Bible in 90 Days
16 So everything was ·done [completed] that day for the ·worship [service] of the Lord, as King Josiah commanded. The Passover was ·celebrated [kept; observed], and the burnt offerings were ·offered [sacrificed] on the Lord’s altar. 17 The Israelites who were there ·celebrated [kept; observed] the Passover and the ·Feast [Festival] of Unleavened Bread for seven days. 18 The Passover had not been ·celebrated [observed; kept] like this in Israel since the prophet Samuel was alive [C over four hundred years earlier]. None of the kings of Israel had ever ·celebrated [kept; observed] a Passover like the one ·celebrated [kept; observed] by King Josiah, the priests, the Levites, the people of Judah and Israel who were there, and the people of Jerusalem. 19 This Passover was ·celebrated [kept; observed] in the eighteenth year Josiah ·was king [reigned].
The Death of Josiah(A)
20 After Josiah ·did all this for [restored; set in order] the ·Temple [L house], Neco king of Egypt led an army to ·attack [fight/do battle at] Carchemish, a town on the Euphrates River. And Josiah marched out to fight against Neco. 21 But Neco sent messengers to Josiah, saying, “King Josiah, ·there should not be war between us [what have we to do with each other? L what to me and to you]. I did not come to fight you, but ·my enemies [the kingdom/L house with which I am at war]. God told me to hurry, and he is on my side. So ·don’t fight [stop opposing] God, ·or he will [so he will not] destroy you.”
22 But Josiah did not ·go [L turn his face] away. He ·wore different clothes [disguised himself] ·so no one would know who he was [in order to fight him]. Refusing to listen to ·what Neco said at God’s command [L the words Neco received from God’s mouth], Josiah went to fight on the plain of Megiddo. 23 In the battle King Josiah was shot by archers. He told his servants, “Take me away because I am badly wounded.” 24 So they took him out of his chariot and put him in another chariot and carried him to Jerusalem. There he died and was buried in the ·graves [tombs] where his ·ancestors [fathers] were buried. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem ·were very sad because he was dead [mourned for him].
25 Jeremiah ·wrote some sad songs about [composed a lament for] Josiah. Even to this day all the men and women singers ·remember and honor [lament; mourn] Josiah with these songs. It became a ·custom [tradition] in Israel to sing these songs that are written in ·the collection of sad songs [The Book of Laments].
26 The ·other things Josiah did as king [rest of the acts/events/history of Josiah] and his acts of devotion in obedience to what was was written in the Lord’s ·Teachings [instructions; laws], 27 from ·beginning to end [first to last], ·are [L are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Jehoahaz King of Judah(B)
36 The people of ·Judah [L the land] ·chose [L took] Josiah’s son Jehoahaz and made him king in Jerusalem in his father’s place.
2 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for three months. 3 Then King Neco of Egypt ·removed Jehoahaz from being king [dethroned/deposed him] in Jerusalem. Neco made the people of Judah pay a ·tax [or fine] of ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [L one hundred talents] of silver and ·about seventy-five pounds [L one talent] of gold. 4 The king of Egypt made Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim the king of Judah and Jerusalem and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took his brother Jehoahaz to Egypt [C as a prisoner].
Jehoiakim King of Judah(C)
5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for eleven years. He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes]. 6 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked ·Judah [L him], ·captured Jehoiakim [bound him], put bronze chains on him, and ·took him [carried him away] to Babylon. 7 Nebuchadnezzar removed some of the ·things [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, took them to Babylon, and put them in his own ·palace [or temple; L house].
8 The ·other things Jehoiakim did as king [rest of the events/acts/history of Jehoiakim], the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things he did, and everything ·he was guilty of doing [found against him], ·are [L are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin became king in his place.
Jehoiachin King of Judah(D)
9 Jehoiachin was ·eight [or eighteen; 2 Kin. 24:8] years old when he became king of Judah, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for three months and ten days. He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [L evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes]. 10 ·In the spring [L At the turn of the year] King Nebuchadnezzar sent for Jehoiachin and brought him and some valuable ·treasures [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord to Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiachin’s ·uncle [relative; L brother] Zedekiah the king of Judah and Jerusalem.
Zedekiah King of Judah(E)
11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king of Judah, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for eleven years. 12 Zedekiah did ·what the Lord said was wrong [L evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes]. The prophet Jeremiah spoke ·messages from [L from the mouth of] the Lord, but Zedekiah did not ·obey [L humble himself]. 13 Zedekiah turned against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had forced him to ·swear [vow; take an oath] in God’s name to be loyal to him. But Zedekiah ·became stubborn [L stiffened his neck] and ·refused to obey [L hardened his heart against seeking] the Lord, the God of Israel. 14 Also, all the ·leaders [officials] of the priests and the people of Judah became more ·wicked [unfaithful], following the ·evil example [detestable/abominable practices] of the other nations. The Lord had ·made holy [consecrated; sanctified] the ·Temple [L house] in Jerusalem, but the leaders ·made it unholy [defiled/polluted it].
The Fall of Jerusalem
15 The Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], sent ·prophets [L messengers] again and again to warn his people, because he had ·pity [compassion] on them and on his ·Temple [dwelling place]. 16 But they ·made fun of [mocked] God’s ·prophets [L messengers] and hated God’s ·messages [L words]. They ·refused to listen to the [ridiculed/scoffed at his] prophets until, finally, the Lord became so angry with his people that ·he could not be stopped [there was no remedy/L healer]. 17 So God brought the king of ·Babylon [the Chaldeans] to attack them. The king ·killed [slaughtered; L killed with the sword] the young men even when they were in the ·Temple [L house of their sanctuary]. He had no ·mercy [pity; compassion] on the young men or women, the old men or those who were ·sick [infirm]. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. 18 Nebuchadnezzar carried away to Babylon all the ·things [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [L house] of God, both large and small, and all the treasures from the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord and from the king and his ·officers [officials]. 19 Nebuchadnezzar and his army ·set fire to [burned down] God’s ·Temple [L house] and broke down Jerusalem’s wall and burned all the ·palaces [or fortifications; L houses]. They destroyed every valuable thing in Jerusalem.
