Ezra
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 -
6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
TOC
Maps
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that
the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD
stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald
throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared: 2 "Thus says
King Cyrus of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms
of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah.
3 Any of those among you who are of his people--may their God be with them!--are
now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD,
the God of Israel--he is the God who is in Jerusalem; 4 and let all survivors,
in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with
silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the
house of God in Jerusalem." 5 The heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin,
and the priests and the Levites--everyone whose spirit God had stirred--got
ready to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. 6 All their
neighbors aided them with silver vessels, with gold, with goods, with animals,
and with valuable gifts, besides all that was freely offered. 7 King Cyrus
himself brought out the vessels of the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar had
carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. 8 King Cyrus of
Persia had them released into the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who
counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 9 And this was the
inventory: gold basins, thirty; silver basins, one thousand; knives,
twenty-nine; 10 gold bowls, thirty; other silver bowls, four hundred ten; other
vessels, one thousand; 11 the total of the gold and silver vessels was five
thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up, when the exiles were
brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.
Return to Top
Now these were the people of the province who came from those
captive exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried captive to
Babylonia; they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, all to their own towns. 2 They
came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan,
Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the Israelite people: 3 the
descendants of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. 4 Of Shephatiah,
three hundred seventy-two. 5 Of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five. 6 Of
Pahath-moab, namely the descendants of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight
hundred twelve. 7 Of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. 8 Of Zattu, nine
hundred forty-five. 9 Of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty. 10 Of Bani, six hundred
forty-two. 11 Of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three. 12 Of Azgad, one thousand two
hundred twenty-two. 13 Of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six. 14 Of Bigvai, two
thousand fifty-six. 15 Of Adin, four hundred fifty-four. 16 Of Ater, namely of
Hezekiah, ninety-eight. 17 Of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three. 18 Of Jorah,
one hundred twelve. 19 Of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three. 20 Of Gibbar,
ninety-five. 21 Of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three. 22 The people of
Netophah, fifty-six. 23 Of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight. 24 The
descendants of Azmaveth, forty-two. 25 Of Kiriatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth,
seven hundred forty-three. 26 Of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one. 27 The
people of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two. 28 Of Bethel and Ai, two hundred
twenty-three. 29 The descendants of Nebo, fifty-two. 30 Of Magbish, one hundred
fifty-six. 31 Of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. 32 Of
Harim, three hundred twenty. 33 Of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred
twenty-five. 34 Of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. 35 Of Senaah, three
thousand six hundred thirty. 36 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah, of the
house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three. 37 Of Immer, one thousand
fifty-two. 38 Of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. 39 Of Harim, one
thousand seventeen. 40 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of
the descendants of Hodaviah, seventy-four. 41 The singers: the descendants of
Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight. 42 The descendants of the gatekeepers: of
Shallum, of Ater, of Talmon, of Akkub, of Hatita, and of Shobai, in all one
hundred thirty-nine. 43 The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha,
Tabbaoth, 44 Keros, Siaha, Padon, 45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, 46 Hagab, Shamlai,
Hanan, 47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, 48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, 49 Uzza, Paseah,
Besai, 50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, 51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, 52 Bazluth,
Mehida, Harsha, 53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, 54 Neziah, and Hatipha. 55 The
descendants of Solomon's servants: Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, 56 Jaalah,
Darkon, Giddel, 57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, and Ami. 58 All the
temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants were three hundred
ninety-two. 59 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha,
Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their families or their
descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 60 the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah,
and Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two. 61 Also, of the descendants of the priests:
the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who had married one of the
daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name). 62 These
looked for their entries in the genealogical records, but they were not found
there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean; 63 the governor
told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there
should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim. 64 The whole assembly together
was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, 65 besides their male and female
servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven; and they
had two hundred male and female singers. 66 They had seven hundred thirty-six
horses, two hundred forty-five mules, 67 four hundred thirty-five camels, and
six thousand seven hundred twenty donkeys. 68 As soon as they came to the house
of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of families made freewill offerings
for the house of God, to erect it on its site. 69 According to their resources
they gave to the building fund sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand
minas of silver, and one hundred priestly robes. 70 The priests, the Levites,
and some of the people lived in Jerusalem and its vicinity; and the singers, the
gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all Israel in
their towns.
