Apocrypha. Chap. viii. Before 50 And there I vowed a fast unto the Chit young men before our Lord, to defire of him a profperous journey both for us and then that were with us, for our children Heb.fubftance and for the cattle. 457. =Or, proclaimed. * 51 For I was afhamed to ask the king footmen, and horfemen, and conduct for fafeguard against our adverfaries. 52 For we had faid unto the king, that the power of the Lord our God fhould be with them that feek him,to fupport them in all ways 53 And again we befought our Lord, as touching these things, and found him favourable unto us. 54 Then I feparated twelve of the chief Serbia and of the priests, † Efebrias, and Affanias, and ten men of their brethren with them. eb. zwo vis 55 And I weighed them the gold, and the filver, and the holy veffels of the house of our Lord, which the king, and his. counsel, and the princes, and all Ifrael had given. 56 And when I had weighed it, I delivered unto them fix hundred and fifty talents of filver, and filver veffels of an hundred talents, and an hundred talents of gold, 57 And twenty golden veffels, and ‡ twelve Ezra 8.27 veffels of brafs, even of fine brafs, glittering like gold. 58 And I faid unto them, Both you are holy unto the Lord, and the veffels are holy, and the gold and the filver is a vow unto the Lord, the Lord of our fathers. 59 Watch ye, and keep them till ye deliver them to the chief of the priests and Levites, and to the principal men of the families of Ifrael in Jerufalem, into the chambers of the house of our God. 60 So the priests and the Levites who had received the filver, and the gold, and the veffels, brought them unto Jerufalem into the temple of the Lord. 61 And from the river Theras we departed the twelfth day of the first month, and came to Jerufalem by the mighty hand of our Lord, which was with us: and from the ,dangers in beginning of our journey, the Lord deliway. vered us from every enemy, and fo we came to Jerufalem. 62 And when we had been there three days, the gold and filver that was weighed, ⚫ was delivered into the house of our Lord anto Me on the fourth day † unto Marmoth the priest h the son of the son of Iri. the priest. 63 And with him was Eleazar the fon of Phinees, and with them were Jofabad the Noadiah the fon of Jefu, and Moeth the fon of Sabban, Levites all was delivered them by number and weight. Binnni. .. Seventy lambs, 64 And all the weight of them was written up the fame hour. 65 Moreover, they that were come out of the captivity offered facrifice unto the Lord God of Ifrael, even twelve bullocks for all Ifrael, fourfcore and fixteen rams, 66* Threefcore and twelve lambs, goats hegoats for a peace-offering, twelve, all of them a in-offering, facrifice to the Lord. 8.35. 67 And they delivered the kings commandments unto the kings ftewards, and to the governors of Celofyria and Phenice,and they honoured the people, and the temple of God. Apocrypha. 68 Now when thefe things were done, the Before rulers came unto me, and faid, 69 The nation of Ifrael, the princes, the priests, and Levites have not put away from them the strange people of the land, nor the pollutions of the Gentiles, to wit, of the Cana anites, Hittites, Pherefites, Jebufites, and the Moabites, Egyptians, and Edomites. 457. 70 d For both they and their fons have Lera 9. 20 married with their daughters, and the holy feed is mixed with a ftrange people of the land; and from the beginning of this matter, the rulers and great men have been partakers of this iniquity. 71 And affoon as I had heard thefe things, I rent my clothes, and the holy garment, and pulled off the hair from off my head and beard, and fat me down fad, and very heavy. 72 So all they that were then moved at the word of the Lord God of Ifrael,affembled unto me, whilst I mourned for the iniquity: but I fat ftill full of heavinefs, until the evening-facrifice 73 Then rifing up from the faft with my clothes and the holy garment rent, and bowing my knees, and ftretching forth my hands unto the Lord, '74 I faid, O Lord, I am confounded, and afhamed before thy face; bounded. 75 For our fins † are multiplied above for, have a our heads, and our ignorances have reached up unto heaven. 76 For ever fince the time of our fathers we have been and are in great fin, even unto this day. 77 And for our fins and our fathers, we with our brethren, and our kings and our priests, were given up unto the kings of the earth, to the fword, and to captivity, and for a prey with fhame unto this day. 78 And now in fome measure hath mercy been fhewed unto us from thee, O Lord, that there fhould be left us a root, and a name in the place of thy fanctuary; 79 And to discover unto us a light in the houfe of the Lord our God, and to give us food in the time of our fervitude. 