2 Esdras 16:38-40

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

³⁸ Just as a pregnant woman, in the ninth month when the time of her delivery draws near, has great pains around her womb for two or three hours beforehand, but when the child comes forth from the womb, there will not be a moment’s delay, ³⁹ so the calamities will not delay in coming upon the earth, and the world will groan, and pains will seize it on every side.

⁴⁰ Hear my words, O my people; prepare for battle, and in the midst of the calamities be like strangers on the earth.