2 Esdras

1And it came to pass the second night that I saw a dream, and, behold, there came up from the sea an eagle, which had twelve feathered wings, and three heads.

2And I saw, and, behold, she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of heaven blew on her, and the clouds were gathered together against her.

3And I saw, and out of her wings there grew other wings near them; and they became little wings and small.

4But her heads were at rest: the head in the midst was greater than the other heads, yet rested it with them.

5Moreover I saw, and, behold, the eagle flew with her wings, to reign over the earth, and over those who dwell therein.

6And I saw how all things under heaven were subject to her, and no man spoke against her, no, not one creature upon earth.

7And I saw, and, behold, the eagle rose upon her talons, and uttered her voice to her wings, saying,

8Watch not all at once: sleep every one in his own place, and watch by course:

9but let the heads be preserved for the last.

10And I saw, and, behold, the voice went not out of her heads, but from the midst of her body.

11And I counted her wings that were near the other, and, behold, there were eight of them.

12And I saw, and, behold, on the right side there arose one wing, and reigned over all the earth;

13and so it was, that when it reigned, the end of it came, and it appeared not, so that the place thereof appeared no more: and the next following rose up, and reigned, and it bare rule a great time;

14and it happened, that when it reigned, the end of it came also, so that it appeared no more, like as the first.

15And, behold, there came a voice to it, and said,

16Hear you that have borne rule over the earth all this time: this I proclaim to you, before you shall appear no more,

17There shall none after you attain to your time, neither to the half thereof.

18Then arose the third, and had the rule as the others before, and it also appeared no more.

19So went it with all the wings one after another, as that every one bare rule, and then appeared no more.

20And I saw, and, behold, in process of time the wings that followed were set up upon the right side, that they might rule also; and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more:

21some also of them were set up, but ruled not.

22After this I saw, and, behold, the twelve wings appeared no more, nor two of the little wings:

23and there was no more left upon the eagle’s body, but the three heads that rested, and six little wings.

24And I saw, and, behold, two little wings divided themselves from the six, and remained under the head that was upon the right side: but four remained in their place.

25And I saw, and, behold, these under wings thought to set up themselves, and to have the rule.

26And I saw, and, behold, there was one set up, but within a while it appeared no more.

27A second also, and it was sooner away than the first.

28And I saw, and, behold, the two that remained thought also in themselves to reign:

29and while they so thought, behold, there awaked one of the heads that were at rest, namely, it that was in the midst; for that was greater than the two other heads.

30And I saw how it joined the two other heads with it.

31And, behold, the head was turned with those who were with it, and did eat up the two under wings that thought to have reigned.

32But this head held the whole earth in possession, and bare rule over those that dwell therein with much oppression; and it had the governance of the world more than all the wings that had been.

33And after this I saw, and, behold, the head also that was in the midst suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings.

34But there remained the two heads, which also in like sort reigned over the earth, and over those that dwell therein.

35And I saw, and, behold, the head upon the right side devoured it that was upon the left side.

36Then I heard a voice, which said to me, Look before you, and consider the thing that you see.

37And I saw, and, behold, as it were a lion roused out of the wood roaring: and I heard how that he sent out a man’s voice to the eagle, and spoke, saying,

38Hear you, I will talk with you, and the Most High shall say to you,

39Are not you it that remain of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of my times might come through them?

40And the fourth came, and overcame all the beasts that were past, and held the world in governance with great trembling, and the whole compass of the earth with grievous oppression; and so long time lived he upon the earth with deceit.

41And you have judged the earth, but not with truth.

42For you have afflicted the meek, you have hurt the peaceful, you have hated those who speak truth, you have loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of those who brought forth fruit, and cast down the walls of such as did you no harm.

43Therefore is your insolent dealing come up to the Most High, and your pride to the Mighty.

44The Most High also has looked upon his times, and, behold, they are ended, and his ages are fulfilled.

45And therefore appear no more, you eagle, nor your horrible wings, nor your evil little wings, nor your cruel heads, nor your hurtful talons, nor all your vain body:

46that all the earth may be refreshed, and be eased, being delivered from your violence, and that she may hope for the judgement and mercy of him that made her.