# 1 Esdras Corpus: World English Bible Language: English Script: Latin Edition: World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition Source: https://ebible.org/eng-web/index.htm License: https://ebible.org/eng-web/copyright.htm ## Chapters - [Chapter 1](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/001.md) (58 verses) - [Chapter 2](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/002.md) (30 verses) - [Chapter 3](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/003.md) (24 verses) - [Chapter 4](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/004.md) (63 verses) - [Chapter 5](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/005.md) (73 verses) - [Chapter 6](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/006.md) (34 verses) - [Chapter 7](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/007.md) (15 verses) - [Chapter 8](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/008.md) (96 verses) - [Chapter 9](/texts/bible/en/web/1-esdras/009.md) (55 verses) ## Chapter 1 ### Verse 1 Josias held the Passover in Jerusalem to his Lord, and offered the Passover the fourteenth day of the first month, ### Verse 2 having set the priests according to their daily courses, being arrayed in their vestments, in the Lord’s temple. ### Verse 3 He spoke to the Levites, the temple servants of Israel, that they should make themselves holy to the Lord, to set the holy ark of the Lord in the house that King Solomon the son of David had built. ### Verse 4 He said, “You no longer need to carry it on your shoulders. Now therefore serve the Lord your God, and minister to his people Israel, and prepare yourselves by your fathers’ houses and kindred, ### Verse 5 according to the writing of King David of Israel, and according to the magnificence of Solomon his son. Stand in the holy place according to the divisions of your Levite families who minister in the presence of your kindred the descendants of Israel. ### Verse 6 Offer the Passover in order, prepare the sacrifices for your kindred, and keep the Passover according to the Lord’s commandment, which was given to Moses. ### Verse 7 To the people which were present, Josias gave thirty thousand lambs and kids, and three thousand calves. These things were given from the king’s possessions, as he promised, to the people and to the priests and Levites. ### Verse 8 Helkias, Zacharias, and Esyelus, the rulers of the temple, gave to the priests for the Passover two thousand six hundred sheep, and three hundred calves. ### Verse 9 Jeconias, Samaias, Nathanael his brother, Sabias, Ochielus, and Joram, captains over thousands, gave to the Levites for the Passover five thousand sheep and seven hundred calves. ### Verse 10 When these things were done, the priests and Levites, having the unleavened bread, stood in proper order according to the kindred, ### Verse 11 and according to the several divisions by fathers’ houses, before the people, to offer to the Lord as it is written in the book of Moses. They did this in the morning. ### Verse 12 They roasted the Passover lamb with fire, as required. They boiled the sacrifices in the brazen vessels and caldrons with a pleasing smell, ### Verse 13 and set them before all the people. Afterward they prepared for themselves and for their kindred the priests, the sons of Aaron. ### Verse 14 For the priests offered the fat until night. The Levites prepared for themselves and for their kindred the priests, the sons of Aaron. ### Verse 15 The holy singers also, the sons of Asaph, were in their order, according to the appointment of David: Asaph, Zacharias, and Eddinus, who represented the king. ### Verse 16 Moreover the gatekeepers were at every gate. No one needed to depart from his daily duties, for their kindred the Levites prepared for them. ### Verse 17 So the things that belonged to the Lord’s sacrifices were accomplished in that day, in holding the Passover, ### Verse 18 and offering sacrifices on the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of King Josias. ### Verse 19 So the children of Israel which were present at that time held the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. ### Verse 20 Such a Passover had not been held in Israel since the time of the prophet Samuel. ### Verse 21 Indeed, none of the kings of Israel held such a Passover as Josias with the priests, the Levites, and the Jews, held with all Israel that were present in their dwelling place at Jerusalem. ### Verse 22 This Passover was held in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias. ### Verse 23 The works of Josias were upright before his Lord with a heart full of godliness. ### Verse 24 Moreover the things that came to pass in his days have been written in times past, concerning those who sinned and did wickedly against the Lord more than any other people or kingdom, and how they grieved him exceedingly, so that the Lord’s words were confirmed against Israel. ### Verse 25 Now after all these acts of Josias, it came to pass that Pharaoh the king of Egypt came to make war at Carchemish on the Euphrates; and Josias went out against him. ### Verse 26 But the king of Egypt sent to him, saying, “What do I have to do with you, O king of Judea? ### Verse 27 I wasn’t sent out from the Lord God against you, for my war is against the Euphrates. Now the Lord is with me, yes, the Lord is with me hastening me forward. Depart from me, and don’t be against the Lord.” ### Verse 28 However, Josias didn’t turn back to his chariot, but tried to fight with him, not regarding the words of the prophet Jeremy from the Lord’s mouth, ### Verse 29 but joined battle with him in the plain of Megiddo, and the commanders came down against King Josias. ### Verse 30 Then the king said to his servants, “Carry me away out of the battle, for I am very weak!” Immediately his servants carried him away out of the army. ### Verse 31 Then he got into his second chariot. After he was brought back to Jerusalem he died, and was buried in the tomb of his ancestors. ### Verse 32 All Judea mourned for Josias. Jeremy the prophet lamented for Josias, and the chief men with the women made lamentation for him to this day. This was given out for an ordinance to be done continually in all the nation of Israel. ### Verse 33 These things are written in the book of the histories of the kings of Judea, and every one of the acts that Josias did, and his glory, and his understanding in the law of the Lord, and the things that he had done before, and the things now told, are reported in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. ### Verse 34 The people took Joachaz the son of Josias, and made him king instead of Josias his father, when he was twenty-three years old. ### Verse 35 He reigned in Judah and Jerusalem for three months. Then the king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem. ### Verse 36 He set a tax upon the people of one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. ### Verse 37 The king of Egypt also made King Joakim his brother king of Judea and Jerusalem. ### Verse 38 And Joakim imprisoned the nobles and apprehended his brother Zarakes, and brought him up out of Egypt. ### Verse 39 Joakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign in Judea and Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. ### Verse 40 King Nabuchodonosor of Babylon came up against him, bound him with a chain of brass, and carried him to Babylon. ### Verse 41 Nabuchodonosor also took some of the Lord’s holy vessels, carried them away, and stored them in his own temple at Babylon. ### Verse 42 But those things that are reported of him, and of his uncleanness and impiety, are written in the chronicles of the kings. ### Verse 43 Then Joakim his son reigned in his place. When he was made king, he was eighteen years old. ### Verse 44 He reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil before the Lord. ### Verse 45 So after a year Nabuchodonosor sent and caused him to be brought to Babylon with the holy vessels of the Lord, ### Verse 46 and made Sedekias king of Judea and Jerusalem when he was twenty-one years old. He reigned eleven years. ### Verse 47 He also did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and didn’t heed the words that were spoken by Jeremy the prophet from the Lord’s mouth. ### Verse 48 After King Nabuchodonosor had made him to swear by the name of the Lord, he broke his oath and rebelled. Hardening his neck and his heart, he transgressed the laws of the Lord, the God of Israel. ### Verse 49 Moreover the governors of the people and of the priests did many things wickedly, exceeding all the