Return to Top
When the seventh month came, and the Israelites were in the towns,
the people gathered together in Jerusalem. 2 Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with
his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his kin set out to
build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as
prescribed in the law of Moses the man of God. 3 They set up the altar on its
foundation, because they were in dread of the neighboring peoples, and they
offered burnt offerings upon it to the LORD, morning and evening. 4 And they
kept the festival of booths, as prescribed, and offered the daily burnt
offerings by number according to the ordinance, as required for each day, 5 and
after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all
the sacred festivals of the LORD, and the offerings of everyone who made a
freewill offering to the LORD. 6 From the first day of the seventh month they
began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of
the LORD was not yet laid. 7 So they gave money to the masons and the
carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring
cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they
had from King Cyrus of Persia. 8 In the second year after their arrival at the
house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and
Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their people,
the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the
captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have
the oversight of the work on the house of the LORD. 9 And Jeshua with his sons
and his kin, and Kadmiel and his sons, Binnui and Hodaviah along with the sons
of Henadad, the Levites, their sons and kin, together took charge of the workers
in the house of God. 10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of
the LORD, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the LORD with
trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the
directions of King David of Israel; 11 and they sang responsively, praising and
giving thanks to the LORD, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures
forever toward Israel." And all the people responded 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 heads of families, old people who had
seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw
this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not
distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's
weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.
Return to Top
When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned
exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they approached
Zerubbabel and the heads of families and said to them, "Let us build with you,
for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever
since the days of King Esar-haddon of Assyria who brought us here." 3 But
Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of families in Israel said to
them, "You shall have no part with us in building a house to our God; but we
alone will build to the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia has
commanded us." 4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah,
and made them afraid to build, 5 and they bribed officials to frustrate their
plan throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King
Darius of Persia. 6 In the reign of Ahasuerus, in his accession year, they wrote
an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 And in the days
of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their
associates wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia; the letter was written in Aramaic
and translated. 8 Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter
against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows 9 (then Rehum the royal deputy,
Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the envoys,
the officials, the Persians, the people of Erech, the Babylonians, the people of
Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and
noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of
the province Beyond the River wrote--and now 11 this is a copy of the letter
that they sent): "To King Artaxerxes: Your servants, the people of the province
Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 may it be known to the king that the
Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that
rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the
foundations. 13 Now may it be known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt
and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the
royal revenue will be reduced. 14 Now because we share the salt of the palace
and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send
and inform the king, 15 so that a search may be made in the annals of your
ancestors. You will discover in the annals that this is a rebellious city,
hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from long
ago. On that account this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king
that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no
possession in the province Beyond the River." 17 The king sent an answer: "To
Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates
who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting.
And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been read in translation before
me. 19 So I made a decree, and someone searched and discovered that this city
has risen against kings from long ago, and that rebellion and sedition have been
made in it. 20 Jerusalem has had mighty kings who ruled over the whole province
Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 21 Therefore
issue an order that these people be made to cease, and that this city not be
rebuilt, until I make a decree. 22 Moreover, take care not to be slack in this
matter; why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?" 23 Then when the copy
of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and the scribe Shimshai and
their associates, they hurried to the Jews in Jerusalem and by force and power
made them cease. 24 At that time the work on the house of God in Jerusalem
stopped and was discontinued until the second year of the reign of King Darius
of Persia.
Return to Top
Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to
the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who
was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set
out to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of
God, helping them. 3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province
Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke
to them thus, "Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this
structure?" 4 They also asked them this, "What are the names of the men who are
building this building?" 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the
Jews, and they did not stop them until a report reached Darius and then answer
was returned by letter in reply to it. 6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai
the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his
associates the envoys who were in the province Beyond the River sent to King
Darius; 7 they sent him a report, in which was written as follows: "To Darius
the king, all peace! 8 May it be known to the king that we went to the province
of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built of hewn stone, and
timber is laid in the walls; this work is being done diligently and prospers in
their hands. 9 Then we spoke to those elders and asked them, 'Who gave you a
decree to build this house and to finish this structure?' 10 We also asked them
their names, for your information, so that we might write down the names of the
men at their head. 11 This was their reply to us: 'We are the servants of the
God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many
years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. 12 But because our
ancestors had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of King
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried
away the people to Babylonia. 13 However, King Cyrus of Babylon, in the first
year of his reign, made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt. 14
Moreover, the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar
had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem and had brought into the temple of
Babylon, these King Cyrus took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were
delivered to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. 15 He said to
him, "Take these vessels; go and put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let
the house of God be rebuilt on its site." 16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid
the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem; and from that time until now
it has been under construction, and it is not yet finished.' 17 And now, if it
seems good to the king, have a search made in the royal archives there in
Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by King Cyrus for the rebuilding of
this house of God in Jerusalem. Let the king send us his pleasure in this
matter."
Return to Top
Then King Darius made a decree, and they searched the archives where
the documents were stored in Babylon. 2 But it was in Ecbatana, the capital in
the province of Media, that a scroll was found on which this was written: "A
record. 3 In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning
the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where
sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be
sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three courses of hewn stones and
one course of timber; let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. 5 Moreover,
let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took
out of the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought
back to the temple in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the
house of God." 6 "Now you, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River,
Shethar-bozenai, and you, their associates, the envoys in the province Beyond
the River, keep away; 7 let the work on this house of God alone; let the
governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its
site. 8 Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of
the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to
these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of
the province Beyond the River. 9 Whatever is needed--young bulls, rams, or sheep
for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the
priests in Jerusalem require--let that be given to them day by day without fail,
10 so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for
the life of the king and his children. 11 Furthermore I decree that if anyone
alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of the house of the perpetrator,
who then shall be impaled on it. The house shall be made a dunghill. 12 May the
God who has established his name there overthrow any king or people that shall
put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I,
Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence." 13 Then, according to
the word sent by King Darius, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the
River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what King
Darius had ordered. 14 So the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through
the prophesying of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished
their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus, Darius,
and King Artaxerxes of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day
of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. 16 The
people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned
exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered
at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four
hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats,
according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 Then they set the priests in
their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God at
Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses. 19 On the fourteenth day of
the first month the returned exiles kept the passover. 20 For both the priests
and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were clean. So they killed
the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for
themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile,
and also by all who had joined them and separated themselves from the pollutions
of the nations of the land to worship the LORD, the God of Israel. 22 With joy
they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread seven days; for the LORD had
made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so
that he aided them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.
Return to Top
After this, in the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra son of
Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of
Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah,
son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar,
son of the chief priest Aaron-- 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a
scribe skilled in the law of Moses that the LORD the God of Israel had given;
and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was
upon him. 7 Some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites,
the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants also went up to Jerusalem,
in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 They came to Jerusalem in the fifth
month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 On the first day of the
first month the journey up from Babylon was begun, and on the first day of the
fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the gracious hand of his God was upon him.
