CHAPTER1
1AndJosiasheldthefeastofthepassoverinJerusalemunto hisLord,andofferedthepassoverthefourteenthdayofthe firstmonth;
2Havingsetthepriestsaccordingtotheirdailycourses,being arrayedinlonggarments,inthetempleoftheLord
3AndhespakeuntotheLevites,theholyministersofIsrael, thattheyshouldhallowthemselvesuntotheLord,tosetthe holyarkoftheLordinthehousethatkingSolomonthesonof Davidhadbuilt:
4Andsaid,Yeshallnomorebearthearkuponyourshoulders: nowthereforeservetheLordyourGod,andministeruntohis peopleIsrael,andprepareyouafteryourfamiliesandkindreds, 5AccordingasDavidthekingofIsraelprescribed,and accordingtothemagnificenceofSolomonhisson:and standinginthetempleaccordingtotheseveraldignityofthe familiesofyoutheLevites,whoministerinthepresenceof yourbrethrenthechildrenofIsrael,
6Offerthepassoverinorder,andmakereadythesacrifices foryourbrethren,andkeepthepassoveraccordingtothe commandmentoftheLord,whichwasgivenuntoMoses
7AnduntothepeoplethatwasfoundthereJosiasgavethirty thousandlambsandkids,andthreethousandcalves:these thingsweregivenoftheking'sallowance,accordingashe promised,tothepeople,tothepriests,andtotheLevites
8AndHelkias,Zacharias,andSyelus,thegovernorsofthe temple,gavetothepriestsforthepassovertwothousandand sixhundredsheep,andthreehundredcalves
9AndJeconias,andSamaias,andNathanaelhisbrother,and Assabias,andOchiel,andJoram,captainsoverthousands, gavetotheLevitesforthepassoverfivethousandsheep,and sevenhundredcalves.
10Andwhenthesethingsweredone,thepriestsandLevites, havingtheunleavenedbread,stoodinverycomelyorder accordingtothekindreds,
11Andaccordingtotheseveraldignitiesofthefathers,before thepeople,tooffertotheLord,asitiswritteninthebookof Moses:andthusdidtheyinthemorning
12Andtheyroastedthepassoverwithfire,asappertaineth:as forthesacrifices,theysodtheminbrasspotsandpanswitha goodsavour,
13Andsetthembeforeallthepeople:andafterwardthey preparedforthemselves,andfortheprieststheirbrethren,the sonsofAaron
14Forthepriestsofferedthefatuntilnight:andtheLevites preparedforthemselves,andtheprieststheirbrethren,the sonsofAaron
15Theholysingersalso,thesonsofAsaph,wereintheir order,accordingtotheappointmentofDavid,towit,Asaph, Zacharias,andJeduthun,whowasoftheking'sretinue 16Moreovertheporterswereateverygate;itwasnotlawful foranytogofromhisordinaryservice:fortheirbrethrenthe Levitespreparedforthem
17Thuswerethethingsthatbelongedtothesacrificesofthe Lordaccomplishedinthatday,thattheymightholdthe passover,
18AndoffersacrificesuponthealtaroftheLord,according tothecommandmentofkingJosias.
19SothechildrenofIsraelwhichwerepresentheldthe passoveratthattime,andthefeastofsweetbreadsevendays 20AndsuchapassoverwasnotkeptinIsraelsincethetime oftheprophetSamuel
21Yea,allthekingsofIsraelheldnotsuchapassoveras Josias,andthepriests,andtheLevites,andtheJews,held withallIsraelthatwerefounddwellingatJerusalem
22IntheeighteenthyearofthereignofJosiaswasthis passoverkept
23AndtheworksorJosiaswereuprightbeforehisLordwith anheartfullofgodliness
24Asforthethingsthatcametopassinhistime,theywere writteninformertimes,concerningthosethatsinned,anddid wickedlyagainsttheLordaboveallpeopleandkingdoms,and howtheygrievedhimexceedingly,sothatthewordsofthe LordroseupagainstIsrael.
25NowafteralltheseactsofJosiasitcametopass,that PharaohthekingofEgyptcametoraisewaratCarchamis uponEuphrates:andJosiaswentoutagainsthim.
26ButthekingofEgyptsenttohim,saying,WhathaveIto dowiththee,OkingofJudea?
27IamnotsentoutfromtheLordGodagainstthee;formy warisuponEuphrates:andnowtheLordiswithme,yea,the Lordiswithmehastingmeforward:departfromme,andbe notagainsttheLord.
28HowbeitJosiasdidnotturnbackhischariotfromhim,but undertooktofightwithhim,notregardingthewordsofthe prophetJeremyspokenbythemouthoftheLord:
29ButjoinedbattlewithhimintheplainofMagiddo,andthe princescameagainstkingJosias
30Thensaidthekinguntohisservants,Carrymeawayoutof thebattle;forIamveryweakAndimmediatelyhisservants tookhimawayoutofthebattle
31Thengatheupuponhissecondchariot;andbeingbrought backtoJerusalemdied,andwasburiedinhisfather's sepulchre
32AndinallJewrytheymournedforJosias,yea,Jeremythe prophetlamentedforJosias,andthechiefmenwiththe womenmadelamentationforhimuntothisday:andthiswas givenoutforanordinancetobedonecontinuallyinallthe nationofIsrael
33Thesethingsarewritteninthebookofthestoriesofthe kingsofJudah,andeveryoneoftheactsthatJosiasdid,and hisglory,andhisunderstandinginthelawoftheLord,and thethingsthathehaddonebefore,andthethingsnowrecited, arereportedinthebookofthekingsofIsraelandJudea
34AndthepeopletookJoachazthesonofJosias,andmade himkinginsteadofJosiashisfather,whenhewastwentyand threeyearsold
35AndhereignedinJudeaandinJerusalemthreemonths: andthenthekingofEgyptdeposedhimfromreigningin Jerusalem
36Andhesetataxuponthelandofanhundredtalentsof silverandonetalentofgold.
37ThekingofEgyptalsomadekingJoacimhisbrotherking ofJudeaandJerusalem
38AndheboundJoacimandthenobles:butZaraceshis brotherheapprehended,andbroughthimoutofEgypt
39FiveandtwentyyearsoldwasJoacimwhenhewasmade kinginthelandofJudeaandJerusalem;andhedidevilbefore theLord
40WhereforeagainsthimNabuchodonosorthekingof Babyloncameup,andboundhimwithachainofbrass,and carriedhimintoBabylon
41NabuchodonosoralsotookoftheholyvesselsoftheLord, andcarriedthemaway,andsettheminhisowntempleat Babylon
42Butthosethingsthatarerecordedofhim,andofhis uncleanessandimpiety,arewritteninthechroniclesofthe kings
43AndJoacimhissonreignedinhisstead:hewasmadeking beingeighteenyearsold;
44AndreignedbutthreemonthsandtendaysinJerusalem; anddidevilbeforetheLord
45SoafterayearNabuchodonosorsentandcausedhimtobe broughtintoBabylonwiththeholyvesselsoftheLord;
46AndmadeZedechiaskingofJudeaandJerusalem,when hewasoneandtwentyyearsold;andhereignedelevenyears:
47AndhedidevilalsointhesightoftheLord,andcarednot forthewordsthatwerespokenuntohimbytheprophet JeremyfromthemouthoftheLord.
