2 Esdras 6:50-59

Common English Bible

⁵⁰ You separated them from each other, for the seventh part where the water was gathered couldn’t contain them. ⁵¹ You gave Behemoth one part of the land that had been dried on the third day, where there are a thousand mountains so that he might live there. ⁵² To Leviathan, however, you gave the watery seventh part. You kept them to be eaten by whomever you wish, and whenever you wish.

⁵³ “On the sixth day you commanded the earth that it create before you cattle, beasts, and reptiles, ⁵⁴ and over these you set Adam, the leader over all the things you had made. From him we all, the people you have chosen, have been brought forth.

⁵⁵ “I have said all these things before you, Lord, because you have said that you created the oldest age^[a] for our sake. ⁵⁶ You have said that the other nations born of Adam are nothing, that they are like spit, and you have compared their abundance to a drop from a pitcher. ⁵⁷ But look now, Lord! These nations that are valued as nothing rule over us and devour us, ⁵⁸ while we, your people, whom you have called your oldest offspring, your one and only child, those who are zealous for you, your dearest ones, are handed over to them. ⁵⁹ If the world was created for our sake, why don’t we possess our world as an inheritance? How long will this situation last?”