80 Yea, when we were in bondage we were not forfaken of our Lord; but he made us gracious before the kings of Perfia, fo that they gave us food; 82 And now, O Lord, what fhall we fay, having thefe things? for we have tranfgreffed thy commandments which thou gavest by the hand of thy fervants the prophets, faying, 83 That the land which ye enter into to poffefs as an heritage, is a land polluted with the pollutions of the strangers of the land, and they have filled it with their uncleanness. 84 Therefore now fhall ye not joyn your daughters unto their fons, neither shall take their daughters unto your fons. ye 85 Moreover, you fhall never feek to have peace with them, that ye may be strong, and eat the good things of the land, and that ye may leave the inheritance of the land unto your children for evermore. B 2 86 And + Heb. life, Ezra 9.8. Before 86 And all that is befallen, is done unto us for our wicked works, and great fins for Chit thou, O Lord, didft make our fins light, 457. *Or, Be not angry, &c. 87 And didst give unto us fuch a root: but we have turned back again to tranfgrefs thy law, and to mingle our felves with the uncleannefs of the nations of the land. 88 Mightst not thou be angry with us to destroy us, till thou hadst left us neither root, feed, nor name? 89 O Lord of Ifrael, thou art true : for we are left a root this day. 90. Behold, now are we before thee in our iniquities, for we cannot ftand any longer by reafon of these things before thee. 91 And as Efdras in his prayer made his confeffion, weeping, and lying flat upon the ground before the temple, there gathered unto him from Jerufalem a very great multitude of men, and women, and children: for there was great weeping among the multitude. 92 Then Jechonias the fon of Jeelus, one of the fons of Ifrael called out and faid, O Efdras, we have finned against the Lord God, we have married strange women of the nations of the tos, exalted, land, and now is all Ifrael † aloft. Deut. 26. 13. Bai. 2. S. 93 Let us make an oath to the Lord, that we will put away all our wives, which we have taken of the heathen, with their children, 94 Like as thou haft decreed, and as many as do obey the law of the Lord. for to 95 Arife, and put in execution thee doth this matter appertain, and we will be with thee do valiantly. Apocrypha. 9 And do his will, and feparate your felves Befo from the heathen of the land, and from the ftrange women. Chrit 10 Then cried the whole multitude and 457. faid with a loud voice, Like as thou hast spoken, fo will we do. II But forafmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather, fo that we cannot stand without, and this is not a work of a day or two, seeing our fin in these things is fpread far: 12 Therefore let the rulers of the multitude † ftay, and let all them of our habita- tot, fand. tions that have strange wives, come at the time appointed, 13 And with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter. 14 Then Jonathan the son of Azael, and Ezechias the son of Theocanus, accordingly took this matter upon them: and Mofallam, and Levis, and Sabbatheus helped them. 15 And they that were of the captivity, did according to all these things. 16 And Efdras the priest chofe unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth month they fat together to examine the matter. 17 So their cause that held strange wives was brought to an end, in the first day of the first month. 18 And of the priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found: 456. 19 Of the fons of Jefus the fon of Jofedec, and his brethren; Matthelas, and Eleazar, 01, Ma and * Joribus, and † Joadanus. 96 So Efdras arofe, and took an oath of the + Heb and all chief of the priests and Levites ‡ of all Ifrael, and * Joribus, and キ to do after these things; and fo they fware. If ael, Ezra 10. 3. CHAP. IX. 1 Ifdras affembleth all the people. 10 They promife to put away the ftrange wives. 20 The names and number of them that did fo. 40 The law of Mofes is read and declared before all the people. 49 They weep, and are put in mind of the feaft-day. T Hen Efdras rifing from the court of the temple, went to the chamber of Joanan the fon of Eliafib, 2 And remained there, and did eat no meat nor drink water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude. 3 And there was a proclamation in all Jewry and Jerufalem, to all them that were of the captivity, that they fhould be gathered together at Jerufalem : 4 And that whofoever met not there within two or three days, according as the elders that bare rule appointed, their cattle fhould be feisterly destroy- zed to the use of the temple, and himself * cait out from them that were of the captivity. • Or, Jarik, tOr, Gedaliah, 20 And they gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer trams, to Heb. arm, make reconcilement for their * errors. 