2 Esdras 7:52-54

Common English Bible

⁵² If you have very few choice stones, will you add lead and clay to their number?”^[a]

⁵³ I said, “Lord, who would do such a thing?”

⁵⁴ He said to me, “Not only this, but ask the earth and it will inform you; flatter it and it will tell you.