by Septuagint
[5] And in three days were all they of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem the twentieth day of the ninth month. [6] And all the multitude sat trembling in the broad court of the temple because of the present foul weather.
[7] So Esdras arose up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed the law in marrying strange wives, thereby to increase the sins of Israel. [8] And now by confessing give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers, [9] And do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the strange women.
[10] Then cried the whole multitude, and said with a loud voice, Like as thou hast spoken, so will we do. [11] But forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather, so that we cannot stand without, and this is not a work of a day or two, seeing our sin in these things is spread far: [12] Therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all them of our habitations that have strange wives come at the time appointed, [13] And with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter.
[14] Then Jonathan the son of Azael and Ezechias the son of Theocanus accordingly took this matter upon them: and Mosollam and Levis and Sabbatheus helped them. [15] And they that were of the captivity did according to all these things. [16] And Esdras the priest chose unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth month they sat together to examine the matter. [17] So their cause that held strange wives was brought to an end in the first day of the first month.
[18] And of the priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found: [19] Of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Matthelas and Eleazar, and Joribus and Joadanus. [20] And they gave their hands to put away their wives and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their errors.
[21] And of the sons of Emmer; Ananias, and Zabdeus, and Eanes, and Sameius, and Hiereel, and Azarias. [22] And of the sons of Phaisur; Elionas, Massias Israel, and Nathanael, and Ocidelus and Talsas.
[23] And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Semis, and Colius, who was called Calitas, and Patheus, and Judas, and Jonas. [24] Of the holy singers; Eleazurus, Bacchurus. [25] Of the porters; Sallumus, and Tolbanes.
[26] Of them of Israel, of the sons of Phoros; Hiermas, and Eddias, and Melchias, and Maelus, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Baanias. [27] Of the sons of Ela; Matthanias, Zacharias, and Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and Aedias. [28] And of the sons of Zamoth; Eliadas, Elisimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, and Sabatus, and Sardeus. [29] Of the sons of Babai; Johannes, and Ananias and Josabad, and Amatheis. [30] Of the sons of Mani; Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedeus, Jasubus, Jasael, and Hieremoth. [31] And of the sons of Addi; Naathus, and Moosias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathanias, and Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas. [32] And of the sons of Annas; Elionas and Aseas, and Melchias, and Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus. [33] And of the sons of Asom; Altaneus, and Matthias, and Baanaia, Eliphalet, and Manasses, and Semei. [34] And of the sons of Maani; Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the sons of Ozora; Sesis, Esril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Josephus. [35] And of the sons of Ethma; Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias.
[36] All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children.
[37] And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the country, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their habitations.
[38] And the whole multitude came together with one accord into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east: [39] And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel. [40] So Esdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear law in the first day of the seventh month. [41] And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and women; and the multitude gave heed unto the law.
[42] And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon a pulpit of wood, which was made for that purpose. [43] And there stood up by him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand: [44] And upon his left hand stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, and Nabarias.
[45] Then took Esdras the book of the law before the multitude: for he sat honourably in the first place in the sight of them all. [46] And when he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of hosts, Almighty. [47] And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord.
[48] Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, Auteas, Maianeas, and Calitas, Azarias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it.
[49] Then spake Attharates unto Esdras the chief priest. and reader, and to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying, [50] This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they all wept when they heard the law:) [51] Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part to them that have nothing; [52] For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour.
[53] So the Levites published all things to the people, saying, This day is holy to the Lord; be not sorrowful. [54] Then went they their way, every one to eat and drink, and make merry, and to give part to them that had nothing, and to make great cheer; [55] Because they understood the words wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled.
II Ezra
Chapter 1
[1] Now in the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians, and he issued a proclamation through all his kingdom, and that in writing, saying,
[2] Thus said Cyrus king of the Persians, The Lord God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has given me a charge to build him a house in Jerusalem that is in Judea. [3] Who is there among you of all his people? for his God shall be with him, and he shall go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea, and let him build the house of the God of Israel: he is the God that is in Jerusalem. [4] And let every Jew that is left go from every place where he sojourns, and the men of his place shall help him with silver, and gold, and goods, and cattle, together with the voluntary offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
[5] Then the chiefs of the families of Juda and Benjamin arose, and the priests, and the Levites, all whose spirit the Lord stirred up to go up to build the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. [6] And all that were round about strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with cattle, and with presents, besides the voluntary offerings.
