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The foundation

EZRA.

of the temple lard. and of all the set feasts of the Lond¡ple: for the people shouted with a that were consecrated, and of every |loud shout, and the noise was heard one that willingly offered a free-will-afar off.

offering unto the Louv.

6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offer

tion of the temple of the LonD was not yet laid.

OW

CHAP. IV.

ings unto the LORD. But the foundaNow when the adversaries of Judal and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lóno God of Israel ; 7 They gave money also unto the ma- 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and sons,and to the carpenters; and meat, to the chief of the fathers, and said and drink,aud oil,unto them of Zidou, Junto them, Let us build with you : for and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar- we seek your God, as ye do; and we trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, do sacrifice unto him since the days of according to the grant that they had Esar-haddon king of Assur, which of Cyrus king of Persia. brought us up hither.

8 Now in the second year of their] 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and coming unto the house of God at Jeru-[the rest of the chief of the fathers of salem, in the second mouth, began Ze-Israel, said unto them, Ye have noth rubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Je-ing to do with us to build a house unlo shua the son of Jozadak, and the remour God; but we ourselves together naut of their brethren the priests and will build unto the LORD God of Isthe Levites, and all they that were rael, as king Cyrus the king of Persia come out of the captivity unto Jerusa-hathi commanded us. lem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set brward the work of the house of the Lond.

9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his cons, the sons of Judah,together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad,with their sous and their brethren the Levites.

4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building; 5 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. 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the 10 And when the builders laid the inhabitants of Judalı and Jerusalem. foundation of the temple of the Lono,] 7¶ And in the days of Artaxerxes they set the priests in their apparel wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, with trumpets, and the Levites the and the rest of their companions, unto sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Artaxerxes king of Persia ; and the the Loud, after the ordinance of Da-writing of the letter was written in vid king of Israel. the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good,for his iner cy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the 9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, LORD, because the foundation of the and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest house of the LORD was laid. of their companions; the Dinaises,the 12 But many of the priests and Le-Apbarsathchites, the Tarpelites, the vites, and chief of the fathers, cho Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babywere ancient men, that had seen the lonians, the Susanchites, the Dehav first house, when the foundation ofthis ites, and the Elamites, house was laid before their eyes,wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy;

13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the peo

10 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.

11 T This is the copy of the letter

Artaxerxes' decree. CHAP. V. Trinai's letter: that they sent unto him, even unto do this: why should damage grow to Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the the hurt of the kings? men on this side the river, and at such 23 Now when the copy of king a time. Artaxerxes' letter was read before

12 Be it known unto the king, that Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and the Jews which came up from thee to their companions, they went up in us are come unto Jerusalem, building haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews,and, the rebellious and the bad city, and made them to cease by force and have set up the walls thereof, and join-power.

ed the foundations.

21 Then ceased the work of the house

13 Be it known now unto the king, of God which is at Jerusalem. So it that, if this city be builded, and the ceased unto the second year of the walls set up again, then will they not reign of Darius king of Persia. pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

14 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,

THE

CHAP. V.

HEN 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.

15 That search may be made in the 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of book of the records of thy fathers: so Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozshalt thou find in the book of the rec-ļadak, and began to build the house of ords, and know that this city is a re- God which is at Jerusalem; and with bellious city, and hurtful unto kings them were the prophets of God help and provinces, and that they haveing them. moved sedition within the same of old time for which cause was this city destroyed.

16 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.

3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Sheibar-boznai,and their compan ions, and said thus unto them, Who hatli commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of we men that make this building?

17 T Then sent the king an answer unto Rebum the chancellor, and to 5 But the eye of their God was upon Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of the elders of the Jews, that they could their companions that dwelt in Sama-not cause them to cease, till the matria,and unto the rest beyond the river, ter came to Darius; and then they rePeace, and at such a time. turned answer by letter concerning this matter.

18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

6 T The copy of the letter that Tat 19 And I commanded, and search nai, governor on this side the river, hath been made, and it is found that and Shethar-boznai, and his companthis city of old tune hath made insur-ions the Apharsachites, which were on rection against kings, and that rebel-this side the river,sent unto Darius the lion and sedition have been made king: therein.

20 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.

7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.

8 Be it known unto the king,that we went into the province of Judea,to the house of the great God,which is build21 Give ye now commandment to ed with great stones,and timber is laid cause these men to cease,and that this in the walls, and this work goeth fast city be not builded, until another com-on, and prospereth in their hands. mardment shall be given from me. 9 Then asked we those elders, and 22 Take heed now that ye fail not tolsaid unto them thus, Who commaudel

The decree

EZRA.

of Darius. you to build this house,and to make up; 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, these walls? the same Cyrus the king made a de 10 We ask their names also, to certi- cree concerning the house of God at fy thee, that we might write the names Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, of the men that were the chief of them. the place where they offered sacrific11 And thus they returned us answer, es, and let the foundations thereof be saying, We are the servants of the God strongly laid; the height thereof threeof heaven and earth, and build the score cubits, and the breadth thereof house that was builded these many threescore cubits; years ago, which a great king of Israel 4 With three rows of great stones, builded and set up. and a row of new timber; and let the

12 But after that our fathers had pro-expenses be given out of the king's voked the God of heaven unto wrath, house.

he gave them into the hand of Nebu- 5 And also let the golden and silver chadnezzar the king of Babylon, the vessels of the house of God, which Chaldean, who destroyed this house, Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the and carried the people away into Babylon.

temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and 13 But in the first year of Cyrus the brought again unto the temple which king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus is at Jerusalem,every one to his place, made a decree to build this house of and place them in the house of God. God. 6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor 14 And the vessels also of gold and beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and silver of the house of God, which Neb-your companions the Apharsachites, uchadnezzar took out of the temple which are beyond the river, be ye far that was in Jerusalem, and brought from thence:

them into the temple of Babylon,those 7 Let the work of this house of God did Cyrus the king take out of the alone; let the governor of the Jews temple of Babylon, and they were de-and the elders of the Jews build this livered unto one, whose name was house of God in his place. Sheshbazzar, whom he bad made gov

ernor;

15 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 bis place.

