The altar set up.

CHAP. III, IV. Foundation of the temple lard.

things, till there stood up a priest with from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, accordUrim and with Thummim. ing to the grant that they had of Cyrus

:

64 ¶ The whole congregation together king of Persia. was forty and two thousand three hundred 8 Now in the second year of their and threescore, coming unto the house of God at Jerusa65 Besides their servants and their lem, in the second month, began Zerubmaids, of whom there were seven thousand babel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the three hundred thirty and seven and there son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their were among them two hundred singing- brethren the priests and the Levites, and men and singing-women. all they that were come out of the cap66 Their horses were seven hundred tivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the thirty and six; their mules, two hundred Levites, from twenty years old and upforty and five; ward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the 68 ¶ And some of the chief of the fathers, sons of Judah, together, to set forward the when they came to the house of the LORD workmen in the house of God: the sons which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for of Henadad, with their sons and their the house of God to set it up in his place: brethren the Levites.

69 They gave after their ability unto 10 And when the builders laid the foundthe treasure of the work threescore and ation of the temple of the LORD, they set one thousand drams of gold, and five the priests in their apparel with trumpets, thousand pounds of silver, and one hun- and the Levites the sons of Asaph with dred priests' garments. cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.

70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities. CHAP. III.

A ND when the seventh month was

11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 12 But many of the priests and Levites 2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jo- and chief of the fathers, who were ancient zadak, and his brethren the priests, and men, that had seen the first house, when Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his the foundation of this house was laid bebrethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

fore their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise 3 And they set the altar upon his bases; of the weeping of the people for the for fear was upon them because of the people shouted with a loud shout, and the people of those countries: and they offer-noise was heard afar off.

ed burnt-offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt-offerings morning and evening.

CHAP. IV.

:

4 They kept also the feast of taberna Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the chi!cles, as it is written, and offered the daily dren of the captivity builded the temple burnt-offerings by number, according to unto the LORD God of Israel; the custom, as the duty of every day re- 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and quired; to the chief of the fathers, and said unto

5 And afterward offered the continua! them, Let us build with you: for we seek burnt-offering, both of the new-moons, and your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice of all the set feasts of the LORD that were unto him since the days of Esar-haddon consecrated, and of every one that wil-king of Assur, which brought us up hither. lingly offered a free-will-offering unto the 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the LORD. rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel,

6 From the first day of the seventh, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do month began they to offer burnt-offerings with us to build a house unto our God; unto the LORD. But the foundation of the but we ourselves together will build unto temple of the LORD was not yet laid. the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the 7 They gave money also unto the ma- king of Persia hath commanded us. sons, and to the carpenters; and meat, 4 Then the people of the land weakand drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, ened the hands of the people of Judah, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar-trees and troubled them in building,

The letter to Artaxerxes.

EZRA. The building stopped by Artaxerxes. 5 And hired counsellors against them, 18 The letter which ye sent unto us to frustrate their purpose, all the days of hath been plainly read before me. Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign 19 And I commanded, and search hath of Darius, king of Persia. been made, and it is found that this city of 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the old time hath made insurrection against beginning of his reign, wrote they unto kings, and that rebellion and sedition have him an accusation against the inhabitants been made therein.

of Judah and Jerusalem.

20 There have been mighty kings also

7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest countries beyond the river: and toll, triof their companions unto Artaxerxes king bute, and custom, was paid unto them. of Persia, and the writing of the letter was 21 Give ye now commandment to cause written in the Syrian tongue, and inter-these men to cease, and that this city be preted in the Syrian tongue. not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

8 Rebum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem 22 Take heed now that ye fail not to to Artaxerxes the king in this sort : do this: why should damage grow to the

9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, hurt of the kings? and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of 23 ¶ Now when the copy of king Artaxtheir companions; the Dinaites, the Aphar-erxes' letter was read before Rebum, and sathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Su- they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto sanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elam- the Jews, and made them to cease by force ites, and power.

10 And the rest of the nations whom the 24 Then ceased the work of the house great and noble Asnapper brought over, of God which is at Jerusalem. So it and set in the cities of Samaria, and the ceased unto the second year of the reign rest that are on this side the river, and at of Darius king of Persia.

such a time.

