\id EZR - Christian Standard Bible® in English
\ide UTF-8
\rem Copyright © 2017-2020 by Holman Bible Publishers
\rem Language: English
\rem Text update February 2024
\toc3 Ezr
\toc2 Ezra
\toc1 Ezra
\mt Ezra
\c 1
\s1 The Decree of Cyrus
\m
\v 1 In~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:22–23\+xt*\f* the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the \nd Lord\nd* spoken through Jeremiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Jr 25:12; 29:10–14\+xt*\f* the \nd Lord\nd* roused the spirit~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:27\+xt*\f* of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing:
\pi
\v 2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The \nd Lord\nd*, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:2–3 \ft \+xt Is 44:28; 45:1,13; Dn 9:17\+xt*\f*
\v 3 Any of his people among you, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:3 \ft \+xt Dn 6:26\+xt*\f* the God who is in Jerusalem.
\v 4 Let every survivor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:4 \ft \+xt Neh 1:2; Is 10:20–22\+xt*\f* wherever he resides, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.”
\s1 Return from Exile
\m
\v 5 So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites~#—~#everyone whose spirit God had roused~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:5 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:1\+xt*\f*~#—~#prepared to go up and rebuild the \nd Lord\nd*’s house in Jerusalem.
\v 6 All their neighbors supported them~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 1:6 \ft Lit \fqa strengthened their hands\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:22\+xt*\f* with silver articles, gold, goods, livestock, and valuables, in addition to all that was given as a freewill offering.
\v 7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the \nd Lord\nd*’s house that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and had placed in the house of his gods.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:7 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:7,10,18; Dn 1:2; 5:2–3\+xt*\f*
\v 8 King Cyrus of Persia had them brought out under the supervision of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:8 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:14,16\+xt*\f*
\v 9 This was the inventory:
\li 30~gold~basins, 1,000~silver~basins,
\li 29~silver~knives,
\v 10 30~gold~bowls,
\li 410~various~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 1:10 \ft Or \fqa similar\f*~silver~bowls, and~1,000~other~articles.
\m
\v 11 The gold and silver articles totaled 5,400. Sheshbazzar brought all of them when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
\c 2
\s1 The Exiles Who Returned
\m
\v 1 These~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:1–70 \ft \+xt Neh 7:6–73\+xt*\f* now are the people of the province who came from those captive exiles King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 2:1 \ft Nebuchadnezzar reigned 605–562 BC\f* had deported to Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:1 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:17–20\+xt*\f* They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.
\v 2 They came with Zerubbabel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:2 \ft \+xt 1Ch 3:19; Ezr 3:2; Hg 1:1; Zch 4:6\+xt*\f* Jeshua,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:2 \ft \+xt Hg 1:1; Zch 3:1–10\+xt*\f* Nehemiah, Seraiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:2 \ft \+xt Neh 12:1\+xt*\f* Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
\p The number of the Israelite men included~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:2 \ft Lit \fqa the men of the people of Israel\f*
\lim
\v 3 Parosh’s~descendants~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:3; 10:25; Neh 3:25\+xt*\f* \litl 2,172\litl*
\lim
\v 4 Shephatiah’s~descendants \litl 372\litl*
\lim
\v 5 Arah’s~descendants \litl 775\litl*
\lim
\v 6 Pahath-moab’s~descendants:
\lim Jeshua’s and~Joab’s descendants \litl 2,812\litl*
\lim
\v 7 Elam’s~descendants \litl 1,254\litl*
\lim
\v 8 Zattu’s~descendants \litl 945\litl*
\lim
\v 9 Zaccai’s~descendants \litl 760\litl*
\lim
\v 10 Bani’s~descendants \litl 642\litl*
\lim
\v 11 Bebai’s~descendants \litl 623\litl*
\lim
\v 12 Azgad’s~descendants \litl 1,222\litl*
\lim
\v 13 Adonikam’s~descendants~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:13 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:13\+xt*\f* \litl 666\litl*
\lim
\v 14 Bigvai’s~descendants \litl 2,056\litl*
\lim
\v 15 Adin’s~descendants \litl 454\litl*
\lim
\v 16 Ater’s~descendants: of Hezekiah \litl 98\litl*
\lim
\v 17 Bezai’s~descendants \litl 323\litl*
\lim
\v 18 Jorah’s~descendants \litl 112\litl*
\lim
\v 19 Hashum’s~descendants \litl 223\litl*
\lim
\v 20 Gibbar’s~descendants \litl 95\litl*
\lim
\v 21 Bethlehem’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:21 \ft \+xt Mc 5:2; Mt 2:1,6\+xt*\f*~people \litl 123\litl*
\lim
\v 22 Netophah’s~men \litl 56\litl*
\lim
\v 23 Anathoth’s~men \litl 128\litl*
\lim
\v 24 Azmaveth’s~people \litl 42\litl*
\lim
\v 25 Kiriatharim’s, Chephirah’s, and~Beeroth’s people \litl 743\litl*
\lim
\v 26 Ramah’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:26 \ft \+xt Jr 31:15; Mt 2:18\+xt*\f* and~Geba’s people \litl 621\litl*
\lim
\v 27 Michmas’s~men \litl 122\litl*
\lim
\v 28 Bethel’s and~Ai’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:28 \ft \+xt Gn 12:8; Jos 7:2; 8:9\+xt*\f*~men \litl 223\litl*
\lim
\v 29 Nebo’s~people \litl 52\litl*
\lim
\v 30 Magbish’s~people \litl 156\litl*
\lim
\v 31 the other Elam’s~people \litl 1,254\litl*
\lim
\v 32 Harim’s~people \litl 320\litl*
\lim
\v 33 Lod’s, Hadid’s, and~Ono’s people \litl 725\litl*
\lim
\v 34 Jericho’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:34 \ft \+xt Jos 4:19; 5:13; 6:1–25\+xt*\f*~people \litl 345\litl*
\lim
\v 35 Senaah’s~people \litl 3,630\litl*
\b
\p
\v 36 The priests included
\lim Jedaiah’s~descendants of the~house of~Jeshua \litl 973\litl*
\lim
\v 37 Immer’s~descendants \litl 1,052\litl*
\lim
\v 38 Pashhur’s~descendants \litl 1,247\litl*
\lim
\v 39 and Harim’s~descendants \litl 1,017\litl*
\b
\p
\v 40 The Levites included
\lim Jeshua’s and~Kadmiel’s descendants
\lim from Hodaviah’s~descendants \litl 74\litl*
\b
\p
\v 41 The singers included
