2 Esdras 13:39-50

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

³⁹ “And as for your seeing him gather to himself another multitude that was peaceable,^{(A) 40} these are the nine^[a] tribes that were taken away from their own land into exile in the days of King Hoshea, whom Shalmaneser, king of the Assyrians, made captives; he took them across the river, and they were taken into another land.^{(B) 41} But they formed this plan for themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the nations and go to a more distant region where no humans had ever lived, ⁴² so that there at least they might keep their statutes that they had not kept in their own land. ⁴³ And they went in by the narrow passages of the River Euphrates.^{(C) 44} For at that time the Most High performed signs for them and stopped the channels of the river until they had crossed over.^{(D) 45} Through that region there was a long way to go, a journey of a year and a half, and that country is called Arzareth.

⁴⁶ “Then they lived there until the last times, and now, when they are about to come again, ⁴⁷ the Most High will stop^[b] the channels of the river again, so that they may be able to cross over. Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together in peace.^{(E) 48} But those who are left of your people, who are found within my holy borders, shall be saved.^{[c](F) 49} Therefore when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he will defend the people who remain. ⁵⁰ And then he will show them very many wonders.”