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Ezra 8:21-23
New International Version
Ezra 8:21-23
New International Version
21 There, by the Ahava Canal,(A) I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey(B) for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers(C) and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone(D) who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.(E)” 23 So we fasted(F) and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23
English Standard Version
Ezra 8:21-23
English Standard Version
Fasting and Prayer for Protection
21 (A)Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river (B)Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, (C)to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, (D)“The hand of our God is for good on (E)all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
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Ezra 8:21-23
New American Standard Bible
Ezra 8:21-23
New American Standard Bible
Protection of God Invoked
21 Then I proclaimed (A)a fast there at (B)the river of Ahava, to (C)humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a [a]safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to [b]protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “(D)The hand of our God is [c]favorably disposed to all who seek Him, but (E)His power and His anger are against all those who (F)abandon Him.” 23 So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He [d](G)listened to our pleading.
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Ezra 8:21-23
Common English Bible
Ezra 8:21-23
Common English Bible
21 Then I called for a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might submit before our God and ask of him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. 22 I had been ashamed to ask the king for a group of soldiers and cavalry to help us in facing enemies on the way, because we had told the king, “The power of God favors all who seek him, but his fierce wrath is against all who abandon him.” 23 So we fasted and prayed to our God for this, and he responded to us.
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Ezra 8:21-23
Contemporary English Version
Ezra 8:21-23
Contemporary English Version
Ezra Asks the People To Go without Eating and To Pray
21 Beside the Ahava River,[a] I[b] asked the people to go without eating[c] and to pray. We humbled ourselves and asked God to bring us and our children safely to Jerusalem with all of our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king to send soldiers and cavalry to protect us against enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king that our God takes care of everyone who truly worships him, but that he gets very angry and punishes anyone who refuses to obey. 23 So we went without food and asked God himself to protect us, and he answered our prayers.
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.