S 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 inen, that they b not hindered.

16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of 9. And that which they have need of God which is in Jerusalem: and since both young bullocks, and rams, ai that time even until now bath it been lambs, for the buint-offerings of th in building, and yet it is not finished. God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, an 17 Now therefore, if it seem good to oil, according to the appointment the king, let there be search made in the priests which are at Jerusalem, le! the king's treasure-house, which is it be given them day by day withou! there at Babylon, whether it be so, fail:

that a decree was made of Cyrus the 10 That they may offer sacrifices of king to build this house of God at Je-sweet savours unto the God of neaven, rusalem, and let the king send his and pray for the life of the king, and pleasure to us concerning this matter. of his sons.

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11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, Jet 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.

12 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

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God which is at Jerusalem. 1 Darius

Artaxerxes' decree. CHAP. VII,

have made a decree; let it be done NOW after these things, in the reiga

13

Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-bozuia, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

2 The son of Shallum, the son of Za dok, tlie son of Abitub,

3 The son of Amariah, the son of 14 And the elders of the Jews build-Azariah, the son of Meraioth, ed, and they prospered through the 4 The son of Zerahiab, the son of prophesying of Haggai the prophet, Uzzi, the son of Bukki,

and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And 5 The son of Abishua, the son of they builded, and finished it, accord-Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son ing to the commandment of the God of Aaron the chief priest;

of Israel, and according to the com- 6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; mandment of Cyros, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

15 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 he was a ready scribe in the law
of Moses, which the LORD God of Is-
racl had given: and the king granted
him all his request, according to the
band of the Lord his God upon him.
7 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 Nithinims, unto
Jerusalem, in the seven year of Ar-
taxerxes the king.

16 T 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, 17 And offered at the dedication of 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the this house of God a hundred bullocks,|fifth month, which was in the seventhi two hundred rams, four hundred year of the king.

mouth began he to go up from Baby Jon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, accord ing to the good hand of his God upon him.

lambs; and for a sin-offering for all 9 For upon the first day of the first Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 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

10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and

19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth judgments. day of the first month.

11 Now this is the copy of the let20 For the priests and the Levites ter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto were purified together; all of them Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a were pure, and killed the passover for|scribe of the words of the commandall the children of the captivity, and ments of the LORD, and of his statutes for their brethren the priests, and for to Israel. themselves.

21 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,

12 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.

13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are 22 And kept the feast of unleavened [minded of their own free will to go up bread seven days with joy: for the to Jerusalem, go with thee.

LORD had made them joyful, aud| 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the turned the heart of the king of Assyria king, and of his seven counsellors, tc unto them, to strengthen their bands inquire concerning Judah and Jerusathe work of the house of God, the lem, according to the law of thy God God of Israel. which is in thy hand;

Those who returned

EZRA.

with Ezra. 15 And to carry tae silver and gold,] 26 Aud whosoever will not do the which the king and bis counsellors law of thy God, and the law of the have freely offered unto the God of Is-king, let judgment be executed spredirael, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, ly upon him, whether it be unto death, 16 And all the silver and gold that or to banishment, or to confiscation of thou canst find in all the province of goods, or to imprisonment. Babylon, with the free-will-offering of 27 ¶ Blessed be the Lorn God of on: the people, and of the priests, offering fathers, which hath put such a thing willingly for the house of their God as this in the king's heart, to beautify which is in Jerusalem; the house of the LORD which is in Je

17 That thou mayest buy speedily rusalem : with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, 28 And hath extended mercy unfo with their meat-ollerings, and their me before the king, and his counseldrink-offerings, and offer them upon lors, and before all the king's mighty the altar of the house of your God|princes. And I was strengthened as

which is in Jerusalem.

18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to Uhy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and gold, that do after the will of your God.

19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

the hand of the Loud my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. CHAP. VIII.

TH

HESE 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.

20 And whatsoever more shall be 2 Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershon: needful for the house of thy God, which of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of thou shalt have occasion to bestow, the sons of David; Hattush. bestow it out of the king's treasurehouse.

21. And I even 1, 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 apeadily,

22 Unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt with out prescribing how much.

3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zecharialı; and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the måles a hundred and fifty. 4 Of the sons of Pahath-moab; Eliboenai the son of Zerabiab, and with him two hundred males,

5 of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jalaziel, and with him three hun dred males.

6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebcu the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.

23 Whatsoever is commanded by the 7 And of the sons of Elan; Jeshaiah God of heaven, let it be diligently the son of Athalial, and with him done for the house of the God of beav· | seventy males.

en: for why should there be wrath 8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; against the realm of the king and his Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with BOUS? him fourscore males. 24 Also we certify you, that touch- 9 of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the ing any of the priests and Levites, sing-son of Jehiel, and with him two huners, porters, Nithinims, or ministers dred and eighteen males. of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thy 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.

10 And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him a hundred and threescore males.

11 And of the eons of Bebai ; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eigales.

12 And of the ava of Azgad; Joha nan the son of Haxkatan, and with him a hundred and ten males. 13. And of the last sons of Adonikam,

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