defilements of all nations, and defiled the temple of the Lord, which was sanctified in Jerusalem. ### Verse 50 The God of their ancestors sent by his messenger to call them back, because he had compassion on them and on his dwelling place. ### Verse 51 But they mocked his messengers. In the day when the Lord spoke, they scoffed at his prophets ### Verse 52 until he, being angry with his people for their great ungodliness, commanded to bring up the kings of the Chaldeans against them. ### Verse 53 They killed their young men with the sword around their holy temple, and spared neither young man or young woman, old man or child; but he delivered all of them into their hands. ### Verse 54 They took all the holy vessels of the Lord, both great and small, with the treasure chests of the Lord’s ark and the king’s treasures, and carried them away to Babylon. ### Verse 55 They burned the Lord’s house, broke down Jerusalem’s walls, and burned its towers with fire. ### Verse 56 As for her glorious things, they didn’t stop until they had brought them all to nothing. He carried the people who weren’t slain with the sword to Babylon. ### Verse 57 They were servants to him and to his children until the Persians reigned, to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremy: ### Verse 58 “Until the land has enjoyed its Sabbaths, the whole time of her desolation shall she keep Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. ## Chapter 2 ### Verse 1 In the first year of King Cyrus of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremy might be accomplished, ### Verse 2 the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of the Persians, and he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also by writing, ### Verse 3 saying, “Cyrus king of the Persians says: The Lord of Israel, the Most High Lord, has made me king of the whole world, ### Verse 4 and commanded me to build him a house at Jerusalem that is in Judea. ### Verse 5 If therefore there are any of you that are of his people, let the Lord, even his Lord, be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea, and build the house of the Lord of Israel. He is the Lord who dwells in Jerusalem. ### Verse 6 Therefore, of those who dwell in various places, let those who are in his own place each help with gold, with silver, ### Verse 7 with gifts, with horses, and cattle, beside the other things which have been added by vow for the temple of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. ### Verse 8 Then the chief of the families of Judah and of the tribe of Benjamin stood up, with the priests, the Levites, and all whose spirit the Lord had stirred to go up, to build the house for the Lord which is in Jerusalem. ### Verse 9 Those who lived around them helped them in all things with silver and gold, with horses and cattle, and with very many gifts that were vowed by a great number whose minds were so moved. ### Verse 10 King Cyrus also brought out the holy vessels of the Lord, which Nabuchodonosor had carried away from Jerusalem and had stored in his temple of idols. ### Verse 11 Now when King Cyrus of the Persians had brought them out, he delivered them to Mithradates his treasurer, ### Verse 12 and by him they were delivered to Sanabassar the governor of Judea. ### Verse 13 This was the number of them: one thousand gold cups, one thousand silver cups, twenty-nine silver censers, thirty gold bowls, two thousand four hundred ten silver bowls, and one thousand other vessels. ### Verse 14 So all the vessels of gold and of silver were brought up, even five thousand four hundred seventy-nine, ### Verse 15 and were carried back by Sanabassar, together with the returning exiles, from Babylon to Jerusalem. ### Verse 16 In the time of King Artaxerxes of the Persians, Belemus, Mithradates, Tabellius, Rathumus, Beeltethmus, and Samellius the scribe, with their other associates, dwelling in Samaria and other places, wrote to him against those who lived in Judea and Jerusalem the following letter: ### Verse 17 “To King Artaxerxes our Lord, from your servants, Rathumus the recorder, Samellius the scribe, and the rest of their council, and the judges who are in Coelesyria and Phoenicia: ### Verse 18 Let it now be known to our lord the king, that the Jews that have come up from you to us, having come to Jerusalem, are building that rebellious and wicked city, and are repairing its marketplaces and walls, and are laying the foundation of a temple. ### Verse 19 Now if this city is built and its walls are finished, they will not only refuse to give tribute, but will even stand up against kings. ### Verse 20 Since the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand, we think it appropriate not to neglect such a matter, ### Verse 21 but to speak to our lord the king, to the intent that, if it is your pleasure, search may be made in the books of your ancestors. ### Verse 22 You will find in the chronicles what is written concerning these things, and will understand that that city was rebellious, troubling both kings and cities, ### Verse 23 and that the Jews were rebellious, and kept starting wars there in the past. For this cause, this city was laid waste. ### Verse 24 Therefore now we do declare to you, O lord the king, that if this city is built again, and its walls set up again, you will from then on have no passage into Coelesyria and Phoenicia.” ### Verse 25 Then the king wrote back again to Rathumus the recorder, Beeltethmus, Samellius the scribe, and to the rest of their associates who lived in Samaria, Syria, and Phoenicia, as follows: ### Verse 26 “I have read the letter which you have sent to me. Therefore I commanded to make search, and it has been found that that city of old time has fought against kings, ### Verse 27 and the men were given to rebellion and war in it, and that mighty and fierce kings were in Jerusalem, who reigned and exacted tribute in Coelesyria and Phoenicia. ### Verse 28 Now therefore I have commanded to prevent those men from building the city, and heed to be taken that there be nothing done contrary to this order, ### Verse 29 and that those wicked doings proceed no further to the annoyance of kings.” ### Verse 30 Then King Artaxerxes, his letters being read, Rathumus, and Samellius the scribe, and the rest of their associates, went in haste to Jerusalem with cavalry and a multitude of people in battle array, and began to hinder the builders. So the building of the temple in Jerusalem ceased until the second year of the reign of King Darius of the Persians. ## Chapter 3 ### Verse 1 Now King Darius made a great feast for all his subjects, for all who were born in his house, for all the princes of Media and of Persia, ### Verse 2 and for all the local governors and captains and governors who were under him, from India to Ethiopia, in the one hundred twenty seven provinces. ### Verse 3 They ate and drank, and when they were satisfied went home. Then King Darius went into his bedchamber and slept, but awakened out of his sleep. ### Verse 4 Then the three young men of the bodyguard, who guarded the king, spoke one to another: ### Verse 5 “Let every one of us state what one thing is strongest. King Darius will give him whose statement seems wiser than the others great gifts and great honors in token of victory. ### Verse 6 He shall be clothed in purple, drink from gold cups, sleep on a gold bed, and have a chariot with bridles of gold, a fine linen turban, and a chain around his neck. ### Verse 7 He shall sit next to Darius because of his wisdom, and shall be called cousin of Darius.” ### Verse 8 Then they each wrote his sentence, sealed them, and laid them under King Darius’ pillow, ### Verse 9 and said, “When the king wakes up, someone will give him the writing. Whoever the king and the three princes of Persia judge that his sentence is the wisest, to him shall the victory be given, as it is written.” ### Verse 10 The first wrote, “Wine is the strongest.” ### Verse 11 The second wrote, “The king is strongest.” ### Verse 12 The third wrote, “Women are strongest, but above all things Truth is the victor.” ### Verse 13 Now when the king woke up, they took the writing and gave it to him, so he read it. ### Verse 14 Sending out, he called all the princes of Persia and of Media, the local governors, the captains, the governors, and the chief officers ### Verse 15 and sat himself down in the royal seat of judgment; and the writing was read before them. ### Verse 16 He said, “Call the young men, and they shall explain their own sentences. So they were called and came in. ### Verse 17 They said to them, “Explain what you have