18 or newly-created unknown beasts full of rage, or such as breathe out fiery breath, or belch forth a thick pall of smoke, or flash terrible sparks from their eyes; 19 not only could the harm they did destroy people, but the mere sight of them could kill by fright. 20 Even apart from these, people could fall at a single breath when pursued by justice and scattered by the breath of your power. But you have arranged all things by measure and number and weight. 21 For it is always in your power to show great strength, and who can withstand the might of your arm? 22 Because the whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales, and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.

34 He replied, ‘Do not be in a greater hurry than the Most High himself. You are in a hurry for yourself alone; the Most High for many. 35 Are not these the very questions which were asked by the righteous in the storehouse of souls: “How long must we stay here? When will the harvest begin, the time when we get our reward?” 36 And the arch-angel Uriel gave them this answer: “As soon as the number of those like yourselves is complete. For the Lord has weighed the world in a balance, 37 he has measured and numbered the ages; he will move nothing, alter nothing, until the appointed number is achieved.”‘ 38 ‘But, my lord, my master,’ I replied, ‘we are all of us sinners through and through.