Ezra
CHAPTER1
1NowinthefirstyearofCyruskingofPersia,thatthe wordoftheLORDbythemouthofJeremiahmightbe fulfilled,theLORDstirredupthespiritofCyruskingof Persia,thathemadeaproclamationthroughoutallhis kingdom,andputitalsoinwriting,saying,
2ThussaithCyruskingofPersia,TheLORDGodof heavenhathgivenmeallthekingdomsoftheearth;andhe hathchargedmetobuildhimanhouseatJerusalem,which isinJudah
3Whoisthereamongyouofallhispeople?hisGodbe withhim,andlethimgouptoJerusalem,whichisinJudah, andbuildthehouseoftheLORDGodofIsrael,(heisthe God,)whichisinJerusalem
4Andwhosoeverremainethinanyplacewherehe sojourneth,letthemenofhisplacehelphimwithsilver, andwithgold,andwithgoods,andwithbeasts,besidethe freewillofferingforthehouseofGodthatisinJerusalem.
5ThenroseupthechiefofthefathersofJudahand Benjamin,andthepriests,andtheLevites,withallthem whosespiritGodhadraised,togouptobuildthehouseof theLORDwhichisinJerusalem
6Andalltheythatwereaboutthemstrengthenedtheir handswithvesselsofsilver,withgold,withgoods,and withbeasts,andwithpreciousthings,besideallthatwas willinglyoffered
7AlsoCyrusthekingbroughtforththevesselsofthe houseoftheLORD,whichNebuchadnezzarhadbrought forthoutofJerusalem,andhadputtheminthehouseofhis gods;
8EventhosedidCyruskingofPersiabringforthbythe handofMithredaththetreasurer,andnumberedthemunto Sheshbazzar,theprinceofJudah.
9Andthisisthenumberofthem:thirtychargersofgold,a thousandchargersofsilver,nineandtwentyknives, 10Thirtybasonsofgold,silverbasonsofasecondsort fourhundredandten,andothervesselsathousand 11Allthevesselsofgoldandofsilverwerefivethousand andfourhundredAllthesedidSheshbazzarbringupwith themofthecaptivitythatwerebroughtupfromBabylon untoJerusalem.
CHAPTER2
1Nowthesearethechildrenoftheprovincethatwentup outofthecaptivity,ofthosewhichhadbeencarriedaway, whomNebuchadnezzarthekingofBabylonhadcarried awayuntoBabylon,andcameagainuntoJerusalemand Judah,everyoneuntohiscity;
2WhichcamewithZerubbabel:Jeshua,Nehemiah,Seraiah, Reelaiah,Mordecai,Bilshan,Mispar,Bigvai,Rehum, BaanahThenumberofthemenofthepeopleofIsrael:
3ThechildrenofParosh,twothousandanhundredseventy andtwo
4ThechildrenofShephatiah,threehundredseventyand two.
5ThechildrenofArah,sevenhundredseventyandfive
6ThechildrenofPahathmoab,ofthechildrenofJeshua andJoab,twothousandeighthundredandtwelve.
7ThechildrenofElam,athousandtwohundredfiftyand four
8ThechildrenofZattu,ninehundredfortyandfive. 9ThechildrenofZaccai,sevenhundredandthreescore 10ThechildrenofBani,sixhundredfortyandtwo 11ThechildrenofBebai,sixhundredtwentyandthree. 12ThechildrenofAzgad,athousandtwohundredtwenty andtwo
13ThechildrenofAdonikam,sixhundredsixtyandsix. 14ThechildrenofBigvai,twothousandfiftyandsix 15ThechildrenofAdin,fourhundredfiftyandfour 16ThechildrenofAterofHezekiah,ninetyandeight. 17ThechildrenofBezai,threehundredtwentyandthree 18ThechildrenofJorah,anhundredandtwelve 19ThechildrenofHashum,twohundredtwentyandthree. 20ThechildrenofGibbar,ninetyandfive 21ThechildrenofBethlehem,anhundredtwentyandthree 22ThemenofNetophah,fiftyandsix.
23ThemenofAnathoth,anhundredtwentyandeight 24ThechildrenofAzmaveth,fortyandtwo
25ThechildrenofKirjatharim,Chephirah,andBeeroth, sevenhundredandfortyandthree
26ThechildrenofRamahandGaba,sixhundredtwenty andone.
27ThemenofMichmas,anhundredtwentyandtwo 28ThemenofBethelandAi,twohundredtwentyand three.
29ThechildrenofNebo,fiftyandtwo
30ThechildrenofMagbish,anhundredfiftyandsix
31ThechildrenoftheotherElam,athousandtwohundred fiftyandfour
32ThechildrenofHarim,threehundredandtwenty.
33ThechildrenofLod,Hadid,andOno,sevenhundred twentyandfive
34ThechildrenofJericho,threehundredfortyandfive.
35ThechildrenofSenaah,threethousandandsixhundred andthirty
36Thepriests:thechildrenofJedaiah,ofthehouseof Jeshua,ninehundredseventyandthree
37ThechildrenofImmer,athousandfiftyandtwo
38ThechildrenofPashur,athousandtwohundredforty andseven
39ThechildrenofHarim,athousandandseventeen
40TheLevites:thechildrenofJeshuaandKadmiel,ofthe childrenofHodaviah,seventyandfour
41Thesingers:thechildrenofAsaph,anhundredtwenty andeight.