written.” Then the first, who had spoken of the strength of wine, began ### Verse 18 and said this: “O sirs, how exceedingly strong wine is! It causes all men who drink it to go astray. ### Verse 19 It makes the mind of the king and of the fatherless child to be the same, likewise of the bondman and of the freeman, of the poor man and of the rich. ### Verse 20 It also turns every thought into cheer and mirth, so that a man remembers neither sorrow nor debt. ### Verse 21 It makes every heart rich, so that a man remembers neither king nor local governor. It makes people say things in large amounts. ### Verse 22 When they are in their cups, they forget their love both to friends and kindred, and before long draw their swords. ### Verse 23 But when they awake from their wine, they don’t remember what they have done. ### Verse 24 O sirs, isn’t wine the strongest, seeing that it forces people to do this?” And when he had said this, he stopped speaking. ## Chapter 4 ### Verse 1 Then the second, who had spoken of the strength of the king, began to say, ### Verse 2 “O sirs, don’t men excel in strength who rule over the sea and land, and all things in them? ### Verse 3 But yet the king is stronger. He is their lord and has dominion over them. In whatever he commands them, they obey him. ### Verse 4 If he tells them to make war against each other, they do it. If he sends them out against the enemies, they go, and conquer mountains, walls, and towers. ### Verse 5 They kill and are killed, and don’t disobey the king’s commandment. If they win the victory, they bring everything to the king—all the plunder and everything else. ### Verse 6 Likewise for those who are not soldiers, and don’t have anything to do with wars, but farm, when they have reaped again that which they had sown, they bring some to the king and compel one another to pay tribute to the king. ### Verse 7 He is just one man! If he commands people to kill, they kill. If he commands them to spare, they spare. ### Verse 8 If he commands them to strike, they strike. If he commands them to make desolate, they make desolate. If he commands to build, they build. ### Verse 9 If he commands them to cut down, they cut down. If he commands them to plant, they plant. ### Verse 10 So all his people and his armies obey him. Furthermore, he lies down, he eats and drinks, and takes his rest; ### Verse 11 and these keep watch around him. None of them may depart and do his own business. They don’t disobey him in anything. ### Verse 12 O sirs, how could the king not be the strongest, seeing that he is obeyed like this?” Then he stopped talking. ### Verse 13 Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of truth, (this was Zorobabel) began to speak: ### Verse 14 “O sirs, isn’t the king great, and men are many, and isn’t wine strong? Who is it then who rules them, or has the lordship over them? Aren’t they women? ### Verse 15 Women have given birth to the king and all the people who rule over sea and land. ### Verse 16 They came from women. Women nourished up those who planted the vineyards, from where the wine comes. ### Verse 17 Women also make garments for men. These bring glory to men. Without women, men can’t exist. ### Verse 18 Yes, and if men have gathered together gold and silver and any other beautiful thing, and see a woman who is lovely in appearance and beauty, ### Verse 19 they let all those things go and gape at her, and with open mouth stare at her. They all have more desire for her than for gold, or silver, or any other beautiful thing. ### Verse 20 A man leaves his own father who brought him up, leaves his own country, and joins with his wife. ### Verse 21 With his wife he ends his days, with no thought for his father, mother, or country. ### Verse 22 By this also you must know that women have dominion over you. Don’t you labor and toil, and bring it all to give to women? ### Verse 23 Yes, a man takes his sword and goes out to travel, to rob, to steal, and to sail on the sea and on rivers. ### Verse 24 He sees a lion and walks in the darkness. When he has stolen, plundered, and robbed, he brings it to the woman he loves. ### Verse 25 Therefore a man loves his wife better than father or mother. ### Verse 26 Yes, there are many who have lost their minds for women, and become slaves for their sakes. ### Verse 27 Many also have perished, have stumbled, and sinned, for women. ### Verse 28 Now don’t you believe me? Isn’t the king great in his power? Don’t all regions fear to touch him? ### Verse 29 Yet I saw him and Apame the king’s concubine, the daughter of the illustrious Barticus, sitting at the right hand of the king, ### Verse 30 and taking the crown from the king’s head, and setting it upon her own head. Yes, she struck the king with her left hand. ### Verse 31 At this, the king gaped and gazed at her with open mouth. If she smiles at him, he laughs. But if she takes any displeasure at him, he flatters her, that she might be reconciled to him again. ### Verse 32 O sirs, how can it not be that women are strong, seeing they do this?” ### Verse 33 Then the king and the nobles looked at one another. So he began to speak concerning truth. ### Verse 34 “O sirs, aren’t women strong? The earth is great. The sky is high. The sun is swift in its course, for it circles around the sky, and returns on its course again in one day. ### Verse 35 Isn’t he who makes these things great? Therefore the truth is great, and stronger than all things. ### Verse 36 All the earth calls upon truth, and the sky blesses truth. All works shake and tremble, but with truth there is no unrighteous thing. ### Verse 37 Wine is unrighteous. The king is unrighteous. Women are unrighteous. All the children of men are unrighteous, and all their works are unrighteous. There is no truth in them. They shall also perish in their unrighteousness. ### Verse 38 But truth remains, and is strong forever. Truth lives and conquers forevermore. ### Verse 39 With truth there is no partiality toward persons or rewards, but truth does the things that are just, instead of any unrighteous or wicked things. All men approve truth’s works. ### Verse 40 In truth’s judgment is not any unrighteousness. Truth is the strength, the kingdom, the power, and the majesty of all ages. Blessed be the God of truth!” ### Verse 41 With that, he stopped speaking. Then all the people shouted and said, “Great is truth, and strong above all things!” ### Verse 42 Then the king said to him, “Ask what you wish, even more than is appointed in writing, and we will give it to you, because you are found wisest. You shall sit next to me, and shall be called my cousin.” ### Verse 43 Then he said to the king, “Remember your vow, which you vowed to build Jerusalem, in the day when you came to your kingdom, ### Verse 44 and to send back all the vessels that were taken out of Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart when he vowed to destroy Babylon, and vowed to send them back there. ### Verse 45 You also vowed to build the temple which the Edomites burned when Judea was made desolate by the Chaldeans. ### Verse 46 Now, O lord the king, this is what I request, and what I desire of you, and this is the princely generosity that may proceed from you: I ask therefore that you make good the vow, the performance of which you have vowed to the King of Heaven with your own mouth.” ### Verse 47 Then King Darius stood up, kissed him, and wrote letters for him to all the treasurers and governors and captains and local governors, that they should safely bring on their way both him, and all those who would go up with him to build Jerusalem. ### Verse 48 He wrote letters also to all the governors who were in Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and to them in Libanus, that they should bring cedar wood from Libanus to Jerusalem, and that they should help him build the city. ### Verse 49 Moreover he wrote for all the Jews who would go out of his realm up into Judea concerning their freedom, that no officer, no governor, no local governor, nor treasurer, should forcibly enter into their doors, ### Verse 50 and that all the country which they occupied should be free to them without tribute, and that the Edomites should give up the villages of the Jews which they held at that time, ### Verse 51 and that there should be given twenty talents yearly toward the building of the temple, until the time that it was built, ### Verse 52 and another ten talents yearly for burnt offerings to be presented upon the altar every day, as they had a commandment to make seventeen offerings, ### Verse 53 and that all those who would come from Babylonia