20 Nebuchadnezzar took ·captive [into exile] to Babylon the people who ·were left alive [L escaped the sword], and he forced them to be ·slaves [servants] for him and his descendants. They remained there as ·slaves [servants] until the Persian kingdom ·defeated Babylon [L came/rose to power]. 21 And so ·what the Lord had told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah happened [L the word of the Lord through the mouth of Jeremiah was fulfilled; C he prophesied the fall of Jerusalem]: The country ·was an empty wasteland [lay desolate/fallow] for seventy years ·to make up for the years of Sabbath rest [Lev. 25:1–7] that the people had not kept [or enjoying its sabbath rest; C a bitter observation that the land experienced an ironic “rest” while the Israelites were in exile; Lev. 25:4, 26:33–35].
The Return from Exile(F)
22 In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia [539–38 bc], the Lord ·had Cyrus [L stirred the heart/spirit of Cyrus to] send an ·announcement to [decree/proclamation throughout] his whole kingdom. This happened ·so the Lord’s message spoken by Jeremiah would come true [to fulfill the word of the Lord in the mouth of Jeremiah]. He wrote:
23 ·This is what Cyrus king of Persia says [T Thus says Cyrus king of Persia]:
The Lord, the God of ·heaven [the heavens], has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a ·Temple [L house] for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Now may the Lord your God ·be with [accompany; fill] all of you who are his people. You are free to go [C back to Jerusalem at the end of the exile; Ezra 1].
Cyrus Helps the Captives Return
1 In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia [C 539 bc], the Lord ·caused [L stirred up the spirit of] Cyrus to send an announcement to his whole kingdom and to put it in writing. This happened so the Lord’s ·message [prophecy; L word] ·spoken by [L by the mouth of] Jeremiah would ·come true [be fulfilled]. He wrote:
2 This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
The Lord, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me, and he has ·appointed [instructed; charged] me to build a ·Temple [L house] for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 May God be with all ·of [among] you who are his people. You ·are free to [may] go to Jerusalem in Judah and ·build [or rebuild] the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, the God of Israel, [L he is the God] who is in Jerusalem. 4 Those who ·stay behind [L survive], ·wherever they live [in those places; C referring to the Jews remaining in exile, to the Jewish remnant who remained in Israel during the exile, or to their non-Jewish neighbors], ·should [must] ·support [help; assist; provide for] those who want to go. Give them silver and gold, ·supplies [goods] and ·cattle [livestock], and ·special gifts [voluntary/freewill offerings] for the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem.
5 Then the ·family [clan] leaders of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites ·got ready [L arose] to go to Jerusalem—everyone ·God had caused to want [L whose spirit/heart/mind God had stirred] to go to Jerusalem to ·build [or rebuild] the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 6 All their neighbors ·helped them [encouraged/assisted/aided them; L strengthened their hands], giving them things made of silver and gold, along with ·supplies [goods], ·cattle [livestock], valuable gifts, and ·special gifts [voluntary/freewill offerings]. 7 Also, King Cyrus brought out the ·bowls and pans [L articles] that belonged in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had ·taken [carried away] from Jerusalem and put in the ·temple [L house] of his own ·god [gods; Dan. 1:2; 5:1–4]. 8 Cyrus king of Persia had Mithredath the treasurer bring them and count them out ·for [to] Sheshbazzar, the ·prince [leader of the exiles] of Judah.
9 He listed thirty gold dishes, one thousand silver dishes, twenty-nine ·pans [or knives; or utensils], 10 thirty gold bowls, four hundred ten matching silver bowls, and one thousand other pieces.
11 There was a total of fifty-four hundred ·pieces [articles; vessels] of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these things along when the ·captives [exiles] went from Babylon to Jerusalem.
The Captives Who Returned
2 These are the people of the ·area [province] who ·returned [were returning/on their way back] from ·captivity [exile], whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had ·taken [carried] away to Babylon [2 Kin. 25:11–12]. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each going back to his own town. 2 These people returned with Zerubbabel [3:2], Jeshua [3:2], Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
·These are [This is the number/list of] the people from Israel: 3 the ·descendants [sons; C and so throughout the list] of Parosh—2,172; 4 the descendants of Shephatiah—372; 5 the descendants of Arah—775; 6 the descendants of Pahath-Moab (through the ·family [line] of Jeshua and Joab)—2,812; 7 the descendants of Elam—1,254; 8 the descendants of Zattu—945; 9 the descendants of Zaccai—760; 10 the descendants of Bani—642; 11 the descendants of Bebai—623; 12 the descendants of Azgad—1,222; 13 the descendants of Adonikam—666; 14 the descendants of Bigvai—2,056; 15 the descendants of Adin—454; 16 the descendants of Ater (through the ·family [line] of Hezekiah)—98; 17 the descendants of Bezai—323; 18 the descendants of Jorah—112; 19 the descendants of Hashum—223; 20 the descendants of Gibbar—95.
21 These are the people from the towns: of Bethlehem—123; 22 of Netophah—56; 23 of Anathoth—128; 24 of Azmaveth—42; 25 of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth—743; 26 of Ramah and Geba—621; 27 of Micmash—122; 28 of Bethel and Ai—223; 29 of Nebo—52; 30 of Magbish—156; 31 of the other town of Elam—1,254; 32 of Harim—320; 33 of Lod, Hadid and Ono—725; 34 of Jericho—345; 35 of Senaah—3,630.