48AndafterthatkingNabuchodonosorhadmadehimto swearbythenameoftheLord,heforsworehimself,and rebelled;andhardeninghisneck,hisheart,hetransgressedthe lawsoftheLordGodofIsrael
49Thegovernorsalsoofthepeopleandofthepriestsdid manythingsagainstthelaws,andpassedallthepollutionsof allnations,anddefiledthetempleoftheLord,whichwas sanctifiedinJerusalem
50NeverthelesstheGodoftheirfatherssentbyhismessenger tocallthemback,becausehesparedthemandhistabernacle also
51Buttheyhadhismessengersinderision;and,look,when theLordspakeuntothem,theymadeasportofhisprophets:
52Sofarforth,thathe,beingwrothwithhispeoplefortheir greatungodliness,commandedthekingsoftheChaldeesto comeupagainstthem;
53Whoslewtheiryoungmenwiththesword,yea,even withinthecompassoftheirholytemple,andsparedneither youngmannormaid,oldmannorchild,amongthem;forhe deliveredallintotheirhands
54AndtheytookalltheholyvesselsoftheLord,bothgreat andsmall,withthevesselsofthearkofGod,andtheking's treasures,andcarriedthemawayintoBabylon
55AsforthehouseoftheLord,theyburntit,andbrakedown thewallsofJerusalem,andsetfireuponhertowers:
56Andasforhergloriousthings,theyneverceasedtillthey hadconsumedandbroughtthemalltonought:andthepeople thatwerenotslainwiththeswordhecarrieduntoBabylon:
57Whobecameservantstohimandhischildren,tillthe Persiansreigned,tofulfilthewordoftheLordspokenbythe mouthofJeremy:
58Untilthelandhadenjoyedhersabbaths,thewholetimeof herdesolationshallsherest,untilthefulltermofseventy years
CHAPTER2
1InthefirstyearofCyruskingofthePersians,thattheword oftheLordmightbeaccomplished,thathehadpromisedby themouthofJeremy;
2TheLordraisedupthespiritofCyrusthekingofthe Persians,andhemadeproclamationthroughallhiskingdom, andalsobywriting,
3Saying,ThussaithCyruskingofthePersians;TheLordof Israel,themosthighLord,hathmademekingofthewhole world,
4AndcommandedmetobuildhimanhouseatJerusalemin Jewry
5Ifthereforetherebeanyofyouthatareofhispeople,letthe Lord,evenhisLord,bewithhim,andlethimgoupto JerusalemthatisinJudea,andbuildthehouseoftheLordof Israel:forheistheLordthatdwellethinJerusalem
6Whosoeverthendwellintheplacesabout,letthemhelphim, those,Isay,thatarehisneighbours,withgold,andwithsilver, 7Withgifts,withhorses,andwithcattle,andotherthings, whichhavebeensetforthbyvow,forthetempleoftheLord atJerusalem
8ThenthechiefofthefamiliesofJudeaandofthetribeof Benjaminstoodup;thepriestsalso,andtheLevites,andall theywhosemindtheLordhadmovedtogoup,andtobuild anhousefortheLordatJerusalem,
9Andtheythatdweltroundaboutthem,andhelpedthemin allthingswithsilverandgold,withhorsesandcattle,andwith verymanyfreegiftsofagreatnumberwhosemindswere stirredupthereto
10KingCyrusalsobroughtforththeholyvessels,which NabuchodonosorhadcarriedawayfromJerusalem,andhad setupinhistempleofidols
11NowwhenCyruskingofthePersianshadbroughtthem forth,hedeliveredthemtoMithridateshistreasurer:
12AndbyhimtheyweredeliveredtoSanabassarthe governorofJudea.
13Andthiswasthenumberofthem;Athousandgoldencups, andathousandofsilver,censersofsilvertwentynine,vialsof goldthirty,andofsilvertwothousandfourhundredandten, andathousandothervessels
14Soallthevesselsofgoldandofsilver,whichwerecarried away,werefivethousandfourhundredthreescoreandnine. 15ThesewerebroughtbackbySanabassar,togetherwith themofthecaptivity,fromBabylontoJerusalem
16ButinthetimeofArtexerxeskingofthePersiansBelemus, andMithridates,andTabellius,andRathumus,and Beeltethmus,andSemelliusthesecretary,withothersthat wereincommissionwiththem,dwellinginSamariaandother places,wroteuntohimagainstthemthatdweltinJudeaand Jerusalemtheselettersfollowing;
17TokingArtexerxesourlord,Thyservants,Rathumusthe storywriter,andSemelliusthescribe,andtherestoftheir council,andthejudgesthatareinCelosyriaandPhenice
18Beitnowknowntothelordking,thattheJewsthatareup fromyoutous,beingcomeintoJerusalem,thatrebelliousand wickedcity,dobuildthemarketplaces,andrepairthewallsof itanddolaythefoundationofthetemple
19Nowifthiscityandthewallsthereofbemadeupagain, theywillnotonlyrefusetogivetribute,butalsorebelagainst kings
20Andforasmuchasthethingspertainingtothetempleare nowinhand,wethinkitmeetnottoneglectsuchamatter, 21Buttospeakuntoourlordtheking,totheintentthat,ifit bethypleasureitmaybesoughtoutinthebooksofthy fathers:
22Andthoushaltfindinthechronicleswhatiswritten concerningthesethings,andshaltunderstandthatthatcity wasrebellious,troublingbothkingsandcities:
23AndthattheJewswererebellious,andraisedalwayswars therein;forthewhichcauseeventhiscitywasmadedesolate 24Whereforenowwedodeclareuntothee,Olordtheking, thatifthiscitybebuiltagain,andthewallsthereofsetup anew,thoushaltfromhenceforthhavenopassageinto CelosyriaandPhenice.
25ThenthekingwrotebackagaintoRathumusthe storywriter,toBeeltethmus,toSemelliusthescribe,andtothe restthatwereincommission,anddwellersinSamariaand SyriaandPhenice,afterthismanner;
26Ihavereadtheepistlewhichyehavesentuntome: thereforeIcommandedtomakediligentsearch,andithath beenfoundthatthatcitywasfromthebeginningpractising againstkings;
27Andthementhereinweregiventorebellionandwar:and thatmightykingsandfiercewereinJerusalem,whoreigned andexactedtributesinCelosyriaandPhenice
28NowthereforeIhavecommandedtohinderthosemen frombuildingthecity,andheedtobetakenthattherebeno moredoneinit;
29Andthatthosewickedworkersproceednofurthertothe annoyanceofkings,
30ThenkingArtexerxeshislettersbeingread,Rathumus,and Semelliusthescribe,andtherestthatwereincommission withthem,removinginhastetowardJerusalemwithatroop ofhorsemenandamultitudeofpeopleinbattlearray,began tohinderthebuilders;andthebuildingofthetemplein JerusalemceaseduntilthesecondyearofthereignofDarius kingofthePersians.
CHAPTER3
1NowwhenDariusreigned,hemadeagreatfeastuntoallhis subjects,anduntoallhishousehold,anduntoalltheprinces ofMediaandPersia,
2Andtoallthegovernorsandcaptainsandlieutenantsthat wereunderhim,fromIndiauntoEthiopia,ofanhundred twentyandsevenprovinces.
3Andwhentheyhadeatenanddrunken,andbeingsatisfied weregonehome,thenDariusthekingwentintohis bedchamber,andslept,andsoonafterawaked.
4Thenthreeyoungmen,thatwereoftheguardthatkeptthe king'sbody,spakeonetoanother;
5Leteveryoneofusspeakasentence:hethatshallovercome, andwhosesentenceshallseemwiserthantheothers,untohim shallthekingDariusgivegreatgifts,andgreatthingsintoken ofvictory:
6As,tobeclothedinpurple,todrinkingold,andtosleep upongold,andachariotwithbridlesofgold,andanheadtire offinelinen,andachainabouthisneck:
7AndheshallsitnexttoDariusbecauseofhiswisdom,and shallbecalledDariushiscousin.
8Andtheneveryonewrotehissentence,sealedit,andlaidit underkingDariushispillow;
9Andsaidthat,whenthekingisrisen,somewillgivehimthe writings;andofwhosesidethekingandthethreeprincesof Persiashalljudgethathissentenceisthewisest,tohimshall thevictorybegiven,aswasappointed.
10Thefirstwrote,Wineisthestrongest
11Thesecondwrote,Thekingisstrongest
12Thethirdwrote,Womenarestrongest:butaboveallthings
Truthbearethawaythevictory
13Nowwhenthekingwasrisenup,theytooktheirwritings, anddeliveredthemuntohim,andsohereadthem:
14AndsendingforthhecalledalltheprincesofPersiaand Media,andthegovernors,andthecaptains,andthe lieutenants,andthechiefofficers;
15Andsathimdownintheroyalseatofjudgment;andthe writingswerereadbeforethem
16Andhesaid,Calltheyoungmen,andtheyshalldeclare theirownsentencesSotheywerecalled,andcamein
17Andhesaiduntothem,Declareuntousyourmind concerningthewritings.Thenbeganthefirst,whohadspoken ofthestrengthofwine;
18Andhesaidthus,Oyemen,howexceedingstrongiswine! itcausethallmentoerrthatdrinkit:
19Itmakeththemindofthekingandofthefatherlesschildto beallone;ofthebondmanandofthefreeman,ofthepoor manandoftherich:
20Itturnethalsoeverythoughtintojollityandmirth,sothata manrememberethneithersorrownordebt:
21Anditmaketheveryheartrich,sothatamanremembereth neitherkingnorgovernor;anditmakethtospeakallthingsby talents:
22Andwhentheyareintheircups,theyforgettheirloveboth tofriendsandbrethren,andalittleafterdrawoutswords: 23Butwhentheyarefromthewine,theyremembernotwhat theyhavedone
24Oyemen,isnotwinethestrongest,thatenforcethtodo thus?Andwhenhehadsospoken,heheldhispeace.
