2 Esdras 9:19
King James VersionSource notes
“For then every one obeyed: but now the manners of them which are created in this world that is made are corrupted by a perpetual seed, and by a law which is unsearchable rid themselves.”
Context
16Like as a wave is greater than a drop.
17And he answered me, saying, Like as the field is, so is also the seed; as the flowers be, such are the colours also; such as the workman is, such also is the work; and as the husbandman ls himself, so is his husbandry also: for it was the time of the world.
18And now when I prepared the world, which was not yet made, even for them to dwell in that now live, no man spake against me.
19For then every one obeyed: but now the manners of them which are created in this world that is made are corrupted by a perpetual seed, and by a law which is unsearchable rid themselves.
20So I considered the world, and, behold, there was peril because of the devices that were come into it.
21And I saw, and spared it greatly, and have kept me a grape of the cluster, and a plant of a great people.
22Let the multitude perish then, which was born in vain; and let my grape be kept, and my plant; for with great labour have I made it perfect.