36 These are the priests: the ·descendants [sons; C and so on throughout the list] of Jedaiah (through the ·family [line; L house] of Jeshua)—973; 37 the descendants of Immer—1,052; 38 the descendants of Pashhur—1,247; 39 the descendants of Harim—1,017.
40 These are the Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the ·family [line] of Hodaviah)—74.
41 These are the ·singers [musicians]: the descendants of Asaph—128.
42 These are the gatekeepers of the ·Temple [L house]: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai—139.
43 These are the Temple servants: the ·descendants [sons; C and so throughout the list] of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, 44 Keros, Siaha, Padon, 45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, 46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, 47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, 48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, 49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai, 50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephussim, 51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, 52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, 53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, 54 Neziah, and Hatipha.
55 These are the descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, 56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, 57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-Hazzebaim, and Ami.
58 The Temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon numbered 392.
59 ·Some [The following; Another group of] people came to Jerusalem from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their ·ancestors [families; L house of their fathers and their seed] came from Israel. 60 They were the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda—652.
61 Also these priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai, who had ·married a daughter [L taken a wife from the daughters] of Barzillai from Gilead and was called by her family name.
62 These people searched ·for their family [or in the genealogical] records but could not find them. So they could not be priests, because they were ·thought to be unclean [disqualified; L desecrated]. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the ·food offered to God [sacred food; L most holy things] until a priest ·had settled this matter by using [L stood up with] the Urim and Thummim [Ex. 28:30].
64 The total number of ·those who returned [the company/assembly/group] was 42,360. 65 This is not counting their 7,337 male and female servants and the 200 male and female singers they had with them. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
68 When they arrived at the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the ·leaders of families [L heads of the fathers] ·gave [made voluntary] offerings to rebuild the ·Temple [L house] of God on the same site as before. 69 They gave as much as they could to the treasury ·to rebuild the Temple [for this work]—·about 1,100 pounds [L 61,000 drachmas] of gold, ·about 6,000 pounds [L 5,000 minas] of silver, and 100 ·pieces of clothing for the priests [priestly garments/robes].
70 All the Israelites settled in their hometowns. The priests, Levites, ·singers [musicians], gatekeepers, and Temple servants, along with some of the other people, settled in their own towns as well.
Rebuilding the Altar
3 In the seventh month, after the Israelites were settled in their hometowns, they ·met together [assembled in unity/with one accord; L as one man] in Jerusalem. 2 Then Jeshua son of Jozadak [Zech. 3:1–9] and his ·fellow [L brothers the] priests joined Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [and his brothers/colleagues; v. 8; 4:2–3; 5:2; Neh. 7:7; Hag. 1:1, 12, 14; 2:2, 4, 21, 23; Zech. 4:6–10; Matt. 1:12–13; Luke 3:27] and began to build the altar of the God of Israel where they could offer burnt offerings, just as ·it is written [instructed; required] in the ·Teachings [Law; L Torah] of Moses, the man of God. 3 ·Even though [or Because] they were afraid of the people living around them, they ·built [set up; established] the altar where it had been before. And they ·offered [sacrificed] burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] on it to the Lord morning and evening. 4 Then, to obey what was ·written [instructed; required], they celebrated the Feast of ·Shelters [Booths; Tabernacles; Ex. 23:16; Lev. 23:33–36]. They offered the ·right [specified; proper; fixed] number of sacrifices ·for [according to the ordinance/requirement for] each day. 5 After the Feast of Shelters, they had ·regular [continual] ·sacrifices [burnt offerings; Lev. 1:1–17], as well as sacrifices for the New Moon and all the festivals ·commanded by [of] the Lord. Also there were ·special [freewill; voluntary] offerings to the Lord. 6 On the first day of the seventh month [C fifteen days before the beginning of the festival] they began to ·bring [offer; sacrifice] burnt offerings to the Lord, ·but [though] the foundation of the Lord’s ·Temple [L house] had not yet been laid.
Rebuilding the Temple
7 Then they gave money to the ·bricklayers [masons] and carpenters. They also gave food, ·wine [drink], and olive oil to the cities of Sidon and Tyre so they would ·float [bring] cedar logs from Lebanon to the seacoast town of Joppa. Cyrus king of Persia had given permission for this.
8 In the second month [C midspring] of the second year after their arrival at the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [v. 2], Jeshua son of Jozadak, their fellow priests and Levites, and all who had returned from ·captivity [exile] to Jerusalem began to work. They ·chose [appointed] Levites twenty years old and older to ·be in charge of [supervise] the building of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 9 The workers building the ·Temple [L house] of God were supervised by Jeshua and his sons and brothers [3:2], together with Kadmiel and his sons who were the descendants of Hodaviah, and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers. They were all Levites.
10 The builders finished laying the foundation of the Temple of the Lord. Then the priests, dressed in their ·robes [vestments], stood with their ·trumpets [clarions; C a long, metallic instrument, not a ram’s horn], and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, stood with their cymbals. They all took their places and praised the Lord just as David king of Israel had ·said to do [instructed; prescribed]. 11 With praise and thanksgiving, they ·sang [L answered; C sang antiphonally] to the Lord:
“He is good;
his ·love [loyalty] for Israel ·continues [endures; lasts; is] forever.”
And then all the people shouted loudly, “Praise the Lord! The foundation of his ·Temple [L house] has been laid.” 12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and ·family leaders [L heads of fathers] who had seen the first ·Temple [L house] cried loudly when they saw the foundation of this Temple. ·Most of the other people [Many others] were shouting with joy. 13 The people made so much noise it could be heard far away, and no one could tell the difference between the joyful shouting and the sad crying.