CHAPTER4
1Thenthesecond,thathadspokenofthestrengthoftheking, begantosay, 2Oyemen,donotmenexcelinstrengththatbearruleover seaandlandandallthingsinthem?
3Butyetthekingismoremighty:forheislordofallthese things,andhathdominionoverthem;andwhatsoeverhe commandeththemtheydo
4Ifhebidthemmakewartheoneagainsttheother,theydoit: ifhesendthemoutagainsttheenemies,theygo,andbreak downmountainswallsandtowers
5Theyslayandareslain,andtransgressnottheking's commandment:iftheygetthevictory,theybringalltothe king,aswellthespoil,asallthingselse
6Likewiseforthosethatarenosoldiers,andhavenottodo withwars,butusehusbundry,whentheyhavereapedagain thatwhichtheyhadsown,theybringittotheking,and compeloneanothertopaytributeuntotheking
7Andyetheisbutoneman:ifhecommandtokill,theykill; ifhecommandtospare,theyspare;
8Ifhecommandtosmite,theysmite;ifhecommandtomake desolate,theymakedesolate;ifhecommandtobuild,they build;
9Ifhecommandtocutdown,theycutdown;ifhecommand toplant,theyplant
10Soallhispeopleandhisarmiesobeyhim:furthermorehe liethdown,heeatethanddrinketh,andtakethhisrest:
11Andthesekeepwatchroundabouthim,neithermayany onedepart,anddohisownbusiness,neitherdisobeytheyhim inanything.
12Oyemen,howshouldnotthekingbemightiest,whenin suchsortheisobeyed?Andheheldhistongue
13Thenthethird,whohadspokenofwomen,andofthetruth, (thiswasZorobabel)begantospeak
14Oyemen,itisnotthegreatking,northemultitudeofmen, neitherisitwine,thatexcelleth;whoisitthenthatruleththem, orhaththelordshipoverthem?aretheynotwomen?
15Womenhavebornethekingandallthepeoplethatbear rulebyseaandland.
16Evenofthemcamethey:andtheynourishedthemupthat plantedthevineyards,fromwhencethewinecometh
17Thesealsomakegarmentsformen;thesebringgloryunto men;andwithoutwomencannotmenbe
18Yea,andifmenhavegatheredtogethergoldandsilver,or anyothergoodlything,dotheynotloveawomanwhichis comelyinfavourandbeauty?
19Andlettingallthosethingsgo,dotheynotgape,andeven withopenmouthfixtheireyesfastonher;andhavenotall menmoredesireuntoherthanuntosilverorgold,orany goodlythingwhatsoever?
20Amanleavethhisownfatherthatbroughthimup,andhis owncountry,andcleavethuntohiswife
21Hestickethnottospendhislifewithhiswifeand rememberethneitherfather,normother,norcountry.
22Bythisalsoyemustknowthatwomenhavedominionover you:doyenotlabourandtoil,andgiveandbringalltothe woman?
23Yea,amantakethhissword,andgoethhiswaytoroband tosteal,tosailupontheseaanduponrivers;
24Andlookethuponalion,andgoethinthedarkness;and whenhehathstolen,spoiled,androbbed,hebringethittohis love
25Whereforeamanlovethhiswifebetterthanfatheror mother
26Yea,manytherebethathaverunoutoftheirwitsfor women,andbecomeservantsfortheirsakes.
27Manyalsohaveperished,haveerred,andsinned,for women
28Andnowdoyenotbelieveme?isnotthekinggreatinhis power?donotallregionsfeartotouchhim?
29YetdidIseehimandApametheking'sconcubine,the daughteroftheadmirableBartacus,sittingattherighthandof theking,
30Andtakingthecrownfromtheking'shead,andsettingit uponherownhead;shealsostruckthekingwithherlefthand.
31Andyetforallthisthekinggapedandgazeduponherwith openmouth:ifshelaugheduponhim,helaughedalso:butif shetookanydispleasureathim,thekingwasfaintoflatter, thatshemightbereconciledtohimagain
32Oyemen,howcanitbebutwomenshouldbestrong, seeingtheydothus?
33Thenthekingandtheprinceslookedoneuponanother:so hebegantospeakofthetruth
34Oyemen,arenotwomenstrong?greatistheearth,highis theheaven,swiftisthesuninhiscourse,forhecompasseth theheavensroundabout,andfetchethhiscourseagaintohis ownplaceinoneday.
35Ishenotgreatthatmakeththesethings?thereforegreatis thetruth,andstrongerthanallthings.
36Alltheearthcriethuponthetruth,andtheheavenblesseth it:allworksshakeandtrembleatit,andwithitisno unrighteousthing
37Wineiswicked,thekingiswicked,womenarewicked,all thechildrenofmenarewicked,andsucharealltheirwicked works;andthereisnotruthinthem;intheirunrighteousness alsotheyshallperish
38Asforthetruth,itendureth,andisalwaysstrong;itliveth andconquerethforevermore.
39Withherthereisnoacceptingofpersonsorrewards;but shedoeththethingsthatarejust,andrefrainethfromallunjust andwickedthings;andallmendowelllikeofherworks.
40Neitherinherjudgmentisanyunrighteousness;andsheis thestrength,kingdom,power,andmajesty,ofallages BlessedbetheGodoftruth.
41AndwiththatheheldhispeaceAndallthepeoplethen shouted,andsaid,GreatisTruth,andmightyaboveallthings
42Thensaidthekinguntohim,Askwhatthouwiltmorethan isappointedinthewriting,andwewillgiveitthee,because thouartfoundwisest;andthoushaltsitnextme,andshaltbe calledmycousin.
43Thensaidheuntotheking,Rememberthyvow,which thouhastvowedtobuildJerusalem,inthedaywhenthou camesttothykingdom,
44Andtosendawayallthevesselsthatweretakenawayout ofJerusalem,whichCyrussetapart,whenhevowedto destroyBabylon,andtosendthemagainthither
45Thoualsohastvowedtobuildupthetemple,whichthe EdomitesburnedwhenJudeawasmadedesolatebythe Chaldees.
46Andnow,Olordtheking,thisisthatwhichIrequire,and whichIdesireofthee,andthisistheprincelyliberality proceedingfromthyself:Idesirethereforethatthoumake goodthevow,theperformancewhereofwiththineownmouth thouhastvowedtotheKingofheaven
47ThenDariusthekingstoodup,andkissedhim,andwrote lettersforhimuntoallthetreasurersandlieutenantsand captainsandgovernors,thattheyshouldsafelyconveyon theirwaybothhim,andallthosethatgoupwithhimtobuild Jerusalem
48Hewrotelettersalsountothelieutenantsthatwerein CelosyriaandPhenice,anduntotheminLibanus,thatthey shouldbringcedarwoodfromLibanusuntoJerusalem,and thattheyshouldbuildthecitywithhim
49MoreoverhewroteforalltheJewsthatwentoutofhis realmupintoJewry,concerningtheirfreedom,thatnoofficer, noruler,nolieutenant,nortreasurer,shouldforciblyenterinto theirdoors;
50Andthatallthecountrywhichtheyholdshouldbefree withouttribute;andthattheEdomitesshouldgiveoverthe villagesoftheJewswhichthentheyheld:
51Yea,thatthereshouldbeyearlygiventwentytalentstothe buildingofthetemple,untilthetimethatitwerebuilt;
52Andothertentalentsyearly,tomaintaintheburntofferings uponthealtareveryday,astheyhadacommandmenttooffer seventeen:
53AndthatalltheythatwentfromBabylontobuildthecity shouldhavefreeliberty,aswelltheyastheirposterity,andall theprieststhatwentaway
54Hewrotealsoconcerningthecharges,andthepriests' vestmentswhereintheyminister;
55AndlikewiseforthechargesoftheLevites,tobegiven themuntilthedaythatthehousewerefinished,andJerusalem buildedup 56Andhecommandedtogivetoallthatkeptthecity pensionsandwages
57HesentawayalsoallthevesselsfromBabylon,thatCyrus hadsetapart;andallthatCyrushadgivenincommandment, thesamechargedhealsotobedone,andsentuntoJerusalem 58Nowwhenthisyoungmanwasgoneforth,helifteduphis facetoheaventowardJerusalem,andpraisedtheKingof heaven,
59Andsaid,Fromtheecomethvictory,fromtheecometh wisdom,andthineistheglory,andIamthyservant.
