2 Esdras 8:14
King James VersionSource notes
“If therefore thou shalt destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by thy commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved.”
Context
11That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, till thou disposest it to thy mercy.
12Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness, and nurturedst it in thy law, and reformedst it with thy judgment.
13And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy work.
14If therefore thou shalt destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by thy commandment, that the thing which was made might be preserved.
15Now therefore, Lord, I will speak; touching man in general, thou knowest best; but touching thy people, for whose sake I am sorry;
16And for thine inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled;
17Therefore will I begin to pray before thee for myself and for them: for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land.