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to
teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel. 11 This is a copy of the letter
that King Artaxerxes gave to the priest Ezra, the scribe, a scholar of the text
of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes for Israel: 12 "Artaxerxes,
king of kings, to the priest Ezra, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven:
Peace. And now 13 I decree that any of the people of Israel or their priests or
Levites in my kingdom who freely offers to go to Jerusalem may go with you. 14
For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about
Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your hand, 15
and also to convey the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have
freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 with all
the silver and gold that you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia, and
with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, given willingly for
the house of their God in Jerusalem. 17 With this money, then, you shall with
all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, and their grain offerings and their
drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God
in Jerusalem. 18 Whatever seems good to you and your colleagues to do with the
rest of the silver and gold, you may do, according to the will of your God. 19
The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God,
you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatever else is required
for the house of your God, which you are responsible for providing, you may
provide out of the king's treasury. 21 "I, King Artaxerxes, decree to all the
treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever the priest Ezra, the
scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all
diligence, 22 up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred cors of wheat,
one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and unlimited salt. 23
Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the
house of the God of heaven, or wrath will come upon the realm of the king and
his heirs. 24 We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute,
custom, or toll on any of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the
doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God. 25
"And you, Ezra, according to the God-given wisdom you possess, appoint
magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the
River who know the laws of your God; and you shall teach those who do not know
them. 26 All who will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let
judgment be strictly executed on them, whether for death or for banishment or
for confiscation of their goods or for imprisonment." 27 Blessed be the LORD,
the God of our ancestors, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the
king to glorify the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me
steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's
mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was upon me,
and I gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
Return to Top
These are their family heads, and this is the genealogy of those who
went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of King Artaxerxes: 2 Of the
descendants of Phinehas, Gershom. Of Ithamar, Daniel. Of David, Hattush, 3 of
the descendants of Shecaniah. Of Parosh, Zechariah, with whom were registered
one hundred fifty males. 4 Of the descendants of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai son of
Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males. 5 Of the descendants of Zattu,
Shecaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males. 6 Of the
descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males. 7 Of the
descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males. 8 Of
the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him eighty
males. 9 Of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him two
hundred eighteen males. 10 Of the descendants of Bani, Shelomith son of
Josiphiah, and with him one hundred sixty males. 11 Of the descendants of Bebai,
Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight males. 12 Of the descendants
of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him one hundred ten males. 13 Of the
descendants of Adonikam, those who came later, their names being Eliphelet,
Jeuel, and Shemaiah, and with them sixty males. 14 Of the descendants of Bigvai,
Uthai and Zaccur, and with them seventy males. 15 I gathered them by the river
that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and
the priests, I found there none of the descendants of Levi. 16 Then I sent for
Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and
Meshullam, who were leaders, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were wise, 17 and
sent them to Iddo, the leader at the place called Casiphia, telling them what to
say to Iddo and his colleagues the temple servants at Casiphia, namely, to send
us ministers for the house of our God. 18 Since the gracious hand of our God was
upon us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the descendants of Mahli son of
Levi son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and kin, eighteen; 19 also
Hashabiah and with him Jeshaiah of the descendants of Merari, with his kin and
their sons, twenty; 20 besides two hundred twenty of the temple servants, whom
David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all
mentioned by name. 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that
we might deny ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for
ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to ask
the king for a band of soldiers and cavalry to protect us against the enemy on
our way, since we had told the king that the hand of our God is gracious to all
who seek him, but his power and his wrath are against all who forsake him. 23 So
we fasted and petitioned our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. 24
Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of
their kin with them. 25 And I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and
the vessels, the offering for the house of our God that the king, his
counselors, his lords, and all Israel there present had offered; 26 I weighed
out into their hand six hundred fifty talents of silver, and one hundred silver
vessels worth . . . talents, and one hundred talents of gold, 27 twenty gold
bowls worth a thousand darics, and two vessels of fine polished bronze as
precious as gold. 28 And I said to them, "You are holy to the LORD, and the
vessels are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the
LORD, the God of your ancestors. 29 Guard them and keep them until you weigh
them before the chief priests and the Levites and the heads of families in
Israel at Jerusalem, within the chambers of the house of the LORD." 30 So the
priests and the Levites took over the silver, the gold, and the vessels as they
were weighed out, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God. 31 Then
we left the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to
Jerusalem; the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of
the enemy and from ambushes along the way. 32 We came to Jerusalem and remained
there three days. 33 On the fourth day, within the house of our God, the silver,
the gold, and the vessels were weighed into the hands of the priest Meremoth son
of Uriah, and with him was Eleazar son of Phinehas, and with them were the
Levites, Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui. 34 The total was
counted and weighed, and the weight of everything was recorded. 35 At that time
those who had come from captivity, the returned exiles, offered burnt offerings
to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams,
seventy-seven lambs, and as a sin offering twelve male goats; all this was a
burnt offering to the LORD. 36 They also delivered the king's commissions to the
king's satraps and to the governors of the province Beyond the River; and they
supported the people and the house of God.
Return to Top
After these things had been done, the officials approached me and
said, "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated
themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the
Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the
Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their
daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons. Thus the holy seed has
mixed itself with the peoples of the lands, and in this faithlessness the
officials and leaders have led the way." 3 When I heard this, I tore my garment
and my mantle, and pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat appalled. 4 Then
all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness
of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the
evening sacrifice. 5 At the evening sacrifice I got up from my fasting, with my
garments and my mantle torn, and fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the
LORD my God, 6 and said, "O my God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my
face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and
our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. 7 From the days of our ancestors to
this day we have been deep in guilt, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and
our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to
captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as is now the case. 8 But now for
a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, who has left us a
remnant, and given us a stake in his holy place, in order that he may brighten
our eyes and grant us a little sustenance in our slavery. 9 For we are slaves;
yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his
steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the
house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and
Jerusalem. 10 "And now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have
forsaken your commandments, 11 which you commanded by your servants the
prophets, saying, 'The land that you are entering to possess is a land unclean
with the pollutions of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations. They
have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. 12 Therefore do not give
your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and
never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and eat the good
of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.' 13 After
all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing
that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have
given us such a remnant as this, 14 shall we break your commandments again and
intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be
angry with us until you destroy us without remnant or survivor? 15 O LORD, God
of Israel, you are just, but we have escaped as a remnant, as is now the case.
Here we are before you in our guilt, though no one can face you because of
this."
Return to Top
While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and throwing himself
down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children
gathered to him out of Israel; the people also wept bitterly. 2 Shecaniah son of
Jehiel, of the descendants of Elam, addressed Ezra, saying, "We have broken
faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land,
but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 So now let us make a
covenant with our God to send away all these wives and their children, according
to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our
God; and let it be done according to the law. 4 Take action, for it is your
duty, and we are with you; be strong, and do it." 5 Then Ezra stood up and made
the leading priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear that they would do as had
been said. So they swore. 6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God, and
went to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, where he spent the night. He
did not eat bread or drink water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of
the exiles. 7 They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the
returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 8 and that if any did
not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all their
property should be forfeited, and they themselves banned from the congregation
of the exiles. 9 Then all the people of Judah and Benjamin assembled at
Jerusalem within the three days; it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of
the month. All the people sat in the open square before the house of God,
trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. 10 Then Ezra the
priest stood up and said to them, "You have trespassed and married foreign
women, and so increased the guilt of Israel. 11 Now make confession to the LORD
the God of your ancestors, and do his will; separate yourselves from the peoples
of the land and from the foreign wives." 12 Then all the assembly answered with
a loud voice, "It is so; we must do as you have said. 13 But the people are
many, and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a
task for one day or for two, for many of us have transgressed in this matter. 14
Let our officials represent the whole assembly, and let all in our towns who
have taken foreign wives come at appointed times, and with them the elders and
judges of every town, until the fierce wrath of our God on this account is
averted from us." 15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah
opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levites supported them. 16 Then
the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of families,
according to their families, each of them designated by name. On the first day
of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter. 17 By the first day of
the first month they had come to the end of all the men who had married foreign
women. 18 There were found of the descendants of the priests who had married
foreign women, of the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers:
Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They pledged themselves to send away
their wives, and their guilt offering was a ram of the flock for their guilt. 20
Of the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. 21 Of the descendants of
Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. 22 Of the descendants of
Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. 23 Of the
Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and
Eliezer. 24 Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and
Uri. 25 And of Israel: of the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah,
Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah. 26 Of the descendants of Elam:
Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. 27 Of the descendants
of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. 28 Of the
descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 29 Of the
descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. 30
Of the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah,
Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. 31 Of the descendants of Harim: Eliezer,
Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. 33
Of the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai,
Manasseh, and Shimei. 34 Of the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah,
Mattenai, and Jaasu. 38 Of the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, 39 Shelemiah,
Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah,
Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. 43 Of the descendants of Nebo:
Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. 44 All these had
married foreign women, and they sent them away with their children.
BACK TO TOP
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS