul 14

It happened that when it reigned, its end came also, so that it disappeared, like the first.


versetul 15

Behold, a voice came to it, and said,


versetul 16

“Listen, you who have ruled over the earth all this time! I proclaim this to you, before you disappear,


versetul 17

none after you will rule as long as you, not even half as long.”


versetul 18

Then the third arose, and ruled as the others before, and it also disappeared.


versetul 19

So it went with all the wings one after another, as every one ruled, and then disappeared.


versetul 20

I saw, and behold, in process of time the wings that followed were set up on the right side, that they might rule also. Some of them ruled, but in a while they disappeared.


versetul 21

Some of them also were set up, but didn’t rule.


versetul 22

After this I saw, and behold, the twelve wings disappeared, along with two of the little wings.


versetul 23

There was no more left on the eagle’s body, except the three heads that rested, and six little wings.


versetul 24

I saw, and behold, two little wings divided themselves from the six and remained under the head that was on the right side; but four remained in their place.


versetul 25

I saw, and behold, these under wings planned to set themselves up and to rule.


versetul 26

I saw, and behold, there was one set up, but in a while it disappeared.


versetul 27

A second also did so, and it disappeared faster than the first.


versetul 28

I saw, and behold, the two that remained also planned between themselves to reign.


versetul 29

While they thought about it, behold, one of the heads that were at rest awakened, the one that was in the middle, for that was greater than the two other heads.


versetul 30

I saw how it joined the two other heads with it.


versetul 31

Behold, the head turned with those who were with it, and ate the two under wings that planned to reign.


versetul 32

But this head held the whole earth in possession, and ruled over those who dwell in it with much oppression. It had stronger governance over the world than all the wings that had gone before.


versetul 33

After this I saw, and behold, the head also that was in the middle suddenly disappeared, like the wings.


versetul 34

But the two heads remained, which also reigned the same way over the earth and over those who dwell in it.


versetul 35

I saw, and behold, the head on the right side devoured the one that was on the left side.


versetul 36

Then I heard a voice, which said to me, “Look in front of you, and consider the thing that you see.”


versetul 37

I saw, and behold, something like a lion roused out of the woods roaring. I heard how he sent out a man’s voice to the eagle, and spoke, saying,


versetul 38

“Listen and I will talk with you. The Most High will say to you,


versetul 39

‘Aren’t you the one that remains of the four animals whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of my times might come through them?


versetul 40

The fourth came and overcame all the animals that were past, and ruled the world with great trembling, and the whole extent of the earth with grievous oppression. He lived on the earth such a long time with deceit.


versetul 41

You have judged the earth, but not with truth.


versetul 42

For you have afflicted the meek, you have hurt the peaceful, you have hated those who speak truth, you have loved liars, destroyed the dwellings of those who produced fruit, and threw down the walls of those who did you no harm.


versetul 43

Your insolence has come up to the Most High, and your pride to the Mighty.


versetul 44

The Most High also has looked at his times, and behold, they are ended, and his ages are fulfilled.


versetul 45

Therefore appear no more, you eagle, nor your horrible wings, nor your evil little wings, nor your cruel heads, nor your hurtful talons, nor all your worthless body,


versetul 46

that all the earth may be refreshed and relieved, being delivered from your violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him who made her.’”

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