1 Now in the first year of Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, that the word of the Lord a by the mouth of Jer-e-mi′-ah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, b that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath c charged me to build him an house at Je-ru′-sa-lem, which is in Ju′-dah.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Je-ru′-sa-lem, which is in Ju′-dah, and build the house of the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, (d he is the God,) which is in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
4 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 Je-ru′-sa-lem.
5 ¶ Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min, and the priests, and the Le′-vites, with all them whose spirit e God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
6 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.
7 ¶ f Also Cy′-rus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, g which Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar had brought forth out of Je-ru′-sa-lem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8 Even those did Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia bring forth by the hand of Mith′-re-dath the treasurer, and numbered them unto h Shesh-baz′-zar, the prince of Ju′-dah.
9 And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Shesh-baz′-zar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Bab′-y-lon unto Je-ru′-sa-lem.
2Now i these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, j whom Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar the king of Bab′-y-lon had carried away unto Bab′-y-lon, and came again unto Je-ru′-sa-lem and Ju′-dah, every one unto his city;
2 Which came with Ze-rub′-ba-bel: Jesh′-u-a, Ne-hem-i′-ah, Se-rai′-ah, Re-el-ai′-ah, Mor-de-ca′-i, Bil′-shan, Mis′-par, Big-va′-i, Re′-hum, Ba′-a-nah. The number of the men of the people of Is′-ra-el:
3 The children of Par′-osh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
4 The children of Sheph-a-ti′-ah, three hundred seventy and two.
5 The children of A′-rah, a seven hundred seventy and five.
6 The children of b Pa′-hath–mo′-ab, of the children of Jesh′-u-a and Jo′-ab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7 The children of E′-lam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8 The children of Zat′-tu, nine hundred forty and five.
9 The children of Zac-ca′-i, seven hundred and threescore.
10 The children of Ba′-ni, six hundred forty and two.
11 The children of Be-ba′-i, six hundred twenty and three.
12 The children of Az′-gad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13 The children of Ad-o-ni′-kam, six hundred sixty and six.
14 The children of Big-va′-i, two thousand fifty and six.
15 The children of A′-din, four hundred fifty and four.
16 The children of A′-ter of Hez-e-ki′-ah, ninety and eight.
17 The children of Be-za′-i, three hundred twenty and three.
18 The children of Jor′-ah, an hundred and twelve.
19 The children of Ha′-shum, two hundred twenty and three.
20 The children of Gib′-bar, ninety and five.
21 The children of Beth′–le-hem, an hundred twenty and three.
22 The men of Ne-to′-phah, fifty and six.
23 The men of An′-a-thoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
24 The children of Az-ma′-veth, forty and two.
25 The children of Kir-jath–a′-rim, Che-phi′-rah, and Beer′-oth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26 The children of Ra′-mah and Ge′-ba, six hundred twenty and one.
27 The men of Mich′-mas, an hundred twenty and two.
28 The men of Beth′–el and A′-i, two hundred twenty and three.
29 The children of Ne′-bo, fifty and two.
30 The children of Mag′-bish, an hundred fifty and six.
31 The children of the other c E′-lam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32 The children of Har′-im, three hundred and twenty.
33 The children of Lod, Ha′-did, and O′-no, seven hundred twenty and five.
34 The children of Jer′-i-cho, three hundred forty and five.
35 The children of Sen′-a-ah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
36 ¶ The priests: the children of a Je-dai′-ah, of the house of Jesh′-u-a, nine hundred seventy and three.
37 The children of b Im′-mer, a thousand fifty and two.
38 The children of c Pash′-ur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39 The children of d Har′-im, a thousand and seventeen.
40 ¶ The Le′-vites: the children of Jesh′-u-a and Kad′-mi-el, of the children of Ho-da-vi′-ah, seventy and four.
41 ¶ The singers: the children of A′-saph, an hundred twenty and eight.