42Thechildrenoftheporters:thechildrenofShallum,the childrenofAter,thechildrenofTalmon,thechildrenof Akkub,thechildrenofHatita,thechildrenofShobai,inall anhundredthirtyandnine
43TheNethinims:thechildrenofZiha,thechildrenof Hasupha,thechildrenofTabbaoth,
44ThechildrenofKeros,thechildrenofSiaha,the childrenofPadon,
45ThechildrenofLebanah,thechildrenofHagabah,the childrenofAkkub,
46ThechildrenofHagab,thechildrenofShalmai,the childrenofHanan, 47ThechildrenofGiddel,thechildrenofGahar,the childrenofReaiah,
48ThechildrenofRezin,thechildrenofNekoda,the childrenofGazzam,
49ThechildrenofUzza,thechildrenofPaseah,the childrenofBesai,
50ThechildrenofAsnah,thechildrenofMehunim,the childrenofNephusim,
51ThechildrenofBakbuk,thechildrenofHakupha,the childrenofHarhur,
52ThechildrenofBazluth,thechildrenofMehida,the childrenofHarsha,
53ThechildrenofBarkos,thechildrenofSisera,the childrenofThamah,
54ThechildrenofNeziah,thechildrenofHatipha.
55ThechildrenofSolomon'sservants:thechildrenof Sotai,thechildrenofSophereth,thechildrenofPeruda, 56ThechildrenofJaalah,thechildrenofDarkon,the childrenofGiddel,
57ThechildrenofShephatiah,thechildrenofHattil,the childrenofPocherethofZebaim,thechildrenofAmi.
58AlltheNethinims,andthechildrenofSolomon's servants,werethreehundredninetyandtwo
59AndtheseweretheywhichwentupfromTelmelah, Telharsa,Cherub,Addan,andImmer:buttheycouldnot shewtheirfather'shouse,andtheirseed,whethertheywere ofIsrael:
60ThechildrenofDelaiah,thechildrenofTobiah,the childrenofNekoda,sixhundredfiftyandtwo
61Andofthechildrenofthepriests:thechildrenof Habaiah,thechildrenofKoz,thechildrenofBarzillai; whichtookawifeofthedaughtersofBarzillaithe Gileadite,andwascalledaftertheirname:
62Thesesoughttheirregisteramongthosethatwere reckonedbygenealogy,buttheywerenotfound:therefore werethey,aspolluted,putfromthepriesthood.
63AndtheTirshathasaiduntothem,thattheyshouldnot eatofthemostholythings,tilltherestoodupapriestwith UrimandwithThummim.
64Thewholecongregationtogetherwasfortyandtwo thousandthreehundredandthreescore,
65Besidetheirservantsandtheirmaids,ofwhomthere wereseventhousandthreehundredthirtyandseven:and therewereamongthemtwohundredsingingmenand singingwomen.
66Theirhorsesweresevenhundredthirtyandsix;their mules,twohundredfortyandfive;
67Theircamels,fourhundredthirtyandfive;theirasses, sixthousandsevenhundredandtwenty
68Andsomeofthechiefofthefathers,whentheycameto thehouseoftheLORDwhichisatJerusalem,offered freelyforthehouseofGodtosetitupinhisplace:
69Theygaveaftertheirabilityuntothetreasureofthe workthreescoreandonethousanddramsofgold,andfive thousandpoundofsilver,andonehundredpriests' garments.
70Sothepriests,andtheLevites,andsomeofthepeople, andthesingers,andtheporters,andtheNethinims,dwelt intheircities,andallIsraelintheircities.
CHAPTER3
1Andwhentheseventhmonthwascome,andthechildren ofIsraelwereinthecities,thepeoplegatheredthemselves togetherasonemantoJerusalem.
2ThenstoodupJeshuathesonofJozadak,andhis brethrenthepriests,andZerubbabelthesonofShealtiel,
andhisbrethren,andbuildedthealtaroftheGodofIsrael, toofferburntofferingsthereon,asitiswritteninthelawof MosesthemanofGod
3Andtheysetthealtaruponhisbases;forfearwasupon thembecauseofthepeopleofthosecountries:andthey offeredburntofferingsthereonuntotheLORD,evenburnt offeringsmorningandevening
4Theykeptalsothefeastoftabernacles,asitiswritten, andofferedthedailyburntofferingsbynumber,according tothecustom,asthedutyofeverydayrequired;
5Andafterwardofferedthecontinualburntoffering,both ofthenewmoons,andofallthesetfeastsoftheLORD thatwereconsecrated,andofeveryonethatwillingly offeredafreewillofferinguntotheLORD.
6Fromthefirstdayoftheseventhmonthbegantheyto offerburntofferingsuntotheLORDButthefoundationof thetempleoftheLORDwasnotyetlaid.
7Theygavemoneyalsountothemasons,andtothe carpenters;andmeat,anddrink,andoil,untothemof Zidon,andtothemofTyre,tobringcedartreesfrom LebanontotheseaofJoppa,accordingtothegrantthat theyhadofCyruskingofPersia
8Nowinthesecondyearoftheircominguntothehouseof GodatJerusalem,inthesecondmonth,beganZerubbabel thesonofShealtiel,andJeshuathesonofJozadak,andthe remnantoftheirbrethrenthepriestsandtheLevites,and alltheythatwerecomeoutofthecaptivityuntoJerusalem; andappointedtheLevites,fromtwentyyearsoldand upward,tosetforwardtheworkofthehouseoftheLORD.
9ThenstoodJeshuawithhissonsandhisbrethren, Kadmielandhissons,thesonsofJudah,together,toset forwardtheworkmeninthehouseofGod:thesonsof Henadad,withtheirsonsandtheirbrethrentheLevites 10Andwhenthebuilderslaidthefoundationofthetemple oftheLORD,theysetthepriestsintheirapparelwith trumpets,andtheLevitesthesonsofAsaphwithcymbals, topraisetheLORD,aftertheordinanceofDavidkingof Israel.