CHAP. V.

11 T This is the copy of the letter thatHEN the prophets, Haggai the prothey sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes phet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, the king; Thy servants the men on this prophesied unto the Jews that were in Juside the river, and at such a time. dah and Jerusalem in the name of the God

12 Be it known unto the king, that the of Israel, even unto them. Jews which came up from thee to us, are 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of come unto Jerusalem, building the rebel- Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, lious and the bad city, and have set up the and began to build the house of God which walls thereof, and joined the foundations. is at Jerusalem and with them were the 13 Be it known now unto the king, that prophets of God helping them.

:

if this city be builded, and the walls set 3T At the same time came to them up again, then will they not pay toll, tri-Tatnai, governor on this side the river, bute, and custom, and so thou shalt en- and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, damage the revenue of the kings. and said thus unto them, Who hath com

14 Now because we have maintenance manded you to build this house, and to from the king's palace, and it was not meet make up this wall?

for us to see the king's dishonour, there- 4 Then said we unto them after this fore have we sent and certified the king; manner, What are the names of the men 15 That search may be made in the that make this building?

book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt 5 But the eye of their God was upon thou find in the book of the records, and the elders of the Jews, that they could not know that this city is a rebellious city, and cause them to cease, till the matter came hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that to Darius: and then they returned answer they have moved sedition within the same by letter concerning this matter. of old time: for which cause was this city 6 T The copy of the letter that Tatnai, destroyed. governor on this side the river, and She16 We certify the king that, if this city thar-boznai, and his companions the Apharbe builded again, and the walls thereof sachites, which were on this side the river, set up, by this means thou shalt have no sent unto Darius the king: portion on this side the river. 7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein

17 ¶ Then sent the king an answer unto was written thus; Unto Darius the king, Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai all peace.

the scribe, and to the rest of their com- 8 Be it known unto the king, that we panions that dwell in Samaria, and unto went into the province of Judea, to the the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at house of the great God, which is builded such a time. with great stones, and timber is laid in the

Darius advances the building.

CHAP. VI.

The temple is finished. walls, and this work goeth fast on, and thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth prospereth in their hands. thereof threescore cubits; 9 Then asked we those elders, and said 4 With three rows of great stones, and unto them thus, Who commanded you to a row of new timber: and let the exbuild this house, and to make up these penses be given out of the king's house: walls? 5 And also let the golden and silver 10 We asked their names also, to certify vessels of the house of God, which Nethee, that we might write the names of the buchadnezzar took forth out of the temple men that were the chief of them. which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto

11 And thus they returned us answer, Babylon, be restored, and brought again saying, We are the servants of the God of unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, heaven and earth, and build the house every one to his place, and place them in that was builded these many years ago, the house of God. which a great king of Israel builded and set up.

6 Now therefore, Tatnai governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your 12 But after that our fathers had pro- companions the Apharsachites, which are voked the God of heaven unto wrath, he beyond the river, be ye far from thence: gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnez- 7 Let the work of this house of God zar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, alone; let the governor of the Jews, and who destroyed this house, and carried the the elders of the Jews, build this house of people away into Babylon. God in his place.

13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon,the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

8 Moreover, I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the 14 And the vessels also of gold and king's goods, even of the tribute beyond silver of the house of God, which Ne- the river, forthwith expenses be given unto buchadnezzar took out of the temple that these men, that they be not hindered. was in Jerusalem, and brought them into 9 And that which they have need of, the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus both young bullocks,and rams, and lambs, the king take out of the temple of Baby- for the burnt-offerings of the God of healon, and they were delivered unto one, ven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he to the appointment of the priests which are had made governor; at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail :

15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.

10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, 11 Also I have made a decree, that and laid the foundation of the house of whosoever shall alter this word, let timber God which is in Jerusalem and since be pulled down from his house, and being that time even until now hath it been in set up, let him be hanged thereon; and building, and yet it is not finished. let his house be made a dunghill for this.

