33 Then I asked, “How long do we have to wait before this happens? Why are our lives so short and so full of misery?”
34 Uriel answered, “Don't be in a greater hurry than God Most High! You are thinking only of yourself, but God has to be concerned about everybody.
35 Your questions are the same ones asked by the souls of the righteous dead in the places where God is keeping them waiting: ‘How long must we wait here? When will the day of judgment come, when we will get our reward?’
36 The archangel Jeremiel answers them, ‘It will happen as soon as the complete number of those who have suffered as you have are here. For God has weighed this age,
37 measured the years, and numbered the days. Nothing will be changed until time has run its predetermined course.’”
38 “But, sir,” I replied, “all of us here on earth are such wicked sinners.
39 Is it possible that because of our sin the righteous dead are having to wait for their reward?”