42 ¶ The children of the porters: the children of Shal′-lum, the children of A′-ter, the children of Tal′-mon, the children of Ak′-kub, the children of Ha-ti′-ta, the children of Sho-ba′-i, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
43 ¶ e The Neth′-i-nims: the children of Zi′-ha, the children of Ha-su′-pha, the children of Tab-ba′-oth,
44 The children of Ke′-ros, the children of Si′-a-ha, the children of Pa′-don,
45 The children of Le-ba′-nah, the children of Hag′-a-bah, the children of Ak′-kub,
46 The children of Ha′-gab, the children of Shal′-mai, the children of Ha′-nan,
47 The children of Gid′-del, the children of Ga′-har, the children of Re-ai′-ah,
48 The children of Re′-zin, the children of Ne-ko′-da, the children of Gaz′-zam,
49 The children of Uz′-za, the children of Pa-se′-ah, the children of Be′-sai,
50 The children of As′-nah, the children of Me-hu′-nim, the children of Ne-phu′-sim,
51 The children of Bak′-buk, the children of Ha-ku′-pha, the children of Har′-hur,
52 The children of Baz′-luth, the children of Me-hi′-da, the children of Har′-sha,
53 The children of Bar′-kos, the children of Sis′-e-ra, the children of Tha′-mah,
54 The children of Ne-zi′-ah, the children of Ha-ti′-pha.
55 ¶ The children of f Sol′-o-mon's servants: the children of So-ta′-i, the children of So′-phe-reth, the children of Pe-ru′-da,
56 The children of Ja′-a-lah, the children of Dar′-kon, the children of Gid′-del,
57 The children of Sheph-a-ti′-ah, the children of Hat′-til, the children of Po′-che-reth of Ze-ba′-im, the children of A′-mi.
58 All the g Neth′-i-nims, and the children of h Sol′-o-mon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
59 And these were they which went up from Tel–me′-lah, Tel–har′-sa, Cher′-ub, Ad′-dan, and Im′-mer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Is′-ra-el:
60 The children of Del-ai′-ah, the children of To-bi′-ah, the children of Ne-ko′-da, six hundred fifty and two.
61 ¶ And of the children of the priests: the children of Ha-bai′-ah, the children of Koz, the children of Bar-zil-la′-i; which took a wife of the daughters of a Bar-zil-la′-i the Gil′-e-ad-ite, and was called after their name:
62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: b therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
63 And the Tir′-sha-tha said unto them, that they c should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with d U′-rim and with Thum′-mim.
64 ¶ e The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65 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.
66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 ¶ f And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Je-ru′-sa-lem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
69 They gave after their ability unto the g treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
70 h So the priests, and the Le′-vites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Neth′-i-nims, dwelt in their cities, and all Is′-ra-el in their cities.
3And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Is′-ra-el were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
2 Then stood up Jesh′-u-a the son of Jo′-za-dak, and his brethren the priests, and Ze-rub′-ba-bel the son of i She-al′-ti-el, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Is′-ra-el, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is j written in the law of Mo′-ses the man of God.
3 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 k burnt offerings morning and evening.
4 l They kept also the feast of tabernacles, m as it is written, and n offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
5 And afterward offered the a 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.
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 b meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zi′-don, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Leb′-a-non to the sea of c Jop′-pa, d according to the grant that they had of Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia.
8 ¶ Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Je-ru′-sa-lem, in the second month, began Ze-rub′-ba-bel the son of She-al′-ti-el, and Jesh′-u-a the son of Jo′-za-dak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Le′-vites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Je-ru′-sa-lem; e and appointed the Le′-vites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord.
9 Then stood f Jesh′-u-a with his sons and his brethren, Kad′-mi-el and his sons, the sons of Ju′-dah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Hen-a′-dad, with their sons and their brethren the Le′-vites.
10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, g they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Le′-vites the sons of A′-saph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the h ordinance of Da′-vid king of Is′-ra-el.
11 i And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; j because he is good, k for his mercy endureth for ever toward Is′-ra-el. 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 l But many of the priests and Le′-vites 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.
4Now when m the adversaries of Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Is′-ra-el;
2 Then they came to Ze-rub′-ba-bel, 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 a since the days of E′-sar–had′-don king of As′-sur, which brought us up hither.
3 But Ze-rub′-ba-bel, and Jesh′-u-a, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Is′-ra-el, said unto them, b 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 Is′-ra-el, as c king Cy′-rus the king of Per′-sia hath commanded us.
4 Then d the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Ju′-dah, and troubled them in building,
5 And hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, even until the reign of Da-ri′-us king of Per′-sia.
6 And in the reign of A-has-u-e′-rus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem.
7 ¶ And in the days of Ar-ta-xerx′-es wrote Bish′-lam, Mith′-re-dath, Tab′-eel, and the rest of their companions, unto Ar-ta-xerx′-es king of Per′-sia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syr′-i-an tongue, and interpreted in the Syr′-i-an tongue.
