12 Then the entrances into this world were made narrow and difficult to travel. They were rough, dangerous, and few in number.
13 But the entrances to the great world to come are wide and safe and lead to immortality.
14 Everyone who lives must walk the narrow and meaningless ways of this world in order to receive the blessings stored up in the world to come.
15 So, Ezra, why are you upset and disturbed by the thought that you are mortal and must die?
16 Why don't you think about the age to come, rather than the present age?”
17 I answered, “Lord and master, in your Law you said that the righteous would receive all these blessings, but that the wicked would perish.
18 So the righteous can endure all the difficulties of this narrow way because they look forward to the broad and open life of the future, but the wicked must pass through the narrow way without any hope of seeing the broad open life.”