Enemies of the Rebuilding
4 When the enemies of the people of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned ·captives [exiles] were building a Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel [C a descendant of David; 1 Chr. 3:19] and the ·leaders of the families [L heads of the fathers]. The enemies said, “Let us help you build, because we are like you and ·want to worship [L seek] your God. We have been offering sacrifices to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria [C 680–669 bc], who brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua [3:2], and the ·leaders [L heads of the fathers] of Israel answered, “You will ·not help us build [have no part in building] a ·Temple [L house] to our God. We will build it ·ourselves [alone] for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us to do [1:2–4].”
4 Then the people around them tried to discourage the people of Judah by making them afraid to build. 5 Their enemies ·hired others [bribed officials] to ·delay [frustrate] the building plans ·during [throughout] the time Cyrus was king of Persia. And it continued to the time Darius was king of Persia [C 522–486 bc].
More Problems for the Builders
6 When ·Xerxes [L Ahasuerus; C ruled 486–465 bc; Esth. 1:1] first became king, those enemies ·wrote [filed; lodged] a ·letter [L accusation] against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 When Artaxerxes [C ruled about 465–425 B.C.] became king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and those with them wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in the Aramaic language and translated.
8 Rehum the ·governor [commander] and Shimshai the governor’s ·secretary [scribe] and those with them wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king. It said:
9 This letter is from Rehum the ·governor [commander], Shimshai the ·secretary [scribe], and their ·fellow workers [colleagues]—the judges and important officers over the men who came from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, the Elamite people of Susa, 10 and those whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal [L Osnappar; C ruled 668–627 bc] ·forced out of their countries [deported] and settled in the city of Samaria and in other places of the Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River].
11 (This is a copy of the letter they sent to Artaxerxes.)
To King Artaxerxes.
From your servants who live in Trans-Euphrates [v. 10].
12 King Artaxerxes, you should know that the Jews who came to us from you have gone to Jerusalem to rebuild that evil ·city that refuses to obey [and rebellious city]. They are ·fixing [restoring; rebuilding; finishing] the walls and repairing the foundations of the buildings.
13 Now, King Artaxerxes, ·you should know [L let it be known] that if Jerusalem is ·built [rebuilt] and its walls are ·fixed [completed; restored], Jerusalem will not pay ·taxes of any kind [L tribute, custom, or toll]. Then the ·amount of money your government collects [king’s/royal treasury/revenue] will ·be less [suffer]. 14 Since we ·must be loyal to the government [L eat the palace’s salt], ·we don’t want [it is not proper] to see the king ·dishonored [damaged]. So we ·are writing to let the king know [L send and inform the king]. 15 ·We suggest you […so that you may] search the ·records [annals; archives] of ·the kings who ruled before you [L your fathers/ancestors]. You will find out that the city of Jerusalem ·refuses to obey [L is a rebellious city] and ·makes trouble for kings and areas controlled by Persia [troublesome for kings and provinces]. ·Since long ago it has been a place where disobedience has started [It has a long history of revolts/sedition]. That is why it was destroyed. 16 We want you to know, King Artaxerxes, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls ·fixed [completed; restored], you will be left with ·nothing [no possessions] in Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River].
17 King Artaxerxes sent this answer:
To Rehum the ·governor [commander] and Shimshai the ·secretary [scribe], to all their ·fellow workers [colleagues] living in Samaria [C northern Israel], and to those ·in other places in [throughout] Trans-Euphrates [v. 10].
·Greetings [Peace].
18 The ·letter [document] you sent to us has been translated and read ·to me [L in my presence]. 19 I ordered ·the records to be searched [L a search], and it was done. We found that ·Jerusalem [L the city] has a history of ·disobedience to [rising against] kings and has been a place of ·problems and trouble [rebellion and revolt/sedition]. 20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled over the whole area of Trans-Euphrates [v. 10], and ·taxes of all kinds [L tribute, custom, and toll] have been paid to them. 21 Now, ·give an order [issue a decree] for those men to stop work. The city of Jerusalem will not be rebuilt until I ·say so [issue a decree]. 22 ·Make sure you do this [Do not neglect this matter], ·because if they continue, it will hurt the government [—why should the danger/damage grow and harm the king?].
23 As soon as a copy of the ·letter [document] that King Artaxerxes sent was read to Rehum and Shimshai the ·secretary [scribe] and ·the others [their colleagues], they went to the Jews in Jerusalem and ·forced them [or compelled them by force of arms] to stop building.
24 So the work on the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem ·stopped [came to a standstill] until the second year Darius was king of Persia.
Tattenai’s Letter to Darius
5 The prophets Haggai and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo [C a grandson; Zech. 1:1], prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [3:2] and Jeshua son of Jozadak [3:2] started working again to rebuild the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were there, ·helping [supporting] them.
3 At that time Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River], and Shethar-Bozenai, and their ·fellow workers [colleagues] went to ·the Jews [L them] and asked, “Who gave you ·permission [authority; a decree] to rebuild this ·Temple [L house] and ·fix these walls [complete this structure]?” 4 They also asked, “What are the names of the men working on this building?” 5 But their God was watching over the elders of the Jews. The builders were not stopped until a report could go to King Darius [C 522–486 bc] and his ·written answer [reply; decision] could be received.
6 This is a copy of the ·letter [document] that was sent to King Darius by Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River], Shethar-Bozenai, and the other important officers of Trans-Euphrates. 7 This is what was ·said [written] in the report they sent to him:
To King Darius.
·Greetings. May you have peace [L All peace].