60Blessedartthou,whohastgivenmewisdom:fortotheeI givethanks,OLordofourfathers
61Andsohetooktheletters,andwentout,andcameunto Babylon,andtolditallhisbrethren
62AndtheypraisedtheGodoftheirfathers,becausehehad giventhemfreedomandliberty
63Togoup,andtobuildJerusalem,andthetemplewhichis calledbyhisname:andtheyfeastedwithinstrumentsof musickandgladnesssevendays.
CHAPTER5
1Afterthisweretheprincipalmenofthefamilieschosen accordingtotheirtribes,togoupwiththeirwivesandsons anddaughters,withtheirmenservantsandmaidservants,and theircattle
2AndDariussentwiththemathousandhorsemen,tillthey hadbroughtthembacktoJerusalemsafely,andwithmusical instrumentstabretsandflutes
3Andalltheirbrethrenplayed,andhemadethemgoup togetherwiththem.
4Andthesearethenamesofthemenwhichwentup, accordingtotheirfamiliesamongtheirtribes,aftertheir severalheads.
5Thepriests,thesonsofPhineesthesonofAaron:Jesusthe sonofJosedec,thesonofSaraias,andJoacimthesonof Zorobabel,thesonofSalathiel,ofthehouseofDavid,outof thekindredofPhares,ofthetribeofJudah;
6WhospakewisesentencesbeforeDariusthekingofPersia inthesecondyearofhisreign,inthemonthNisan,whichis thefirstmonth
7AndthesearetheyofJewrythatcameupfromthecaptivity, wheretheydweltasstrangers,whomNabuchodonosorthe kingofBabylonhadcarriedawayuntoBabylon
8AndtheyreturneduntoJerusalem,andtotheotherpartsof Jewry,everymantohisowncity,whocamewithZorobabel, withJesus,Nehemias,andZacharias,andReesaias,Enenius, MardocheusBeelsarus,Aspharasus,Reelius,Roimus,and Baana,theirguides.
9Thenumberofthemofthenation,andtheirgovernors,sons ofPhoros,twothousandanhundredseventyandtwo;thesons ofSaphat,fourhundredseventyandtwo:
10ThesonsofAres,sevenhundredfiftyandsix:
11ThesonsofPhaathMoab,twothousandeighthundredand twelve:
12ThesonsofElam,athousandtwohundredfiftyandfour: thesonsofZathul,ninehundredfortyandfive:thesonsof Corbe,sevenhundredandfive:thesonsofBani,sixhundred fortyandeight:
13ThesonsofBebai,sixhundredtwentyandthree:thesons ofSadas,threethousandtwohundredtwentyandtwo:
14ThesonsofAdonikam,sixhundredsixtyandseven:the sonsofBagoi,twothousandsixtyandsix:thesonsofAdin, fourhundredfiftyandfour:
15ThesonsofAterezias,ninetyandtwo:thesonsofCeilan andAzetasthreescoreandseven:thesonsofAzuran,four hundredthirtyandtwo:
16ThesonsofAnanias,anhundredandone:thesonsof Arom,thirtytwo:andthesonsofBassa,threehundredtwenty andthree:thesonsofAzephurith,anhundredandtwo:
17ThesonsofMeterus,threethousandandfive:thesonsof Bethlomon,anhundredtwentyandthree:
18TheyofNetophah,fiftyandfive:theyofAnathoth,an hundredfiftyandeight:theyofBethsamos,fortyandtwo:
19TheyofKiriathiarius,twentyandfive:theyofCaphiraand Beroth,sevenhundredfortyandthree:theyofPira,seven hundred:
20TheyofChadiasandAmmidoi,fourhundredtwentyand two:theyofCiramaandGabdes,sixhundredtwentyandone:
21TheyofMacalon,anhundredtwentyandtwo:theyof Betolius,fiftyandtwo:thesonsofNephis,anhundredfifty andsix:
22ThesonsofCalamolalusandOnus,sevenhundredtwenty andfive:thesonsofJerechus,twohundredfortyandfive:
23ThesonsofAnnas,threethousandthreehundredandthirty
24Thepriests:thesonsofJeddu,thesonofJesusamongthe sonsofSanasib,ninehundredseventyandtwo:thesonsof Meruth,athousandfiftyandtwo:
25ThesonsofPhassaron,athousandfortyandseven:the sonsofCarme,athousandandseventeen.
26TheLevites:thesonsofJessue,andCadmiel,andBanuas, andSudias,seventyandfour
27Theholysingers:thesonsofAsaph,anhundredtwenty andeight
28Theporters:thesonsofSalum,thesonsofJatal,thesons ofTalmon,thesonsofDacobi,thesonsofTeta,thesonsof Sami,inallanhundredthirtyandnine
29Theservantsofthetemple:thesonsofEsau,thesonsof Asipha,thesonsofTabaoth,thesonsofCeras,thesonsof Sud,thesonsofPhaleas,thesonsofLabana,thesonsof Graba, 30ThesonsofAcua,thesonsofUta,thesonsofCetab,the sonsofAgaba,thesonsofSubai,thesonsofAnan,thesons ofCathua,thesonsofGeddur,
31ThesonsofAirus,thesonsofDaisan,thesonsofNoeba, thesonsofChaseba,thesonsofGazera,thesonsofAzia,the sonsofPhinees,thesonsofAzare,thesonsofBastai,thesons ofAsana,thesonsofMeani,thesonsofNaphisi,thesonsof Acub,thesonsofAcipha,thesonsofAssur,thesonsof Pharacim,thesonsofBasaloth,
32ThesonsofMeeda,thesonsofCoutha,thesonsofCharea, thesonsofCharcus,thesonsofAserer,thesonsofThomoi, thesonsofNasith,thesonsofAtipha
33ThesonsoftheservantsofSolomon:thesonsofAzaphion, thesonsofPharira,thesonsofJeeli,thesonsofLozon,the sonsofIsrael,thesonsofSapheth,
34ThesonsofHagia,thesonsofPharacareth,thesonsof Sabi,thesonsofSarothie,thesonsofMasias,thesonsofGar, thesonsofAddus,thesonsofSuba,thesonsofApherra,the sonsofBarodis,thesonsofSabat,thesonsofAllom
35Alltheministersofthetemple,andthesonsoftheservants ofSolomon,werethreehundredseventyandtwo
36ThesecameupfromThermelethandThelersas, Charaathalarleadingthem,andAalar;
37Neithercouldtheyshewtheirfamilies,northeirstock,how theywereofIsrael:thesonsofLadan,thesonofBan,the sonsofNecodan,sixhundredfiftyandtwo
38Andoftheprieststhatusurpedtheofficeofthepriesthood, andwerenotfound:thesonsofObdia,thesonsofAccoz,the sonsofAddus,whomarriedAugiaoneofthedaughtersof Barzelus,andwasnamedafterhisname
39Andwhenthedescriptionofthekindredofthesemenwas soughtintheregister,andwasnotfound,theywereremoved fromexecutingtheofficeofthepriesthood:
40ForuntothemsaidNehemiasandAtharias,thatthey shouldnotbepartakersoftheholythings,tilltherearoseup anhighpriestclothedwithdoctrineandtruth
41SoofIsrael,fromthemoftwelveyearsoldandupward, theywereallinnumberfortythousand,besidemenservants andwomenservantstwothousandthreehundredandsixty 42Theirmenservantsandhandmaidswereseventhousand threehundredfortyandseven:thesingingmenandsinging women,twohundredfortyandfive:
43Fourhundredthirtyandfivecamels,seventhousandthirty andsixhorses,twohundredfortyandfivemules,five thousandfivehundredtwentyandfivebeastsusedtotheyoke 44Andcertainofthechiefoftheirfamilies,whentheycame tothetempleofGodthatisinJerusalem,vowedtosetupthe houseagaininhisownplaceaccordingtotheirability, 45Andtogiveintotheholytreasuryoftheworksathousand poundsofgold,fivethousandofsilver,andanhundred priestlyvestments
46AndsodweltthepriestsandtheLevitesandthepeoplein Jerusalem,andinthecountry,thesingersalsoandtheporters; andallIsraelintheirvillages
47Butwhentheseventhmonthwasathand,andwhenthe childrenofIsraelwereeverymaninhisownplace,theycame alltogetherwithoneconsentintotheopenplaceofthefirst gatewhichistowardtheeast
48ThenstoodupJesusthesonofJosedec,andhisbrethren thepriestsandZorobabelthesonofSalathiel,andhisbrethren, andmadereadythealtaroftheGodofIsrael,
49Toofferburntsacrificesuponit,accordingasitis expresslycommandedinthebookofMosesthemanofGod
50Andthereweregathereduntothemoutoftheothernations oftheland,andtheyerectedthealtaruponhisownplace, becauseallthenationsofthelandwereatenmitywiththem, andoppressedthem;andtheyofferedsacrificesaccordingto thetime,andburntofferingstotheLordbothmorningand evening
51Alsotheyheldthefeastoftabernacles,asitiscommanded inthelaw,andofferedsacrificesdaily,aswasmeet:
52Andafterthat,thecontinualoblations,andthesacrificeof thesabbaths,andofthenewmoons,andofallholyfeasts.
