My LORD’s Bible2 Esdras 1
A composite work: the central Jewish apocalypse (often called 4 Ezra) is pseudonymously attributed to Ezra and likely dates to the late 1st century AD, written in the shadow of Jerusalem's fall in AD 70; the opening and closing chapters are separate, later Christian additions from the 2nd-3rd century AD. Wrestles honestly with the problem of evil and Israel's suffering, closing with apocalyptic visions of the end times.
4And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
5Go thy way, and shew my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children’s children:
6Because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto strange gods.
8Pull thou off then the hair of thy head, and cast all evil upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people.
9How long shall I forbear them, into whom I have done so much good?
10Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes; Pharaoh with his servants and all his power have I smitten down.
12Speak thou therefore unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord,
15Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as a token to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard: nevertheless ye murmured there,
16And triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur.
17Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when ye were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry unto me,
18Saying, Why hast thou 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.
20When ye 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.
21I divided among you a fruitful land, I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you: what shall I yet do more for you? saith the Lord.
23I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but cast a tree in the water, and made the river sweet.
25Seeing ye have forsaken me, I will forsake you also; when ye desire me to be gracious unto you, I shall have no mercy upon you.
27Ye have not as it were forsaken me, but your own selves, saith the Lord.
28Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have I not prayed you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes,
29That ye would be my people, and I should be your God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your father?
31When ye offer unto me, I will turn my face from you: for your solemn feastdays, your new moons, and your circumcisions, have I forsaken.
32I sent unto you my servants the prophets, whom ye have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require of your hands, saith the Lord.
33Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is desolate, I will cast you out as the wind doth stubble.
34And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have despised my commandment, and done the thing that is an evil before me.
35Your houses will I give to a people that shall come; which not having heard of me yet shall believe me; to whom I have shewed no signs, yet they shall do that I have commanded them.
36They have seen no prophets, yet they shall call their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them.