7:16 Why hast thou not considered in thy mind this thing that is to come, rather than that which is present?
7:17 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.
7:18 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.
7:19 And he said unto me. There is no judge above God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.
7:20 For there be many that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set before them.
7:21 For God hath given strait commandment to such as came, what they should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid punishment.
7:22 Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but spake against him, and imagined vain things;
7:23 And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds; and said of the most High, that he is not; and knew not his ways:
7:24 But his law have they despised, and denied his covenants; in his statutes have they not been faithful, and have not performed his works.
7:25 And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things.