53AndalltheythathadmadeanyvowtoGodbegantooffer sacrificestoGodfromthefirstdayoftheseventhmonth, althoughthetempleoftheLordwasnotyetbuilt.
54Andtheygaveuntothemasonsandcarpentersmoney, meat,anddrink,withcheerfulness
55UntothemofZidonalsoandTyretheygavecarrs,that theyshouldbringcedartreesfromLibanus,whichshouldbe broughtbyfloatstothehavenofJoppa,accordingasitwas commandedthembyCyruskingofthePersians.
56Andinthesecondyearandsecondmonthafterhiscoming tothetempleofGodatJerusalembeganZorobabelthesonof Salathiel,andJesusthesonofJosedec,andtheirbrethren,and thepriests,andtheLevites,andalltheythatwerecomeunto Jerusalemoutofthecaptivity:
57AndtheylaidthefoundationofthehouseofGodinthe firstdayofthesecondmonth,inthesecondyearafterthey werecometoJewryandJerusalem
58AndtheyappointedtheLevitesfromtwentyyearsoldover theworksoftheLordThenstoodupJesus,andhissonsand brethren,andCadmielhisbrother,andthesonsofMadiabun, withthesonsofJodathesonofEliadun,withtheirsonsand brethren,allLevites,withoneaccordsettersforwardofthe business,labouringtoadvancetheworksinthehouseofGod. SotheworkmenbuiltthetempleoftheLord
59Andthepriestsstoodarrayedintheirvestmentswith musicalinstrumentsandtrumpets;andtheLevitesthesonsof Asaphhadcymbals, 60Singingsongsofthanksgiving,andpraisingtheLord, accordingasDavidthekingofIsraelhadordained.
61Andtheysungwithloudvoicessongstothepraiseofthe Lord,becausehismercyandgloryisforeverinallIsrael
62Andallthepeoplesoundedtrumpets,andshoutedwitha loudvoice,singingsongsofthanksgivinguntotheLordfor therearingupofthehouseoftheLord
63AlsoofthepriestsandLevites,andofthechiefoftheir families,theancientswhohadseentheformerhousecameto thebuildingofthiswithweepingandgreatcrying
64Butmanywithtrumpetsandjoyshoutedwithloudvoice, 65Insomuchthatthetrumpetsmightnotbeheardforthe weepingofthepeople:yetthemultitudesounded marvellously,sothatitwasheardafaroff.
66WhereforewhentheenemiesofthetribeofJudahand Benjaminheardit,theycametoknowwhatthatnoiseof trumpetsshouldmean.
67Andtheyperceivedthattheythatwereofthecaptivitydid buildthetempleuntotheLordGodofIsrael
68SotheywenttoZorobabelandJesus,andtothechiefof thefamilies,andsaiduntothem,Wewillbuildtogetherwith you
69Forwelikewise,asye,doobeyyourLord,anddosacrifice untohimfromthedaysofAzbazareththekingofthe Assyrians,whobroughtushither
70ThenZorobabelandJesusandthechiefofthefamiliesof Israelsaiduntothem,Itisnotforusandyoutobuildtogether anhouseuntotheLordourGod.
71WeourselvesalonewillbuilduntotheLordofIsrael, accordingasCyrusthekingofthePersianshathcommanded us.
72Buttheheathenofthelandlyingheavyuponthe inhabitantsofJudea,andholdingthemstrait,hinderedtheir building;
73Andbytheirsecretplots,andpopularpersuasionsand commotions,theyhinderedthefinishingofthebuildingallthe timethatkingCyruslived:sotheywerehinderedfrom buildingforthespaceoftwoyears,untilthereignofDarius
CHAPTER6
1NowinthesecondyearofthereignofDariusAggeusand ZachariasthesonofAddo,theprophets,prophesieduntothe JewsinJewryandJerusaleminthenameoftheLordGodof Israel,whichwasuponthem
2ThenstoodupZorobabelthesonofSalatiel,andJesusthe sonofJosedec,andbegantobuildthehouseoftheLordat Jerusalem,theprophetsoftheLordbeingwiththem,and helpingthem.
3AtthesametimecameuntothemSisinnesthegovernorof SyriaandPhenice,withSathrabuzanesandhiscompanions, andsaiduntothem,
4Bywhoseappointmentdoyebuildthishouseandthisroof, andperformalltheotherthings?andwhoaretheworkmen thatperformthesethings?
5NeverthelesstheeldersoftheJewsobtainedfavour,because theLordhadvisitedthecaptivity;
6Andtheywerenothinderedfrombuilding,untilsuchtime assignificationwasgivenuntoDariusconcerningthem,and ananswerreceived.
7ThecopyoftheletterswhichSisinnes,governorofSyria andPhenice,andSathrabuzanes,withtheircompanions,rulers inSyriaandPhenice,wroteandsentuntoDarius;Toking Darius,greeting:
8Letallthingsbeknownuntoourlordtheking,thatbeing comeintothecountryofJudea,andenteredintothecityof JerusalemwefoundinthecityofJerusalemtheancientsof theJewsthatwereofthecaptivity
9BuildinganhouseuntotheLord,greatandnew,ofhewn andcostlystones,andthetimberalreadylaiduponthewalls 10Andthoseworksaredonewithgreatspeed,andthework goethonprosperouslyintheirhands,andwithallgloryand diligenceisitmade
11Thenaskedwetheseelders,saying,Bywhose commandmentbuildyethishouse,andlaythefoundationsof theseworks?
12Thereforetotheintentthatwemightgiveknowledgeunto theebywriting,wedemandedofthemwhowerethechief doers,andwerequiredofthemthenamesinwritingoftheir principalmen
13Sotheygaveusthisanswer,Wearetheservantsofthe Lordwhichmadeheavenandearth
14Andasforthishouse,itwasbuildedmanyyearsagobya kingofIsraelgreatandstrong,andwasfinished.
15ButwhenourfathersprovokedGoduntowrath,andsinned againsttheLordofIsraelwhichisinheaven,hegavethem overintothepowerofNabuchodonosorkingofBabylon,of theChaldees;
16Whopulleddownthehouse,andburnedit,andcarried awaythepeoplecaptivesuntoBabylon.
17ButinthefirstyearthatkingCyrusreignedoverthe countryofBabylonCyrusthekingwrotetobuildupthis house.
18Andtheholyvesselsofgoldandofsilver,that Nabuchodonosorhadcarriedawayoutofthehouseat Jerusalem,andhadsettheminhisowntemplethoseCyrus thekingbroughtforthagainoutofthetempleatBabylon,and theyweredeliveredtoZorobabelandtoSanabassarusthe ruler,
19Withcommandmentthatheshouldcarryawaythesame vessels,andputtheminthetempleatJerusalem;andthatthe templeoftheLordshouldbebuiltinhisplace.
20ThenthesameSanabassarus,beingcomehither,laidthe foundationsofthehouseoftheLordatJerusalem;andfrom thattimetothisbeingstillabuilding,itisnotyetfullyended.
21Nowtherefore,ifitseemgooduntotheking,letsearchbe madeamongtherecordsofkingCyrus:
22Andifitbefoundthatthebuildingofthehouseofthe LordatJerusalemhathbeendonewiththeconsentofking Cyrus,andifourlordthekingbesominded,lethimsignify untousthereof.
23ThencommandedkingDariustoseekamongtherecordsat Babylon:andsoatEcbatanethepalace,whichisinthe countryofMedia,therewasfoundarollwhereinthesethings wererecorded
24InthefirstyearofthereignofCyruskingCyrus commandedthatthehouseoftheLordatJerusalemshouldbe builtagain,wheretheydosacrificewithcontinualfire: 25Whoseheightshallbesixtycubitsandthebreadthsixty cubits,withthreerowsofhewnstones,andonerowofnew woodofthatcountry;andtheexpencesthereoftobegivenout ofthehouseofkingCyrus:
26AndthattheholyvesselsofthehouseoftheLord,bothof goldandsilver,thatNabuchodonosortookoutofthehouseat Jerusalem,andbroughttoBabylon,shouldberestoredtothe houseatJerusalem,andbesetintheplacewheretheywere before
27AndalsohecommandedthatSisinnesthegovernorof SyriaandPhenice,andSathrabuzanes,andtheircompanions, andthosewhichwereappointedrulersinSyriaandPhenice, shouldbecarefulnottomeddlewiththeplace,butsuffer Zorobabel,theservantoftheLord,andgovernorofJudea,and theeldersoftheJews,tobuildthehouseoftheLordinthat place.
