| 001:001
| Now
in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the
mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus
king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and
put it also in writing, saying, |
| 001:002 | Thus
saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms
of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which
is in Judah. |
| 001:003 | Who
is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up
to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel,
(he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. |
| 001:004 | And
whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place
help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside
the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. |
| 001:005 | Then
rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and
the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the
house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. |
| 001:006 | And
all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver,
with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all
that was willingly offered. |
| 001:007 | Also
Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar
had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
|
| 001:008 | Even
those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer,
and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. |
| 001:009 | And
this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of
silver, nine and twenty knives, |
| 001:010 | Thirty
basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other
vessels a thousand. |
| 001:011 | All
the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All
these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought
up from Babylon unto Jerusalem. |
|
| 002:001
| Now
these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of
those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon
had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every
one unto his city; | | 002:002 | Which
came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan,
Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
|
| 002:003 | The
children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. |
| 002:004 | The
children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. |
| 002:005 | The
children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five. |
| 002:006 | The
children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight
hundred and twelve. |
| 002:007 | The
children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. |
| 002:008 | The
children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five. |
| 002:009 | The
children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. |
| 002:010 | The
children of Bani, six hundred forty and two. |
| 002:011 | The
children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three. |
| 002:012 | The
children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two. |
| 002:013 | The
children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six. |
| 002:014 | The
children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six. |
| 002:015 | The
children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four. |
| 002:016 | The
children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. |
| 002:017 | The
children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three. |
| 002:018 | The
children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve. |
| 002:019 | The
children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three. |
| 002:020 | The
children of Gibbar, ninety and five. |
| 002:021 | The
children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three. |
| 002:022 | The
men of Netophah, fifty and six. |
| 002:023 | The
men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight. |
| 002:024 | The
children of Azmaveth, forty and two. |
| 002:025 | The
children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and
three. |
| 002:026 | The
children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. |
| 002:027 | The
men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two. |
| 002:028 | The
men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three. |
| 002:029 | The
children of Nebo, fifty and two. |
| 002:030 | The
children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six. |
| 002:031 | The
children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. |
| 002:032 | The
children of Harim, three hundred and twenty. |
| 002:033 | The
children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five. |
| 002:034 | The
children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. |
| 002:035 | The
children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty. |
| 002:036 | The
priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy
and three. |
| 002:037 | The
children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. |
| 002:038 | The
children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. |
| 002:039 | The
children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. |
| 002:040 | The
Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy
and four. |
| 002:041 | The
singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight. |
| 002:042 | The
children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the
children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children
of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine. |
| 002:043 | The
Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
|
| 002:044 | The
children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, |
| 002:045 | The
children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, |
| 002:046 | The
children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan, |
| 002:047 | The
children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, |
| 002:048 | The
children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, |
| 002:049 | The
children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, |
| 002:050 | The
children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim, |
| 002:051 | The
children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, |
| 002:052 | The
children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, |
| 002:053 | The
children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah, |
| 002:054 | The
children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. |
| 002:055 | The
children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth,
the children of Peruda, |
| 002:056 | The
children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, |
| 002:057 | The
children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of
Zebaim, the children of Ami. |
| 002:058 | All
the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety
and two. |
| 002:059 | And
these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer:
but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they
were of Israel: |
| 002:060 | The
children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred
fifty and two. |
| 002:061 | And
of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz,
the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai
the Gileadite, and was called after their name: |
| 002:062 | These
sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they
were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
|
| 002:063 | And
the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things,
till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. |
| 002:064 | The
whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
|
| 002:065 | Beside
their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred
thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing
women. |
| 002:066 | Their
horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and
five; |
| 002:067 | Their
camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred
and twenty. |
| 002:068 | And
some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which
is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
|
| 002:069 | They
gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand
drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests'
garments. |
| 002:070 | So
the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and
the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their
cities. |
|
| 003:001
| And
when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities,
the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. | | 003:002 | Then
stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel
the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of
Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses
the man of God. |
| 003:003 | And
they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people
of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD,
even burnt offerings morning and evening. |
| 003:004 | They
kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily
burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day
required; |
| 003:005 | And
afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and
of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that
willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. |
| 003:006 | From
the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto
the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. |
| 003:007 | They
gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink,
and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from
Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus
king of Persia. |
| 003:008 | Now