8 Re′-hum the chancellor and Shim′-shai the scribe wrote a letter against Je-ru′-sa-lem to Ar-ta-xerx′-es the king in this sort:
9 Then wrote Re′-hum the chancellor, and Shim′-shai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; e the Di′-na-ites, the A-phar-sath′-chites, the Tar′-pe-lites, the A-phar′-sites, the Ar′-che-vites, the Bab-y-lo′-ni-ans, the Su-san′-chites, the De-ha′-vites, and the E′-lam-ites,
10 a And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble As-nap′-par brought over, and set in the cities of Sa-mar′-i-a, and the rest that are on this side the river, b and at such a time.
11 ¶ This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Ar-ta-xerx′-es the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Je-ru′-sa-lem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay c 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;
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 Re′-hum the chancellor, and to Shim′-shai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Sa-mar′-i-a, 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 rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Je-ru′-sa-lem, which have d ruled over all countries e beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21 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.
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 ¶ Now when the copy of king Ar-ta-xerx′-es' letter was read before Re′-hum, and Shim′-shai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Je-ru′-sa-lem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Je-ru′-sa-lem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Da-ri′-us king of Per′-sia.
5Then the prophets, a Hag′-gai the prophet, and b Zech-a-ri′-ah the son of Id′-do, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem in the name of the God of Is′-ra-el, even unto them.
2 Then rose up c Ze-rub′-ba-bel the son of She-al′-ti-el, and Jesh′-u-a the son of Jo-za-dak, and began to build the house of God which is at Je-ru′-sa-lem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
3 ¶ At the same time came to them d Tat′-nai, governor on this side the river, and She′-thar–boz′-nai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, e Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
4 f Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
5 But g 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 Da-ri′-us: and then they returned h answer by letter concerning this matter.
6 ¶ The copy of the letter that Tat′-nai, governor on this side the river, and She′-thar–boz′-nai i and his companions the A-phar′-sa-chites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Da-ri′-us the king:
7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Da-ri′-us the king, all peace.
8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Ju-de′-a, 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.
9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, j 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.
11 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 Is′-ra-el builded k and set up.
12 But l after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of m Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar the king of Bab′-y-lon, the Chal-de′-an, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Bab′-y-lon.
13 But in the first year of a Cy′-rus the king of Bab′-y-lon the same king Cy′-rus made a decree to build this house of God.
14 And b the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar took out of the temple that was in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and brought them into the temple of Bab′-y-lon, those did Cy′-rus the king take out of the temple of Bab′-y-lon, and they were delivered unto one, c whose name was Shesh-baz′-zar, whom he had made governor;
15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
16 Then came the same Shesh-baz′-zar, and d laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Je-ru′-sa-lem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and e yet it is not finished.
17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, f let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Bab′-y-lon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cy′-rus the king to build this house of God at Je-ru′-sa-lem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
6Then Da-ri′-us the king made a decree, g and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Bab′-y-lon.
2 And there was found at Ach-me′-tha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
3 In the first year of Cy′-rus the king the same Cy′-rus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Je-ru′-sa-lem, 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;
4 h With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences be given out of the king's house:
5 And also let i the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar took forth out of the temple which is at Je-ru′-sa-lem, and brought unto Bab′-y-lon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Je-ru′-sa-lem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
6 j Now therefore, Tat′-nai, governor beyond the river, She′-thar–boz′-nai, and your companions the A-phar′-sa-chites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
7 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.
8 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 expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
9 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 Je-ru′-sa-lem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
10 a That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and b pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
11 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; c and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
12 And the God that hath caused his d 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 Je-ru′-sa-lem. I Da-ri′-us have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
13 ¶ Then Tat′-nai, governor on this side the river, She′-thar–boz′-nai, and their companions, according to that which Da-ri′-us the king had sent, so they did speedily.
14 e And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Hag′-gai the prophet and Zech-a-ri′-ah the son of Id′-do. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Is′-ra-el, and according to the commandment of f Cy′-rus, and g Da-ri′-us, and h Ar-ta-xerx′-es king of Per′-sia.
15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month A′-dar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Da-ri′-us the king.
16 ¶ And the children of Is′-ra-el, the priests, and the Le′-vites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept i the dedication of this house of God with joy,
17 And j 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 Is′-ra-el, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Is′-ra-el.