8 King Darius, ·you should know [may it be known] that we went to the ·district [province] of Judah where the ·Temple [L house] of the great God is. The people are building that ·Temple [L house] with ·large [prepared; cut; L stones of rolling] stones, and they are putting ·timbers [beams] in the walls. They are working ·very hard [energetically; diligently] and ·are building very fast [successfully; are prospering].
9 We asked their elders, “Who gave you ·permission [authority; a decree] to rebuild this ·Temple [L house] and ·these walls [this structure]?” 10 We also asked for their names, and we wrote down the names of their leaders so ·you would know who they are [as to inform you].
11 This is the answer they gave to us: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth. We are rebuilding the ·Temple [L house] that a great king of Israel [C Solomon] built and finished many years ago [C tenth century bc; 1 Kin. 7–8]. 12 But our ·ancestors [fathers] made the God of heaven angry, so he handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean [C the leading tribe of Babylon], who destroyed this ·Temple [L house] and ·took [deported] the people to Babylon ·as captives [into exile].
13 “Later, in the first year Cyrus was king of Babylon [C he was a Persian king but had multiple titles, including this one], he ·gave a special order [issued a decree] for this ·Temple [L house] of God to be rebuilt. 14 Cyrus brought out from the temple in Babylon the gold and silver ·bowls and pans [vessels; utensils] that came from the Temple of God. Nebuchadnezzar had taken them from the Temple in Jerusalem and had ·put them in [brought them to] the temple in Babylon.
“Then King Cyrus gave them to Sheshbazzar, his appointed governor [C of Judah; 1:8]. 15 Cyrus said to him, ‘Take these gold and silver ·bowls and pans [vessels; utensils; 1:7], and ·put [deposit] them back in the Temple in Jerusalem and rebuild the ·Temple [L house] of God ·where it was [on its original site].’ 16 So Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem. From that day until now the work has been going on, but it is not yet finished.”
17 Now, if the king wishes, let a search be made in the royal ·records [archives; L treasure house] of Babylon. See if King Cyrus gave an order to rebuild this ·Temple [L house] in Jerusalem. Then let the king write us and tell us what he has decided concerning this matter.
The Order of Darius
6 So King Darius ·gave an order [issued a decree] to search the ·records [archives] kept in the treasury in Babylon. 2 A scroll was found in Ecbatana, ·the capital city [or a fortress in the province] of Media [C a major component of the Persian empire in the Zagros mountains, south of the Caspian Sea]. This is what was written on it:
·Note [Memorandum]:
3 King Cyrus ·gave an order [issued a decree] about the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem in the first year he was king [1:2–4]. This was the order:
“Let the ·Temple [L house] be rebuilt as a place to ·present [offer] sacrifices. Let its foundations be ·laid [or retained]; it should be ·ninety feet [L 60 cubits] high and ·ninety feet [L 60 cubits] wide. 4 It must have three layers of large stones ·and then one [for every] layer of timbers. The costs should be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 The gold and silver ·utensils [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [L house] of God should be returned and put back in their places. Nebuchadnezzar took them from the Temple in Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon [Dan. 1:1–3], but they are to be put back in the ·Temple [L house] of God in Jerusalem.”
6 Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River], Shethar-Bozenai, and ·all the officers of that area [their colleagues and officials of the Trans-Euphrates], stay away from there. 7 ·Do not bother [L Leave alone] the work on that ·Temple [L house] of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this ·Temple [L house] where it was before.
8 Also, I ·order you [issue a decree] to do this for those elders of the Jews who are ·building [rebuilding] this ·Temple [L house] of God: The cost of the building is to be fully paid from the royal treasury, from ·taxes [tribute] collected from Trans-Euphrates. Do this ·so the work will not stop [or without delay]. 9 Give those people anything they need—young bulls, ·male sheep [rams], or lambs for burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to the God of heaven, or wheat, salt, wine, or olive oil. Give the priests in Jerusalem anything they ·ask for [require] every day without fail. 10 Then they may offer sacrifices ·pleasing [acceptable] to the God of heaven, and they may pray for the ·life [or welfare] of the king and his ·sons [family].
11 Also, I ·give this order [issue this decree]: If anyone ·changes [defies; violates] this ·order [decree], a wood beam is to be pulled from his house and ·driven through his body [or he will be hanged from/flogged on it]. Because of his crime, make his house a ·pile of ruins [or rubbish heap; dung hill]. 12 God has ·chosen Jerusalem as the place he is to be worshiped [L caused his name to reside there]. May he punish any king or ·person [or nation; L people] who ·tries [L reaches out his hand] to ·change [defy; violate] this ·order [decree] and destroy this ·Temple [L house] of God.
I, Darius, have ·given this order [issued this decree]. Let it be ·obeyed quickly and carefully [carried out with all diligence].
Completion of the Temple
13 So, Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River], Shethar-Bozenai, and their ·fellow workers [colleagues] carried out King Darius’ ·order [decree] ·quickly and carefully [with all diligence]. 14 The Jewish elders continued to build and ·were successful [prospered] because of the ·preaching [prophesying] of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a ·descendant [son; 5:1] of Iddo [C see the biblical books named for them]. They finished building the ·Temple [L house] as the God of Israel had commanded and as kings Cyrus [C ruled 559–529 bc, though 539 bc was the first year of his reign over the empire that included Babylon], Darius [C ruled 522–486 bc], and Artaxerxes of Persia [C ruled 485–465 bc] had ·ordered [decreed]. 15 The ·Temple [L house] was finished on the third day of the month of Adar [C March 12] in the sixth year Darius was king.
