VIII

women, and children: for there was great weeping among the CHAPTER multitude. Then Iechonias the sonne of Ieelus, one of the sonnes of Israel called out and saide, O Esdras, wee have sinned against the Lord God, wee have maried strange women of the nations of the land, and now is all Israel aloft. Let us make an oath to the Lord, that wee will put away all our wives, which we have taken of the heathen, with their children, like as thou hast decreed, and as many as doe obey the Law of the Lord. Arise, and put in execution: for to thee doeth this matter appertaine, and wee will And sweareth bee with thee: doe valiantly. So Esdras arose, and tooke an oath the Priestes to put away their of the chiefe of the Priestes, and Levites of all Israel, to do after strange wives. these things, and so they sware.

CHAPTER IX

THEN Esdras rising from the court of the Temple, went to

T

the chamber of Ioanan the sonne of Eliasib, and remained
there, and did eate no meate nor drinke water, mourning

for the great iniquities of the multitude. And there was a pro- Esdras
clamation in all Îury and Ierusalem, to all them that were of the assembleth
all the people.
captivitie, that they should be gathered together at Ierusalem :
and that whosoever met not there within two or three dayes
according as the Elders that bare rule, appointed, their cattell
should be seized to the use of the Temple, and himselfe cast out
from them that were of the captivitie. And in three dayes were
all they of the tribe of Iuda and Beniamin gathered together at
Ierusalem the twentieth day of the ninth moneth. And all the
multitude sate trembling in the broad court of the Temple, because
of the present foule weather. So Esdras arose up, and said unto
them, Ye have transgressed the law in marrying strange wives,
thereby to increase the sinnes of Israel. And now by confessing
give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers, and doe his will, and
separate your selves from the heathen of the land, and from the
strange women. Then cryed the whole multitude, and sayd with They promise
a loude voice; Like as thou hast spoken, so will we doe. But to put away
forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foule weather, so that wives.
wee cannot stand without, and this is not a worke of a day or two,
seeing our sinne in these things is spread farre: therefore let
the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all them of our habita-
tions that have strange wives, come at the time appointed, and
with them the Rulers and Iudges of every place, till we turne
away the wrath of the Lord from us, for this matter. Then
Ionathan the sonne of Azael, and Ezechias the sonne of Theocanus,
5: D

25

the strange

IX

CHAPTER accordingly tooke this matter upon them: and Mosollam, and Levis, and Sabbatheus helped them. And they that were of the captivitie, did according to all these things. And Esdras the Priest chose unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth moneth, they sate together to examine the matter. So their cause that helde strange wives, was brought to an ende in the first day of the first moneth. And of the Priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found: of the sonnes of Iesus the sonne of Iosedec, and his brethren, Matthelas, and Eleazar, and Ioribus, and The names and Ioadanus. And they gave their hands to put away their wives, number of them and to offer rammes, to make reconcilement for their errors. And that did so. of the sonnes of Emmer, Ananias, and Zabdeus, and Eanes, and Sameius, and Hierel, and Azarias. And of the sonnes of Phaisur, Ellionas, Massias, Ismael, and Nathanael, and Ocidelus, and Talsas. And of the Levites: Iosabad, and Semis, and Colius who was called Calitas, and Patheus, and Iudas, and Ionas. Of the holy Singers: Eleazurus, Bacchurus. Of the Porters: Sallumus, and Tolbanes. Of them of Israel, of the sonnes of Phoros, Hiermas, and Eddias, and Melchias, and Maelus, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Baanias. Of the sonnes of Ela, Matthanias, Zacharias, and Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and Aedias. And of the sonnes of Zamoth, Eliadas, Elisimus, Othonias, Iarimoth, and Sabatus, and Sardeus. Of the sonnes of Bebai, Iohannes, and Ananias, and Iosabad, and Amatheis. Of the sonnes of Many, Olamus, Mamuchus, Iedeus, Iasubus, Iasael, and Hieremoth. And of the sonnes of Addi, Naathus, and Moosias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathanias, and Sesthel, Balunus, and Manasseas. And of the sonnes of Annas, Elionas, and Aseas, and Milchias, and Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus. And of the sonnes of Asom, Altaneus, and Matthias, and Bannaia, Eliphalat, and Manasses, and Semei. And of the sonnes of Maani, Ieremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Iuel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selenias, Nathanias: And of the sons of Ozora, Sesis, Esril, Azailus, Samatus, Zambis, Iosiphus, and of the sonnes of Ethma, Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Iuel, Banaias. All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children. And the priests, and Levites, and they that were of Israel dwelt in Ierusalem, and in the countrey, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their habitations. And the whole multitude came together with one accord, into the broad place of the holy porch toward the East. And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would