\lim Asaph’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:41 \ft \+xt 1Ch 25:1; 2Ch 5:12; 35:15\+xt*\f*~descendants \litl 128\litl*
\b
\p
\v 42 The gatekeepers’~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:42 \ft \+xt 1Ch 9:17–32; Neh 12:25–26\+xt*\f* descendants included
\lim Shallum’s~descendants, Ater’s~descendants,
\lim Talmon’s~descendants, Akkub’s~descendants,
\lim Hatita’s~descendants, Shobai’s~descendants, in~all \litl 139\litl*
\b
\p
\v 43 The temple servants~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:43 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:20\+xt*\f* included
\li Ziha’s~descendants, Hasupha’s~descendants,
\li Tabbaoth’s~descendants,
\v 44 Keros’s~descendants,
\li Siaha’s~descendants, Padon’s~descendants,
\li
\v 45 Lebanah’s~descendants, Hagabah’s~descendants,
\li Akkub’s~descendants,
\v 46 Hagab’s~descendants,
\li Shalmai’s~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 2:46 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa Shamlai’s\f*~descendants, Hanan’s~descendants,
\li
\v 47 Giddel’s~descendants, Gahar’s~descendants,
\li Reaiah’s~descendants,
\v 48 Rezin’s~descendants,
\li Nekoda’s~descendants, Gazzam’s~descendants,
\li
\v 49 Uzza’s~descendants, Paseah’s~descendants,
\li Besai’s~descendants,
\v 50 Asnah’s~descendants,
\li Meunim’s~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 2:50 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa Meinim’s\f*~descendants, Nephusim’s~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 2:50 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa Nephisim’s\f*~descendants,
\li
\v 51 Bakbuk’s~descendants, Hakupha’s~descendants,
\li Harhur’s~descendants,
\v 52 Bazluth’s~descendants,
\li Mehida’s~descendants, Harsha’s~descendants,
\li
\v 53 Barkos’s~descendants, Sisera’s~descendants,
\li Temah’s~descendants,
\v 54 Neziah’s~descendants,
\li and Hatipha’s~descendants.
\b
\p
\v 55 The descendants of Solomon’s servants~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:55 \ft \+xt Neh 11:3\+xt*\f* included
\lim Sotai’s~descendants, Hassophereth’s~descendants,
\lim Peruda’s~descendants,
\v 56 Jaalah’s~descendants,
\lim Darkon’s~descendants, Giddel’s~descendants,
\lim
\v 57 Shephatiah’s~descendants, Hattil’s~descendants,
\lim Pochereth-hazzebaim’s~descendants, and~Ami’s~descendants.
\lim
\v 58 All the temple servants
\lim and~the~descendants of~Solomon’s~servants \litl 392\litl*.
\b
\p
\v 59 The following are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer but were unable to prove that their ancestral families~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:59 \ft Lit \fqa that the house of their fathers\f* and their lineage were Israelite:
\lim
\v 60 Delaiah’s~descendants,
\lim Tobiah’s~descendants,
\lim Nekoda’s~descendants \litl 652\litl*
\m
\v 61 and from the descendants of the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, the descendants of Barzillai~#—~#who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and who bore their name.
\v 62 These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood.
\v 63 The governor~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:63 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:7; Neh 5:14; Hg 1:1\+xt*\f* ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:63 \ft \+xt Ex 28:30; Lv 8:8; Nm 27:21; Neh 7:65\+xt*\f*
\lim
\v 64 The whole combined assembly numbered \litl 42,360\litl*
\lim
\v 65 not including their~7,337~male and~female~servants,
\lim and their~200~male and~female~singers.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:65 \ft \+xt 2Ch 35:25\+xt*\f*
\lim
\v 66 They had 736~horses, 245~mules,
\lim
\v 67 435~camels, and~6,720~donkeys.
\s1 Gifts for the Work
\m
\v 68 After they arrived at the \nd Lord\nd*’s house in Jerusalem, some of the family heads gave freewill offerings~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:68 \ft \+xt Nm 15:3; Ezr 1:4\+xt*\f* for the house of God in order to have it rebuilt on its original site.
\v 69 Based on what they could give, they gave 61,000 gold coins,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:69 \ft Or \fqa drachmas\ft , or \fqa darics\f* 6,250 pounds~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:69 \ft Lit \fqa 5,000 minas\f* of silver, and 100 priestly garments to the treasury~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:69 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:33–34\+xt*\f* for the project.
\v 70 The priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, and some of the people settled in their towns, and the rest of Israel settled in their towns.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:70 \ft \+xt 1Ch 9:2; Neh 11:3\+xt*\f*
\c 3
\s1 Sacrifice Restored
\m
\v 1 When the seventh month arrived,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft \+xt Lv 23:23–43; Nm 29:1–38\+xt*\f* and the Israelites were in their towns, the people gathered as one in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:1 \ft \+xt Neh 7:73–8:1\+xt*\f*
\v 2 Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:2 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:8; 5:2; Hg 1:1; 2:21,23\+xt*\f* and his brothers began to build the altar of Israel’s God in order to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:2 \ft \+xt Ex 27:1–8\+xt*\f*
\v 3 They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the \nd Lord\nd* even though they feared the surrounding peoples.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:4\+xt*\f*
\v 4 They celebrated the Festival of Shelters as prescribed, and offered burnt offerings each day, based on the number specified by ordinance for each festival day.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:4 \ft \+xt Lv 23:33–43; Nm 29:12–38; Neh 8:13–18; Zch 14:16\+xt*\f*
\v 5 After that, they offered the regular burnt offering and the offerings for the beginning of each month~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:5 \ft Lit \fqa for the new moons\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:5 \ft \+xt Nm 28:11–14; 1Sm 20:5\+xt*\f* and for all the \nd Lord\nd*’s appointed holy occasions, as well as the freewill offerings brought to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:5 \ft Lit \fqa well as those of everyone making a freewill offering to\f* the \nd Lord\nd*.