16 Then the people of Israel celebrated and ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [L house] to God to honor him. Everybody was happy: the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the ·Jews who had returned from captivity [exiles; L sons/people of the exile]. 17 They ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [L house] to God by offering a hundred bulls, two hundred ·male sheep [rams], and four hundred lambs as sacrifices. And as an ·offering to forgive the sins of [sin offering for or purification offering for; Lev. 4:3] all Israel, they offered twelve male goats, ·one goat for each tribe in [corresponding to the number of tribes of] Israel. 18 Then they ·put [installed; divided; appointed] the priests and the Levites into their ·separate groups [various divisions] to serve God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
The Passover Is Celebrated
19 The ·Jews who returned from captivity [L sons/people of the exile] ·celebrated [observed] the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month [C April 21; Ex. 12:1–30, 43–51; Lev. 23:4–8; Num. 28:16–25; Deut. 16:1–18]. 20 The priests and Levites had ·made themselves clean [purified themselves]. Then the Levites ·killed [slaughtered; sacrified] the Passover lambs for all the ·people who had returned from captivity [exiles], for their ·relatives the [or fellow; L brothers the] priests, and for themselves. 21 So all the ·people [sons] of Israel who returned from ·captivity [exile] ·ate the Passover lamb [L ate]. So did the people who had ·given up the unclean ways of their non-Jewish neighbors [separated themselves from the impurity/pollution of the nations] in order to ·worship [seek] the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread [Ex. 12:17–20; 34:18]. The Lord had made them ·happy [rejoice] by ·changing the mind [turning the heart] of the king of Assyria [C a deliberate anachronism, since Assyria had fallen earlier in 612 bc] so that he helped them in the work on the ·Temple [L house] of the God of Israel.
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem
7 After these things, during the rule of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra came up [C Ezra’s coming is not actually stated until v. 6] from Babylon [C if this refers to Artaxerxes I, then chapter seven takes place around 458 bc, about fifty-eight years after chapter six, but some date the events differently] as the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the ·high [chief] priest. 6 This Ezra came ·to Jerusalem [L up] from Babylon. He was a ·teacher and knew well [scribe skilled/well versed in] the ·Teachings [Law; L Torah] of Moses that had been given by the Lord, the God of Israel. Ezra received everything he asked for from the king, because the [L hand of the] Lord his God was ·helping [on] him. 7 In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes more ·Israelites [sons/people of Israel] came to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants.
8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of Artaxerxes’ seventh year as king. 9 Ezra had left Babylon on the first day of the first month [C April 8], and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month [C August 4], because [the good/gracious hand of] God was ·helping [on] him. 10 Ezra had ·worked hard [dedicated/devoted himself; L set his heart] to ·know [study] and ·obey [practice; do; observe] the ·Teachings [Law; L Torah] of the Lord and to teach his rules and commands to the Israelites.
Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra
11 King Artaxerxes had given a ·letter [document] to Ezra, a priest and ·teacher [scribe] ·who taught about [learned in] the commands and laws the Lord gave Israel. This is a copy of the ·letter [document]:
12 From Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a ·teacher [scribe] of the Law of the God of heaven.
·Greetings [Peace].
13 Now I ·give [issue] this ·order [decree]: Any Israelite in my kingdom who wishes may go with you to Jerusalem, including priests and Levites. 14 Ezra, you are ·sent [authorized] by the king and ·the [his] seven ·advisors [counselors] to ·ask [inquire] concerning Judah and Jerusalem in regards to the Law of your God [C whether they were obeying it], which ·you are carrying with you [L is in your hand]. 15 Also take with you the silver and gold that the king and his ·advisors [counselors] have ·given [offered] freely to the God of Israel, ·whose Temple is [whose dwelling is; who lives] in Jerusalem. 16 Also take the silver and gold you ·receive [collect; obtain] from the ·area [province] of Babylon. Take the ·voluntary [freewill] offerings the Israelites and their priests have given as gifts for the ·Temple [L house] of your God in Jerusalem. 17 With this money be sure to buy bulls, ·male sheep [rams], and lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and ·drink offerings [liquid offerings; libations]. Then ·sacrifice [offer] them on the altar in the ·Temple [L house] of your God in Jerusalem.
18 You and your ·fellow Jews [colleagues; L brothers] may ·spend [use] the silver and gold ·left over [remaining] as you want ·and as God wishes [in keeping/accordance with God’s will]. 19 ·Take [Deliver] to the God of Jerusalem all the ·utensils [articles; vessels] for ·worship [service] in the ·Temple [L house] of your God. 20 Use the royal treasury to ·pay for [provide; supply] anything else you need for the ·Temple [L house] of your God.
21 Now I, King Artaxerxes, ·give this order [issue this decree] to all the ·men in charge of the treasury [treasurers] of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River]: Give [L diligently to] Ezra, a priest and ·a teacher [the scribe] of the Law of the God of heaven, whatever he asks for. 22 Give him up to ·seventy-five hundred pounds [L one hundred talents] of silver, ·six hundred bushels [L one hundred kors] of wheat, ·six hundred gallons [L one hundred baths] of wine, and ·six hundred gallons [L one hundred baths] of olive oil. And give him ·as much salt as he wants [unlimited salt]. 23 ·Carefully [L Zealously] give him whatever the God of heaven ·wants [demands; commands] for the ·Temple [L house] of the God of heaven. ·We do not want God to [L Why should God …?] be angry with the [the kingdom/empire of the] king and his sons. 24 Remember, you ·must not [have no authority to] make these people pay taxes of any kind: priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants, and other workers in this ·Temple [L house] of God.
25 And you, Ezra, ·use [in accordance with] the wisdom you have from your God ·to choose [appoint] judges and lawmakers to ·rule [govern; arbitrate for] the ·Jews [people] of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River]. They know the laws of your God, and you may teach anyone who does not know them. 26 Whoever does not ·obey [observe] the law of your God or of the king must be ·punished [judged quickly/immediately]. He will be killed, or ·sent away [banished], or have his property ·taken away [confiscated], or ·be put in jail [imprisoned].
