Ezra 8:16-23
New American Standard Bible 1995
16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, [a]leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, teachers. 17 I sent them to Iddo the [b]leading man at the place Casiphia; and I [c]told them what to say to [d]Iddo and his brothers, (A)the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that is, to bring ministers to us for the house of our God. 18 (B)According to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a (C)man of insight of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, and his sons and brothers, 18 men; 19 and Hashabiah and [e]Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his brothers and their sons, 20 men; 20 and 220 of (D)the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, all of them designated by name.
Protection of God Invoked
21 Then I proclaimed (E)a fast there at (F)the river of Ahava, that we might (G)humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a [f]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 [g]protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “(H)The hand of our God is [h]favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but (I)His power and His anger are against all those who (J)forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He [i](K)listened to our entreaty.
Read full chapterNew American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