18 And they set the priests in their k divisions, and the Le′-vites in their l courses, for the service of God, which is at Je-ru′-sa-lem; m as it is written in the book of Mo′-ses.
19 ¶ And the children of the captivity kept the passover n upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
20 For the priests and the Le′-vites were o purified together, all of them were pure, and p killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
21 And the children of Is′-ra-el, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the a filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, did eat,
22 And kept the b feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful, and c turned the heart d of the king of As-syr′-i-a unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Is′-ra-el.
7Now after these things, in the reign of e Ar-ta-xerx′-es king of Per′-sia, Ez′-ra the son of Se-rai′-ah, f the son of Az-a-ri′-ah, the son of Hil-ki′-ah,
2 The son of Shal′-lum, the son of Za′-dok, the son of A-hi′-tub,
3 The son of Am-a-ri′-ah, the son of Az-a-ri′-ah, the son of Me-rai′-oth,
4 The son of Zer-a-hi′-ah, the son of Uz′-zi, the son of Buk′-ki,
5 The son of A-bi′-shu-a, the son of Phin′-e-has, the son of El-e-a′-zar, the son of Aa′-ron the chief priest:
6 This Ez′-ra went up from Bab′-y-lon; and he was g a ready scribe in the law of Mo′-ses, which the Lord God of Is′-ra-el had given: and the king granted him all his request, h according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.
7 i And there went up some of the children of Is′-ra-el, and of the priests, and j the Le′-vites, and the singers, and the porters, and k the Neth′-i-nims, unto Je-ru′-sa-lem, in the seventh year of Ar-ta-xerx′-es the king.
8 And he came to Je-ru′-sa-lem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Bab′-y-lon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Je-ru′-sa-lem, l according to the good hand of his God upon him.
10 For Ez′-ra had prepared his heart to m seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to n teach in Is′-ra-el statutes and judgments.
11 ¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Ar-ta-xerx′-es gave unto Ez′-ra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Is′-ra-el.
12 Ar-ta-xerx′-es, o king of kings, unto Ez′-ra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, p and at such a time.
13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Is′-ra-el, and of his priests and Le′-vites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Je-ru′-sa-lem, go with thee.
14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his a seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Is′-ra-el, b whose habitation is in Je-ru′-sa-lem,
16 c And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Bab′-y-lon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, d offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Je-ru′-sa-lem:
17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their e meat offerings and their drink offerings, and f offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
18 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.
19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Je-ru′-sa-lem.
20 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.
21 And I, even I Ar-ta-xerx′-es the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ez′-ra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22 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.
23 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?
24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Le′-vites, singers, porters, Neth′-i-nims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25 And thou, Ez′-ra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, g 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 h teach ye them that know them not.
26 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.
27 ¶ i Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, j which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Je-ru′-sa-lem:
28 And k hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as l the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Is′-ra-el chief men to go up with me.
8These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Bab′-y-lon, in the reign of Ar-ta-xerx′-es the king.
2 Of the sons of Phin′-e-has; Ger′-shom: of the sons of Ith′-a-mar; Dan′-iel: of the sons of Da′-vid; a Hat′-tush.
3 Of the sons of Shech-a-ni′-ah, of the sons of b Phar′-osh; Zech-a-ri′-ah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
4 Of the sons of Pa′-hath–mo′-ab; E′-li-ho-e′-nai the son of Zer-a-hi′-ah, and with him two hundred males.
5 Of the sons of Shech-a-ni′-ah; the son of Ja-ha′-zi-el, and with him three hundred males.
6 Of the sons also of A′-din; E′-bed the son of Jon′-a-than, and with him fifty males.
7 And of the sons of E′-lam; Je-shai′-ah the son of Ath-a-li′-ah, and with him seventy males.
8 And of the sons of Sheph-a-ti′-ah; Zeb-a-di′-ah the son of Mi′-cha-el, and with him fourscore males.
9 Of the sons of Jo′-ab; O-ba-di′-ah the son of Je-hi′-el, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
10 And of the sons of She-lo′-mith; the son of Jos-i-phi′-ah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.
11 And of the sons of Be-ba′-i; Zech-a-ri′-ah the son of Be-ba′-i, and with him twenty and eight males.
12 And of the sons of Az′-gad; Jo-ha′-nan the son of Hak′-ka-tan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
13 And of the last sons of Ad-o-ni′-kam, whose names are these, E-liph′-e-let, Je-i′-el, and Shem-ai′-ah, and with them threescore males.