11Andtheysangtogetherbycourseinpraisingandgiving thanksuntotheLORD;becauseheisgood,forhismercy endurethforevertowardIsrael.Andallthepeopleshouted withagreatshout,whentheypraisedtheLORD,because thefoundationofthehouseoftheLORDwaslaid.
12ButmanyofthepriestsandLevitesandchiefofthe fathers,whowereancientmen,thathadseenthefirsthouse, whenthefoundationofthishousewaslaidbeforetheir eyes,weptwithaloudvoice;andmanyshoutedaloudfor joy:
13Sothatthepeoplecouldnotdiscernthenoiseofthe shoutofjoyfromthenoiseoftheweepingofthepeople: forthepeopleshoutedwithaloudshout,andthenoisewas heardafaroff.
CHAPTER4
1NowwhentheadversariesofJudahandBenjaminheard thatthechildrenofthecaptivitybuildedthetempleunto theLORDGodofIsrael;
2ThentheycametoZerubbabel,andtothechiefofthe fathers,andsaiduntothem,Letusbuildwithyou:forwe seekyourGod,asyedo;andwedosacrificeuntohim sincethedaysofEsarhaddonkingofAssur,whichbrought usuphither
3ButZerubbabel,andJeshua,andtherestofthechiefof thefathersofIsrael,saiduntothem,Yehavenothingtodo withustobuildanhouseuntoourGod;butweourselves togetherwillbuilduntotheLORDGodofIsrael,asking CyrusthekingofPersiahathcommandedus.
4Thenthepeopleofthelandweakenedthehandsofthe peopleofJudah,andtroubledtheminbuilding, 5Andhiredcounsellorsagainstthem,tofrustratetheir purpose,allthedaysofCyruskingofPersia,evenuntilthe reignofDariuskingofPersia
6AndinthereignofAhasuerus,inthebeginningofhis reign,wrotetheyuntohimanaccusationagainstthe inhabitantsofJudahandJerusalem
7AndinthedaysofArtaxerxeswroteBishlam,Mithredath, Tabeel,andtherestoftheircompanions,untoArtaxerxes kingofPersia;andthewritingoftheletterwaswrittenin theSyriantongue,andinterpretedintheSyriantongue.
8RehumthechancellorandShimshaithescribewrotea letteragainstJerusalemtoArtaxerxesthekinginthissort:
9ThenwroteRehumthechancellor,andShimshaithe scribe,andtherestoftheircompanions;theDinaites,the Apharsathchites,theTarpelites,theApharsites,the Archevites,theBabylonians,theSusanchites,the Dehavites,andtheElamites,
10Andtherestofthenationswhomthegreatandnoble Asnapparbroughtover,andsetinthecitiesofSamaria, andtherestthatareonthissidetheriver,andatsucha time
11Thisisthecopyoftheletterthattheysentuntohim, evenuntoArtaxerxestheking;Thyservantsthemenon thissidetheriver,andatsuchatime
12Beitknownuntotheking,thattheJewswhichcameup fromtheetousarecomeuntoJerusalem,buildingthe rebelliousandthebadcity,andhavesetupthewalls thereof,andjoinedthefoundations.
13Beitknownnowuntotheking,that,ifthiscitybe builded,andthewallssetupagain,thenwilltheynotpay toll,tribute,andcustom,andsothoushaltendamagethe revenueofthekings
14Nowbecausewehavemaintenancefromtheking's palace,anditwasnotmeetforustoseetheking's dishonour,thereforehavewesentandcertifiedtheking;
15Thatsearchmaybemadeinthebookoftherecordsof thyfathers:soshaltthoufindinthebookoftherecords, andknowthatthiscityisarebelliouscity,andhurtfulunto kingsandprovinces,andthattheyhavemovedsedition withinthesameofoldtime:forwhichcausewasthiscity destroyed
16Wecertifythekingthat,ifthiscitybebuildedagain, andthewallsthereofsetup,bythismeansthoushalthave noportiononthissidetheriver
17ThensentthekinganansweruntoRehumthe chancellor,andtoShimshaithescribe,andtotherestof theircompanionsthatdwellinSamaria,anduntotherest beyondtheriver,Peace,andatsuchatime.
18Theletterwhichyesentuntoushathbeenplainlyread beforeme
19AndIcommanded,andsearchhathbeenmade,anditis foundthatthiscityofoldtimehathmadeinsurrection againstkings,andthatrebellionandseditionhavebeen madetherein.
20TherehavebeenmightykingsalsooverJerusalem, whichhaveruledoverallcountriesbeyondtheriver;and toll,tribute,andcustom,waspaiduntothem
21Giveyenowcommandmenttocausethesementocease, andthatthiscitybenotbuilded,untilanother commandmentshallbegivenfromme
22Takeheednowthatyefailnottodothis:whyshould damagegrowtothehurtofthekings?
23NowwhenthecopyofkingArtaxerxes'letterwasread beforeRehum,andShimshaithescribe,andtheir companions,theywentupinhastetoJerusalemuntothe Jews,andmadethemtoceasebyforceandpower
24ThenceasedtheworkofthehouseofGodwhichisat Jerusalem.Soitceaseduntothesecondyearofthereignof DariuskingofPersia
CHAPTER5
1Thentheprophets,Haggaitheprophet,andZechariahthe sonofIddo,prophesieduntotheJewsthatwereinJudah andJerusaleminthenameoftheGodofIsrael,evenunto them
2ThenroseupZerubbabelthesonofShealtiel,andJeshua thesonofJozadak,andbegantobuildthehouseofGod whichisatJerusalem:andwiththemweretheprophetsof Godhelpingthem.
