2 Esdras 4:11
King James VersionSource notes
“How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?”
Context
8Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.
9Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day wherethrough thou hast passed, and of things from which thou canst not be separated, and yet canst thou give me no answer of them.
10He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;
11How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?
12Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore.
13He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,
14And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods.