And he said to me: In the beginning of the circle of the earth, before the exits of the world were ready.
2Before the winds blew, before the thunders and lightnings were seen, before the foundations of paradise were laid.
3Before the beautiful flowers were seen, before the powers of movement were established, before the innumerable hosts of angels were gathered.
4Before the heights of the air were raised, before the measures of the firmament were determined, before Zion received its foundation.
5Before the present years were calculated, before the imaginations of those who now sin were alienated, before those who stored up the treasure of faith were sealed.
6Then I planned these things, and they were all made by me alone and by no other; so also the end will come by me alone and by no other.
7I answered and said: What will be the separation of times? Or when will be the end of the first age and the beginning of the one that comes after?
8He said to me: From Abraham to Isaac, when from him were born Jacob and Esau, the hand of Jacob held from the beginning the heel of Esau.
9For the end of this age is Esau, and the beginning of the following is Jacob.
10The hand of man is between the heel and the hand; ask no more, Esdras.