28Ihavecommandedalsotohaveitbuiltupwholeagain;and thattheylookdiligentlytohelpthosethatbeofthecaptivity oftheJews,tillthehouseoftheLordbefinished:
29AndoutofthetributeofCelosyriaandPheniceaportion carefullytobegiventhesemenforthesacrificesoftheLord, thatis,toZorobabelthegovernor,forbullocks,andrams,and lambs;
30Andalsocorn,salt,wine,andoil,andthatcontinually everyyearwithoutfurtherquestion,accordingasthepriests thatbeinJerusalemshallsignifytobedailyspent:
31ThatofferingsmaybemadetothemosthighGodforthe kingandforhischildren,andthattheymayprayfortheir lives
32Andhecommandedthatwhosoevershouldtransgress,yea, ormakelightofanythingaforespokenorwritten,outofhis ownhouseshouldatreebetaken,andhethereonbehanged, andallhisgoodsseizedfortheking
33TheLordtherefore,whosenameistherecalledupon, utterlydestroyeverykingandnation,thatstretchethouthis handtohinderorendamagethathouseoftheLordin Jerusalem.
34IDariusthekinghaveordainedthataccordinguntothese thingsitbedonewithdiligence
CHAPTER7
1ThenSisinnesthegovernorofCelosyriaandPhenice,and Sathrabuzanes,withtheircompanionsfollowingthe commandmentsofkingDarius, 2Didverycarefullyoverseetheholyworks,assistingthe ancientsoftheJewsandgovernorsofthetemple
3Andsotheholyworksprospered,whenAggeusand Zachariastheprophetsprophesied.
4Andtheyfinishedthesethingsbythecommandmentofthe LordGodofIsrael,andwiththeconsentofCyrus,Darius,and Artexerxes,kingsofPersia.
5Andthuswastheholyhousefinishedinthethreeand twentiethdayofthemonthAdar,inthesixthyearofDarius kingofthePersians
6AndthechildrenofIsrael,thepriests,andtheLevites,and othersthatwereofthecaptivity,thatwereaddeduntothem, didaccordingtothethingswritteninthebookofMoses.
7AndtothededicationofthetempleoftheLordtheyoffered anhundredbullockstwohundredrams,fourhundredlambs;
8AndtwelvegoatsforthesinofallIsrael,accordingtothe numberofthechiefofthetribesofIsrael
9ThepriestsalsoandtheLevitesstoodarrayedintheir vestments,accordingtotheirkindreds,intheserviceofthe LordGodofIsrael,accordingtothebookofMoses:andthe portersateverygate
10AndthechildrenofIsraelthatwereofthecaptivityheld thepassoverthefourteenthdayofthefirstmonth,afterthat thepriestsandtheLevitesweresanctified
11Theythatwereofthecaptivitywerenotallsanctified together:buttheLeviteswereallsanctifiedtogether
12Andsotheyofferedthepassoverforallthemofthe captivity,andfortheirbrethrenthepriests,andforthemselves 13AndthechildrenofIsraelthatcameoutofthecaptivitydid eat,evenalltheythathadseparatedthemselvesfromthe abominationsofthepeopleoftheland,andsoughttheLord 14Andtheykeptthefeastofunleavenedbreadsevendays, makingmerrybeforetheLord, 15ForthathehadturnedthecounselofthekingofAssyria towardthem,tostrengthentheirhandsintheworksofthe LordGodofIsrael.
CHAPTER8
1Andafterthesethings,whenArtexerxesthekingofthe PersiansreignedcameEsdrasthesonofSaraias,thesonof Ezerias,thesonofHelchiah,thesonofSalum,
2ThesonofSadduc,thesonofAchitob,thesonofAmarias, thesonofEzias,thesonofMeremoth,thesonofZaraias,the sonofSavias,thesonofBoccas,thesonofAbisum,theson ofPhinees,thesonofEleazar,thesonofAaronthechief priest
3ThisEsdraswentupfromBabylon,asascribe,beingvery readyinthelawofMoses,thatwasgivenbytheGodofIsrael 4Andthekingdidhimhonour:forhefoundgraceinhissight inallhisrequests.
5TherewentupwithhimalsocertainofthechildrenofIsrael, ofthepriestoftheLevites,oftheholysingers,porters,and ministersofthetemple,untoJerusalem, 6IntheseventhyearofthereignofArtexerxes,inthefifth month,thiswastheking'sseventhyear;fortheywentfrom Babyloninthefirstdayofthefirstmonth,andcameto
Jerusalem,accordingtotheprosperousjourneywhichthe Lordgavethem
7ForEsdrashadverygreatskill,sothatheomittednothingof thelawandcommandmentsoftheLord,buttaughtallIsrael theordinancesandjudgments
8Nowthecopyofthecommission,whichwaswrittenfrom Artexerxestheking,andcametoEsdrasthepriestandreader ofthelawoftheLord,isthisthatfolloweth;
9KingArtexerxesuntoEsdrasthepriestandreaderofthelaw oftheLordsendethgreeting:
10Havingdeterminedtodealgraciously,Ihavegivenorder, thatsuchofthenationoftheJews,andofthepriestsand Levitesbeingwithinourrealm,asarewillinganddesirous shouldgowiththeeuntoJerusalem
11Asmanythereforeashaveamindthereunto,letthem departwiththee,asithathseemedgoodbothtomeandmy sevenfriendsthecounsellors;
12ThattheymaylookuntotheaffairsofJudeaandJerusalem, agreeablytothatwhichisinthelawoftheLord;
13AndcarrythegiftsuntotheLordofIsraeltoJerusalem, whichIandmyfriendshavevowed,andallthegoldand silverthatinthecountryofBabyloncanbefound,totheLord inJerusalem,
14Withthatalsowhichisgivenofthepeopleforthetemple oftheLordtheirGodatJerusalem:andthatsilverandgold maybecollectedforbullocks,rams,andlambs,andthings thereuntoappertaining;
15TotheendthattheymayoffersacrificesuntotheLord uponthealtaroftheLordtheirGod,whichisinJerusalem
16Andwhatsoeverthouandthybrethrenwilldowiththe silverandgold,thatdo,accordingtothewillofthyGod
17AndtheholyvesselsoftheLord,whicharegiventheefor theuseofthetempleofthyGod,whichisinJerusalem,thou shaltsetbeforethyGodinJerusalem
18Andwhatsoeverthingelsethoushaltrememberfortheuse ofthetempleofthyGod,thoushaltgiveitoutoftheking's treasury
19AndIkingArtexerxeshavealsocommandedthekeepers ofthetreasuresinSyriaandPhenice,thatwhatsoeverEsdras thepriestandthereaderofthelawofthemosthighGodshall sendfor,theyshouldgiveithimwithspeed, 20Tothesumofanhundredtalentsofsilver,likewisealsoof wheateventoanhundredcors,andanhundredpiecesofwine, andotherthingsinabundance.
21LetallthingsbeperformedafterthelawofGoddiligently untothemosthighGod,thatwrathcomenotuponthe kingdomofthekingandhissons.
22Icommandyoualso,thatyerequirenotax,noranyother imposition,ofanyofthepriests,orLevites,orholysingers,or porters,orministersofthetemple,orofanythathavedoings inthistemple,andthatnomanhaveauthoritytoimposeany thinguponthem
23Andthou,Esdras,accordingtothewisdomofGodordain judgesandjustices,thattheymayjudgeinallSyriaand PheniceallthosethatknowthelawofthyGod;andthosethat knowitnotthoushaltteach.
24AndwhosoevershalltransgressthelawofthyGod,andof theking,shallbepunisheddiligently,whetheritbebydeath, orotherpunishment,bypenaltyofmoney,orby imprisonment
25ThensaidEsdrasthescribe,BlessedbetheonlyLordGod ofmyfathers,whohathputthesethingsintotheheartofthe king,toglorifyhishousethatisinJerusalem:
26Andhathhonouredmeinthesightoftheking,andhis counsellors,andallhisfriendsandnobles.
