2 Esdras 7:46
King James VersionSource notes
“I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning.”
Context
43But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past,
44Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.
45Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.
46I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning.
47For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment?
48O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen alone, but we all that come of thee.
49For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that bring death?