\p
\v 6 On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the \nd Lord\nd*,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:6 \ft \+xt Lv 23:23–25; Nm 29:1–6\+xt*\f* even though the foundation of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple had not yet been laid.
\v 7 They gave money to the stonecutters and artisans, and gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so they would bring cedar wood from Lebanon to Joppa by sea,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:7 \ft \+xt 1Kg 5:1–11; 2Ch 2:3–16\+xt*\f* according to the authorization given them by King Cyrus of Persia.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:7 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:2; 6:3–5\+xt*\f*
\s1 Rebuilding the Temple
\m
\v 8 In the second month of the second year after they arrived at God’s house in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:3; 5:2; Hg 1:1\+xt*\f* and the rest of their brothers, including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began to build. They appointed the Levites who were twenty years old or more to supervise the work on the \nd Lord\nd*’s house.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft \+xt 1Ch 23:4,24\+xt*\f*
\v 9 Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:9 \ft Or \fqa Hodaviah\ft ; Neh 7:43; 1 Esdras 5:58\f* and of Henadad, with their sons and brothers, the Levites,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:9 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:40\+xt*\f* joined together to supervise those working on the house of God.
\s1 Temple Foundation Completed
\m
\v 10 When the builders had laid the foundation of the \nd Lord\nd*’s temple, the priests, dressed in their robes and holding trumpets, and the Levites descended from Asaph,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:10 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:41\+xt*\f* holding cymbals, took their positions to praise the \nd Lord\nd*, as King David of Israel had instructed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:10 \ft \+xt 1Ch 6:31; 25:1,6; 2Ch 29:25–26; Neh 12:24,45\+xt*\f*
\v 11 They sang with praise and thanksgiving to the \nd Lord\nd*: “For he is good; his faithful love to Israel endures forever.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:11 \ft \+xt 1Ch 16:34; 2Ch 5:13; 7:3; Neh 12:31\+xt*\f* Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the \nd Lord\nd* because the foundation of the \nd Lord\nd*’s house had been laid.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:11 \ft \+xt Hg 2:18; Zch 4:9\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads, who had seen the first temple, wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:12 \ft \+xt Hg 2:3\+xt*\f* but many others shouted joyfully.
\v 13 The people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shouting from that of the~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft Lit \fqa the people\f* weeping,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft \+xt Ps 126:5–6\+xt*\f* because the people were shouting so loudly. And the sound was heard far away.
\c 4
\s1 Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple
\m
\v 1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:1 \ft \+xt Neh 2:19–20\+xt*\f* heard that the returned exiles~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:1 \ft Lit \fqa the sons of the exile\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:11; 2:1\+xt*\f* were building a temple for the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel,
\v 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the family heads and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to him~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa have not been sacrificing\f* since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 17:24,27–32; 19:37; Is 37:38\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of Israel’s families answered them, “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:3 \ft \+xt Neh 2:20\+xt*\f* since we alone will build it for the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:1–4\+xt*\f*
\v 4 Then the people who were already in the land~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:4 \ft Lit \fqa people of the land\ft , also in v.~6\f* discouraged~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:4 \ft Lit \fqa weakened the hands of\f* the people of Judah and made them afraid~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:3\+xt*\f* to build.
\v 5 They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:5 \ft \+xt Neh 6:12–13; 13:2\+xt*\f* throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:5 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:5; 6:1\+xt*\f*
\s1 Opposition to Rebuilding the City
\m
\v 6 At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:6 \ft \+xt Est 1:1; Dn 9:1\+xt*\f* the people who were already in the land~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:3\+xt*\f* wrote an accusation against the residents of Judah and Jerusalem.
\v 7 During the time of King Artaxerxes of Persia,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:1; Neh 2:1\+xt*\f* Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft \+xt Dn 1:4; 2:4\+xt*\f* and translated.~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft Ezr 4:8–6:18 is written in Aramaic.\f*
\p
\v 8 Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:8–9 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:17,23–24\+xt*\f* wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows:
\pi
\v 9 From Rehum~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:9 \ft Lit \fqa Then Rehum\f* the chief deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues~#—~#the judges and magistrates~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:9 \ft Or \fqa ambassadors\f* from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:9 \ft \+xt Neh 1:1; Est 1:2; Dn 8:2\+xt*\f* (that is, the people of Elam),~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:9 \ft Aramaic obscure\f*
\v 10 and the rest of the peoples whom the great and illustrious Ashurbanipal~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft Lit \fqa Osnappar\f* deported and settled in the cities of Samaria~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft \+xt 2Kg 17:24\+xt*\f* and the region west of the Euphrates River.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:10–11 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:16–17,20\+xt*\f*
\m
\v 11 This is the text of the letter they sent to him:
\pi To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men from the region west of the Euphrates River:
\b
\pi
\v 12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations.
\v 13 Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are finished,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:16,21; Neh 1:3\+xt*\f* they will not pay tribute, duty, or land tax,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:20; 7:24\+xt*\f* and the royal revenue~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft Aramaic obscure\f* will suffer.
\v 14 Since we have taken an oath of loyalty to the king,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:14 \ft Lit \fqa have eaten the salt of the palace\f* and it is not right for us to witness his dishonor, we have sent to inform the king
\v 15 that a search should be made in your predecessors’ record books.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:15 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:17; 6:1\+xt*\f* In these record books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces. There have been revolts in it since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
\v 16 We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.
