⁸ Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. ⁹ He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.^{(A) 10} For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching^(B) its decrees and laws in Israel.

²⁷ Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart^(A) to bring honor^(B) to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way ²⁸ and who has extended his good favor^(C) to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me,^(D) I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

¹¹ “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly^(A) they turned their backs^(B) and covered their ears.^{(C) 12} They made their hearts as hard as flint^(D) and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets.^(E) So the Lord Almighty was very angry.^(F)

¹³ “‘When I called, they did not listen;^(G) so when they called, I would not listen,’^(H) says the Lord Almighty.^{(I) 14} ‘I scattered^(J) them with a whirlwind^(K) among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it.^(L) This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.^(M)’”

⁹ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong^(A) so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets^(B) said who were present when the foundation^(C) was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. ¹⁰ Before that time there were no wages^(D) for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely^(E) because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. ¹¹ But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,”^(F) declares the Lord Almighty.

¹² “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit,^(G) the ground will produce its crops,^(H) and the heavens will drop their dew.^(I) I will give all these things as an inheritance^(J) to the remnant of this people.^{(K) 13} Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse^[a](L) among the nations, so I will save^(M) you, and you will be a blessing.^[b](N) Do not be afraid,^(O) but let your hands be strong.^(P)”

¹⁴ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster^(Q) on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, ¹⁵ “so now I have determined to do good^(R) again to Jerusalem and Judah.^(S) Do not be afraid.