14 Of the sons also of Big-va′-i; U′-thai, and Zab′-bud, and with them seventy males.
15 ¶ And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to A-ha′-va; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the a sons of Le′-vi.
16 Then sent I for El-i-e′-zer, for Ar′-i-el, for Shem-ai′-ah, and for El-na′-than, and for Jar′-ib, and for El-na′-than, and for Na′-than, and for Zech-a-ri′-ah, and for Me-shul′-lam, chief men; also for Joi′-a-rib, and for El-na′-than, men of understanding.
17 And I sent them with commandment unto Id′-do the chief at the place Cas-i-phi′-a, and I told them what they should say unto Id′-do, and to his brethren the Neth′-i-nims, at the place Cas-i-phi′-a, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they b brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mah′-li, the son of Le′-vi, the son of Is′-ra-el; and Sher-e-bi′-ah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
19 And Hash-a-bi′-ah, and with him Je-shai′-ah of the sons of Me-rar′-i, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
20 c Also of the Neth′-i-nims, whom Da′-vid and the princes had appointed for the service of the Le′-vites, two hundred and twenty Neth′-i-nims: all of them were expressed by name.
21 ¶ Then I d proclaimed a fast there, at the river of A-ha′-va, that we might e afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a f right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22 For g 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, h The hand of our God is upon all them for i good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is j against all them that k forsake him.
23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was l intreated of us.
24 ¶ Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sher-e-bi′-ah, Hash-a-bi′-ah, and ten of their brethren with them,
25 And weighed unto them m the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellers, and his lords, and all Is′-ra-el there present, had offered:
26 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;
27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
28 And I said unto them, Ye are n holy unto the Lord; the vessels are o holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the Lord God of your fathers.
29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Le′-vites, and chief of the fathers of Is′-ra-el, at Je-ru′-sa-lem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.
30 So took the priests and the Le′-vites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Je-ru′-sa-lem unto the house of our God.
31 ¶ Then we departed from the river of A-ha′-va on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Je-ru′-sa-lem: and p 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.
32 And we a came to Je-ru′-sa-lem, and abode there three days.
33 ¶ Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels b weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Mer′-e-moth the son of U-ri′-ah the priest; and with him was El-e-a′-zar the son of Phin′-e-has; and with them was Jo′-za-bad the son of Jesh′-u-a, and No-a-di′-ah the son of Bin′-nu-i, Le′-vites;
34 By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, c offered burnt offerings unto the God of Is′-ra-el, twelve bullocks for all Is′-ra-el, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord.
36 ¶ And they delivered the king's d 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.
9 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Is′-ra-el, and the priests, and the Le′-vites, have not e separated themselves from the people of the lands, f doing according to their abominations, even of the Ca′-naan-ites, the Hit′-tites, the Per-iz′-zites, the Jeb′-u-sites, the Am′-mon-ites, the Mo′-ab-ites, the E-gyp′-tians, and the Am′-o-rites.
2 For they have g taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the h holy seed have i mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
3 And when I heard this thing, j I rent my garment and my mantle, and pluckt off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down k astonied.
4 Then were assembled unto me every one that l trembled at the words of the God of Is′-ra-el, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the m evening sacrifice.
5 ¶ 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 n spread out my hands unto the Lord my God,
6 And said, O my God, I am a ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for b our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is c grown up unto the heavens.
7 Since the days of our fathers have d we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities e 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 f confusion of face, as it is this day.
8 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 g lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9 h For we were bondmen; i yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but j hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Per′-sia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us k a wall in Ju′-dah and in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
11 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 l filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
12 Now therefore m give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, n nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and o leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God p hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
14 Should we q again break thy commandments, and r join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be s angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
15 O Lord God of Is′-ra-el, t thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are u before thee v in our trespasses: for we cannot w stand before thee because of this.
10 Now x when Ez′-ra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down y before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Is′-ra-el a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
2 And Shech-a-ni′-ah the son of Je-hi′-el, one of the sons of E′-lam, answered and said unto Ez′-ra, We have z trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Is′-ra-el concerning this thing.
3 Now therefore let us make a 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 b tremble at c the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: d be of good courage, and do it.
5 Then arose Ez′-ra, and made the chief priests, the Le′-vites, and all Is′-ra-el, e to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.
6 ¶ Then Ez′-ra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jo-ha′-nan the son of E-li-ash′-ib: and when he came thither, he f 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 Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Je-ru′-sa-lem;
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.
