2 Esdras 16:1-17

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Further Denunciations

16 Woe to you, Babylon and Asia! Woe to you, Egypt and Syria!^{(A) 2} Bind on sackcloth and cloth of goats’ hair,^[a] and wail for your children, and lament for them, for your destruction is at hand.^{(B) 3} The sword has been sent upon you, and who is there to turn it back? ⁴ A fire has been sent upon you, and who is there to quench it?^{(C) 5} Calamities have been sent upon you, and who is there to drive them away?^{(D) 6} Can one drive off a hungry lion in the forest or quench a fire in the stubble once it has started to burn?^{[b](E) 7} Can one turn back an arrow shot by a strong archer?^{(F) 8} The Lord God sends calamities, and who will drive them away?^{(G) 9} Fire will go forth from his wrath, and who is there to quench it?^{(H) 10} He will flash lightning, and who will not be afraid? He will thunder, and who will not be terrified?^{(I) 11} The Lord will threaten, and who will not be utterly shattered at his presence? ¹² The earth and its foundations quake, the sea is churned up from the depths, and its waves and the fish with them shall be troubled at the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power.^{(J) 13} For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, and his arrows that he shoots are sharp, and when they are shot to the ends of the world they will not miss once.^{(K) 14} Calamities are sent forth and shall not return until they come over the earth. ¹⁵ The fire is kindled and shall not be put out until it consumes the foundations of the earth.^{(L) 16} Just as an arrow shot by a mighty archer does not return, so the calamities that are sent upon the earth shall not return.^{(M) 17} Alas for me! Alas for me! Who will deliver me in those days?