3AtthesametimecametothemTatnai,governoronthis sidetheriver,andShetharboznai,andtheircompanions, andsaidthusuntothem,Whohathcommandedyouto buildthishouse,andtomakeupthiswall?
4Thensaidweuntothemafterthismanner,Whatarethe namesofthementhatmakethisbuilding?
5ButtheeyeoftheirGodwasupontheeldersoftheJews, thattheycouldnotcausethemtocease,tillthemattercame toDarius:andthentheyreturnedanswerbyletter concerningthismatter
6ThecopyoftheletterthatTatnai,governoronthisside theriver,andShetharboznai,andhiscompanionsthe Apharsachites,whichwereonthissidetheriver,sentunto Dariustheking:
7Theysentaletteruntohim,whereinwaswrittenthus; UntoDariustheking,allpeace
8Beitknownuntotheking,thatwewentintotheprovince ofJudea,tothehouseofthegreatGod,whichisbuilded withgreatstones,andtimberislaidinthewalls,andthis workgoethfaston,andprosperethintheirhands
9Thenaskedwethoseelders,andsaiduntothemthus, Whocommandedyoutobuildthishouse,andtomakeup thesewalls?
10Weaskedtheirnamesalso,tocertifythee,thatwe mightwritethenamesofthementhatwerethechiefof them.
11Andthustheyreturnedusanswer,saying,Wearethe servantsoftheGodofheavenandearth,andbuildthe housethatwasbuildedthesemanyyearsago,whichagreat kingofIsraelbuildedandsetup
12ButafterthatourfathershadprovokedtheGodof heavenuntowrath,hegavethemintothehandof NebuchadnezzarthekingofBabylon,theChaldean,who destroyedthishouse,andcarriedthepeopleawayinto Babylon.
13ButinthefirstyearofCyrusthekingofBabylonthe samekingCyrusmadeadecreetobuildthishouseofGod
14Andthevesselsalsoofgoldandsilverofthehouseof God,whichNebuchadnezzartookoutofthetemplethat wasinJerusalem,andbroughtthemintothetempleof Babylon,thosedidCyrusthekingtakeoutofthetempleof Babylon,andtheyweredelivereduntoone,whosename wasSheshbazzar,whomhehadmadegovernor;
15Andsaiduntohim,Takethesevessels,go,carrythem intothetemplethatisinJerusalem,andletthehouseof Godbebuildedinhisplace.
16ThencamethesameSheshbazzar,andlaidthe foundationofthehouseofGodwhichisinJerusalem:and sincethattimeevenuntilnowhathitbeeninbuilding,and yetitisnotfinished
17Nowtherefore,ifitseemgoodtotheking,lettherebe searchmadeintheking'streasurehouse,whichisthereat Babylon,whetheritbeso,thatadecreewasmadeofCyrus thekingtobuildthishouseofGodatJerusalem,andletthe kingsendhispleasuretousconcerningthismatter
CHAPTER6
1ThenDariusthekingmadeadecree,andsearchwas madeinthehouseoftherolls,wherethetreasureswere laidupinBabylon
2AndtherewasfoundatAchmetha,inthepalacethatisin theprovinceoftheMedes,aroll,andthereinwasarecord thuswritten:
3InthefirstyearofCyrusthekingthesameCyrusthe kingmadeadecreeconcerningthehouseofGodat Jerusalem,Letthehousebebuilded,theplacewherethey offeredsacrifices,andletthefoundationsthereofbe stronglylaid;theheightthereofthreescorecubits,andthe breadththereofthreescorecubits;
4Withthreerowsofgreatstones,andarowofnewtimber: andlettheexpensesbegivenoutoftheking'shouse:
5Andalsoletthegoldenandsilvervesselsofthehouseof God,whichNebuchadnezzartookforthoutofthetemple whichisatJerusalem,andbroughtuntoBabylon,be restored,andbroughtagainuntothetemplewhichisat Jerusalem,everyonetohisplace,andplacetheminthe houseofGod.
6Nowtherefore,Tatnai,governorbeyondtheriver, Shetharboznai,andyourcompanionstheApharsachites, whicharebeyondtheriver,beyefarfromthence:
7LettheworkofthishouseofGodalone;letthegovernor oftheJewsandtheeldersoftheJewsbuildthishouseof Godinhisplace
8MoreoverImakeadecreewhatyeshalldototheelders oftheseJewsforthebuildingofthishouseofGod:thatof theking'sgoods,evenofthetributebeyondtheriver, forthwithexpensesbegivenuntothesemen,thattheybe nothindered.
9Andthatwhichtheyhaveneedof,bothyoungbullocks, andrams,andlambs,fortheburntofferingsoftheGodof heaven,wheat,salt,wine,andoil,accordingtothe appointmentofthepriestswhichareatJerusalem,letitbe giventhemdaybydaywithoutfail:
10Thattheymayoffersacrificesofsweetsavoursuntothe Godofheaven,andprayforthelifeoftheking,andofhis sons
11AlsoIhavemadeadecree,thatwhosoevershallalter thisword,lettimberbepulleddownfromhishouse,and
beingsetup,lethimbehangedthereon;andlethishouse bemadeadunghillforthis
12AndtheGodthathathcausedhisnametodwellthere destroyallkingsandpeople,thatshallputtotheirhandto alterandtodestroythishouseofGodwhichisatJerusalem. IDariushavemadeadecree;letitbedonewithspeed
13ThenTatnai,governoronthissidetheriver, Shetharboznai,andtheircompanions,accordingtothat whichDariusthekinghadsent,sotheydidspeedily.