9 ¶ Then all the men of Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min gathered themselves together unto Je-ru′-sa-lem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and g all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
10 And Ez′-ra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Is′-ra-el.
11 Now therefore h make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and i 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, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
14 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 j the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
15 ¶ Only Jon′-a-than the son of As′-a-hel and Ja-ha-zi′-ah the son of Tik′-vah were employed about this matter: and Me-shul′-lam and Shab′-be-thai the Le′-vite helped them.
16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ez′-ra 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.
17 And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.
18 ¶ And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jesh′-u-a the son of Jo′-za-dak, and his brethren; Ma-a-sei′-ah, and El-i-e′-zer, and Jar′-ib, and Ged-a-li′-ah.
19 And they a gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being b guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
20 And of the sons of Im′-mer; Ha-na′-ni, and Zeb-a-di′-ah.
21 And of the sons of Har′-im; Ma-a-sei′-ah, and E-li′-jah, and Shem-ai′-ah, and Je-hi′-el, and Uz-zi′-ah.
22 And of the sons of Pash′-ur; El-i-o-e′-nai, Ma-a-sei′-ah, Ish′-ma-el, Neth′-a-neel, Jo′-za-bad, and El-a′-sah.
23 Also of the Le′-vites; Jo′-za-bad, and Shim′-e-i, and Ke-lai′-ah, (the same is Ke-li′-ta,) Peth-a-hi′-ah, Ju′-dah, and El-i-e′-zer.
24 Of the singers also; E-li-ash′-ib: and of the porters; Shal′-lum, and Te′-lem, and U′-ri.
25 Moreover of Is′-ra-el: of the sons of Par′-osh; Ra-mi′-ah, and Je-zi′-ah, and Mal-chi′-ah, and Mi′-a-min, and El-e-a′-zar, and Mal-chi′-jah, and Be-nai′-ah.
26 And of the sons of E′-lam; Mat-ta-ni′-ah, Zech-a-ri′-ah, and Je-hi′-el, and Ab′-di, and Jer′-e-moth, and E-li′-ah.
27 And of the sons of Zat′-tu; El-i-o-e′-nai, E-li-ash′-ib, Mat-ta-ni′-ah, and Jer′-e-moth, and Za′-bad, and A-zi′-za.
28 Of the sons also of Be-ba′-i; Je-ho-ha′-nan, Han-a-ni′-ah, Zab-ba′-i, and Ath-la′-i.
29 And of the sons of Ba′-ni; Me-shul′-lam, Mal′-luch, and A-dai′-ah, Jash′-ub, and She′-al, and Ra′-moth.
30 And of the sons of Pa′-hath–mo′-ab; Ad′-na, and Che′-lal, Be-nai′-ah, Ma-a-sei′-ah, Mat-ta-ni′-ah, Bez′-a-leel, and Bin′-nu-i, and Ma-nas′-seh.
31 And of the sons of Har′-im; El-i-e′-zer, Ish-i′-jah, Mal-chi′-ah, Shem-ai′-ah, Shim′-e-on,
32 Ben′-ja-min, Mal′-luch, and Shem-a-ri′-ah.
33 Of the sons of Ha′-shum; Mat-te′-nai, Mat′-ta-thah, Za′-bad, E-liph′-e-let, Jer-e-ma′-i, Ma-nas′-seh, and Shim′-e-i.
34 Of the sons of Ba′-ni; Ma-a-da′-i, Am′-ram, and U′-el,
35 Be-nai′-ah, Be-dei′-ah, Chel′-luh,
36 Va-ni′-ah, Mer′-e-moth, E-li-ash′-ib,
37 Mat-ta-ni′-ah, Mat-te′-nai, and Ja′-a-sau,
38 And Ba′-ni, and Bin′-nu-i, Shim′-e-i,
39 And Shel-e-mi′-ah, and Na′-than, and A-dai′-ah,
40 Mach-nad′-e-bai, Sha′-shai, Shar-a′-i,
41 Az′-a-reel, and Shel-e-mi′-ah, Shem-a-ri′-ah,
42 Shal′-lum, Am-a-ri′-ah, and Jo′-seph.
43 Of the sons of Ne′-bo; Je-i′-el, Mat-ti-thi′-ah, Za′-bad, Ze-bi′-na, Ja′-dau, and Jo′-el, Be-nai′-ah.
44 All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.