21 And of the fons of Emmer; Ananias, and Zabdeus, and † Eanes, and ‡ Sameius, and Hiereel, and † Azarias. and * Oz, purifica Harim + Maafiah. * Febiol. Pafbur. 22 And of the fons of ‡ Phaifur; Elionas, zi, Maffias, Ifmael, and Nathanael, and * Oci-Fifabad. delus, and † Talfas. ↑ Elafab. 23 And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Semis, and Colius, who was called * Calitas, Kelaiah, and † Patheus, .and Judas, and Jonas. Kelizah. t Perbabia 24 Of the holy fingers; † Eleazurus, Bac- ‡ Eliab, churus. 25 Of the porters; Sallumus, and * Tol- * Telem. banes. 26 Of them of Ifrael, of the fons of t t. Parofo, Phoros; Hiermas, and * Eddias, and Mel- Ramia, chias, and † Maelus, and Eleazar, and ‡ A- + Miami, キ fibias, and Baanias. 27 Of the fons of Ela; Matthanias, Zacharias, and * Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and *Fahid. † Aedias. * 28 And of the fons of t Zamoth ; adas, † Elifimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, Sabatus, and † Sardeus. * and + Abdi. Eli-Za * Elicensi t Eliahib. Mattanish ✦ 7.abad. 29 Of the fons of Bebai; Johannes, and Aziz, Ananias, and Jofabad, and * Amatheis. 30 Of the fons of † Mani; † Olamus, Mamuchus, † Jedeus, Jafubus, Jafael, and Hiercmoth. a + Barto ‡ Mestulla Malluch † Adaiah Sheal. of the n 31 And of the fons of Addi, Naathus, and Moofias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathani- in Ver. 31. as, and Seithell, Balnuus, and Manaffeas. 34, 35, fee Ezra 10.30-1 32 And 34, &c. 456. - Matunai Maruthiah. Zabad. Simon Chofameus. 33 And of the fons of Afom, * Altaneus, and Matthias, and ‡ Bannaia, Eliphalat, and Manaffes, and Semei. 34 And of the fons of Maani, Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabafion, and Euafibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliafis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the fons of Ozora, Sefis, Efril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Jofiphus. 35 And of the fons of Ethma, Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias. 36 All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children. 37 And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Ifrael, dwelt in Jerufalem, and in the country, in the first day of the feventh month: fo the children of Ifrael were Di, villages in their habitations. Neh. 8. 1. 7. I. Shallum. a 58. 38 And the whole multitude came together with one accord, into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east. 39 And they fpake unto Efdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses that was given of the Lord God of Ifrael. 40 So Efdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear the law in the first day of the seventh month. 41 And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and women; and all the multitude gave heed unto the law. 42 And Efdras the priest, and reader of the law ftood up upon a pulpit of wood which was made for that purpose. Apocrypha. 43 And there ftood up by him Matathias, Before Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, † Ezecias, Balafamus, upon the right hand. 44 And upon his left hand ftood * Phaldaius, Mifael, Melchias, † Lothafubus, and • Nabarias. 45 Then took Efdras the book of the law before the multitude: for he fat + honourably in the first place in the fight of them all. 46 And when he opened the law, they stood all ftraight up. So Efdras bleffed the Lord God most high, the God of hofts Almighty. 47 And all the people anfwered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord. Christ 445. or, Mafiaho † Or, Hilkiah. Or, Pedaiah. Ot, Hajbum. See Nehem. Heb. above 8. 4. them all. Then Neh-mish feribe, and the and Ezra the prift 48 Alfo Jefus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabatteas,*Auteas, Maianeas, and Or, Helijadi Calitas, Azarias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it. 49 † Then fpake Attharates unto Efdras the chief priest and reader,and to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, faying, 50 This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they all wept when they heard the law.) 51 d Go then and eat the fat, and drink the fweet, and fend part to them that have nothing. 