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, Mispar, 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 Pahath-moab, 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 Beth-lehem,
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 Kirjath-arim, 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 Beth-el 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 Tel-melah, Tel-harsa,
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 Esar-haddon 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 Asnappar 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
Shethar-boznai, 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
Shethar-boznai, 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, Shethar-boznai, 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, Shethar-boznai, 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 Pahath-moab; 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 Pahath-moab; 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.