27 ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of our ·ancestors [fathers]. He ·caused the king [L put in the king’s heart] to want to ·honor [beautify; adorn; glorify] the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord in Jerusalem. 28 The Lord has shown me [C Ezra], his ·love [loyalty] ·in the presence of [before] the king, ·those who advise the king [his counselors/advisers], and ·the royal officers [his mighty nobles/officials]. Because the Lord my God was helping me, I ·had courage [was strengthened], and I gathered the ·leaders [L heads of the fathers] of Israel to ·return [L go up] with me.
Leaders Who Returned with Ezra
8 These are the ·leaders [heads] of the family groups and ·those who were listed with them [the genealogies of those] who ·came back [L went up] with me from Babylon during the ·rule [reign] of King Artaxerxes [C ruled 464–425 bc].
2 From the ·descendants [family; sons; C and so on throughout the list] of Phinehas [Num. 25:7, 11]: Gershom.
From the descendants of Ithamar: Daniel.
From the descendants of David: Hattush 3 of the descendants of Shecaniah.
From the descendants of Parosh: Zechariah, with one hundred fifty registered men.
4 From the descendants of Pahath-Moab: Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, with two hundred men.
5 From the descendants of Zattu: Shecaniah son of Jahaziel, with three hundred men.
6 From the descendants of Adin: Ebed son of Jonathan, with fifty men.
7 From the descendants of Elam: Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, with seventy men.
8 From the descendants of Shephatiah: Zebadiah son of Michael, with eighty men.
9 From the descendants of Joab: Obadiah son of Jehiel, with two hundred eighteen men.
10 From the descendants of Bani: Shelomith son of Josiphiah, with one hundred sixty men.
11 From the descendants of Bebai: Zechariah son of Bebai, with twenty-eight men.
12 From the descendants of Azgad: Johanan son of Hakkatan, with one hundred ten men.
13 From the descendants of Adonikam, these were the last ones: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, with sixty men.
14 From the descendants of Bigvai: Uthai and Zaccur, with seventy men.
The Return to Jerusalem
15 I ·called [assembled; gathered] all those people together [C he lists 1,513 males, probably over 5,000 total with women and children] at the ·canal [river] that flows toward Ahava, where we camped for three days. I ·checked [reviewed; observed] all the people and the priests, but I did not find any Levites [C needed for service at a rebuilt Temple]. 16 So I called these leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And I called Joiarib and Elnathan, who were ·teachers [wise; judicious; men of learning/discernment]. 17 I sent these men to Iddo, the leader [C of the Levites] at Casiphia, and told them what to say to Iddo and his ·relatives [or collegues; L brothers], who are the Temple servants in Casiphia. I sent them to bring ·servants [ministers; attendants] to us for the ·Temple [L house] of our God. 18 The ·good [gracious] hand of our God was ·helping [L on] us, so ·Iddo’s relatives [L they] ·gave [brought; sent] us Sherebiah, a ·wise [skilled; capable; astute] man from the ·descendants [sons] of Mahli ·son [descendant] of Levi, who was the son of Israel. And they brought Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, for a total of eighteen men. 19 And they brought to us Hashabiah and Jeshaiah from the ·descendants [sons] of Merari, and his brothers and ·nephews [their sons]. In all there were twenty men. 20 They also brought two hundred twenty of the Temple servants, a group David and ·the officers [his officials] had ·set up [established; instituted] to ·help [assist; serve] the Levites. All of those men were ·listed [designated] by name.
21 There by the Ahava ·Canal [River], I announced we would all fast and ·deny [humble] ourselves before our God. We would ask God for a safe ·trip [journey] for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and ·horsemen [cavalry] to protect us from enemies on the ·road [way]. We had said to the king, “The hand of our God ·helps [L is on] everyone who ·obeys [seeks] him, but ·he is very angry with [his power and anger are against] all who reject him.” 23 So we fasted and ·prayed to [petitioned; pleaded with; T sought] our God about our trip, and he ·answered [heard; listened to] our prayers.
24 Then I ·chose [appointed; set apart] twelve of the priests who were leaders, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their ·relatives [colleagues; L brothers]. 25 I weighed the offering of silver and gold and the ·utensils [articles; vessels] given for the ·Temple [L house] of our God, and I gave them to the twelve priests I had chosen. The king, ·the people who advised him [his counselors], his ·officers [officials], and all the Israelites there with us had given these things. 26 I weighed out ·and gave them [L into their hands] ·about fifty thousand pounds [L 650 talents] of silver, ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [L 100 talents] of silver objects, and ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [L 100 talents] of gold. 27 I gave them twenty gold bowls ·that weighed [or worth] ·about nineteen pounds [L 1,000 darics] and two fine pieces of polished bronze that were as ·valuable [precious] as gold.
28 Then I said to the priests, “You and these utensils ·belong [are set apart/holy] to the Lord. The silver and gold are ·gifts [a freewill/voluntary offering] to the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers]. 29 ·Guard [Watch] these things carefully. In Jerusalem, weigh them in front of the ·leading [chief] priests, Levites, and the ·leaders [heads] of the family groups of Israel in the ·rooms [chambers; storerooms] of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.” 30 So the priests and Levites accepted the silver, the gold, and the ·utensils [articles; vessels] that had been weighed to take them to the ·Temple [L house] of our God in Jerusalem.
31 On the twelfth day of the first month [C April 19] we left the Ahava ·Canal [River] ·and started toward [to travel/journey to] Jerusalem. The hand of our God ·helped us [was over us] and ·protected [saved; T delivered] us from enemies and ·robbers [ambushes] along the way. 32 Finally we arrived in Jerusalem where we ·rested [stayed] three days.
