2 esdras 7:57 - Judge you therefore which things are precious and to be desired, whatso is abundant or what is rare.

Generated Verse: 2 esdras 7:57

What does "2 esdras 7:57" mean?


This verse from 2 Esdras 7:57 is a call to discernment, urging the reader to carefully consider what truly holds value and deserves our desire. It contrasts abundance with rarity, suggesting that true worth isn't always found in what's readily available. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:

"Judge you therefore which things are precious and to be desired...": This is the core instruction. The reader is challenged to actively engage their judgment and critical thinking. Don't passively accept what society deems valuable. Instead, actively evaluate and determine what is genuinely "precious" (valuable, important, worthy of cherishing) and "to be desired" (worthy of longing for, striving for, and pursuing).

"...whatso is abundant or what is rare.": This highlights the common pitfalls in valuing things.

Abundant: Just because something is plentiful or easily accessible doesn't automatically make it valuable or worthy of desire. We might be tempted to chase after what everyone else has, simply because it's abundant, without considering its true worth. The verse warns against that herd mentality.
Rare: Conversely, something being rare or scarce doesn't guarantee its intrinsic value. We can fall into the trap of coveting things simply because they're hard to get or exclusive, without considering if they truly enrich our lives or align with our values.

In Essence:

The verse encourages a thoughtful, independent evaluation of what we pursue and desire. It cautions against blindly chasing after either abundance or rarity, urging us to look beyond superficial qualities and discern true value based on deeper principles, possibly spiritual or ethical. True treasures are not necessarily those which are commonly sought.

Context within 2 Esdras:

2 Esdras is an apocalyptic text grappling with profound questions of justice, suffering, and the nature of God. The verse likely contributes to the book's overall message of spiritual discernment in a world filled with turmoil and deceptive appearances. It pushes the reader to develop a strong moral compass, guiding them towards what truly matters in the eyes of God, rather than being swayed by worldly temptations.

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