2 Esdras 9:20-22

Common English Bible

²⁰ I considered the earth—and, observe, it was ruined. I considered my world, and, observe, it was in danger because of the intrigues of those who had come into it. ²¹ I saw and spared them with great difficulty; I saved for myself one grape out of a cluster and one plant out of a great forest.^{[a] 22} Therefore, let the multitude that was born without purpose perish, and let my grape and my plant be preserved, because I perfected these with much effort.