\s1 Artaxerxes’s Reply
\m
\v 17 The king sent a reply to his chief deputy Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates River:
\pi Greetings.
\b
\pi
\v 18 The letter you sent us has been translated and read~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:18 \ft Or \fqa been read clearly\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:18 \ft \+xt Neh 8:8\+xt*\f* in my presence.
\v 19 I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it.
\v 20 Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates River, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.
\v 21 Therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a further decree has been pronounced by me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:21 \ft \+xt Neh 2:5,7–8\+xt*\f*
\v 22 See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:22 \ft Lit \fqa the kings\f* will suffer.
\b
\p
\v 23 As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes’s letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:23 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:8–10,17\+xt*\f* they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.
\s1 Rebuilding of the Temple Resumed
\m
\v 24 Now the construction of God’s house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:24 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:1–5; Hg 1:1,14\+xt*\f*
\c 5
\nb
\v 1 But when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:14; Hg 1:1; Zch 1:1\+xt*\f* prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them,
\v 2 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:2 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:2,8,10\+xt*\f* began to rebuild God’s house in Jerusalem. The prophets of God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:2 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:14\+xt*\f* were with them, helping them.
\p
\v 3 At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:6,13\+xt*\f* came to the Jews and asked, “Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?~”~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft Or \fqa finish its furnishings\ft , also in v.~9\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:1–4; 5:9,13; 6:3\+xt*\f*
\v 4 They also asked them, “What are the names of the workers~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 5:4 \ft One Aramaic ms, LXX, Syr; MT reads \fqa Then we told them exactly what the names of the men were\f* who are constructing this building?~”
\v 5 But God was watching~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:5 \ft Lit \fqa But the eye of their God was\f* over~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:5 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:6,9,28; 8:18,22,31\+xt*\f* the Jewish elders. These men wouldn’t stop them until a report was sent to Darius, so that they could receive written instructions about this matter.
\s1 The Letter to Darius
\m
\v 6 This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius.
\v 7 They sent him a report, written as follows:
\pi To King Darius:
\b
\pi All greetings.
\b
\pi
\v 8 Let it be known to the king that we went to the house of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being built with cut~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft Or \fqa huge\f* stones, and its beams are being set in the walls. This work is being done diligently and succeeding through the people’s efforts.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:3–4\+xt*\f*
\v 9 So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?~”
\v 10 We also asked them for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.
\b
\pi
\v 11 This is the reply they gave us:
\b
\pi We are the servants of the God of the heavens and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:11 \ft \+xt 1Kg 6:1,37–38\+xt*\f*
\v 12 But since our ancestors angered the God of the heavens, he handed them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:12 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:19–20\+xt*\f*
\v 13 However, in the first year of King Cyrus of Babylon, he issued a decree to rebuild the house of God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:13 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:22–23; Ezr 1:1–4\+xt*\f*
\v 14 He also took from the temple in Babylon the gold and silver articles of God’s house that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and carried them to the temple in Babylon.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:14 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:7,10,18; Ezr 1:7; Dn 5:2–3\+xt*\f* He released them from the temple in Babylon to a man named Sheshbazzar, the governor by the appointment of King Cyrus.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:14 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:8,11\+xt*\f*
\v 15 Cyrus told him, “Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:15 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:5\+xt*\f*
\v 16 Then this same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of God’s house in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:16 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:10\+xt*\f* It has been under construction from that time until now,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:16 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:1–5\+xt*\f* but it has not been completed.
\b
\pi
\v 17 So if it pleases the king, let a search of the royal archives~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:17 \ft Lit \fqa treasure house\f* in Babylon be conducted to see if it is true that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:17 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:22–23; Ezr 1:1–4\+xt*\f* Let the king’s decision regarding this matter be sent to us.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:17 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:1–12\+xt*\f*
\c 6
\s1 Darius’s Search
\m
\v 1 King Darius gave the order, and they searched~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:17\+xt*\f* in the library of Babylon in the archives.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft Lit \fqa Babylon where the treasures were stored\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:15\+xt*\f*
\v 2 But it was in the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:2 \ft \+xt Dn 9:1; Ac 2:9\+xt*\f* that a scroll was found with this record written on it:
\pi
\v 3 In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:3 \ft \+xt 2Ch 36:22–23; Ezr 1:1–4\+xt*\f* concerning the house of God in Jerusalem:
\b
\pi Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its original foundations be retained.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:3 \ft Lit \fqa be brought forth\f* Its height is to be ninety feet~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:3 \ft Lit \fqa 60 cubits\f* and its width ninety feet,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:3 \ft \+xt 1Kg 6:2\+xt*\f*
\v 4 with three layers of cut~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft Or \fqa huge\f* stones and one of timber.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft \+xt 1Kg 6:36; Ezr 5:8\+xt*\f* The cost is to be paid from the royal treasury.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft Lit \fqa the king’s house\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:7\+xt*\f*
\v 5 The gold and silver articles of God’s house that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon must also be returned. They are to be brought to the temple in Jerusalem where they belong~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:5 \ft Lit \fqa Jerusalem, to its place,\f* and put into the house of God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:5 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:7\+xt*\f*
\s1 Darius’s Decree
\pi
\v 6 Therefore, you must stay away from that place, Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and your~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:6 \ft Lit \fqa their\f* colleagues, the officials in the region.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:3,6; 6:13\+xt*\f*
\v 7 Leave the construction of the house of God alone. Let the governor~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:7 \ft \+xt Neh 5:14; Hg 1:1\+xt*\f* and elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its original site.
\b
\pi
\v 8 I hereby issue a decree concerning what you are to do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild the house of God:
\b
\pi The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenues~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:8 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:20\+xt*\f* from the taxes of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that the work will not stop.
\v 9 Whatever is needed~#—~#young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of the heavens, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem~#—~#let it be given to them every day without fail,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:9 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:17,20–22\+xt*\f*
\v 10 so that they can offer sacrifices of pleasing aroma to the God of the heavens and pray for the life of the king and his sons.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:23; 1Tm 2:1–2\+xt*\f*
\b
\pi
\v 11 I also issue a decree concerning any man who interferes with this directive:
\b
\pi Let a beam be torn from his house and raised up; he will be impaled on it, and his house will be made into a garbage dump because of this offense.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:11 \ft \+xt Est 2:23; 9:14\+xt*\f*
\v 12 May the God who caused his name to dwell there~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:12 \ft \+xt Dt 12:5; 2Ch 6:2\+xt*\f* overthrow any king or people who dares~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:12 \ft Lit \fqa who stretches out its hand\f* to harm or interfere with this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out diligently.
\b
\p
\v 13 Then Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:13 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:3,6; 6:6\+xt*\f* diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed.
\v 14 So the Jewish elders continued successfully with the building under the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:14 \ft \+xt Ezr 5:1; Hg 1:1; Zch 1:1\+xt*\f* They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:14 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:1–4; 6:3–5\+xt*\f* Darius, and King Artaxerxes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:14 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:12–26\+xt*\f* of Persia.
\v 15 This house was completed on the third day of the month of Adar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:15 \ft \+xt Est 3:7\+xt*\f* in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
\s1 Temple Dedication and the Passover
\m
\v 16 Then the Israelites, including the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.
\v 17 For the dedication of God’s house they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, as well as twelve male goats~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:16–17 \ft \+xt 2Ch 7:4–5\+xt*\f* as a sin offering for all Israel~#—~#one for each Israelite tribe.
\v 18 They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the book of Moses.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:18 \ft \+xt Ex 29; Nm 18; 1Ch 24\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 19 The exiles~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:19 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:11; 2:1\+xt*\f* observed the Passover~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:19 \ft \+xt Ex 12:1–11; Nm 28:16\+xt*\f* on the fourteenth day of the first month.
\v 20 All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:20 \ft \+xt 2Ch 30:15–17\+xt*\f*
\v 21 The Israelites who had returned from exile~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:21 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:11; 2:1\+xt*\f* ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:21 \ft Lit \fqa land to them\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:21 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:11; Neh 10:28\+xt*\f* in order to worship the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel.
\v 22 They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:22 \ft \+xt Ex 12:14–20; Dt 16:3–8\+xt*\f* with joy, because the \nd Lord\nd* had made them joyful, having changed the Assyrian king’s attitude toward them, so that he supported them~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:22 \ft Lit \fqa strengthened their hands\f* in the work on the house of the God of Israel.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:22 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:8–12\+xt*\f*
\c 7
\s1 Ezra’s Arrival
\m
\v 1 After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:7; 6:14; Neh 2:1\+xt*\f* of Persia, Ezra~—
\li Seraiah’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:18–21; Jr 52:24–27\+xt*\f*~son, Azariah’s~son,
\li Hilkiah’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 22:4; 23:4\+xt*\f*~son,
\v 2 Shallum’s~son,
\li Zadok’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:2 \ft \+xt 1Sm 8:17; 1Kg 1:7–8; 2:35\+xt*\f*~son, Ahitub’s~son,
\li
\v 3 Amariah’s~son, Azariah’s~son,
\li Meraioth’s~son,
\v 4 Zerahiah’s~son,
\li Uzzi’s~son, Bukki’s~son,
\li
\v 5 Abishua’s~son, Phinehas’s~son,
\li Eleazar’s~son, the~chief~priest Aaron’s son~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:1–5 \ft \+xt 1Ch 6:3–15\+xt*\f*
\m
\v 6 #—~#came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:11–12,21\+xt*\f* which the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:6 \ft \+xt Neh 2:4–8\+xt*\f* because the hand of the \nd Lord\nd* his God was on him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:28; 8:22; Neh 2:8,18\+xt*\f*
\v 7 Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:7 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:1–58; Neh 7:6–60\+xt*\f* accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
\p
\v 8 Ezra~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 7:8 \ft LXX, Syr, Vg read \fqa They\f* came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king.
\v 9 He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:9 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:15,21,31\+xt*\f* and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:9 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:32\+xt*\f* since the gracious hand of his God was on him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:9 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:28; 8:18,31; Neh 2:8,18\+xt*\f*
\v 10 Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the \nd Lord\nd*, obey it, and teach~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:10 \ft \+xt Neh 8:1–8\+xt*\f* its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
\s1 Letter from Artaxerxes
\m
\v 11 This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in matters of the \nd Lord\nd*’s commands and statutes for Israel:~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 7:11 \ft Ezr 7:12–26 is written in Aramaic.\f*
\pi
\v 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:12 \ft \+xt Ezk 26:7; Dn 2:37\+xt*\f* to Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of the heavens:
\b
\pi Greetings.
\b
\pi
\v 13 I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:13 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:3\+xt*\f*
\v 14 You are sent by the king and his seven counselors~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:14 \ft \+xt Est 1:14\+xt*\f* to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your possession.
\v 15 You are also to bring the silver and gold the king and his counselors have willingly given to the God of Israel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:15 \ft \+xt Hg 2:8\+xt*\f* whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:15 \ft \+xt Dt 12:5–6; 2Ch 6:2\+xt*\f*
\v 16 and all the silver and gold you receive throughout the province of Babylon, together with the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:16 \ft \+xt Ex 3:22; Ezr 1:6\+xt*\f*
\v 17 Then you are to be diligent to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:17 \ft \+xt Nm 15:1–14; Ezr 6:9\+xt*\f*
\v 18 You may do whatever seems best to you and your brothers with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God.
\v 19 Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles given to you for the service of the house of your God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:19 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:33\+xt*\f*
\v 20 You may use the royal treasury~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:20 \ft Lit \fqa the king’s house\f* to pay for anything else needed for the house of your God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:20 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:4,8; 7:22–23\+xt*\f*
\b
\pi
\v 21 I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the Euphrates River:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:21 \ft \+xt Ezr 4:10; 7:25\+xt*\f*
\b
\pi Whatever Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of the heavens, asks of you must be provided in full,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:21 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:8\+xt*\f*
\v 22 up to 7,500 pounds~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:22 \ft Lit \fqa 100 talents\f* of silver, 500 bushels~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:22 \ft Lit \fqa 100 cors\f* of wheat, 550 gallons~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:22 \ft Lit \fqa 100 baths\f* of wine, 550 gallons of oil, and salt without limit.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:22 \ft Lit \fqa without instruction\f*
\v 23 Whatever is commanded by the God of the heavens must be done diligently for the house of the God of the heavens, so that wrath will not fall on the realm of the king and his sons.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:23 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:10\+xt*\f*
\v 24 Be advised that you do not have authority to impose tribute, duty, and land tax on any priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
\b
\pi
\v 25 And you, Ezra, according to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:25 \ft Lit \fqa to your\f* God’s wisdom that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the region west of the Euphrates who know the laws of your God and to teach anyone who does not know them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:25 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:10; Neh 8:1–3,8\+xt*\f*
\v 26 Anyone who does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let the appropriate judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:26 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:11\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 27 Blessed be the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s mind~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:27 \ft \+xt Ezr 6:22\+xt*\f* to glorify the house of the \nd Lord\nd* in Jerusalem,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:27 \ft \+xt Is 60:7,13\+xt*\f*
\v 28 and who has shown favor to me before the king,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:28 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:9\+xt*\f* his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the \nd Lord\nd* my God,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:28 \ft Lit \fqa because the hand of the \+nd Lord\+nd* my God was on me\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:28 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:6; 8:18\+xt*\f* and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:28 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:1–14,16\+xt*\f*
\c 8
\s1 Those Returning with Ezra
\m
\v 1 These are the family heads and the genealogical records of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:7\+xt*\f*
\li
\v 2 Gershom, from~Phinehas’s~descendants;
\li Daniel, from~Ithamar’s~descendants;
\li Hattush, from~David’s~descendants,
\li
\v 3 who was of Shecaniah’s~descendants;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft \+xt 1Ch 3:22\+xt*\f*
\li Zechariah, from~Parosh’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:3; 10:25\+xt*\f*~descendants,
\li and 150 men~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft Or \fqa males\ft ; also in vv.~4–14\f* with~him who~were~registered by~genealogy;
\li
\v 4 Eliehoenai son~of~Zerahiah
\li from~Pahath-moab’s~descendants,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:6\+xt*\f*
\li and 200~men with~him;
\li
\v 5 Shecaniah~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 8:5 \ft LXX, 1 Esdras 8:32; MT reads \fqa the descendants of Shecaniah\f* son~of~Jahaziel
\li from~Zattu’s~descendants,
\li and 300~men with~him;
\li
\v 6 Ebed son~of~Jonathan
\li from~Adin’s~descendants,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:15; Neh 7:20\+xt*\f*
\li and 50~men with~him;
\li
\v 7 Jeshaiah son~of~Athaliah
\li from~Elam’s~descendants,
\li and 70~men with~him;
\li
\v 8 Zebadiah son~of~Michael
\li from~Shephatiah’s~descendants,
\li and 80~men with~him;
\li
\v 9 Obadiah son~of~Jehiel
\li from~Joab’s descendants,
\li and 218~men with~him;
\li
\v 10 Shelomith~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 8:10 \ft Some LXX mss, 1 Esdras 8:36; MT reads \fqa the descendants of Shelomith\f* son~of~Josiphiah
\li from~Bani’s~descendants,
\li and 160~men with~him;
\li
\v 11 Zechariah son~of~Bebai
\li from~Bebai’s~descendants,
\li and 28~men with~him;
\li
\v 12 Johanan son~of~Hakkatan
\li from~Azgad’s~descendants,
\li and 110~men with~him;
\li
\v 13 these~are the~last~ones, from~Adonikam’s~descendants,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:13 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:13\+xt*\f*
\li and their~names are
\li Eliphelet, Jeuel, and~Shemaiah,
\li and 60~men with~them;
\li
\v 14 Uthai and~Zaccur~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 8:14 \ft Alt Hb tradition, some LXX mss read \fqa Zabud\f*
\li from~Bigvai’s~descendants,
\li and 70~men with~them.
\b
\p
\v 15 I gathered them at the river~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:15 \ft Or \fqa canal\f* that flows to Ahava,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:15 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:21,31\+xt*\f* and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:15 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:40; 7:7\+xt*\f* there.
\v 16 Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:16 \ft \+xt Ezr 10:15\+xt*\f* as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan.
\v 17 I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:17 \ft Lit \fqa Casiphia, and I put in their mouth the words to speak to\f* him and his brothers, the temple servants~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:17 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:43; Neh 7:46\+xt*\f* at Casiphia, that they should bring us ministers for the house of our God.
\v 18 Since the gracious hand of our God was on us,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:18 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:6\+xt*\f* they brought us Sherebiah~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:18 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:24; Neh 8:7\+xt*\f*~#—~#a man of insight from the descendants of Mahli, a descendant of Levi son of Israel~#—~#along with his sons and brothers, 18 men,
\v 19 plus Hashabiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:19 \ft \+xt Neh 12:24\+xt*\f* along with Jeshaiah, from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and their sons, 20 men.
\v 20 There were also 220 of the temple servants,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:20 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:43; 7:7\+xt*\f* who had been appointed by David and the leaders for the work of the Levites. All were identified by name.
\s1 Preparing to Return
\m
\v 21 I proclaimed a fast~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:21 \ft \+xt Is 58:3–8\+xt*\f* by the Ahava River,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:21 \ft Or \fqa Canal\ft , also in v.~31\f* so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions.
\v 22 I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:22 \ft \+xt Dt 31:6,17\+xt*\f*
\v 23 So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.
\p
\v 24 I selected twelve of the leading priests, along with Sherebiah,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:24 \ft \+xt Neh 10:9,11\+xt*\f* Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers.
\v 25 I weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles~#—~#the contribution for the house of our God that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites who were present had offered.
\v 26 I weighed out to them 24 tons~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:26 \ft Lit \fqa 650 talents\f* of silver, silver articles weighing 7,500 pounds,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:26 \ft Lit \fqa 100 talents\f* 7,500 pounds of gold,
\v 27 twenty gold bowls worth a thousand gold coins,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:27 \ft Or \fqa 1,000 drachmas\ft , or \fqa 1,000 darics\f* and two articles of fine gleaming bronze, as valuable as gold.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:25–27 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:15–20\+xt*\f*
\v 28 Then I said to them, “You are holy to the \nd Lord\nd*, and the articles are holy. The silver and gold are a freewill offering~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:28 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:4; 2:68–69\+xt*\f* to the \nd Lord\nd* God of your ancestors.
\v 29 Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the \nd Lord\nd*’s house before the leading priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families in Jerusalem.”
\v 30 So the priests and Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the articles that had been weighed out, to bring them to the house of our God in Jerusalem.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:29–30 \ft \+xt Neh 13:4–5,9\+xt*\f*
\s1 Arrival in Jerusalem
\m
\v 31 We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:31 \ft Lit \fqa The hand of our God was on us\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:31 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:9; Neh 2:18\+xt*\f* and he kept us from the grasp of the enemy and from ambush along the way.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:31 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:21–22\+xt*\f*
\v 32 So we arrived at Jerusalem and rested there for three days.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:32 \ft \+xt Neh 2:11\+xt*\f*
\v 33 On the fourth day the silver, the gold, and the articles were weighed out in the house of our God into the care of the priest Meremoth son of Uriah. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him. The Levites Jozabad~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:33 \ft \+xt Neh 11:16\+xt*\f* son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui were also with them.
\v 34 Everything was verified by number and weight, and the total weight was recorded at that time.
\p
\v 35 The exiles who had returned from the captivity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:35 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:1; 6:16\+xt*\f* offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, and seventy-seven lambs, along with twelve male goats as a sin offering. All this was a burnt offering for the \nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:35 \ft \+xt Lv 1:3–15; 2Ch 29:24,27,31–35\+xt*\f*
\v 36 They also delivered the king’s edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:36 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:21,25\+xt*\f* so that they would support the people and the house of God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:36 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:21–24\+xt*\f*
\c 9
\s1 Israel’s Intermarriage
\m
\v 1 After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:1 \ft \+xt Ezk 5:10–12\+xt*\f* from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:1 \ft \+xt Dt 12:29–31; Ezr 9:11\+xt*\f* are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:1 \ft \+xt Gn 15:18; Lv 18:24–30; Dt 7:1\+xt*\f*
\v 2 Indeed, the Israelite men~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft Lit \fqa they\f* have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt Dt 14:2\+xt*\f* has become mixed with the surrounding peoples.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt Dt 7:1–4; Ezr 9:12; Neh 13:1–3,23\+xt*\f* The leaders~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft Lit \fqa hand of the leaders\f* and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt Neh 13:28\+xt*\f*
\v 3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:3 \ft \+xt 2Kg 18:37–19:2; Neh 1:4; Dn 9:3\+xt*\f*
\s1 Ezra’s Confession
\m
\v 4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 10:3; Is 66:2,5\+xt*\f* gathered around me, because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:1; 6:16\+xt*\f* while I sat devastated until the evening offering.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:4 \ft \+xt Ex 29:38–39\+xt*\f*
\v 5 At the evening offering, I got up from my time of humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the \nd Lord\nd* my God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:5 \ft \+xt Ex 9:29; Dn 6:10\+xt*\f*
\v 6 And I said:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:6–15 \ft \+xt Neh 1:5–11; Dn 9:4–19\+xt*\f*
\pi My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:6 \ft \+xt Jr 51:9; Rv 18:5\+xt*\f*
\v 7 Our guilt has been terrible from the days of our ancestors until the present. Because of our iniquities we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the surrounding kings, and to the sword, captivity, plundering, and open shame,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:7 \ft \+xt Neh 9:30,36; Dn 9:7\+xt*\f* as it is today.
\v 8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the \nd Lord\nd* our God to preserve a remnant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:8 \ft \+xt Is 10:20–22\+xt*\f* for us and give us a stake~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:8 \ft \+xt Is 10:23\+xt*\f* in his holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:8 \ft \+xt 1Sm 14:29\+xt*\f*
\v 9 Though we are slaves,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft \+xt Neh 9:36\+xt*\f* our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft \+xt 2Kg 25:28; Ezr 6:22\+xt*\f* giving us relief, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft \+xt Ezr 1:4; 7:12–20\+xt*\f* to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.
\b
\pi
\v 10 Now, our God, what can we say in light of~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:10 \ft Lit \fqa say after\f* this? For we have abandoned the commands
\v 11 you gave through your servants the prophets, saying, “The land you are entering to possess is an impure land. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:10–11 \ft \+xt Dt 12:29–31; Ezr 9:1\+xt*\f*
\v 12 So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:12 \ft \+xt Dt 7:1–4; Ezr 9:2; Neh 13:23–28\+xt*\f* Never pursue their welfare or prosperity,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:12 \ft \+xt Dt 7:3; 23:6\+xt*\f* so that you will be strong, eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.”
