certain books of that portion of the Old Testament known as Apocrypha. They are generally divided into the First Book of Esdras and the Second Book of Esdras. As ordinarily considered, the first book includes the book of Ezra, a portion of Nehemiah and the last two chapters of II Chronicles. The second book consists of the revelation of Esdras and somewhat resembles in its nature the book of Revelations. It consists of a series of visions regarding the mysteries of the moral world and the final triumph of righteousness. The descriptions are striking, and the language is sublime. See APOCRYPHA.