to build the city should have their freedom—they and their descendants, and all the priests that came. ### Verse 54 He wrote also to give them their support and the priests’ vestments in which they minister. ### Verse 55 For the Levites he wrote that their support should be given them until the day that the house was finished and Jerusalem built up. ### Verse 56 He commanded that land and wages should be given to all who guarded the city. ### Verse 57 He also sent away all the vessels from Babylon that Cyrus had set apart, and all that Cyrus had given in commandment, he commanded also to be done and to be sent to Jerusalem. ### Verse 58 Now when this young man had gone out, he lifted up his face to heaven toward Jerusalem, and praised the King of heaven, ### Verse 59 and said, “From you comes victory. From you comes wisdom. Yours is the glory, and I am your servant. ### Verse 60 Blessed are you, who have given me wisdom. I give thanks to you, O Lord of our fathers. ### Verse 61 So he took the letters, went out, came to Babylon, and told it to all his kindred. ### Verse 62 They praised the God of their ancestors, because he had given them freedom and liberty ### Verse 63 to go up and to build Jerusalem and the temple which is called by his name. They feasted with instruments of music and gladness for seven days. ## Chapter 5 ### Verse 1 After this, the chiefs of fathers’ houses were chosen to go up according to their tribes, with their wives, sons, and daughters, with their menservants and maidservants, and their livestock. ### Verse 2 Darius sent with them one thousand cavalry to bring them back to Jerusalem with peace, with musical instruments, drums, and flutes. ### Verse 3 All their kindred were making merry, and he made them go up together with them. ### Verse 4 These are the names of the men who went up, according to their families among their tribes, after their several divisions. ### Verse 5 The priests, the sons of Phinees, the sons of Aaron: Jesus the son of Josedek, the son of Saraias, and Joakim the son of Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel, of the house of David, of the lineage of Phares, of the tribe of Judah, ### Verse 6 who spoke wise words before Darius the king of Persia in the second year of his reign, in the month Nisan, which is the first month. ### Verse 7 These are the of Judeans who came up from the captivity, where they lived as foreigners, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon. ### Verse 8 They returned to Jerusalem and to the other parts of Judea, every man to his own city, who came with Zorobabel, with Jesus, Nehemias, Zaraias, Resaias, Eneneus, Mardocheus, Beelsarus, Aspharsus, Reelias, Roimus, and Baana, their leaders. ### Verse 9 The number of them of the nation and their leaders: the sons of Phoros, two thousand one hundred seventy two; the sons of Saphat, four hundred seventy two; ### Verse 10 the sons of Ares, seven hundred fifty six; ### Verse 11 the sons of Phaath Moab, of the sons of Jesus and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve; ### Verse 12 the sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty four; the sons of Zathui, nine hundred forty five; the sons of Chorbe, seven hundred five; the sons of Bani, six hundred forty eight; ### Verse 13 the sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty three; the sons of Astad, one thousand three hundred twenty two; ### Verse 14 the sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty seven; the sons of Bagoi, two thousand sixty six; the sons of Adinu, four hundred fifty four; ### Verse 15 the sons of Ater, of Ezekias, ninety two; the sons of Kilan and Azetas, sixty seven; the sons of Azaru, four hundred thirty two; ### Verse 16 the sons of Annis, one hundred one; the sons of Arom, the sons of Bassai, three hundred twenty three; the sons of Arsiphurith, one hundred twelve; ### Verse 17 the sons of Baiterus, three thousand five; the sons of Bethlomon, one hundred twenty three; ### Verse 18 those from Netophas, fifty five; those from Anathoth, one hundred fifty eight; those from Bethasmoth, forty two; ### Verse 19 those from Kariathiarius, twenty five: those from Caphira and Beroth, seven hundred forty three; ### Verse 20 the Chadiasai and Ammidioi, four hundred twenty two; those from Kirama and Gabbe, six hundred twenty one; ### Verse 21 those from Macalon, one hundred twenty two; those from Betolion, fifty two; the sons of Niphis, one hundred fifty six; ### Verse 22 the sons of Calamolalus and Onus, seven hundred twenty five; the sons of Jerechu, three hundred forty five; ### Verse 23 and the sons of Sanaas, three thousand three hundred thirty. ### Verse 24 The priests: the sons of Jeddu, the son of Jesus, among the sons of Sanasib, nine hundred seventy two; the sons of Emmeruth, one thousand fifty two; ### Verse 25 the sons of Phassurus, one thousand two hundred forty seven; and the sons of Charme, one thousand seventeen. ### Verse 26 The Levites: the sons of Jesus, Kadmiel, Bannas, and Sudias, seventy four. ### Verse 27 The holy singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred twenty eight. ### Verse 28 The gatekeepers: the sons of Salum, the sons of Atar, the sons of Tolman, the sons of Dacubi, the sons of Ateta, the sons of Sabi, in all one hundred thirty nine. ### Verse 29 The temple servants: the sons of Esau, the sons of Asipha, the sons of Tabaoth, the sons of Keras, the sons of Sua, the sons of Phaleas, the sons of Labana, the sons of Aggaba. ### Verse 30 the sons of Acud, the sons of Uta, the sons of Ketab, the sons of Accaba, the sons of Subai, the sons of Anan, the sons of Cathua, the sons of Geddur, ### Verse 31 the sons of Jairus, the sons of Daisan, the sons of Noeba, the sons of Chaseba, the sons of Gazera, the sons of Ozias, the sons of Phinoe, the sons of Asara, the sons of Basthai, the sons of Asana, the sons of Maani, the sons of Naphisi, the sons of Acub, the sons of Achipha, the sons of Asur, the sons of Pharakim, the sons of Basaloth, ### Verse 32 the sons of Meedda, the sons of Cutha, the sons of Charea, the sons of Barchus, the sons of Serar, the sons of Thomei, the sons of Nasi, the sons of Atipha. ### Verse 33 The sons of the servants of Solomon: the sons of Assaphioth, the sons of Pharida, the sons of Jeeli, the sons of Lozon, the sons of Isdael, the sons of Saphuthi, ### Verse 34 the sons of Agia, the sons of Phacareth, the sons of Sabie, the sons of Sarothie, the sons of Masias, the sons of Gas, the sons of Addus, the sons of Subas, the sons of Apherra, the sons of Barodis, the sons of Saphat, the sons of Allon. ### Verse 35 All the temple-servants and the sons of the servants of Solomon were three hundred seventy two. ### Verse 36 These came up from Thermeleth, and Thelersas, Charaathalan leading them, and Allar; ### Verse 37 and they could not show their families, nor their stock, how they were of Israel: the sons of Dalan the son of Ban, the sons of Nekodan, six hundred fifty two. ### Verse 38 Of the priests, those who usurped the office of the priesthood and were not found: the sons of Obdia, the sons of Akkos, the sons of Jaddus, who married Augia one of the daughters of Zorzelleus, and was called after his name. ### Verse 39 When the description of the kindred of these men was sought in the register and was not found, they were removed from executing the office of the priesthood; ### Verse 40 for Nehemias and Attharias told them that they should not be partakers of the holy things until a high priest wearing Urim and Thummim should arise. ### Verse 41 So all those of Israel, from twelve years old and upward, beside menservants and women servants, were in number forty two thousand three hundred sixty. ### Verse 42 Their menservants and handmaids were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven; the minstrels and singers, two hundred forty five; ### Verse 43 four hundred thirty and five camels, seven thousand thirty six horses, two hundred forty five mules, and five thousand five hundred twenty five beasts of burden. ### Verse 44 And some of the chief men of their families, when they came to the temple of God that is in Jerusalem, vowed to set up the house again in its own place according to their ability, ### Verse 45 and to give into the holy treasury of the works one thousand minas of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly vestments. ### Verse 46 The priests and the Levites and some of the people lived in Jerusalem and the country. The holy singers also and the gatekeepers and all Israel lived in their villages. ### Verse 47 But when the seventh month was at hand, and when the