betwixt the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath.
[42] Upon the third day thou didst command that the waters should be gathered in the seventh part of the earth: six pats hast thou dried up, and kept them, to the intent that of these some being planted of God and tilled might serve thee.
[43] For as soon as thy word went forth the work was made.
[44] For immediately there was great and innumerable fruit, and many and divers pleasures for the taste, and flowers of unchangeable colour, and odours of wonderful smell: and this was done the third day.
[45] Upon the fourth day thou commandedst that the sun should shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars should be in order:
[46] And gavest them a charge to do service unto man, that was to be made.
[47] Upon the fifth day thou saidst unto the seventh part, where the waters were gathered that it should bring forth living creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it came to pass.
[48] For the dumb water and without life brought forth living things at the commandment of God, that all people might praise thy wondrous works.
[49] Then didst thou ordain two living creatures, the one thou calledst Enoch, and the other Leviathan;
[50] And didst separate the one from the other: for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both.
[51] Unto Enoch thou gavest one part, which was dried up the third day, that he should dwell in the same part, wherein are a thousand hills:
[52] But unto Leviathan thou gavest the seventh part, namely, the moist; and hast kept him to be devoured of whom thou wilt, and when.
[53] Upon the sixth day thou gavest commandment unto the earth, that before thee it should bring forth beasts, cattle, and creeping things:
[54] And after these, Adam also, whom thou madest lord of all thy creatures: of him come we all, and the people also whom thou hast chosen.
[55] All this have I spoken before thee, O Lord, because thou madest the world for our sakes
[56] As for the other people, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that they are nothing, but be like unto spittle: and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falleth from a vessel.
[57] And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been reputed as nothing, have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us.
[58] But we thy people, whom thou hast called thy firstborn, thy only begotten, and thy fervent lover, are given into their hands.
[59] If the world now be made for our sakes, why do we not possess an inheritance with the world? how long shall this endure?

4Ezra.7

[1] And when I had made an end of speaking these words, there was sent unto me the angel which had been sent unto me the nights afore:
[2] And he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee.
[3] And I said, Speak on, my God. Then said he unto me, The sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deep and great.
[4] But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river;
[5] Who then could go into the sea to look upon it, and to rule it? if he went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad?
[6] There is also another thing; A city is builded, and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things:
[7] The entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water:
[8] And one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once.
[9] If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance?
[10] And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said he unto me, Even so also is Israel's portion.
[11] Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that now is done.
[12] Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, full of sorrow and travail: they are but few and evil, full of perils,: and very painful.
[13] For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure, and brought immortal fruit.
[14] If then they that live labour not to enter these strait and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them.
[15] Now therefore why disquietest thou thyself, seeing thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou moved, whereas thou art but mortal?
[16] Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
[17] Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, thou hast ordained in thy law, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish.
[18] Nevertheless the righteous shall suffer strait things, and hope for wide: for they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide.
[19] And he said unto me. There is no judge above God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
[20] For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them.
[21] For God hath given strait commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came,