Chapter 8 _{19 Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before thee. This is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up: and I said,20 O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the air;21 Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling,22 Whose service is conversant in wind and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful;23 Whose look drieth up the depths, and indignation maketh the mountains to melt away; which the truth witnesseth:24 O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature.25 For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer.26 O look not upon the sins of thy people; but on them which serve thee in truth.27 Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in afflictions.28 Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will have known thy fear.29 Let it not be thy will to destroy them which have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught thy law.30 Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that always put their trust in thy righteousness and glory.31 For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful.32 For if thou hast a desire to have mercy upon us, thou shalt be called merciful, to us namely, that have no works of righteousness.33 For the just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward.34 For what is man, that thou shouldest take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible generation, that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it?35 For in truth them is no man among them that be born, but he hath dealt wickedly; and among the faithful there is none which hath not done amiss.36 For in this, O Lord, thy righteousness and thy goodness shall be declared, if thou be merciful unto them which have not the confidence of good works.37 Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be.38 For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction:39 But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have.40 Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.41 For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet the thing that is sown good in his season cometh not up, neither doth all that is planted take root: even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be saved.}