27ThereforewasIencouragedbythehelpoftheLordmy God,andgatheredtogethermenofIsraeltogoupwithme 28Andthesearethechiefaccordingtotheirfamiliesand severaldignities,thatwentupwithmefromBabyloninthe reignofkingArtexerxes:
29OfthesonsofPhinees,Gerson:ofthesonsofIthamar, Gamael:ofthesonsofDavid,LettusthesonofSechenias: 30OfthesonsofPharez,Zacharias;andwithhimwere countedanhundredandfiftymen:
31OfthesonsofPahathMoab,Eliaonias,thesonofZaraias, andwithhimtwohundredmen:
32OfthesonsofZathoe,SecheniasthesonofJezelus,and withhimthreehundredmen:ofthesonsofAdin,Obeththe sonofJonathan,andwithhimtwohundredandfiftymen:
33OfthesonsofElam,JosiassonofGotholias,andwithhim seventymen:
34OfthesonsofSaphatias,ZaraiassonofMichael,andwith himthreescoreandtenmen:
35OfthesonsofJoab,AbadiassonofJezelus,andwithhim twohundredandtwelvemen:
36OfthesonsofBanid,AssalimothsonofJosaphias,and withhimanhundredandthreescoremen:
37OfthesonsofBabi,ZachariassonofBebai,andwithhim twentyandeightmen:
38OfthesonsofAstath,JohannessonofAcatan,andwith himanhundredandtenmen:
39OfthesonsofAdonikamthelast,andthesearethenames ofthem,Eliphalet,Jewel,andSamaias,andwiththemseventy men:
40OfthesonsofBago,UthithesonofIstalcurus,andwith himseventymen
41AndtheseIgatheredtogethertotherivercalledTheras, wherewepitchedourtentsthreedays:andthenIsurveyed them
42ButwhenIhadfoundtherenoneofthepriestsandLevites, 43ThensentIuntoEleazar,andIduel,andMasman, 44AndAlnathan,andMamaias,andJoribas,andNathan, Eunatan,Zacharias,andMosollamon,principalmenand learned
45AndIbadethemthattheyshouldgountoSaddeusthe captain,whowasintheplaceofthetreasury:
46Andcommandedthemthattheyshouldspeakunto Daddeus,andtohisbrethren,andtothetreasurersinthat place,tosendussuchmenasmightexecutethepriests'office inthehouseoftheLord
47AndbythemightyhandofourLordtheybroughtuntous skilfulmenofthesonsofMolithesonofLevi,thesonof Israel,Asebebia,andhissons,andhisbrethren,whowere eighteen
48AndAsebia,andAnnus,andOsaiashisbrother,ofthesons ofChannuneus,andtheirsons,weretwentymen
49AndoftheservantsofthetemplewhomDavidhad ordained,andtheprincipalmenfortheserviceoftheLevites towit,theservantsofthetempletwohundredandtwenty,the catalogueofwhosenameswereshewed
50AndthereIvowedafastuntotheyoungmenbeforeour Lord,todesireofhimaprosperousjourneybothforusand themthatwerewithus,forourchildren,andforthecattle:
51ForIwasashamedtoaskthekingfootmen,andhorsemen, andconductforsafeguardagainstouradversaries
52Forwehadsaiduntotheking,thatthepoweroftheLord ourGodshouldbewiththemthatseekhim,tosupportthemin allways
53AndagainwebesoughtourLordastouchingthesethings, andfoundhimfavourableuntous.
54ThenIseparatedtwelveofthechiefofthepriests,Esebrias, andAssanias,andtenmenoftheirbrethrenwiththem:
55AndIweighedthemthegold,andthesilver,andtheholy vesselsofthehouseofourLord,whichtheking,andhis council,andtheprinces,andallIsrael,hadgiven
56AndwhenIhadweighedit,Idelivereduntothemsix hundredandfiftytalentsofsilver,andsilvervesselsofan hundredtalents,andanhundredtalentsofgold, 57Andtwentygoldenvessels,andtwelvevesselsofbrass, evenoffinebrass,glitteringlikegold
58AndIsaiduntothem,BothyeareholyuntotheLord,and thevesselsareholy,andthegoldandthesilverisavowunto theLord,theLordofourfathers
59Watchye,andkeepthemtillyedeliverthemtothechiefof thepriestsandLevites,andtotheprincipalmenofthe familiesofIsrael,inJerusalem,intothechambersofthehouse ofourGod
60SothepriestsandtheLevites,whohadreceivedthesilver andthegoldandthevessels,broughtthemuntoJerusalem, intothetempleoftheLord
61AndfromtheriverTheraswedepartedthetwelfthdayof thefirstmonth,andcametoJerusalembythemightyhandof ourLord,whichwaswithus:andfromthebeginningofour journeytheLorddeliveredusfromeveryenemy,andsowe cametoJerusalem
62Andwhenwehadbeentherethreedays,thegoldand silverthatwasweighedwasdeliveredinthehouseofour LordonthefourthdayuntoMarmoththepriestthesonofIri 63AndwithhimwasEleazarthesonofPhinees,andwith themwereJosabadthesonofJesuandMoeththesonof Sabban,Levites:allwasdeliveredthembynumberand weight
64Andalltheweightofthemwaswrittenupthesamehour.
65Moreovertheythatwerecomeoutofthecaptivityoffered sacrificeuntotheLordGodofIsrael,eventwelvebullocksfor allIsrael,fourscoreandsixteenrams,
66Threescoreandtwelvelambs,goatsforapeaceoffering, twelve;allofthemasacrificetotheLord
67Andtheydeliveredtheking'scommandmentsuntothe king'sstewards'andtothegovernorsofCelosyriaandPhenice; andtheyhonouredthepeopleandthetempleofGod.
68Nowwhenthesethingsweredone,therulerscameuntome, andsaid,
69ThenationofIsrael,theprinces,thepriestsandLevites, havenotputawayfromthemthestrangepeopleoftheland, northepollutionsoftheGentilestowit,oftheCanaanites, Hittites,Pheresites,Jebusites,andtheMoabites,Egyptians, andEdomites
70Forboththeyandtheirsonshavemarriedwiththeir daughters,andtheholyseedismixedwiththestrangepeople oftheland;andfromthebeginningofthismattertherulers andthegreatmenhavebeenpartakersofthisiniquity
71AndassoonasIhadheardthesethings,Irentmyclothes, andtheholygarment,andpulledoffthehairfromoffmy headandbeard,andsatmedownsadandveryheavy
72SoalltheythatwerethenmovedatthewordoftheLord GodofIsraelassembleduntome,whilstImournedforthe iniquity:butIsatstillfullofheavinessuntiltheevening sacrifice.
73Thenrisingupfromthefastwithmyclothesandtheholy garmentrent,andbowingmyknees,andstretchingforthmy handsuntotheLord,
74Isaid,OLord,Iamconfoundedandashamedbeforethy face;
75Foroursinsaremultipliedaboveourheads,andour ignoranceshavereachedupuntoheaven
76Foreversincethetimeofourfatherswehavebeenandare ingreatsin,evenuntothisday
77Andforoursinsandourfathers'wewithourbrethrenand ourkingsandourpriestsweregivenupuntothekingsofthe earth,tothesword,andtocaptivity,andforapreywithshame, untothisday.
78Andnowinsomemeasurehathmercybeenshewedunto usfromthee,OLord,thatthereshouldbeleftusarootanda nameintheplaceofthysanctuary;
79AndtodiscoveruntousalightinthehouseoftheLordour God,andtogiveusfoodinthetimeofourservitude
80Yea,whenwewereinbondage,wewerenotforsakenof ourLord;buthemadeusgraciousbeforethekingsofPersia, sothattheygaveusfood;
81Yea,andhonouredthetempleofourLord,andraisedup thedesolateSion,thattheyhavegivenusasureabidingin JewryandJerusalem
82Andnow,OLord,whatshallwesay,havingthesethings? forwehavetransgressedthycommandments,whichthou gavestbythehandofthyservantstheprophets,saying, 83Thattheland,whichyeenterintotopossessasanheritage, isalandpollutedwiththepollutionsofthestrangersofthe land,andtheyhavefilleditwiththeiruncleanness
84Thereforenowshallyenotjoinyourdaughtersuntotheir sons,neithershallyetaketheirdaughtersuntoyoursons 85Moreoveryeshallneverseektohavepeacewiththem,that yemaybestrong,andeatthegoodthingsoftheland,andthat yemayleavetheinheritanceofthelanduntoyourchildrenfor evermore
86Andallthatisbefallenisdoneuntousforourwicked worksandgreatsins;forthou,OLord,didstmakeoursins light,
87Anddidstgiveuntoussucharoot:butwehaveturned backagaintotransgressthylaw,andtomingleourselveswith theuncleannessofthenationsoftheland.
