Font Size
Ezra 8:20-22
Christian Standard Bible
Ezra 8:20-22
Christian Standard Bible
20 There were also 220 of the temple servants,(A) who had been appointed by David and the leaders for the work of the Levites. All were identified by name.
Preparing to Return
21 I proclaimed a fast(B) by the Ahava River,[a] so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions. 22 I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him.”(C)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 8:21 Or Canal, also in v. 31
Ezra 8:20-22
New International Version
Ezra 8:20-22
New International Version
20 They also brought 220 of the temple servants(A)—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name.
21 There, by the Ahava Canal,(B) I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey(C) for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers(D) 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(E) who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.(F)”
Ezra 8:20-22
King James Version
Ezra 8:20-22
King James Version
20 Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
Read full chapter
Ezra 8:20-22
New King James Version
Ezra 8:20-22
New King James Version
20 (A)also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. All of them were designated by name.
Fasting and Prayer for Protection
21 Then I (B)proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might (C)humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the (D)right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For (E)I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, (F)“The hand of our God is upon all those for (G)good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are (H)against all those who (I)forsake Him.”
Read full chapter
Ezra 8:20-22
English Standard Version
Ezra 8:20-22
English Standard Version
20 (A)besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all (B)mentioned by name.
Fasting and Prayer for Protection
21 (C)Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river (D)Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, (E)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, (F)“The hand of our God is for good on (G)all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”
Read full chapter
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.