CHAPTER
IX

and declared

bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel.
So Esdras the chiefe priest, brought the law unto the whole
multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to heare the
law in the first day of the seventh moneth. And hee read in the The Law of
broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, Moses is read
before both men and women; and all the multitude gave heed before all the
unto the law. And Esdras the priest, and reader of the law stood people.
up, upon a pulpit of wood which was made for that purpose. And
there stood up by him Matathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias,
Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand. And upon his left hand
stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus and Nabarias. Then
tooke Esdras the booke of the law before the multitude: for he sate
honourably in the first place in the sight of them all. And when
hee opened the law, they stood all streight up. So Esdras blessed
the Lord God most high, the God of hostes Almighty. And all
the people answered Amen, and lifting up their hands they fell to
the ground, and worshipped the Lord. Also Iesus, Anus, Sarabias,
Adinus, Iacubus, Sabateus, Auteas, Maianeas, and Calitas, Azarias,
and Ioazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites taught the law of
the Lord, making them withall to understand it. Then spake They weepe,
Attharates unto Esdras the chiefe priest, and reader, and to the and are put in
Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying, This day Feast day.
is holy unto the Lord; for they all wept when they heard the

law. Goe then and eate the fat, and drinke the sweet, and send
part to them that have nothing. For this day is holy unto the
Lord, and be not sorrowfull; for the Lord will bring you to
honour. So the Levites published all things to the people, say-
ing: This day is holy to the Lord, be not sorrow full. Then
went they their way, every one to eate and drinke, and make
mery, and to give part to them that had nothing, and to make
great cheere, because they understood the words where-
in they were instructed, and for the which they
had bin assembled.

mind of the

Esdras is commanded to reprove the people.

II. ESDRAS

CHAPTER I

HE second booke of the Prophet Esdras/the sonne of Saraias, the sonne of Azarias," the sonne of Helchias, the sonne of Sadamias, the sonne of Sadoc, the sonne of Achitob, the sonne of Achias, the sonne of Phinees, the sonne of Heli, the sonne of Amarias, the sonne of Aziei, the sonne of Marimoth, the sonne of Arna, the sonne of Ozias, the sonne of Borith, the sonne of Abisei, the sonne of Phinees, the sonne of Eleazar, the sonne of Aaron, of the Tribe of Levi, which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reigne of Artaxerxes king of the Persians. And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Goe thy way, and shew my people their sinfull deeds, and their children their wickednes which they have done against me, that they may tell their childrens children, because the sinnes of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto strange gods. Am not I even hee that brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and despised my counsels. Pull thou off then the haire of thy head, and cast all evill upon them, for they have not beene obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people. How long shall I forbeare them unto whom I have done so much good? Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes, Pharao with his servants, and all his power have I smitten downe. All the nations have I destroyed before them, and in the East I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon, and have slaine all their enemies. Speake thou therefore unto them saying, Thus saith the Lord, I led you through the Sea, and in the beginning gave you a large and safe passage, I gave you Moyses for a leader, and Aaron for a priest, I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you, yet have

I

you forgotten me, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Almightie Lord, CHAPTER The quailes were as a token for you, I gave you tents for your safegard, neverthelesse you murmured there, and triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day doe ye yet murmure. Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when you were hungry and thirstie in the wildernesse, did you not crie unto me? saying, Why hast thou brought us into this wildernesse to kill us? It had bin better for us to have served the Egyptians, then to die in this wildernesse. Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave you Manna to eat, so ye did eate Angels bread. When ye were thirstie, did I not cleave the rocke, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heate I covered you with the leaves of the trees. I divided amongst you a fruitfull land, I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines before you: what shall I yet doe more for you, saith the Lord? Thus saith the Almighty Lord, When you were in the wildernes in the river of the Amorites, being athirst, and blaspheming my Name, I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but cast a tree in the water, and made the river sweet. What shall I doe unto thee, O Iacob? God threatneth thou Iuda wouldest not obey me: I will turne me to other nations, to cast them off, and unto those will I give my Name, that they may keepe my Statutes. Seeing yee have forsaken mee, I will forsake you also: when yee desire me to be gracious unto you, I shall have no mercy upon you. Whensoever you shall call upon me, I will not heare you for yee have defiled your hands with blood, and your feete are swift to commit manslaughter. Yee have not as it were forsaken me, but your owne selves, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have I not prayed you as a father his sonnes, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes, that yee would be my people, and I shoud be your God, that ye would be my children, and I should be your father? I gathered you together, as a henne gathereth her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I doe unto you? I will cast you out from my face. When you offer unto me, I will turne my face from you: for your solemne feast dayes, your newe Moone, and your circumcisions have I forsaken. I sent unto you my servants the Prophets, whom yee have taken and slaine, and torne their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require of your hands, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is desolate, I will cast you out, as the wind doth stubble. And your children shall not bee fruitful: for and to give they have despised my Commandement, and done the thing that their houses is evill before me. Your houses wil I give to a people that shall to a people of come, which not having heard of mee, yet shall beleeve mee, to then they.

more grace