88Mightestnotthoubeangrywithustodestroyus,tillthou hadstleftusneitherroot,seed,norname?
89OLordofIsrael,thouarttrue:forweareleftarootthis day
90Behold,nowarewebeforetheeinouriniquities,forwe cannotstandanylongerbyreasonofthesethingsbeforethee.
91AndasEsdrasinhisprayermadehisconfession,weeping, andlyingflatuponthegroundbeforethetemple,there gathereduntohimfromJerusalemaverygreatmultitudeof menandwomenandchildren:fortherewasgreatweeping amongthemultitude
92ThenJechoniasthesonofJeelus,oneofthesonsofIsrael, calledout,andsaid,OEsdras,wehavesinnedagainstthe LordGod,wehavemarriedstrangewomenofthenationsof theland,andnowisallIsraelaloft.
93LetusmakeanoathtotheLord,thatwewillputawayall ourwives,whichwehavetakenoftheheathen,withtheir children,
94Likeasthouhastdecreed,andasmanyasdoobeythelaw oftheLord
95Ariseandputinexecution:fortotheedoththismatter appertain,andwewillbewiththee:dovaliantly
96SoEsdrasarose,andtookanoathofthechiefofthepriests andLevitesofallIsraeltodoafterthesethings;andsothey sware
CHAPTER9
1ThenEsdrasrisingfromthecourtofthetemplewenttothe chamberofJoananthesonofEliasib,
2Andremainedthere,anddideatnomeatnordrinkwater, mourningforthegreatiniquitiesofthemultitude
3AndtherewasaproclamationinallJewryandJerusalemto allthemthatwereofthecaptivity,thattheyshouldbe gatheredtogetheratJerusalem:
4Andthatwhosoevermetnottherewithintwoorthreedays accordingastheeldersthatbareruleappointed,theircattle shouldbeseizedtotheuseofthetemple,andhimselfcastout fromthemthatwereofthecaptivity.
5AndinthreedayswerealltheyofthetribeofJudahand BenjamingatheredtogetheratJerusalemthetwentiethdayof theninthmonth.
6Andallthemultitudesattremblinginthebroadcourtofthe templebecauseofthepresentfoulweather
7SoEsdrasaroseup,andsaiduntothem,Yehave transgressedthelawinmarryingstrangewives,therebyto increasethesinsofIsrael
8AndnowbyconfessinggivegloryuntotheLordGodofour fathers,
9Anddohiswill,andseparateyourselvesfromtheheathenof theland,andfromthestrangewomen.
10Thencriedthewholemultitude,andsaidwithaloudvoice, Likeasthouhastspoken,sowillwedo
11Butforasmuchasthepeoplearemany,anditisfoul weather,sothatwecannotstandwithout,andthisisnota workofadayortwo,seeingoursininthesethingsisspread far:
12Thereforelettherulersofthemultitudestay,andletall themofourhabitationsthathavestrangewivescomeatthe timeappointed,
13Andwiththemtherulersandjudgesofeveryplace,tillwe turnawaythewrathoftheLordfromusforthismatter
14ThenJonathanthesonofAzaelandEzechiasthesonof Theocanusaccordinglytookthismatteruponthem:and MosollamandLevisandSabbatheushelpedthem.
15Andtheythatwereofthecaptivitydidaccordingtoall thesethings
16AndEsdrasthepriestchoseuntohimtheprincipalmenof theirfamilies,allbyname:andinthefirstdayofthetenth monththeysattogethertoexaminethematter
17Sotheircausethatheldstrangewiveswasbroughttoan endinthefirstdayofthefirstmonth
18Andoftheprieststhatwerecometogether,andhadstrange wives,therewerefound:
19OfthesonsofJesusthesonofJosedec,andhisbrethren; MatthelasandEleazar,andJoribusandJoadanus
20Andtheygavetheirhandstoputawaytheirwivesandto offerramstomakereconcilementfortheirerrors
21AndofthesonsofEmmer;Ananias,andZabdeus,and Eanes,andSameius,andHiereel,andAzarias.
22AndofthesonsofPhaisur;Elionas,MassiasIsrael,and Nathanael,andOcidelusandTalsas
23AndoftheLevites;Jozabad,andSemis,andColius,who wascalledCalitas,andPatheus,andJudas,andJonas
24Oftheholysingers;Eleazurus,Bacchurus
25Oftheporters;Sallumus,andTolbanes.
26OfthemofIsrael,ofthesonsofPhoros;Hiermas,and Eddias,andMelchias,andMaelus,andEleazar,andAsibias, andBaanias.
27OfthesonsofEla;Matthanias,Zacharias,andHierielus, andHieremoth,andAedias
28AndofthesonsofZamoth;Eliadas,Elisimus,Othonias, Jarimoth,andSabatus,andSardeus
29OfthesonsofBabai;Johannes,andAnaniasandJosabad, andAmatheis.
30OfthesonsofMani;Olamus,Mamuchus,Jedeus,Jasubus, Jasael,andHieremoth
31AndofthesonsofAddi;Naathus,andMoosias,Lacunus, andNaidus,andMathanias,andSesthel,Balnuus,and Manasseas
32AndofthesonsofAnnas;ElionasandAseas,and Melchias,andSabbeus,andSimonChosameus
33AndofthesonsofAsom;Altaneus,andMatthias,and Baanaia,Eliphalet,andManasses,andSemei.
34AndofthesonsofMaani;Jeremias,Momdis,Omaerus, Juel,Mabdai,andPelias,andAnos,Carabasion,andEnasibus, andMamnitanaimus,Eliasis,Bannus,Eliali,Samis,Selemias, Nathanias:andofthesonsofOzora;Sesis,Esril,Azaelus, Samatus,Zambis,Josephus
35AndofthesonsofEthma;Mazitias,Zabadaias,Edes,Juel, Banaias
36Allthesehadtakenstrangewives,andtheyputthemaway withtheirchildren.
37AndthepriestsandLevites,andtheythatwereofIsrael, dweltinJerusalem,andinthecountry,inthefirstdayofthe seventhmonth:sothechildrenofIsraelwereintheir habitations
38Andthewholemultitudecametogetherwithoneaccord intothebroadplaceoftheholyporchtowardtheeast:
39AndtheyspakeuntoEsdrasthepriestandreader,thathe wouldbringthelawofMoses,thatwasgivenoftheLordGod ofIsrael.
40SoEsdrasthechiefpriestbroughtthelawuntothewhole multitudefrommantowoman,andtoallthepriests,tohear lawinthefirstdayoftheseventhmonth
41Andhereadinthebroadcourtbeforetheholyporchfrom morninguntomidday,beforebothmenandwomen;andthe multitudegaveheeduntothelaw.
42AndEsdrasthepriestandreaderofthelawstoodupupon apulpitofwood,whichwasmadeforthatpurpose.
43AndtherestoodupbyhimMattathias,Sammus,Ananias, Azarias,Urias,Ezecias,Balasamus,upontherighthand:
44AnduponhislefthandstoodPhaldaius,Misael,Melchias, Lothasubus,andNabarias
45ThentookEsdrasthebookofthelawbeforethemultitude: forhesathonourablyinthefirstplaceinthesightofthemall. 46Andwhenheopenedthelaw,theystoodallstraightupSo EsdrasblessedtheLordGodmostHigh,theGodofhosts, Almighty.
47Andallthepeopleanswered,Amen;andliftinguptheir handstheyfelltotheground,andworshippedtheLord
48AlsoJesus,Anus,Sarabias,Adinus,Jacubus,Sabateas, Auteas,Maianeas,andCalitas,Asrias,andJoazabdus,and Ananias,Biatas,theLevites,taughtthelawoftheLord, makingthemwithaltounderstandit.
49ThenspakeAttharatesuntoEsdrasthechiefpriestand reader,andtotheLevitesthattaughtthemultitude,eventoall, saying,
50ThisdayisholyuntotheLord;(fortheyallweptwhen theyheardthelaw:)
51Gothen,andeatthefat,anddrinkthesweet,andsendpart tothemthathavenothing;
52ForthisdayisholyuntotheLord:andbenotsorrowful; fortheLordwillbringyoutohonour.
53SotheLevitespublishedallthingstothepeople,saying, ThisdayisholytotheLord;benotsorrowful
54Thenwenttheytheirway,everyonetoeatanddrink,and makemerry,andtogiveparttothemthathadnothing,andto makegreatcheer;
55Becausetheyunderstoodthewordswhereintheywere instructed,andforthewhichtheyhadbeenassembled