in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the
second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of
Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and
all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed
the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the
house of the LORD. |
| 003:009 | Then
stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons
of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons
of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. |
| 003:010 | And
when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the
priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with
cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. |
| 003:011 | And
they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because
he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people
shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation
of the house of the LORD was laid. |
| 003:012 | But
many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient
men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid
before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
|
| 003:013 | So
that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise
of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and
the noise was heard afar off. |
|
| 004:001
| Now
when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity
builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; | | 004:002 | Then
they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them,
Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice
unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
|
| 004:003 | But
Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel,
said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God;
but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus
the king of Persia hath commanded us. |
| 004:004 | Then
the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled
them in building, |
| 004:005 | And
hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of
Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. |
| 004:006 | And
in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him
an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. |
| 004:007 | And
in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of
their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter
was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. |
| 004:008 | Rehum
the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to
Artaxerxes the king in this sort: |
| 004:009 | Then
wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their
companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites,
the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
|
| 004:010 | And
the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and
set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river,
and at such a time. |
| 004:011 | This
is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the
king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. |
| 004:012 | Be
it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come
unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the
walls thereof, and joined the foundations. |
| 004:013 | Be
it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set
up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt
endamage the revenue of the kings. |
| 004:014 | Now
because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for
us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
|
| 004:015 | That
search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou
find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city,
and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within
the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. |
| 004:016 | We
certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof
set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. |
| 004:017 | Then
sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe,
and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest
beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. |
| 004:018 | The
letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. |
| 004:019 | And
I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old
time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition
have been made therein. |
| 004:020 | There
have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries
beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. |
| 004:021 | Give
ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded,
until another commandment shall be given from me. |
| 004:022 | Take
heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of
the kings? |
| 004:023 | Now
when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai
the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the
Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. |
| 004:024 | Then
ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto
the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. |
|
| 005:001
| Then
the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied
unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel,
even unto them. | | 005:002 | Then
rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and
began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the
prophets of God helping them. |
| 005:003 | At
the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai
and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build
this house, and to make up this wall? |
| 005:004 | Then
said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make
this building? |
| 005:005 | But
the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause
them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer
by letter concerning this matter. |
| 005:006 | The
copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai
and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent
unto Darius the king: |
| 005:007 | They
sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all
peace. |
| 005:008 | Be
it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house
of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in
the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands. |
| 005:009 | Then
asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build
this house, and to make up these walls? |
| 005:010 | We
asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the
men that were the chief of them. |
| 005:011 | And
thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven
and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which
a great king of Israel builded and set up. |
| 005:012 | But
after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them
into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed
this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. |
| 005:013 | But
in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree
to build this house of God. |
| 005:014 | And
the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar
took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple
of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and
they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made
governor; |
| 005:015 | And
said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in
Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. |
| 005:016 | Then
came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which
is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building,
and yet it is not finished. |
| 005:017 | Now
therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's
treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree
was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let
the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. |
|
| 006:001
| Then
Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls,
where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. | | 006:002 | And
there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes,
a roll, and therein was a record thus written: |
| 006:003 | In
the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning
the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they
offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height
thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; |
| 006:004 | With
three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be
given out of the king's house: |
| 006:005 | And
also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar
took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon,
be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every
one to his place, and place them in the house of God. |
| 006:006 | Now
therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions
the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: |
| 006:007 | Let
the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders
of the Jews build this house of God in his place. |
| 006:008 | Moreover
I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building
of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond
the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
|
| 006:009 | And
that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for
the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according
to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them
day by day without fail: |
| 006:010 | That
they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray
for the life of the king, and of his sons. |
| 006:011 | Also
I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled
down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his
house be made a dunghill for this. |
| 006:012 | And
the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people,
that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which
is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed. |
| 006:013 | Then
Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions,
according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily. |
| 006:014 | And
the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying
of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and
finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according
to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. |
| 006:015 | And
this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the
sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. |
| 006:016 | And
the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children
of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy. |
| 006:017 | And
offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred
rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he
goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. |
| 006:018 | And
they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses,
for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book
of Moses. |
| 006:019 | And
the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of
the first month. |
| 006:020 | For
the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure,
and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their
brethren the priests, and for themselves. |
| 006:021 | And
the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such
as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of
the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, |
| 006:022 | And
kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made
them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen
their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. |
|
| 007:001
| Now
after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son
of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, | | 007:002 | The
son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, |
| 007:003 | The
son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, |
| 007:004 | The
son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, |
| 007:005 | The
son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the
chief priest: |
| 007:006 | This
Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which
the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request,
according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. |
| 007:007 | And
there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites,
and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the
seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. |
| 007:008 | And
he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the
king. |
| 007:009 | For
upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on
the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good
hand of his God upon him. |
| 007:010 | For
Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and
to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. |
| 007:011 | Now
this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the
priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD,
and of his statutes to Israel. |
| 007:012 | Artaxerxes,
king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven,
perfect peace, and at such a time. |
| 007:013 | I
make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and
Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem,
go with thee. |
| 007:014 | Forasmuch
as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning
Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
|
| 007:015 | And
to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely
offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, |
| 007:016 | And
all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon,
with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly
for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: |
| 007:017 | That
thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their
meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of
the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. |
| 007:018 | And
whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest
of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. |
| 007:019 | The
vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those
deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. |
| 007:020 | And
whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt
have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house. |
| 007:021 | And
I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which
are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law
of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, |
| 007:022 | Unto
an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an
hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing
how much. |
| 007:023 | Whatsoever
is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house
of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the
king and his sons? |
| 007:024 | Also
we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters,
Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose
toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. |
| 007:025 | And
thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates
and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such
as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. |
| 007:026 | And
whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment
be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment,
or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. |
| 007:027 | Blessed
be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the
king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: |
| 007:028 | And
hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before
all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD
my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up
with me. |
|
| 008:001
| These
are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that
went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. | | 008:002 | Of
the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons
of David; Hattush. |
| 008:003 | Of
the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were
reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty. |
| 008:004 | Of
the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred
males. |
| 008:005 | Of
the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
|
| 008:006 | Of
the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
|
| 008:007 | And
of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
|
| 008:008 | And
of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore
males. |
| 008:009 | Of
the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen
males. |
| 008:010 | And
of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and
threescore males. |
| 008:011 | And
of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight
males. |
| 008:012 | And
of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred
and ten males. |
| 008:013 | And
of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and
Shemaiah, and with them threescore males. |
| 008:014 | Of
the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males. |
| 008:015 | And
I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode
we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found
there none of the sons of Levi. |
| 008:016 | Then
sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib,
and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief
men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. |
| 008:017 | And
I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and
I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims,
at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house
of our God. |
| 008:018 | And
by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding,
of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with
his sons and his brethren, eighteen; |
| 008:019 | And
Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their
sons, twenty; |
| 008:020 | Also
of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service
of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed
by name. |
| 008:021 | Then
I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves
before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones,
and for all our substance. |
| 008:022 | For
I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help
us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying,
The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power
and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. |
| 008:023 | So
we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. |
| 008:024 | Then
I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten
of their brethren with them, |
| 008:025 | And
weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering
of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords,
and all Israel there present, had offered: |
| 008:026 | I
even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver
vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents; |
| 008:027 | Also
twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper,
precious as gold. |
| 008:028 | And
I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and
the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.