52 For this day is holy unto the Lord, and be not forrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour. 53 So the Levites publifhed all things to the people, faying, This day is holy to the Lord be not forrowful. HE. fecond book of the prophet Efdras,the fon of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the fon of Helchias, the fon of * Sadamias, the son of Sadoc, the fon of Achitob, 2 The fon of Achias, the fon of Phinees, the fon of Heli, the fon of Amarias, the fon of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of Arna, the fon of Ozias, the fon of Borith, the fon of Abifei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar, 3 The fon of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi: which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of the Perfians.. 4 And the word of the Lord came unto me, faying, 5 Go thy way, and b fhew my people their. finful deeds, and their children their wicked ness which they have done against me; that they may tell their childrens children. 6 Because the fins of their fathers are increafed in them for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto ftrange gods. 7 Am not I even he that brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and defpifed my counfels. 8 Pull thou off then the hair of thy head, and caft all evil upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people. 9 How long fhall I forbear them unto whom I have done fo much good? and Levites that in fern Eted the people, faid unto all the people, Neh.8.9. Neh. 8. 10.11 10. Many kings have I deftroyed for their fakes; • Pharaoh with his fervants, and all Exod. 14.28. his power have I fmitten down. All the nations have I destroyed before Numb.21.24% them, and in the east I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon, and have flain all their enemies. 12 Speak thou therefore unto them, faying, Thus faith the Lord, 139 I II. Efdras. 13 I led you through the fea, and in the beginning gave you a large and fafe † paffage; f I gave you Mofes for a leader, and Aaron for a priest. 14 8 I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you, yet have you forgotten me, faith the Lord. h 15 Thus faith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as a token for you, I gave you tents for your fafeguard: nevertheless, you murmured there, 16 And triumphed not in my name for the deftruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur. i 17 Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when you were hungry and thirfty Num. 14. 3. in the wilderness, did you not cry unto me, 18 Saying, why haft thou brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it had been better for us to have ferved the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness. k 19 Then had I pity upon your mournings, Wifd.16.20. and gave you manna to eat; fo ye did eat angels bread. Num. 20. II. w:fd. 11. 4. ‡ Or,abundantly. Ifa. 5. 4° waters, or, wa 20 When ye were thirfty, did I not cleave the rock, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees. 21 I divided among you a fruitful land, I caft out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines before you: " what shall I yet do more for you? faith the Lord. m Thus faith the Almighty Lord, When *Or, at the bi ter you were in the wildernefs,* in the river ters of Marah, of the Amorites, being athirft, and blafExod. 15. 23. pheming my name, 23I gave you not fire for your blafphe mies, but I caft a tree in the water, and made the river fweet. " -24-What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? Exod. 32. 3. thou Juda wouldft not obey me: I will turn me to other nations, and unto thofe will I give my name,that they may keep my ftatutes. 25Seeing ye have forfaken me,I will forfake you alfo; when ye defire me to be gracious unto you, I fhall have no mercy upon you. 26 Whenfoever you fhall call upon me, I will not hear you: you: for have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit man-flaughter. " Apocrypha. houfe is defolate, I will caft you out as the 34 And your children fhall not be fruitful, 35 Your houfes will I give to a people that fhall come; which not having heard of me, yet fhall believe me; to whom I have fhewed no figns, yet they fhall do that I have commanded them. 36 They have feen no prophets, yet they fhall call their fins to remembrance, and acknowledge them. S 37 I take to witness the grace of the people to come, whofe little ones rejoyce in gladness and though they have not John 201 feen me with bodily eyes, yet in fpirit they believe the thing that I fay. 38 And now, brother, behold what glory; and fee the people that cometh from the east: 39 Unto whom I will give for leaders, A- 40 Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Ag- II. God complaineth of his people: 10 yet Ef people out of bondage, and I Hus faith the Lord, I brought this 2 The mother that bare them, faith unto them, Go your way, ye children, for I am a widow, and forfaken. 