14AndtheeldersoftheJewsbuilded,andtheyprospered throughtheprophesyingofHaggaitheprophetand ZechariahthesonofIddoAndtheybuilded,andfinished it,accordingtothecommandmentoftheGodofIsrael,and accordingtothecommandmentofCyrus,andDarius,and ArtaxerxeskingofPersia
15Andthishousewasfinishedonthethirddayofthe monthAdar,whichwasinthesixthyearofthereignof Dariustheking
16AndthechildrenofIsrael,thepriests,andtheLevites, andtherestofthechildrenofthecaptivity,keptthe dedicationofthishouseofGodwithjoy, 17AndofferedatthededicationofthishouseofGodan hundredbullocks,twohundredrams,fourhundredlambs; andforasinofferingforallIsrael,twelvehegoats, accordingtothenumberofthetribesofIsrael
18Andtheysetthepriestsintheirdivisions,andthe Levitesintheircourses,fortheserviceofGod,whichisat Jerusalem;asitiswritteninthebookofMoses 19Andthechildrenofthecaptivitykeptthepassoverupon thefourteenthdayofthefirstmonth 20ForthepriestsandtheLeviteswerepurifiedtogether, allofthemwerepure,andkilledthepassoverforallthe childrenofthecaptivity,andfortheirbrethrenthepriests, andforthemselves
21AndthechildrenofIsrael,whichwerecomeagainout ofcaptivity,andallsuchashadseparatedthemselvesunto themfromthefilthinessoftheheathenoftheland,toseek theLORDGodofIsrael,dideat, 22Andkeptthefeastofunleavenedbreadsevendayswith joy:fortheLORDhadmadethemjoyful,andturnedthe heartofthekingofAssyriauntothem,tostrengthentheir handsintheworkofthehouseofGod,theGodofIsrael
CHAPTER7
1Nowafterthesethings,inthereignofArtaxerxeskingof Persia,EzrathesonofSeraiah,thesonofAzariah,theson ofHilkiah,
2ThesonofShallum,thesonofZadok,thesonofAhitub, 3ThesonofAmariah,thesonofAzariah,thesonof Meraioth, 4ThesonofZerahiah,thesonofUzzi,thesonofBukki, 5ThesonofAbishua,thesonofPhinehas,thesonof Eleazar,thesonofAaronthechiefpriest:
6ThisEzrawentupfromBabylon;andhewasaready scribeinthelawofMoses,whichtheLORDGodofIsrael hadgiven:andthekinggrantedhimallhisrequest, accordingtothehandoftheLORDhisGoduponhim. 7AndtherewentupsomeofthechildrenofIsrael,andof thepriests,andtheLevites,andthesingers,andtheporters, andtheNethinims,untoJerusalem,intheseventhyearof Artaxerxestheking
8AndhecametoJerusaleminthefifthmonth,whichwas intheseventhyearoftheking
9Foruponthefirstdayofthefirstmonthbeganhetogo upfromBabylon,andonthefirstdayofthefifthmonth camehetoJerusalem,accordingtothegoodhandofhis Goduponhim
10ForEzrahadpreparedhishearttoseekthelawofthe LORD,andtodoit,andtoteachinIsraelstatutesand judgments.
11Nowthisisthecopyoftheletterthattheking ArtaxerxesgaveuntoEzrathepriest,thescribe,evena scribeofthewordsofthecommandmentsoftheLORD, andofhisstatutestoIsrael
12Artaxerxes,kingofkings,untoEzrathepriest,ascribe ofthelawoftheGodofheaven,perfectpeace,andatsuch atime
13Imakeadecree,thatalltheyofthepeopleofIsrael,and ofhispriestsandLevites,inmyrealm,whichareminded oftheirownfreewilltogouptoJerusalem,gowiththee
14Forasmuchasthouartsentoftheking,andofhisseven counsellors,toenquireconcerningJudahandJerusalem, accordingtothelawofthyGodwhichisinthinehand;
15Andtocarrythesilverandgold,whichthekingandhis counsellorshavefreelyoffereduntotheGodofIsrael, whosehabitationisinJerusalem,
16Andallthesilverandgoldthatthoucanstfindinallthe provinceofBabylon,withthefreewillofferingofthe people,andofthepriests,offeringwillinglyforthehouse oftheirGodwhichisinJerusalem:
17Thatthoumayestbuyspeedilywiththismoneybullocks, rams,lambs,withtheirmeatofferingsandtheirdrink offerings,andofferthemuponthealtarofthehouseof yourGodwhichisinJerusalem
18Andwhatsoevershallseemgoodtothee,andtothy brethren,todowiththerestofthesilverandthegold,that doafterthewillofyourGod
19Thevesselsalsothataregiventheefortheserviceofthe houseofthyGod,thosedeliverthoubeforetheGodof Jerusalem
20Andwhatsoevermoreshallbeneedfulforthehouseof thyGod,whichthoushalthaveoccasiontobestow,bestow itoutoftheking'streasurehouse
21AndI,evenIArtaxerxestheking,domakeadecreeto allthetreasurerswhicharebeyondtheriver,that whatsoeverEzrathepriest,thescribeofthelawoftheGod ofheaven,shallrequireofyou,itbedonespeedily, 22Untoanhundredtalentsofsilver,andtoanhundred measuresofwheat,andtoanhundredbathsofwine,andto anhundredbathsofoil,andsaltwithoutprescribinghow much
23WhatsoeveriscommandedbytheGodofheaven,letit bediligentlydoneforthehouseoftheGodofheaven:for whyshouldtherebewrathagainsttherealmoftheking andhissons?
24Alsowecertifyyou,thattouchinganyofthepriestsand Levites,singers,porters,Nethinims,orministersofthis houseofGod,itshallnotbelawfultoimposetoll,tribute, orcustom,uponthem.
25Andthou,Ezra,afterthewisdomofthyGod,thatisin thinehand,setmagistratesandjudges,whichmayjudgeall thepeoplethatarebeyondtheriver,allsuchasknowthe lawsofthyGod;andteachyethemthatknowthemnot
26AndwhosoeverwillnotdothelawofthyGod,andthe lawoftheking,letjudgmentbeexecutedspeedilyupon him,whetheritbeuntodeath,ortobanishment,orto confiscationofgoods,ortoimprisonment
27BlessedbetheLORDGodofourfathers,whichhath putsuchathingasthisintheking'sheart,tobeautifythe houseoftheLORDwhichisinJerusalem:
28Andhathextendedmercyuntomebeforetheking,and hiscounsellors,andbeforealltheking'smightyprinces. AndIwasstrengthenedasthehandoftheLORDmyGod wasuponme,andIgatheredtogetheroutofIsraelchief mentogoupwithme
CHAPTER8
1Thesearenowthechiefoftheirfathers,andthisisthe genealogyofthemthatwentupwithmefromBabylon,in thereignofArtaxerxestheking
2OfthesonsofPhinehas;Gershom:ofthesonsofIthamar; Daniel:ofthesonsofDavid;Hattush.
3OfthesonsofShechaniah,ofthesonsofPharosh; Zechariah:andwithhimwerereckonedbygenealogyof themalesanhundredandfifty.
4OfthesonsofPahathmoab;Elihoenaithesonof Zerahiah,andwithhimtwohundredmales
5OfthesonsofShechaniah;thesonofJahaziel,andwith himthreehundredmales
6OfthesonsalsoofAdin;EbedthesonofJonathan,and withhimfiftymales.
7AndofthesonsofElam;JeshaiahthesonofAthaliah, andwithhimseventymales
8AndofthesonsofShephatiah;Zebadiahthesonof Michael,andwithhimfourscoremales
9OfthesonsofJoab;ObadiahthesonofJehiel,andwith himtwohundredandeighteenmales.
10AndofthesonsofShelomith;thesonofJosiphiah,and withhimanhundredandthreescoremales
11AndofthesonsofBebai;ZechariahthesonofBebai, andwithhimtwentyandeightmales
12AndofthesonsofAzgad;JohananthesonofHakkatan, andwithhimanhundredandtenmales.
13AndofthelastsonsofAdonikam,whosenamesare these,Eliphelet,Jeiel,andShemaiah,andwiththem threescoremales.
14OfthesonsalsoofBigvai;Uthai,andZabbud,andwith themseventymales
15AndIgatheredthemtogethertotheriverthatrunnethto Ahava;andthereabodeweintentsthreedays:andI viewedthepeople,andthepriests,andfoundtherenoneof thesonsofLevi
16ThensentIforEliezer,forAriel,forShemaiah,andfor Elnathan,andforJarib,andforElnathan,andforNathan, andforZechariah,andforMeshullam,chiefmen;alsofor Joiarib,andforElnathan,menofunderstanding
17AndIsentthemwithcommandmentuntoIddothechief attheplaceCasiphia,andItoldthemwhattheyshouldsay untoIddo,andtohisbrethrentheNethinims,attheplace Casiphia,thattheyshouldbringuntousministersforthe houseofourGod
18AndbythegoodhandofourGoduponustheybrought usamanofunderstanding,ofthesonsofMahli,thesonof Levi,thesonofIsrael;andSherebiah,withhissonsandhis brethren,eighteen;
19AndHashabiah,andwithhimJeshaiahofthesonsof Merari,hisbrethrenandtheirsons,twenty;
20AlsooftheNethinims,whomDavidandtheprinceshad appointedfortheserviceoftheLevites,twohundredand twentyNethinims:allofthemwereexpressedbyname.
21ThenIproclaimedafastthere,attheriverofAhava, thatwemightafflictourselvesbeforeourGod,toseekof himarightwayforus,andforourlittleones,andforall oursubstance.
22ForIwasashamedtorequireofthekingabandof soldiersandhorsementohelpusagainsttheenemyinthe way:becausewehadspokenuntotheking,saying,The handofourGodisuponallthemforgoodthatseekhim; buthispowerandhiswrathisagainstallthemthatforsake him
23SowefastedandbesoughtourGodforthis:andhewas intreatedofus.
24ThenIseparatedtwelveofthechiefofthepriests, Sherebiah,Hashabiah,andtenoftheirbrethrenwiththem, 25Andweigheduntothemthesilver,andthegold,andthe vessels,eventheofferingofthehouseofourGod,which theking,andhiscounsellors,andhislords,andallIsrael therepresent,hadoffered:
26Ievenweigheduntotheirhandsixhundredandfifty talentsofsilver,andsilvervesselsanhundredtalents,and ofgoldanhundredtalents;
27Alsotwentybasonsofgold,ofathousanddrams;and twovesselsoffinecopper,preciousasgold
28AndIsaiduntothem,YeareholyuntotheLORD;the vesselsareholyalso;andthesilverandthegoldarea freewillofferinguntotheLORDGodofyourfathers 29Watchye,andkeepthem,untilyeweighthembefore thechiefofthepriestsandtheLevites,andchiefofthe fathersofIsrael,atJerusalem,inthechambersofthehouse oftheLORD.
30SotookthepriestsandtheLevitestheweightofthe silver,andthegold,andthevessels,tobringthemto JerusalemuntothehouseofourGod.
31ThenwedepartedfromtheriverofAhavaonthe twelfthdayofthefirstmonth,togountoJerusalem:and thehandofourGodwasuponus,andhedeliveredusfrom thehandoftheenemy,andofsuchaslayinwaitbythe way.
32AndwecametoJerusalem,andabodetherethreedays.
33Nowonthefourthdaywasthesilverandthegoldand thevesselsweighedinthehouseofourGodbythehandof MeremoththesonofUriahthepriest;andwithhimwas EleazarthesonofPhinehas;andwiththemwasJozabad thesonofJeshua,andNoadiahthesonofBinnui,Levites; 34Bynumberandbyweightofeveryone:andallthe weightwaswrittenatthattime
35Alsothechildrenofthosethathadbeencarriedaway, whichwerecomeoutofthecaptivity,offeredburnt offeringsuntotheGodofIsrael,twelvebullocksforall Israel,ninetyandsixrams,seventyandsevenlambs, twelvehegoatsforasinoffering:allthiswasaburnt offeringuntotheLORD
36Andtheydeliveredtheking'scommissionsuntothe king'slieutenants,andtothegovernorsonthissidethe river:andtheyfurtheredthepeople,andthehouseofGod
CHAPTER9
1Nowwhenthesethingsweredone,theprincescameto me,saying,ThepeopleofIsrael,andthepriests,andthe Levites,havenotseparatedthemselvesfromthepeopleof thelands,doingaccordingtotheirabominations,evenof theCanaanites,theHittites,thePerizzites,theJebusites, theAmmonites,theMoabites,theEgyptians,andthe Amorites.
2Fortheyhavetakenoftheirdaughtersforthemselves, andfortheirsons:sothattheholyseedhavemingled themselveswiththepeopleofthoselands:yea,thehandof theprincesandrulershathbeenchiefinthistrespass
3AndwhenIheardthisthing,Irentmygarmentandmy mantle,andpluckedoffthehairofmyheadandofmy beard,andsatdownastonied
4Thenwereassembleduntomeeveryonethattrembledat thewordsoftheGodofIsrael,becauseofthetransgression ofthosethathadbeencarriedaway;andIsatastonieduntil theeveningsacrifice.
5AndattheeveningsacrificeIaroseupfrommy heaviness;andhavingrentmygarmentandmymantle,I felluponmyknees,andspreadoutmyhandsuntothe LORDmyGod,
6Andsaid,OmyGod,Iamashamedandblushtoliftup myfacetothee,myGod:forouriniquitiesareincreased overourhead,andourtrespassisgrownupuntothe heavens
7Sincethedaysofourfathershavewebeeninagreat trespassuntothisday;andforouriniquitieshavewe,our kings,andourpriests,beendeliveredintothehandofthe kingsofthelands,tothesword,tocaptivity,andtoaspoil, andtoconfusionofface,asitisthisday
8Andnowforalittlespacegracehathbeenshewedfrom theLORDourGod,toleaveusaremnanttoescape,andto giveusanailinhisholyplace,thatourGodmaylighten oureyes,andgiveusalittlerevivinginourbondage
9Forwewerebondmen;yetourGodhathnotforsakenus inourbondage,buthathextendedmercyuntousinthe sightofthekingsofPersia,togiveusareviving,tosetup thehouseofourGod,andtorepairthedesolationsthereof, andtogiveusawallinJudahandinJerusalem
10Andnow,OourGod,whatshallwesayafterthis?for wehaveforsakenthycommandments,
11Whichthouhastcommandedbythyservantsthe prophets,saying,Theland,untowhichyegotopossessit, isanuncleanlandwiththefilthinessofthepeopleofthe lands,withtheirabominations,whichhavefilleditfrom oneendtoanotherwiththeiruncleanness.
12Nowthereforegivenotyourdaughtersuntotheirsons, neithertaketheirdaughtersuntoyoursons,norseektheir peaceortheirwealthforever:thatyemaybestrong,and eatthegoodoftheland,andleaveitforaninheritanceto yourchildrenforever
13Andafterallthatiscomeuponusforourevildeeds, andforourgreattrespass,seeingthatthouourGodhast punisheduslessthanouriniquitiesdeserve,andhastgiven ussuchdeliveranceasthis;
14Shouldweagainbreakthycommandments,andjoinin affinitywiththepeopleoftheseabominations?wouldest notthoubeangrywithustillthouhadstconsumedus,so thatthereshouldbenoremnantnorescaping?
15OLORDGodofIsrael,thouartrighteous:forwe remainyetescaped,asitisthisday:behold,wearebefore theeinourtrespasses:forwecannotstandbeforethee becauseofthis
CHAPTER10
1NowwhenEzrahadprayed,andwhenhehadconfessed, weepingandcastinghimselfdownbeforethehouseofGod, thereassembleduntohimoutofIsraelaverygreat congregationofmenandwomenandchildren:forthe peopleweptverysore
2AndShechaniahthesonofJehiel,oneofthesonsof Elam,answeredandsaiduntoEzra,Wehavetrespassed againstourGod,andhavetakenstrangewivesofthe peopleoftheland:yetnowthereishopeinIsrael concerningthisthing.