17 Now therefore, if it seem good to 12 And the God that hath caused his the king, let there be search made in the name to dwell there destroy all kings and king's treasure-house, which is there at people, that shall put to their hand to alter Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree and to destroy this house of God which is was made of Cyrus the king to build this at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a dehouse of God at Jerusalem, and let the cree; let it be done with speed. king send his pleasure to us concerning 13 ¶ Then Tatnai, governor on this this matter. side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which Da

CHAP. VI.

THEN Darius the king made a decree, rius the king had sent, so they did speedily. and search was made in the house of 14 And the elders of the Jews builded, the rolls, where the treasures were laid up and they prospered through the proin Babylon. phesying of Haggai the prophet and Ze2 And there was found at Achmetha, in chariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, the palace that is in the province of the and finished it, according to the commandMedes, a roll, and therein was a record ment of the God of Israel, and according thus written : to the commandment of Cyrus, and Da

3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, the rius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. same Cyrus the king made a decree con- 15 And this house was finished on the cerning the house of God at Jerusalem, third day of the month Adar, which was in Let the house be builded, the place where the sixth yearofthe reign of Darius the king. they offered sacrifices, and let the founda- 16 And the children of Israel, the tions thereof be strongly laid; the height priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the

Ezra goes up to Jerusalem.

EZRA. The commission of Artaxerxes. children of the captivity, kept the dedica- seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and tion of this house of God with joy, to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

17 And offered at the dedication of this 11 ¶ Now this is the copy of the letter house of God a hundred bullocks, two that the king Artaxerxes gave onto Ezra hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he- words of the commandments of the LORD, goats, according to the number of the tribes and of his statutes to Israel. of Israel.

12 Artaxerxes,king of kings, Unto Ezra 18 And they set the priests in their di- the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of visions, and the Levites in their courses, heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. for the service of God, which is at Jerusa- 13 I make a decree, that all they of the lem; as it is written in the book of Moses. people of Israel, and of his priests and 19 And the children of the captivity Levites, in my realm, which are minded kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of their own free will to go up to Jerusaof the first month. lem, go with thee.

20 For the priests and the Levites were 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the purified together, all of them were pure, king, and of his seven counsellors, to inand killed the passover for all the children quire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, of the captivity, and for their brethren the according to the law of thy God which is priests, and for themselves. in thy hand;

21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, 22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

CHAP. VII.

NOW after these things, in the reign of

Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,

3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,

4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,

5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:

15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem.

16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the free-will-offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat-offerings and their drink-offer

ings, and offer them upon the altar of the

house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house.

6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had do make a decree to all the treasurers given and the king granted him all his which are beyond the river, that whatsorequest, according to the hand of the LORD ever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law his God upon him. of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the 22 Unto a hundred talents of silver, Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the to a hundred baths of wine, and to a seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. hundred baths of oil, and salt without pre

8 And he cane to Jerusalem in the fifth scribing how much. month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done 9 For upon the first day of the first for the house of the God of heaven: for why month began he to go up from Babylon, should there be wrath against the realm and on the first day of the fifth month came of the king and his sons?

he to Jerusalem, according to the good 24 Also we certify you, that touching hand of his God upon him. any of the priests and Levites, singers,

10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this

Those who returned with Ezra. CHAP. house of God, it shall not be lawful to im-| pose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of 15 And I gathered them together to thy God, that is in thy hand, set magis- the river that runneth to Ahava; and there trates and judges, which may judge all the abode we in tents three days: and I viewpeople that are beyond the river, all such ed the people, and the priests, and found as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye there none of the sons of Levi. them that know them not. 16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel,

26 And whosoever will not do the law for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for of thy God, and the law of the king, let Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, judgment be executed speedily upon him, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnaor to confiscation of goods, or to imprison- than, men of understanding. 17 And I sent them with commandment

27 Blessed be the LORD God of our unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, fathers, which hath put such a thing as and I told them what they should say unto this in the king's heart, to beautify the Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: at the place Casiphia, that they should 28 And hath extended mercy unto me bring unto us ministers for the house of before the king, and his counsellors, and our God.

before all the king's mighty princes. And 18 And by the good hand of our God I was strengthened as the hand of the upon us they brought us a man of underLORD my God was upon me, and I gathered standing, of the sons of Mahli, the son of together out of Israel chief men to go up Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with with me. his sons and his brethren, eighteen;