children of Israel were each in their own place, they all came together with one purpose into the broad place before the first porch which is toward the east. ### Verse 48 Then Jesus the son of Josedek, his kindred the priests, Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and his kindred stood up and made the altar of the God of Israel ready ### Verse 49 to offer burned sacrifices upon it, in accordance with the express commands in the book of Moses the man of God. ### Verse 50 Some people joined them out of the other nations of the land, and they erected the altar upon its own place, because all the nations of the land were hostile to them and oppressed them; and they offered sacrifices at the proper times and burnt offerings to the Lord both morning and evening. ### Verse 51 They also held the feast of tabernacles, as it is commanded in the law, and offered sacrifices daily, as appropriate. ### Verse 52 After that, they offered the continual oblations and the sacrifices of the Sabbaths, of the new moons, and of all the consecrated feasts. ### Verse 53 All those who had made any vow to God began to offer sacrifices to God from the new moon of the seventh month, although the temple of God was not yet built. ### Verse 54 They gave money, food, and drink to the masons and carpenters. ### Verse 55 They also gave carts to the people of Sidon and Tyre, that they should bring cedar trees from Libanus, and convey them in rafts to the harbor of Joppa, according to the commandment which was written for them by Cyrus king of the Persians. ### Verse 56 In the second year after his coming to the temple of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, Jesus the son of Josedek, their kindred, the Levitical priests, and all those who had come to Jerusalem out of the captivity began work. ### Verse 57 They laid the foundation of God’s temple on the new moon of the second month, in the second year after they had come to Judea and Jerusalem. ### Verse 58 They appointed the Levites who were at least twenty years old over the Lord’s works. Then Jesus, with his sons and kindred, Kadmiel his brother, the sons of Jesus, Emadabun, and the sons of Joda the son of Iliadun, and their sons and kindred, all the Levites, with one accord stood up and started the business, laboring to advance the works in the house of God. So the builders built the Lord’s temple. ### Verse 59 The priests stood arrayed in their vestments with musical instruments and trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with their cymbals, ### Verse 60 singing songs of thanksgiving and praising the Lord, according to the directions of King David of Israel. ### Verse 61 They sang aloud, praising the Lord in songs of thanksgiving, because his goodness and his glory are forever in all Israel. ### Verse 62 All the people sounded trumpets and shouted with a loud voice, singing songs of thanksgiving to the Lord for the raising up of the Lord’s house. ### Verse 63 Some of the Levitical priests and of the heads of their families, the elderly who had seen the former house came to the building of this one with lamentation and great weeping. ### Verse 64 But many with trumpets and joy shouted with a loud voice, ### Verse 65 so that the people couldn’t hear the trumpets for the weeping of the people, for the multitude sounded loudly, so that it was heard far away. ### Verse 66 Therefore when the enemies of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin heard it, they came to know what that noise of trumpets meant. ### Verse 67 They learned that those who returned from captivity built the temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. ### Verse 68 So they went to Zorobabel and Jesus, and to the chief men of the families, and said to them, “We will build together with you. ### Verse 69 For we, just like you, obey your Lord, and sacrifice to him from the days of King Asbasareth of the Assyrians, who brought us here.” ### Verse 70 Then Zorobabel, Jesus and the chief men of the families of Israel said to them, “It is not for you to build the house for the Lord our God. ### Verse 71 We ourselves alone will build for the Lord of Israel, as King Cyrus of the Persians has commanded us.” ### Verse 72 But the heathen of the land pressed hard upon the inhabitants of Judea, cut off their supplies, and hindered their building. ### Verse 73 By their secret plots, and popular persuasions and commotions, they hindered the finishing of the building all the time that King Cyrus lived. So they were hindered from building for two years, until the reign of Darius. ## Chapter 6 ### Verse 1 Now in the second year of the reign of Darius, Aggaeus and Zacharius the son of Addo, the prophets, prophesied to the Jews in Judea and Jerusalem in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. ### Verse 2 Then Zorobabel the son of Salathiel and Jesus the son of Josedek stood up and began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, the prophets of the Lord being with them and helping them. ### Verse 3 At the same time Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia came to them, with Sathrabuzanes and his companions, and said to them, ### Verse 4 “By whose authority do you build this house and this roof, and perform all the other things? Who are the builders who do these things?” ### Verse 5 Nevertheless, the elders of the Jews obtained favor, because the Lord had visited the captives; ### Verse 6 and they were not hindered from building until such time as communication was made to Darius concerning them, and his answer received. ### Verse 7 A copy of the letter which Sisinnes, governor of Syria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, with their companions, the rulers in Syria and Phoenicia, wrote and sent to Darius: ### Verse 8 “To King Darius, greetings. Let it be fully known to our lord the king, that having come into the country of Judea, and entered into the city of Jerusalem, we found in the city of Jerusalem the elders of the Jews that were of the captivity ### Verse 9 building a great new house for the Lord of hewn and costly stones, with timber laid in the walls. ### Verse 10 Those works are being done with great speed. The work goes on prosperously in their hands, and it is being accomplished with all glory and diligence. ### Verse 11 Then we asked these elders, saying, ‘By whose authority are you building this house and laying the foundations of these works?’ ### Verse 12 Therefore, to the intent that we might give knowledge to you by writing who the leaders were, we questioned them, and we required of them the names in writing of their principal men. ### Verse 13 So they gave us this answer, ‘We are the servants of the Lord who made heaven and earth. ### Verse 14 As for this house, it was built many years ago by a great and strong king of Israel, and was finished. ### Verse 15 But when our fathers sinned against the Lord of Israel who is in heaven, and provoked him to wrath, he gave them over into the hands of King Nabuchodonosor of Babylon, king of the Chaldeans. ### Verse 16 They pulled down the house, burned it, and carried away the people captive to Babylon. ### Verse 17 But in the first year that Cyrus reigned over the country of Babylon, King Cyrus wrote that this house should be rebuilt. ### Verse 18 The holy vessels of gold and of silver that Nabuchodonosor had carried away out of the house at Jerusalem and had set up in his own temple, those King Cyrus brought out of the temple in Babylonia, and they were delivered to Zorobabel and to Sanabassarus the governor, ### Verse 19 with commandment that he should carry away all these vessels, and put them in the temple at Jerusalem, and that the Lord’s temple should be built on its site. ### Verse 20 Then Sanabassarus, having come here, laid the foundations of the Lord’s house which is in Jerusalem. From that time to this we are still building. It is not yet fully completed.’ ### Verse 21 Now therefore, if it seems good, O king, let a search be made among the royal archives of our lord the king that are in Babylon. ### Verse 22 If it is found that the building of the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem has been done with the consent of King Cyrus, and it seems good to our lord the king, let him send us directions concerning these things.” ### Verse 23 Then King Darius commanded that a search be made among the archives that were laid up at Babylon. So at Ekbatana the palace, which is in the country of Media, a scroll was found where these things were recorded: ### Verse 24 “In the first year of the reign of Cyrus, King Cyrus commanded to build up the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, where they sacrifice with continual fire. ### Verse 25 Its height shall be sixty cubits, and the breadth sixty cubits, with three rows of hewn stones, and one row of new wood from that country. Its expenses are to be given out of the house of King Cyrus. ### Verse 26 The holy vessels of the house of the Lord, both gold and silver, that Nabuchodonosor took out of the house at Jerusalem and carried away to Babylon, should be restored to the house at Jerusalem, and be set in the place where they were before.” ### Verse 27 Also he commanded that Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, and their companions, and those who were appointed rulers in Syria and Phoenicia, should be careful not to meddle with the place, but allow Zorobabel, the servant of the Lord, and governor of Judea, and the elders of the Jews, to build that house of the Lord in its place. ### Verse 28 “I also command to have it built up whole again; and that they look diligently to help those who are of the captivity of Judea, until the house of the Lord is finished, ### Verse 29 and that out of the tribute of Coelesyria and Phoenicia a portion shall be carefully given to these men for the sacrifices of the Lord, that is, to Zorobabel the governor for bulls, rams, and lambs, ### Verse 30 and also corn, salt, wine and oil, and that continually every year without further question, according as the priests who are in Jerusalem may direct to be daily spent, ### Verse 31 that drink offerings may be made to the Most High God for the king and for his children, and that they may pray for their lives.” ### Verse 32 He commanded that whoever should transgress, yes, or neglect anything written here, a beam shall be taken out of his own house, and he shall be hanged on it, and all his goods seized for the king. ### Verse 33 “Therefore may the Lord, whose name is called upon there, utterly destroy every king and nation that stretches out his hand to hinder or damage that house of the Lord in Jerusalem. ### Verse 34 I, King Darius have ordained that these things be done with diligence.” ## Chapter 7 ### Verse 1 Then Sisinnes the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, with their companions, following the commandments of King Darius, ### Verse 2 very carefully supervised the holy work, assisting the elders of the Jews and rulers of the temple. ### Verse 3 So the holy work prospered, while Aggaeus and Zacharias the prophets prophesied. ### Verse 4 They finished these things by the commandment of the Lord, the God of Israel, and with the consent of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of the Persians. ### Verse 5 So the holy house was finished by the twenty-third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius. ### Verse 6 The children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the others who returned from captivity who joined them did what was written in the book of Moses. ### Verse 7 For the dedication of the Lord’s temple, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, ### Verse 8 and twelve male goats for the sin of all Israel, according to the number of the twelve princes of the tribes of Israel. ### Verse 9 The priests and the Levites stood arrayed in their vestments, according to their kindred, for the services of the Lord, the God of Israel, according to the book of Moses. The gatekeepers were at every gate. ### Verse 10 The children of Israel who came out of captivity held the Passover the fourteenth day of the first month, when the priests and the Levites were sanctified together, ### Verse 11 with all those who returned from captivity; for they were sanctified. For the Levites were all sanctified together, ### Verse 12 and they offered the Passover for all who returned from captivity, for their kindred the priests, and for themselves. ### Verse 13 The children of Israel who came out of the captivity ate, even all those who had separated themselves from the abominations of the heathen of the land, and sought the Lord. ### Verse 14 They kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days, rejoicing before the Lord, ### Verse 15 because he had turned the counsel of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the Lord, the God of Israel. ## Chapter 8 ### Verse 1 After these things, when Artaxerxes the king of the Persians reigned, Esdras came, who was the son of Azaraias, the son of Zechrias, the son of Helkias, the son of Salem, ### Verse 2 the son of Sadduk, the son of Ahitob, the son of Amarias, the son of Ozias, the son of Memeroth, the son of Zaraias, the son of Savias, the son of Boccas, the son of Abisne, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the chief priest. ### Verse 3 This Esdras went up from Babylon as a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which was given by the God of Israel. ### Verse 4 The king honored him, for he found favor in his sight in all his requests. ### Verse 5 There went up with him also some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, Levites, holy singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants to Jerusalem ### Verse 6 in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, in the fifth month (this was the king’s seventh year); for they left Babylon on the new moon of the first month and came to Jerusalem, by the prosperous journey which the Lord gave them for his sake. ### Verse 7 For Esdras had very great skill, so that he omitted nothing of the law and commandments of the Lord, but taught all Israel the ordinances and judgments. ### Verse 8 Now the commission, which was written from King Artaxerxes, came to Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, was as follows: ### Verse 9 “King Artaxerxes to Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, greetings. ### Verse 10 Having determined to deal graciously, I have given orders that those of the nation of the Jews, and of the priests and Levites, and of those within our realm who are willing and freely choose to, should go with you to Jerusalem. ### Verse 11 As many therefore as are so disposed, let them depart with you, as it has seemed good both to me and my seven friends the counselors, ### Verse 12 that they may look to the affairs of Judea and Jerusalem, in accordance with what is in the Lord’s law, ### Verse 13 and carry the gifts to the Lord of Israel to Jerusalem, which I and my friends have vowed, and that all the gold and silver that can be found in the country of Babylonia for the Lord in Jerusalem, ### Verse 14 with that also which is given of the people for the temple of the Lord their God that is at Jerusalem, be collected: even the gold and silver for bulls, rams, and lambs, and what goes with them, ### Verse 15 to the end that they may offer sacrifices to the Lord upon the altar of the Lord their God, which is in Jerusalem. ### Verse 16 Whatever you and your kindred decide to do with gold and silver, do that according to the will of your God. ### Verse 17 The holy vessels of the Lord, which are given you for the use of the temple of your God, which is in Jerusalem, ### Verse 18 and whatever else you shall remember for the use of the temple of your God, you shall give it out of the king’s treasury. ### Verse 19 I, King Artaxerxes, have also commanded the keepers of the treasures in Syria and Phoenicia, that whatever Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Most High God shall send for, they should give it to him with all diligence, ### Verse 20 to the sum of one hundred talents of silver, likewise also of wheat even to one hundred cors, and one hundred firkins of wine, and salt in abundance. ### Verse 21 Let all things be performed after God’s law diligently to the most high God, that wrath come not upon the kingdom of the king and his sons. ### Verse 22 I command you also that no tax, nor any other imposition, be laid upon any of the priests, or Levites, or holy singers, or gatekeepers, or temple servants, or any that have employment in this temple, and that no man has authority to impose any tax on them. ### Verse 23 You, Esdras, according to the wisdom of God, ordain judges and justices that they may judge in all Syria and Phoenicia all those who know the law of your God; and those who don’t know it, you shall teach. ### Verse 24 Whoever transgresses the law of your God and of the king shall be punished diligently, whether it be by death, or other punishment, by penalty of money, or by imprisonment.” ### Verse 25 Then Esdras the scribe said, “Blessed be the only Lord, the God of my fathers, who has put these things into the heart of the king, to