\v 13 After all that has happened to us because of our evil deeds and terrible guilt~#—~#though you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have allowed us to survive~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:13 \ft Lit \fqa and gave us a remnant like this\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:13 \ft \+xt Is 10:20–22\+xt*\f*~#—~#
\v 14 should we break your commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit these detestable practices?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:14 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:1–2; Neh 13:23–28\+xt*\f* Wouldn’t you become so angry with us that you would destroy us, leaving neither remnant nor survivor?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:14 \ft \+xt Dt 29:26–28\+xt*\f*
\v 15 \nd Lord\nd* God of Israel, you are righteous, for we survive as a remnant~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:15 \ft \+xt Neh 1:3\+xt*\f* today. Here we are before you with our guilt, though no one can stand in your presence because of this.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:15 \ft \+xt Ps 130:3\+xt*\f*
\c 10
\s1 Sending Away Foreign Wives
\m
\v 1 While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:3,5; Neh 1:4; Dn 9:3–4,20\+xt*\f* before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:1 \ft \+xt Ezr 3:12–13\+xt*\f*
\v 2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:2 \ft \+xt Ezr 10:26\+xt*\f* an Elamite, responded to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:2 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:1–2; 10:18,44; Neh 13:23–28\+xt*\f* but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this.
\v 3 Therefore, let’s make a covenant before our God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:3 \ft \+xt 2Ch 34:31\+xt*\f* to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:3 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:4\+xt*\f* Let it be done according to the law.
\v 4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:25–26\+xt*\f* and we support you. Be strong and take action!~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:4 \ft \+xt Jos 1:6–9\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 5 Then Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said; so they took the oath.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:5 \ft \+xt Neh 10:29–30; 13:25\+xt*\f*
\v 6 Ezra then went from the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, where he spent the night.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 10:6 \ft 1 Esdras 9:2, Syr; MT, Vg read \fqa he went\f* He did not eat food or drink water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:6 \ft \+xt Dt 9:18–19\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 7 They circulated a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather at Jerusalem.
\v 8 Whoever did not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:8 \ft Lit \fqa would set apart all his possessions for destruction\f* according to the decision of the leaders and elders, and would be excluded~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:7–8 \ft \+xt Ezr 7:26\+xt*\f* from the assembly of the exiles.
\p
\v 9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. On the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:9 \ft \+xt Neh 8:1\+xt*\f* trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.
\v 10 Then the priest Ezra stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:10 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:1–2; Neh 13:23–27\+xt*\f*
\v 11 Therefore, make a confession to the \nd Lord\nd*, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and your foreign wives.”
\p
\v 12 Then all the assembly responded loudly, “Yes, we will do as you say!
\v 13 But there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We don’t have the stamina to stay out in the open. This isn’t something that can be done in a day or two, for we have rebelled terribly in this matter.
\v 14 Let our leaders represent the entire assembly. Then let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each town, in order to avert the fierce anger of our God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft \+xt 2Ch 29:10; 30:8\+xt*\f* concerning~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss read \fqa until\f* this matter.”
\v 15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, with Meshullam~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:15 \ft \+xt Ezr 8:16\+xt*\f* and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.
\p
\v 16 The exiles did what had been proposed. The priest Ezra selected men~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft 1 Esdras 9:16, Syr; MT, Vg read \fqa priest and men were selected\f* who were family heads, all identified by name, to represent~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft Lit \fqa name, for\f* their ancestral families.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft Lit \fqa the house of their fathers\f* They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter,
\v 17 and by the first day of the first month they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women.
\s1 Those Married to Foreign Wives
\m
\v 18 The following were found to have married foreign women from the descendants of the priests:
\li1 from the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.
\v 19 They pledged~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:19 \ft Lit \fqa gave their hand\f* to send their wives away, and being guilty, they offered a ram from the flock for their guilt;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:19 \ft \+xt Lv 5:14–6:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\li
\v 20 Hanani and Zebadiah from Immer’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:20 \ft \+xt 1Ch 24:14\+xt*\f* descendants;
\li
\v 21 Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and~Uzziah from~Harim’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:21 \ft \+xt 1Ch 24:8\+xt*\f*~descendants;
\li
\v 22 Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and~Elasah from~Pashhur’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:22 \ft \+xt 1Ch 9:12\+xt*\f*~descendants.
\m
\v 23 The Levites:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:23 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:40\+xt*\f*
\li Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that~is~Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and~Eliezer.
\m
\v 24 The singers:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:24 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:41\+xt*\f*
\li Eliashib.
\m The gatekeepers:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:24 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:42\+xt*\f*
\li Shallum, Telem, and~Uri.
\m
\v 25 The Israelites:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:25–43 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:3–35; Neh 7:8–38\+xt*\f*
\li Parosh’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:25 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:3\+xt*\f* Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 10:25 \ft Some LXX mss, 1 Esdras 9:26 read \fqa Hashabiah\f* and~Benaiah;
\li
\v 26 Elam’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:26 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:7; 10:2\+xt*\f* Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and~Elijah;
\li
\v 27 Zattu’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:27 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:8\+xt*\f* Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and~Aziza;
\li
\v 28 Bebai’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:28 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:11\+xt*\f* Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and~Athlai;
\li
\v 29 Bani’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:29 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:10\+xt*\f* Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and~Jeremoth;
\li
\v 30 Pahath-moab’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:30 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:6\+xt*\f* Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and~Manasseh;
\li
\v 31 Harim’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:31 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:32\+xt*\f* Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
\v 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah;
\li
\v 33 Hashum’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:33 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:19\+xt*\f* Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei;
\b
\li1
\v 34 Bani’s descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:34 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:10\+xt*\f* Maadai, Amram, Uel,
\v 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
\v 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
\v 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu,
\v 38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei,
\v 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
\v 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
\v 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
\v 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph;
\b
\li
\v 43 Nebo’s~descendants:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:43 \ft \+xt Ezr 2:29\+xt*\f* Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and~Benaiah.
\m
\v 44 All of these~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:44 \ft \+xt Ezr 10:18–43\+xt*\f* had married foreign women, and some of the wives had given birth to children.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:44 \ft \+xt Neh 13:24\+xt*\f*
\m