|
| 008:029 | Watch
ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and
the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers
of the house of the LORD. |
| 008:030 | So
took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and
the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God. |
| 008:031 | Then
we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month,
to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered
us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. |
| 008:032 | And
we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. |
| 008:033 | Now
on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the
house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with
him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua,
and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; |
| 008:034 | By
number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
|
| 008:035 | Also
the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the
captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks
for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats
for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD. |
| 008:036 | And
they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the
governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house
of God. |
|
| 009:001
| Now
when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of
Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from
the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the
Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the
Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. | | 009:002 | For
they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that
the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea,
the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. |
| 009:003 | And
when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the
hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. |
| 009:004 | Then
were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel,
because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat
astonied until the evening sacrifice. |
| 009:005 | And
at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment
and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD
my God, |
| 009:006 | And
said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God:
for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up
unto the heavens. |
| 009:007 | Since
the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and
for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into
the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil,
and to confusion of face, as it is this day. |
| 009:008 | And
now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave
us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God
may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. |
| 009:009 | For
we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath
extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving,
to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and
to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. |
| 009:010 | And
now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
|
| 009:011 | Which
thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which
ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of
the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another
with their uncleanness. |
| 009:012 | Now
therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters
unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may
be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to
your children for ever. |
| 009:013 | And
after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass,
seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve,
and hast given us such deliverance as this; |
| 009:014 | Should
we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these
abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us,
so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? |
| 009:015 | O
LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is
this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand
before thee because of this. |
|
| 010:001
| Now
when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself
down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very
great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very
sore. | | 010:002 | And
Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto
Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the
people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
|
| 010:003 | Now
therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and
such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those
that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to
the law. |
| 010:004 | Arise;
for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good
courage, and do it. |
| 010:005 | Then
arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear
that they should do according to this word. And they sware. |
| 010:006 | Then
Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan
the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink
water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried
away. |
| 010:007 | And
they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children
of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
|
| 010:008 | And
that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of
the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself
separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. |
| 010:009 | Then
all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem
within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month;
and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because
of this matter, and for the great rain. |
| 010:010 | And
Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have
taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. |
| 010:011 | Now
therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure:
and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
|
| 010:012 | Then
all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said,
so must we do. |
| 010:013 | But
the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to
stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that
have transgressed in this thing. |
| 010:014 | Let
now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken
strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders
of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for
this matter be turned from us. |
| 010:015 | Only
Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about
this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. |
| 010:016 | And
the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief
of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their
names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to
examine the matter. |
| 010:017 | And
they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first
day of the first month. |
| 010:018 | And
among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives:
namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah,
and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. |
| 010:019 | And
they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty,
they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass. |
| 010:020 | And
of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah. |
| 010:021 | And
of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
|
| 010:022 | And
of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and
Elasah. |
| 010:023 | Also
of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah,
Judah, and Eliezer. |
| 010:024 | Of
the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
|
| 010:025 | Moreover
of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin,
and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. |
| 010:026 | And
of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth,
and Eliah. |
| 010:027 | And
of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad,
and Aziza. |
| 010:028 | Of
the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. |
| 010:029 | And
of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and
Ramoth. |
| 010:030 | And
of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah,
Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh. |
| 010:031 | And
of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, |
| 010:032 | Benjamin,
Malluch, and Shemariah. |
| 010:033 | Of
the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh,
and Shimei. |
| 010:034 | Of
the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel, |
| 010:035 | Benaiah,
Bedeiah, Chelluh, |
| 010:036 | Vaniah,
Meremoth, Eliashib, |
| 010:037 | Mattaniah,
Mattenai, and Jaasau, |
| 010:038 | And
Bani, and Binnui, Shimei, |
| 010:039 | And
Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah, |
| 010:040 | Machnadebai,
Shashai, Sharai, |
| 010:041 | Azareel,
and Shelemiah, Shemariah, |
| 010:042 | Shallum,
Amariah, and Joseph. |
| 010:043 | Of
the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
|
| 010:044 | All
these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had
children. |