Written in the shadow of Jerusalem's fall, The Second Book of Esdras is one of the most passionate and searching apocalyptic works of the ancient world. Presented as the visions of Ezra the scribe, it confronts the oldest human questions: Why do the wicked prosper? Why does God allow suffering? Is the path to salvation impossibly narrow? Through seven vivid visions—of a mourning woman transformed into a radiant city, of an eagle devoured by a lion, of a man rising from the sea—Ezra wrestles with the angel Uriel and receives glimpses of the age to come. This modern-English edition renders the ancient text in clear, inviting language while remaining faithful to its meaning and spirit. It includes an introduction, a glossary of names and terms, and guidance for reading. Whether you come as a seeker, a student of scripture, or a lover of ancient wisdom, this edition invites you into a conversation that has moved readers for two thousand years. Part of The Sacred Wisdom Library.