The Second Book of Esdras
Apocalyptic visions of judgment, mercy, and the age to come.
Second Esdras gathers a series of apocalyptic visions attributed to Ezra during the Babylonian exile, grappling with why the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper. Its symbolic imagery of eagles, a mourning woman, and a man rising from the sea points toward a coming messianic age, echoing the visionary style found later in Revelation. Begin at II Esdras chapter 1 to read these visions in full.
About II Esdras
Second Esdras is one of the Apocryphal books included in the King James Version with Apocrypha, not part of the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant canons. Composed of several apocalyptic visions attributed to Ezra during the Babylonian exile, it grapples with why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper, and unfolds symbolic visions of eagles, a mourning woman, and a man rising from the sea, pointing toward a coming messianic age, resurrection, and final judgment. Read Second Esdras online here, verse by verse.