glorify his house that is in Jerusalem, ### Verse 26 and has honored me in the sight of the king, his counselors, and all his friends and nobles. ### Verse 27 Therefore I was encouraged by the help of the Lord my God, and gathered together out of Israel men to go up with me. ### Verse 28 These are the chiefs according to their families and their several divisions, who went up with me from Babylon in the reign of King Artaxerxes: ### Verse 29 of the sons of Phinees, Gerson; of the sons of Ithamar, Gamael; of the sons of David, Attus the son of Sechenias; ### Verse 30 of the sons of Phoros, Zacharais; and with him were counted one hundred fifty men; ### Verse 31 of the sons of Phaath Moab, Eliaonias the son of Zaraias, and with him two hundred men; ### Verse 32 of the sons of Zathoes, Sechenias the son of Jezelus, and with him three hundred men; of the sons of Adin, Obeth the son of Jonathan, and with him two hundred fifty men; ### Verse 33 of the sons of Elam, Jesias son of Gotholias, and with him seventy men; ### Verse 34 of the sons of Saphatias, Zaraias son of Michael, and with him seventy men; ### Verse 35 of the sons of Joab, Abadias son of Jehiel. Jezelus, and with him two hundred twelve men; ### Verse 36 of the sons of Banias, Salimoth son of Josaphias, and with him one hundred sixty men; ### Verse 37 of the sons of Babi, Zacharias son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight men; ### Verse 38 of the sons of Azgad: Astath, Joannes son of Hakkatan Akatan, and with him one hundred ten men; ### Verse 39 of the sons of Adonikam, the last, and these are the names of them, Eliphalat, Jeuel, and Samaias, and with them seventy men; ### Verse 40 of the sons of Bago, Uthi the son of Istalcurus, and with him seventy men. ### Verse 41 I gathered them together to the river called Theras. There we pitched our tents three days, and I inspected them. ### Verse 42 When I had found there none of the priests and Levites, ### Verse 43 then sent I to Eleazar, Iduel, Maasmas, ### Verse 44 Elnathan, Samaias, Joribus, Nathan, Ennatan, Zacharias, and Mosollamus, principal men and men of understanding. ### Verse 45 I asked them to go to Loddeus the captain, who was in the place of the treasury, ### Verse 46 and commanded them that they should speak to Loddeus, to his kindred, and to the treasurers in that place, to send us such men as might execute the priests’ office in our Lord’s house. ### Verse 47 By the mighty hand of our Lord, they brought to us men of understanding of the sons of Mooli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, Asebebias, and his sons, and his kindred, who were eighteen, ### Verse 48 and Asebias, Annuus, and Osaias his brother, of the sons of Chanuneus, and their sons were twenty men; ### Verse 49 and of the temple servants whom David and the principal men had appointed for the servants of the Levites, two hundred twenty temple servants. The list of all their names was reported. ### Verse 50 There I vowed a fast for the young men before our Lord, to seek from him a prosperous journey both for us and for our children and livestock that were with us; ### Verse 51 for I was ashamed to ask of the king infantry, cavalry, and an escort for protection against our adversaries. ### Verse 52 For we had said to the king that the power of our Lord would be with those who seek him, to support them in all ways. ### Verse 53 Again we prayed to our lord about these things, and found him to be merciful. ### Verse 54 Then I set apart twelve men of the chiefs of the priests, Eserebias, Assamias, and ten men of their kindred with them. ### Verse 55 I weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the holy vessels of the house of our Lord, which the king, his counselors, the nobles, and all Israel had given. ### Verse 56 When I had weighed it, I delivered to them six hundred fifty talents of silver, silver vessels weighing one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold, ### Verse 57 twenty golden vessels, and twelve vessels of brass, even of fine brass, glittering like gold. ### Verse 58 I said to them, “You are holy to the Lord, the vessels are holy, and the gold and the silver are a vow to the Lord, the Lord of our fathers. ### Verse 59 Watch and keep them until you deliver them to the chiefs of the priests and Levites, and to the principal men of the families of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of our Lord’s house. ### Verse 60 So the priests and the Levites who received the silver, the gold, and the vessels which were in Jerusalem, brought them into the temple of the Lord. ### Verse 61 We left the river Theras on the twelfth day of the first month. We came to Jerusalem by the mighty hand of our Lord which was upon us. The Lord delivered us from every enemy on the way, and so we came to Jerusalem. ### Verse 62 When we had been there three days, the silver and gold was weighed and delivered in our Lord’s house on the fourth day to Marmoth the priest the son of Urias. ### Verse 63 With him was Eleazar the son of Phinees, and with them were Josabdus the son of Jesus and Moeth the son of Sabannus, the Levites. All was delivered to them by number and weight. ### Verse 64 All the weight of them was recorded at the same hour. ### Verse 65 Moreover those who had come out of captivity offered sacrifices to the Lord, the God of Israel, even twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, ### Verse 66 seventy-two lambs, and twelve goats for a peace offering—all of them a sacrifice to the Lord. ### Verse 67 They delivered the king’s commandments to the king’s stewards and to the governors of Coelesyria and Phoenicia; and they honored the people and the temple of the Lord. ### Verse 68 Now when these things were done, the principal men came to me and said, ### Verse 69 “The nation of Israel, the princes, the priests, and the Levites haven’t put away from themselves the foreign people of the land nor the uncleannesses of the Gentiles—the Canaanites, Hittites, Pherezites, Jebusites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Edomites. ### Verse 70 For both they and their sons have married with their daughters, and the holy seed is mixed with the foreign people of the land. From the beginning of this matter the rulers and the nobles have been partakers of this iniquity.” ### Verse 71 And as soon as I had heard these things, I tore my clothes and my holy garment, and plucked the hair from off my head and beard, and sat down sad and full of heaviness. ### Verse 72 So all those who were moved at the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, assembled to me while I mourned for the iniquity, but I sat still full of heaviness until the evening sacrifice. ### Verse 73 Then rising up from the fast with my clothes and my holy garment torn, and bowing my knees and stretching out my hands to the Lord, ### Verse 74 I said, “O Lord, I am ashamed and confounded before your face, ### Verse 75 for our sins are multiplied above our heads, and our errors have reached up to heaven ### Verse 76 ever since the time of our fathers. We are in great sin, even to this day. ### Verse 77 For our sins and our fathers’ sins we with our kindred, our kings, and our priests were given up to the kings of the earth, to the sword, and to captivity, and for a prey with shame, to this day. ### Verse 78 Now in some measure mercy has been shown to us from you, O Lord, that there should be left us a root and a name in the place of your sanctuary, ### Verse 79 and to uncover a light in the house of the Lord our God, and to give us food in the time of our servitude. ### Verse 80 Yes, when we were in bondage, we were not forsaken by our Lord, but he gave us favor before the kings of Persia, so that they gave us food, ### Verse 81 glorified the temple of our Lord, and raised up the desolate Zion, to give us a sure dwelling in Judea and Jerusalem. ### Verse 82 “Now, O Lord, what shall we say, having these things? For we have transgressed your commandments which you gave by the hand of your servants the prophets, saying, ### Verse 83 ‘The land, which you enter into to possess as an inheritance, is a land polluted with the pollutions of the foreigners of the land, and they have filled it with their uncleanness. ### Verse 84 Therefore now you shall not join your daughters to their sons, neither shall you take their daughters for your sons. ### Verse 85 You shall never seek to have peace with them, that you may be strong, and eat the good things of the land, and that you may leave it for an inheritance to your children for evermore.’ ### Verse 86 All that has happened is done to us for our wicked works and great sins, for you, O Lord, made our sins light, ### Verse 87 and gave to us such a root; but we have turned back again to transgress your law in mingling ourselves with the uncleanness of the heathen of the land. ### Verse 88 You weren’t angry with us to destroy us until you had left us neither root, seed, nor name. ### Verse 89 O Lord of Israel, you are true, for we are left a root this day. ### Verse 90 Behold, now we are before you in our iniquities, for we can’t stand any longer before you because of these things.” ### Verse 91 As Esdras in his prayer made his confession, weeping, and lying flat on the ground before the temple, a very great throng of men, women, and children gathered to him from Jerusalem; for there was great weeping among the multitude. ### Verse 92 Then Jechonias the son of Jeelus, one of the sons of Israel, called out, and said, “O Esdras, we have sinned against the Lord God, we have married foreign women of the heathen of the land, but there is still hope for Israel. ### Verse 93 Let’s make an oath to the Lord about this, that we will put away all our foreign wives with their children, ### Verse 94 as seems good to you, and to as many as obey the Lord’s Law. ### Verse 95 Arise, and take action, for this is your task, and we will be with you to do valiantly.” ### Verse 96 So Esdras arose, and took an oath from the chief of the priests and Levites of all Israel to do these things; and they swore to it. ## Chapter 9 ### Verse 1 Then Esdras rose up from the court of the temple and went to the chamber of Jonas the son of Eliasib, ### Verse 2 and lodged there, and ate no bread and drank no water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude. ### Verse 3 A proclamation was made in all Judea and Jerusalem to all those who returned from captivity, that they should be gathered together at Jerusalem, ### Verse 4 and that whoever didn’t meet there within two or three days, in accordance with the ruling of the elders, that their livestock would be seized for the use of the temple, and they would be expelled from the multitude of those who returned from captivity. ### Verse 5 Within three days, all those of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem. This was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. ### Verse 6 All the multitude sat together shivering in the broad place before the temple because of the present foul weather. ### Verse 7 So Esdras arose up and said to them, “You have transgressed the law and married foreign wives, increasing the sins of Israel. ### Verse 8 Now make confession and give glory to the Lord, the God of our fathers, ### Verse 9 and do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the foreign women.” ### Verse 10 Then the whole multitude cried out, and said with a loud voice, “Just as you have spoken, so we will do. ### Verse 11 But because the multitude is great, and it is foul weather, so that we can’t stand outside, and this is not a work of one day or two, seeing our sin in these things has spread far, ### Verse 12 therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all those of our settlements that have foreign wives come at the time appointed, ### Verse 13 and with them the rulers and judges of every place, until we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter.” ### Verse 14 So Jonathan the son of Azael and Ezekias the son of Thocanus took the matter on themselves. Mosollamus and Levis and Sabbateus were judges with them. ### Verse 15 Those who returned from captivity did according to all these things. ### Verse 16 Esdras the priest chose for himself principal men of their families, all by name. On the new moon of the tenth month they met together to examine the matter. ### Verse 17 So their cases of men who had foreign wives was brought to an end by the new moon of the first month. ### Verse 18 Of the priests who had come together and had foreign wives, there were found ### Verse 19 of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedek, and his kindred, Mathelas, Eleazar, and Joribus, and Joadanus. ### Verse 20 They gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer rams to make reconciliation for their error. ### Verse 21 Of the sons of Emmer: Ananias, Zabdeus, Manes, Sameus, Hiereel, and Azarias. ### Verse 22 Of the sons of Phaisur: Elionas, Massias, Ishmael, Nathanael, Ocidelus, and Saloas. ### Verse 23 Of the Levites: Jozabdus, Semeis, Colius who was called Calitas, Patheus, Judas, and Jonas. ### Verse 24 Of the holy singers: Eliasibus and Bacchurus. ### Verse 25 Of the gatekeepers: Sallumus and Tolbanes. ### Verse 26 Of Israel, of the sons of Phoros: Hiermas, Ieddias, Melchias, Maelus, Eleazar, Asibas, and Banneas. ### Verse 27 Of the sons of Ela: Matthanias, Zacharias, Jezrielus, Oabdius, Hieremoth, and Aedias. ### Verse 28 Of the sons of Zamoth: Eliadas, Eliasimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, Sabathus, and Zardeus. ### Verse 29 Of the sons of Bebai: Joannes, Ananias, Jozabdus, and Ematheis. ### Verse 30 Of the sons of Mani: Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedeus, Jasubas, Jasaelus, and Hieremoth. ### Verse 31 Of the sons of Addi: Naathus, Moossias, Laccunus, Naidus, Matthanias, Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas. ### Verse 32 Of the sons of Annas: Elionas, Aseas, Melchias, Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus. ### Verse 33 Of the sons of Asom: Maltanneus, Mattathias, Sabanneus, Eliphalat, Manasses, and Semei. ### Verse 34 Of the sons of Baani: Jeremias, Momdis, Ismaerus, Juel, Mamdai, Pedias, Anos, Carabasion, Enasibus, Mamnitamenus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Someis, Selemias, and Nathanias. Of the sons of Ezora: Sesis, Ezril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambri, and Josephus. ### Verse 35 Of the sons of Nooma: Mazitias, Zabadeas, Edos, Juel, and Banaias. ### Verse 36 All these had taken foreign wives, and they put them away with their children. ### Verse 37 The priests and Levites, and those who were of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and in the country, on the new moon of the seventh month, and the children of Israel in their settlements. ### Verse 38 The whole multitude gathered together with one accord into the broad place before the porch of the temple toward the east. ### Verse 39 They said to Esdras the priest and reader, “Bring the law of Moses that was given by the Lord, the God of Israel.” ### Verse 40 So Esdras the chief priest brought the law to the whole multitude both of men and women, and to all the priests, to hear the law on the new moon of the seventh month. ### Verse 41 He read in the broad place before the porch of the temple from morning until midday, before both men and women; and all the multitude gave attention to the law. ### Verse 42 Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon the pulpit of wood which had been prepared. ### Verse 43 Beside him stood Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezekias, and Baalsamus on the right hand, ### Verse 44 and on his left hand, Phaldeus, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, Nabarias, and Zacharias. ### Verse 45 Then Esdras took the book of the law before the multitude, and sat honorably in the first place before all. ### Verse 46 When he opened the law, they all stood straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God Most High, the God of armies, the Almighty. ### Verse 47 All the people answered, “Amen.” Lifting up their hands, they fell to the ground and worshiped the Lord. ### Verse 48 Also Jesus, Annus, Sarabias, Iadinus, Jacubus, Sabateus, Auteas, Maiannas, Calitas, Azarias, Jozabdus, Ananias, and Phalias, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, and read to the multitude the law of the Lord, explaining what was read. ### Verse 49 Then Attharates said to Esdras the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites who taught the multitude, even to all, ### Verse 50 “This day is holy to the Lord—now they all wept when they heard the law— ### Verse 51 go then, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing; ### Verse 52 for the day is holy to the Lord. Don’t be sorrowful, for the Lord will bring you to honor.” ### Verse 53 So the Levites commanded all things to the people, saying, “This day is holy. Don’t be sorrowful.” ### Verse 54 Then they went their way, every one to eat, drink, enjoy themselves, to give portions to those who had nothing, and to rejoice greatly, ### Verse 55 because they understood the words they were instructed with, and for which they had been assembled.