The altar is set up. EZRA. The decree of Artaxerxes 2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, build un.o the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyand his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the rus the king of Persia hath commanded us. son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded 4 Then the people of the land weakened the the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-of-hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them ferings thereon, as it is written in the law of in building, Moses the man of God. 5 And hired counsellors against them, to frus3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear trate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of was upon them because of the people of those Persia,even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. countries: and they offered burnt-offerings there- 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginon unto the LORD, even burnt-offerings morning ning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusaand evening. tion against the inhabitants of Judah and Jeru 4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it salem. is written, and offered the daily burnt-offerings 7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishby number, according to the custom, as the duty lam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their of every day required; companions unto Artaxerxes king of Persia, and 5 And afterward offered the continual burnt-of-the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian fering, both of the new-moons, and of all the set tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of 8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe every one that willingly offered a free-will-offer- wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes ing unto the LORD. the king in this sort : 6 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. 7 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. 9 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, 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 that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. 8 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 12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews they that were come out of the captivity unto which came up from thee to us, are come unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twen- Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad ty years old and upward, to set forward the city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joinwork of the house of the LORD. ed the foundations. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his 13 Be it known now unto the king, that if this brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Ju- city be builded, and the walls set up again, then dah, together, to set forward the workmen in the will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 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. 11 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. 12 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: 13 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. CHAP. IV. The adversaries hinder the building. tivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of 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; 15 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. 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. 17 ¶ 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. 18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. 19 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 20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries be2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief yond the river and toll, tribute, and custom of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build was paid unto them. with you for we seek your God, as ye do; and 21 Give ye now commandment to cause these we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-men to cease, and that this city be not builded, unhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. til another commandment shall be given from me. 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of 22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? Ye have nothing to do with us to build a house 23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' unto our God; but we ourselves together will letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the Letter of Tutnai and Shethar-boznai. CHAP. VY 24 Then ceased the work of the house of God The temple is finished CHAP. VI. Darius' decree in the Jews' favour. 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. 2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a The building again set forward. roll, and therein was a record thus written: THE HEN the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, the same Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be build the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. ed, the place where they offered sacrifices, and 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and thereof threescore cubits; with them were the prophets of God helping them. 4 With three rows of great stones, and a row of 3 ¶ At the same time came to them Tatnai, go-new timber and let the expenses be given out vernor on this side the river, and Shethar-boz- of the king's house: nai, and their companions, and said thus unto 5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of them, Who hath commanded you to build this the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took house, and to make up this wall? forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, 4 Then said we unto them after this manner, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and What are the names of the men that make this brought again unto the temple which is at Jerubuilding? salem, every one to his place, and place them in 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders the house of God. of the Jews, that they could not cause them to 6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the they returned answer by letter concerning this Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: matter. 6 ¶ The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and the governor of the Jews, and the elders of the his companions the Apharsachites, which were Jews, build this house of God in his place. on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king: 8 Moreover, I make a decree what ye shall do 7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was to the elders of these Jews for the building of this written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace. house of God: that of the king's goods, even of 8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses the province of Judea, to the house of the great be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. God, which is builded with great stones, and 9 And that which they have need of, both young timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt-of fast on, and prospereth in their hands. ferings 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: 9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? 10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. 10 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. 11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, 11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever We are the servants of the God of heaven and shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down earth, and build the house that was builded these from his house, and being set up, let him be hangmany years ago, which a great king of Israel ed thereon; and let his house be made a dungbuilded and set up. hill for this. 12 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. 13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. 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 God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed. 13 T 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. 14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out 14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they builded, and finished it, according to the they were delivered unto one, whose name was commandment of the God of Israel, and accordSheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; ing to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, 15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, 15 And this house was finished on the third day and let the house of God be builded in his place. of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid of the reign of Darius the king. the foundation of the house of God which is in 16 T And the children of Israel, the priests, and Jerusalem: and since that time even until now the Levites, and the rest of the children of the hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished. captivity, kept the dedication of this house of 17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let God with joy, there be search made in the king's treasure-house, 17 And offered at the dedication of this house of which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Ishouse of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send rael, twelve he-goats, according to the number his pleasure to us concerning this matter. of the tribes of Israel. The passover kept. EZRA. Artaxerxes' commission to Ezra. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions, 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and and the Levites in their courses, for the service to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written and the gold, that do after the will of your God. in the book of Moses. 19 The vessels also that are given thee for the 19 And the children of the captivity kept the pass-service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou over upon the fourteenth day of the first month. before the God of Jerusalem. 20 For the priests and the Levites were purified 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the together, all of them were pure, and killed the pass-house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion over for all the children of the captivity, and for to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure their brethren the priests, and for themselves. house. 21 And the children of Israel, which were come 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make again out of captivity, and all such as had sepa- a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond rated themselves unto them from the filthiness the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD Scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall reGod of Israel, did eat, quire of you, it be done speedily, 22 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. CHAP. VII. 22 Unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a against the realm of the king and his sons? 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. 5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest: 6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the God, and the law of the king, let judgment be LORD God of Israel had given: and the king grant-executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto ed him all his request, according to the hand of death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of the LORD his God upon him. goods, or to imprisonment. 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 Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 27 ¶ 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: 28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the 9 For upon the first day of the first month began king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened be to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to the good hand of his God upon him. to go up with me. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel and judgments. CHAP. VIII. Ezra's companions from Babylon. all states this is the copy of the letter that the Tand this is the genealogy of them that went king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Arscribe, even a scribe of the words of the command- taxerxes the king. ments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. 2 Of the sons of Phinchas; Gershom: of the 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, Unto Ezra the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, Hattush. perfect peace, and at such a time. 3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pha 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people rosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own free will to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thy hand; by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty. 15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the 7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son king and his counsellors have freely offered unto of Athaliah, and with him seventy males. the God of Israel, whose habitation is inJerusalem. 8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the 16 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: 17 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. son of Michael, and with him fourscore males. 11 And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males. 12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him a hundred and ten males. The people repent. NEHEMIAH. Those who had taken strange wives. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our neither is this a work of one day or two: for we evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that are many that have transgressed in this thing. thou our God hast punished us less than our ini- 14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation quities deserve, and hast given us such delive- stand, and let all them which have taken strange rance as this; 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. 14 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? 15 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. CHAP. X. Ezra reformeth the strange marriages. [OW when Ezra had prayed, and when he 15 ¶ 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. 16 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. had taken strange wives by the first day of the Now whessed, weeping and casting himself 17 And they made an end with all the men that down before the house of God, there assembled 2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the 4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it. 5 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. 6 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. 7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; 8 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. 18 T 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. 19 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. 20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah. 21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah. 22 And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah. 23 Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. 24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri. 25 Moreover, of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchial, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. 26 And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth,and Eliah. 27 And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza. 28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth. 30 And of the sons of Pahath-moab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh. 31 And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, 9 ¶ Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. within three days. It was the ninth month, and 33 Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, the twentieth day of the month; and all the peo-Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. ple sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. 10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives to increase the trespass of Israel. 11 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. 12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. 13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, CHAP. I. 34 Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel, The Book of NEHEMIAH. Nehemiah's mourning and prayer. 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them con THE words of Nehemiah the son of Hachali-cerning the Jews that had escaped, which were ah. And it came to pass in the month Chis-left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. leu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are the palace, left of the captivity there in the province are in |