2 Esdras 8:41-43

Common English Bible

⁴¹ Just as a farmer sows many seeds on the land, but in time not all seeds that are sown will be saved nor will all the planted things take root, so also not all of those who are sown in the world will be saved.”

⁴² I answered: “If I have found favor with you, let me speak, ⁴³ because the farmer’s seed doesn’t grow up, perhaps because it didn’t receive your rain in season; or if it was spoiled by abundance of rain, it perishes.