3NowthereforeletusmakeacovenantwithourGodto putawayallthewives,andsuchasarebornofthem, accordingtothecounselofmylord,andofthosethat trembleatthecommandmentofourGod;andletitbedone accordingtothelaw
4Arise;forthismatterbelongethuntothee:wealsowillbe withthee:beofgoodcourage,anddoit
5ThenaroseEzra,andmadethechiefpriests,theLevites, andallIsrael,toswearthattheyshoulddoaccordingtothis wordAndtheysware
6ThenEzraroseupfrombeforethehouseofGod,and wentintothechamberofJohananthesonofEliashib:and whenhecamethither,hedideatnobread,nordrinkwater: forhemournedbecauseofthetransgressionofthemthat hadbeencarriedaway.
7AndtheymadeproclamationthroughoutJudahand Jerusalemuntoallthechildrenofthecaptivity,thatthey shouldgatherthemselvestogetheruntoJerusalem;
8Andthatwhosoeverwouldnotcomewithinthreedays, accordingtothecounseloftheprincesandtheelders,all hissubstanceshouldbeforfeited,andhimselfseparated fromthecongregationofthosethathadbeencarriedaway
9ThenallthemenofJudahandBenjamingathered themselvestogetheruntoJerusalemwithinthreedays.It wastheninthmonth,onthetwentiethdayofthemonth; andallthepeoplesatinthestreetofthehouseofGod, tremblingbecauseofthismatter,andforthegreatrain.
10AndEzratheprieststoodup,andsaiduntothem,Ye havetransgressed,andhavetakenstrangewives,to increasethetrespassofIsrael
11NowthereforemakeconfessionuntotheLORDGodof yourfathers,anddohispleasure:andseparateyourselves fromthepeopleoftheland,andfromthestrangewives
12Thenallthecongregationansweredandsaidwithaloud voice,Asthouhastsaid,somustwedo.
13Butthepeoplearemany,anditisatimeofmuchrain, andwearenotabletostandwithout,neitheristhisawork ofonedayortwo:forwearemanythathavetransgressed inthisthing
14Letnowourrulersofallthecongregationstand,andlet allthemwhichhavetakenstrangewivesinourcitiescome atappointedtimes,andwiththemtheeldersofeverycity, andthejudgesthereof,untilthefiercewrathofourGodfor thismatterbeturnedfromus.
15OnlyJonathanthesonofAsahelandJahaziahthesonof Tikvahwereemployedaboutthismatter:andMeshullam andShabbethaitheLevitehelpedthem
16AndthechildrenofthecaptivitydidsoAndEzrathe priest,withcertainchiefofthefathers,afterthehouseof theirfathers,andallofthembytheirnames,were separated,andsatdowninthefirstdayofthetenthmonth toexaminethematter.
17Andtheymadeanendwithallthementhathadtaken strangewivesbythefirstdayofthefirstmonth 18Andamongthesonsoftheprieststherewerefoundthat hadtakenstrangewives:namely,ofthesonsofJeshuathe sonofJozadak,andhisbrethren;Maaseiah,andEliezer, andJarib,andGedaliah.
19Andtheygavetheirhandsthattheywouldputaway theirwives;andbeingguilty,theyofferedaramofthe flockfortheirtrespass.
20AndofthesonsofImmer;Hanani,andZebadiah 21AndofthesonsofHarim;Maaseiah,andElijah,and Shemaiah,andJehiel,andUzziah.
22AndofthesonsofPashur;Elioenai,Maaseiah,Ishmael, Nethaneel,Jozabad,andElasah
23AlsooftheLevites;Jozabad,andShimei,andKelaiah, (thesameisKelita,)Pethahiah,Judah,andEliezer 24Ofthesingersalso;Eliashib:andoftheporters; Shallum,andTelem,andUri.
25MoreoverofIsrael:ofthesonsofParosh;Ramiah,and Jeziah,andMalchiah,andMiamin,andEleazar,and Malchijah,andBenaiah.
26AndofthesonsofElam;Mattaniah,Zechariah,and Jehiel,andAbdi,andJeremoth,andEliah
27AndofthesonsofZattu;Elioenai,Eliashib,Mattaniah, andJeremoth,andZabad,andAziza 28OfthesonsalsoofBebai;Jehohanan,Hananiah,Zabbai, andAthlai.
29AndofthesonsofBani;Meshullam,Malluch,and Adaiah,Jashub,andSheal,andRamoth 30AndofthesonsofPahathmoab;Adna,andChelal, Benaiah,Maaseiah,Mattaniah,Bezaleel,andBinnui,and Manasseh.
31AndofthesonsofHarim;Eliezer,Ishijah,Malchiah, Shemaiah,Shimeon, 32Benjamin,Malluch,andShemariah. 33OfthesonsofHashum;Mattenai,Mattathah,Zabad, Eliphelet,Jeremai,Manasseh,andShimei 34OfthesonsofBani;Maadai,Amram,andUel, 35Benaiah,Bedeiah,Chelluh, 36Vaniah,Meremoth,Eliashib, 37Mattaniah,Mattenai,andJaasau, 38AndBani,andBinnui,Shimei, 39AndShelemiah,andNathan,andAdaiah, 40Machnadebai,Shashai,Sharai, 41Azareel,andShelemiah,Shemariah, 42Shallum,Amariah,andJoseph 43OfthesonsofNebo;Jeiel,Mattithiah,Zabad,Zebina, Jadau,andJoel,Benaiah 44Allthesehadtakenstrangewives:andsomeofthem hadwivesbywhomtheyhadchildren.