3 I brought you up with gladnefs, but with forrow and heavinefs have I loft you for ye have finned before the Lord your God, and done that thing that is evil before him. 4 But what fhall I now do unto you? I am a widow and forfaken: go your way, O my children, and ask mercy of the Lord. 5 As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness over the mother of thefe children, which would not keep my covenant, 6 That thou bring them to confufion, and their mother to a fpoil, that there may be no offspring of them. Mal. 3. 28 Thus faith the Almighty Lord, Have I not obit 1. 17, inging bury sha 17. 12, preach. 17 Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have chofen thee, faith the Lord. 18 For thy help will I fend my fervants Efay and Jeremy, after whofe counsel I have fanctified and prepared for thee, twelve trees laden with divers fruits, 19 And as many fountains flowing with milk and hony, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow rofes and lilies, where by I will fill thy children with joy. 20 Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherlefs, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked, 21 Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to fcorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the fight of my clearness. 22 Keep the old and young within thy walls. 23 £ Wherefoever thou findeft the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my refurrection. 24 Abide ftill, O my people, and take thy relt, for thy quietnefs fhall come. 25 Nourish thy children, O thou good nurfe; stablish their feet. 26 & As for the fervants whom I have given thee,there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number. 27 Be not weary for when the day of trouble and heavinefs cometh, others fhall weep and be forrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance. 28 The heathen fhall envy thee, but they fhall be able to do nothing against thee, faith the Lord. 29 My hands fhall cover thee, fo that thy children fhall not fee hell. 30 Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, faith the Lord. 31 Remember thy children that fleep, for I fhall bring them out of the fides of the earth, and thew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, faith the Lord Almighty. 32 Embrace thy children until I come, 33 I Efdras received a charge of the Lord 34 And therefore I fay unto you, O ye 1 Apocrypha. h heathen, that hear and understand, Look for 35 Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for evermore. 36 Flee the fhadow of this world, re-cor. 7. 32 ceive the joyfulness of your glory: I testifie my Saviour openly. 37 O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath called you to the heavenly kingdom. 38. Arife up and ftand, behold the number of those that be fealed in' the feast of the Lord. 39 Which are departed from the fhadow of the world, and m have received glorious garments of the Lord. Rev. 7. 3, 4 Or, for. &c. 40 Take thy number, O Sion, and * fhut up thofe of thine that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord. 41 The number of thy children whom. Rev. 6, 114 thou longedst for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that thy people which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed. 42 I Efdras faw upon the mount Sion a⚫ Rev. 7. gệ great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with fongs. 43 And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high ftature, taller than all the reft, and upon every one of their heads he fet crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly. P 44 So P I asked the angel, and faid, † Sir, Rev. 7. 149 what are these? 45 He answered and faid unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confeffed the name of God; now are they crowned, and receive palms. 46 Then faid I unto the angel, What young perfon is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands? ૧ tos, Lord. 47 So he answered and faid unto me, a It a Rav. 2, zej is the Son of God, whom they have confeffed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood fo ftiffly for the name of the Lord. 48 Then the angel faid unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people, what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God thou haft seen. CHAP. III. • Efdras is troubled, 13 and acknowledgeth N the thirtieth year after the ruin of the upon my bed, and my thoughts came up o- 2 For Ifaw the defolation of Sion, and the 3 And my spirit was fore moved, fo that I began to speak words full of fear to the moft High, and faid, 4 O Lord, who beareft rule, thou spakest at the beginning, when thou didst plant the earth, |