[7] And king Cyrus brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nabuchodonosor had brought from Jerusalem, and put in the house of his god. [8] And Cyrus king of the Persians brought them out by the hand of Mithradates the treasurer, and he numbered them to Sasabasar, the chief man of Juda. [9] And this is their number: thirty gold basons, and a thousand silver basons, nine and twenty changes, thirty golden goblets, [10] and four hundred and ten double silver vessels, and a thousand other vessels. [11] All the gold and silver vessels were five thousand four hundred, even all that went up with Sasabasar from the place of transportation, from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Chapter 2
[1] And these are the people of the land that went up, of the number of prisoners who were removed, whom Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away to Babylon, and they returned to Juda and Jerusalem, every man to his city; [2] who came with Zorobabel: Jesus, Neemias, Saraias, Reelias, Mardochaeus, Balasan, Masphar, Baguai, Reum, Baana. The number of the people of Israel:
[3] the children of Phares, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two.
[4] The child
ren of Saphatia, three hundred and seventy-two.
[5] The children of Ares, seven hundred and seventy-five.
[6] The children of Phaath Moab, belonging to the sons of Jesue and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
[7] The children of Ælam, a thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
[8] The children of Zatthua, nine hundred and forty-five.
[9] The children of Zacchu, seven hundred and sixty.
[10] The children of Banui, six hundred and forty-two.
[11] The children of Babai, six hundred and twenty-three.
[12] The children of Asgad, a thousand two hundred and twenty-two.
[13] The children of Adonicam, six hundred and sixty-six.
[14] The children of Bague, two thousand and fifty-six.
[15] The children of Addin, four hundred and fifty-four.
[16] The children of Ater the son of Ezekias, ninety eight.
[17] The children of Bassu, three hundred and twenty-three.
[18] The children of Jora, a hundred and twelve.
[19] The children of Asum, two hundred and twenty-three.
[20] The children of Gaber, ninety-five.
[21] The children of Bethlaem, a hundred and twenty-three.
[22] The children of Netopha, fifty-six.
[23] The children of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty-eight.
[24] The children of Azmoth, forty-three.
[25] The children of Cariathiarim, Chaphira, and Beroth, seven hundred and forty-three.
[26] The children of Rama and Gabaa, six hundred and twenty-one.
[27] The men of Machmas, a hundred and twenty-two.
[28] The men of Baethel and Aia, four hundred and twenty-three.
[29] The children of Nabu, fifty-two.
[30] The children of Magebis, a hundred and fifty-six.
[31] The children of Elamar, a thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
[32] The children of Elam, three hundred and twenty.
[33] The children of Lodadi and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five.
[34] The children of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five.
[35] The children of Senaa, three thousand six hundred and thirty.
[36] And the priests, the sons of Jedua, belonging to the house of Jesus, were nine hundred and seventy-three. [37] The children of Emmer, a thousand and fifty-two. [38] The children of Phassur, a thousand two hundred and forty-seven. [39] The children of Erem, a thousand and seven.
[40] And the Levites, the sons of Jesus and Cadmiel, belonging to the sons of Oduia, seventy-four.
[41] The sons of Asaph, singers, a hundred and twenty-eight.
[42] The children of the porters, the children of Sellum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Acub, the children of Atita, the children of Sobai, in all a hundred and thirty-nine. [43] The Nathinim: the children of Suthia, the children of Asupha, the children of Tabaoth, [44] the sons of Cades, the children of Siaa, the children of Phadon, [45] the children of Labano, the children of Agaba, the sons of Acub, [46] the children of Agab, the children of Selami, the children of Anan, [47] the children of Geddel, the children of Gaar, the children of Raia, [48] the children of Rason, the children of Necoda, the children of Gazem, [49] the children of Azo, the children of Phase, the children of Basi, [50] the children of Asena, the children of Mounim, the children of Nephusim, [51] the children of Bacbuc, the children of Acupha, the children of Arur, [52] the children of Basaloth, the children of Mauda, the children of Arsa, [53] the children of Barcos, the children of Sisara, the children of Thema, [54] the children of Nasthie, the children of Atupha. [55] The children of the servants of Solomon: the children of Sotai, the children of Sephera, the children of Phadura, [56] the children of Jeela, the children of Darcon, the children of Gedel, [57] the children of Saphatia, the children of Atil, the children of Phacherath, the children of Aseboim, the children of Emei. [58] All the Nathanim, and the sons of Abdeselma were three hundred and ninety-two.
