2 Esdras 11

1 Then saw I a dream and behold there came up from the sea an eagle which had twelve feathered wings and three heads

2 And I saw and behold she spread her wings over all the earth and all the winds of the air blew on her and were gathered together

3 And I beheld and out of her feathers there grew other contrary feathers and they became little feathers and small

4 But her heads were at rest the head in the midst was greater than the other yet rested it with the residue

5 Moreover I beheld and lo the eagle flew with her feathers and reigned upon earth and over them that dwelt therein

6 And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her and no man spake against her no not one creature upon earth

7 And I beheld and lo the eagle rose upon her talons and spake to her feathers saying

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

9 But let the heads be preserved for the last

10 And I beheld and lo the voice went not out of her heads but from the midst of her body

11 And I numbered her contrary feathers and behold there were eight of them

12 And I looked and behold on the right side there arose one feather and reigned over all the earth

13 And so it was that when it reigned the end of it came and the place thereof appeared no more so the next following stood up and reigned and had a great time

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

15 Then came there a voice unto it and said

16 Hear thou that hast borne rule over the earth so long this I say unto thee before thou beginnest to appear no more

17 There shall none after thee attain unto thy time neither unto the half thereof

18 Then arose the third and reigned as the other before and appeared no more also

19 So went it with all the residue one after another as that every one reigned and then appeared no more

20 Then I beheld and lo in process of time the feathers that followed stood up upon the right side that they might rule also and some of them ruled but within a while they appeared no more

21 For some of them were set up but ruled not

22 After this I looked and behold the twelve feathers appeared no more nor the two little feathers

23 And there was no more upon th eagle’s body but three heads that rested and six little wings

24 Then saw I also that two little feathers divided themselves from the six and remained under the head that was upon the right side for the four continued in their place

25 And I beheld and lo the feathers that were under the wing thought to set up themselves and to have the rule

26 And I beheld and lo there was one set up but shortly it appeared no more

27 And the second was sooner away than the first

28 And I beheld and lo the two that remained thought also in themselves to reign

29 And when 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

30 And then I saw that the two other heads were joined with it

31 And behold the head was turned with them that were with it and did eat up the two feathers under the wing that would have reigned

32 But this head put the whole earth in fear and bare rule in it over all those that dwelt upon the earth with much oppression and it had the governance of the world more than all the wings that had been

33 And after this I beheld and lo the head that was in the midst suddenly appeared no more like as the wings

34 But there remained the two heads which also in like sort ruled upon the earth and over those that dwelt therein

35 And I beheld and lo the head upon the right side devoured it that was upon the left side

36 Then I head a voice which said unto me Look before thee and consider the thing that thou seest

37 And I beheld and lo as it were a roaring lion chased out of the wood and I saw that he sent ou a man’s voice unto the eagle and said

38 Hear thou I will talk with thee and the Highest shall say unto thee

39 Art not thou it that remainest of the four beasts whom I made to reign in my world that the end of their times might come through them

40 And the fourth came and overcame all the beasts that were past and had power over the world with great fearfulness and over the whole compass of the earth with much wicked oppression and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit

41 For the earth hast thou not judged with truth

42 For thou hast afflicted the meek thou hast hurt the peaceable thou hast loved liars and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm

43 Therefore is thy wrongful dealing come up unto the Highest and thy pride unto the Mighty

44 The Highest also hath looked upon the proud times and behold they are ended and his abominations are fulfilled

45 And therefore appear no more thou eagle nor thy horrible wings nor thy wicked feathers nor thy malicious heads nor thy hurtful claws nor all thy vain body

46 That all the earth may be refreshed and may return being delivered from thy violence and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him that made her