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