[59] And these are they that went up from Thelmelech, Thelaresa, Cherub, Hedan, Emmer: and they were not able to tell the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: [60] the children of Dalaea, the children of Bua, the children of Tobias, the children of Necoda, six hundred and fifty-two. [61] And of the children of the priests, the children of Labeia, the children of Akkus, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughter of Berzellai the Galaadite, and was called by their name. [62] These sought their genealogy as though they had been reckoned, but they were not found; and they were removed, as polluted, from the priesthood. [63] And the Athersastha told them that they should not eat of the most holy things, until a priest should arise with Lights and Perfections.
[64] And all the congregation together were about forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty; [65] besides their men-servants and maid-servants, and these were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven: and among these were two hundred singing men and singing women. [66] Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules, two hundred and forty-five. [67] Their camels, four hundred and thirty-five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
[68] And some of the chiefs of families, when they went into the house of the Lord that was in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God, to establish it on its prepared place. [69] According to their power they gave into the treasury of the work pure gold sixty-one thousand pieces, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
[70] So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nathinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Chapter 3
[1] And the seventh month came on, and the children of Israel were in their cities, and the people assembled as one man at Jerusalem. [2] Then stood up Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren the priests, and Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and his brethren, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer upon it whole-burnt-offerings, according to the things that were written in the law of Moses the man of God.
[3] And they set up the altar on its place, for there was a terror upon them because of the people of the lands: and the whole-burnt-offerings was offered up upon it to the Lord morning and evening. [4] And they kept the feast of tabernacles, according to that which was written, and offered whole-burnt-offerings daily in number according to the ordinance, the exact daily rate. [5] And after this the perpetual whole-burnt-offering, and offering for the season of new moon, and for all the hallowed feasts to the Lord, and for every one that offered a free-will-offering to the Lord. [6] On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord: but the foundation of the house of the Lord was not laid. [7] And they gave money to the stone-hewers and carpenters, and meat and drink, and oil, to the Sidonians, and Tyrians, to bring cedar trees from Libanus to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant of Cyrus king of the Persians to them.
[8] And in the second year of their coming to the house of God in Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all who came from the captivity to Jerusalem, and they appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, over the workmen in the house of the Lord. [9] And Jesus and his sons and his brethren stood, Cadmiel and his sons the sons of Juda, over them that wrought the works in the house of God: the sons of Enadad, their sons and their brethren the Levites.
[10] And they laid a foundation for building the house of the Lord: and the priests in their robes stood with trumpets and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the order of David king of Israel. [11] And they answered each other with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, saying, For it is good, for his mercy to Israel endures for ever. And all the people shouted with a loud voice to praise the Lord at the laying the foundation of the house of the Lord. [12] But many of
the priests and the Levites, and the elder men, heads of families, who had seen the former house on its foundation, and who saw this house with their eyes, wept with a loud voice: but the multitude shouted with joy to raise a song. [13] And the people did not distinguish the voice of the glad shout from the voice of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud voice, and the voice was heard even from afar off.
Chapter 4
[1] And they that afflicted Juda and Benjamin heard, that the children of the captivity were building a house to the Lord God of Israel. [2] And they drew near to Zorobabel, and to the heads of families, and said to them, We will build with you; for as ye do, we seek to serve our God, and we do sacrifice to him from the days of Asaradan king of Assur, who brought us hither.
[3] then Zorobabel, and Jesus and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel said to them, It is not for us and you to build a house to our God, for we ourselves will build together to the Lord our God, as Cyrus the king of the Persians commanded us. [4] And the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Juda, and hindered them in building, [5] and continued hiring persons against them, plotting to frustrate their counsel, all the days of Cyrus king of the Persians, and until the reign of Darius king of the Persians.
[6] And in the reign of Assuerus, even in the beginning of his reign, they wrote a letter against the inhabitants of Juda and Jerusalem. [7] And in the days of Arthasastha, Tabeel wrote peaceably to Mithradates and to the rest of his fellow-servants: the tribute-gatherer wrote to Arthasastha king of the Persians a writing in the Syrian tongue, and the same interpreted. [8] Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe wrote an epistle against Jerusalem to King Arthasastha, saying, [9] Thus has judged Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and the rest of our fellow-servants, the Dinaeans, the Apharsathachaeans, the Tarphalaeans, the Apharsaeans, the Archyaeans, the Babylonians, the Susanachaeans, Davaeans, [10] and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Assenaphar removed, and settled them in the cities of Somoron, and the rest of them beyond the river. [11] This is the purport of the letter, which they sent to him: Thy servants the men beyond the river to king Arthasastha.