33 On the fourth day we weighed out the silver, the gold, and the ·utensils [articles; vessels] in the ·Temple [L house] of our God. We handed them to the priest Meremoth son of Uriah. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him, as were the Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui. 34 We checked everything by number and by weight, and the total weight was ·written down [recorded].
35 Then the ·captives [exiles] who returned from captivity made burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to the God of Israel. They sacrificed twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six ·male sheep [rams], and seventy-seven lambs. For a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3] there were twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] to the Lord. 36 They ·took [delivered] King Artaxerxes’ ·orders [decrees] to the royal officers and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates [C provinces west of the Euphrates River]. Then these men gave help to the people and the ·Temple [L house] of God.
Ezra’s Prayer
9 After these things had been ·done [completed], the ·leaders [officials] came to me and said, “Ezra, the Israelites, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the people ·around us [L of the land]. Those neighbors ·do [practice] ·evil [detestable; abominable] things, as the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites did. 2 ·The Israelite men and their sons [L They] have ·married [L taken] these women. They have ·mixed [intermingled] the ·people who belong to God [L holy race] with the people ·around them [L of the land]. The leaders and ·officers of Israel [officials] have led the rest of the Israelites to do this unfaithful thing.”
3 When I heard this, I angrily tore my ·robe [tunic; clothes] and ·coat [cloak; mantle], pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down ·in shock [devastated; appalled; in horror]. 4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the ·captives [exiles] who had returned. I sat there ·in shock [devastated; appalled; in horror] until the evening ·sacrifice [offering].
5 At the evening ·sacrifice [offering] I got up from ·where I had shown my shame [my humiliation/self-abasement]. My ·robe [tunic; clothes] and ·coat [cloak; mantle] were torn, and I fell on my knees with my hands ·spread [stretched] out to the Lord my God. 6 I prayed,
“My God, I am too ashamed and ·embarrassed [disgraced] to lift up my face to you, my God, because our ·sins [iniquities] are so many. They are higher than our heads. Our guilt even ·reaches up [extends] to the ·sky [heavens]. 7 From the days of our ·ancestors [fathers] until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our ·sins [iniquities], we, our kings, and our priests have been ·punished by [L given into the hands of the kings of the land, to] the sword and ·captivity [exile]. Foreign kings have ·taken away our things [plundered; pillaged] and ·shamed [humiliated] us, even as ·it [the case] is today.
8 “But now, for a short time, the Lord our God has been ·kind [gracious; merciful] to us. He has let ·some of us [a remnant] ·come back from [escape; or survive] ·captivity [exile] and has ·let us live in safety [L given us a peg; C a tent peg symbolizing pitching a tent after travel] in his holy place. And so our God ·gives us hope [L causes our eyes to shine; C that is, revives] and a little relief ·from [in] our ·slavery [bondage]. 9 Even though we ·are [were] slaves, our God in his ·unfailing love [loyalty] ·has not left [did not abandon/forsake] us. He caused the kings of Persia to ·be kind to [look kindly on] us and has ·given us new life [revived us]. We can rebuild the ·Temple [L house] of our God and ·repair [restore] its ruins. And he has given us a wall [C of protection] in Judah and Jerusalem.
10 “But now, our God, what can we say after you have done all this? We have ·disobeyed [abandoned; forsaken] your commands 11 that you ·gave [commanded] through your servants the prophets. You said, ‘The land you are entering to ·own [possess] is ·ruined [defiled; polluted; unclean]; the people living there have ·spoiled it [defiled it; polluted it; made it unclean] by ·the evil they do [their detestable/abominable practices]. Their evil filled the land with ·uncleanness [corruption; filth; impurity] from one end to the other. 12 So do not ·let your daughters marry [L give your daughters to] their sons, and do not ·let their daughters marry [L take their daughters for] your sons. Do not wish for their peace or ·success [prosperity; welfare]. Then you will be strong and eat the good things of the land. Then you can leave ·this land [L it as an inheritance] to your ·descendants [sons] forever.’
13 “What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt. But you, our God, have punished us less than ·we [our sin/iniquities] deserve; you have left a ·few of us alive [remnant such as this]. 14 ·We should not [L Should we…?] again break your commands by ·allowing marriages [intermarrying] with these ·wicked [detestable; abominable] people. ·If we did, you would get angry [L Would not your anger be…?] enough to destroy us, ·and none of us would be left alive [without remnant or survivor]. 15 Lord, God of Israel, by your ·goodness [righteousness] a ·few of us [remnant] are left alive today. We ·admit that we are guilty [stand/come before you in our guilt] ·and [although] ·none of us should be allowed to [no one can truly] stand before you.”
The People Confess Sin
10 As Ezra was praying and confessing and crying and throwing himself down in front of the ·Temple [L house], a large group of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him who were also crying loudly. 2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel the Elamite said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying women from the peoples around us. But even so, there is still hope for Israel. 3 Now let us make an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] before our God. We will send away all these women and their children as you and those who ·respect [L tremble at] the commands of our God advise. Let it be done to obey God’s ·Teachings [Law; L Torah]. 4 Get up, Ezra. You are in charge, and we will support you. Have courage and do it.”
5 So Ezra got up and made the priests, Levites, and all the people of Israel promise to do what was suggested; and they promised. 6 Then Ezra left the ·Temple [L house] and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While Ezra was there, he did not eat or drink, because he was still sad about the unfaithfulness of the ·captives [exiles] who had returned.
7 They sent an order in Judah and Jerusalem for all the ·captives [exiles] who had returned to meet together in Jerusalem. 8 Whoever did not come to Jerusalem within three days would lose his property and would no longer be a member of the community of the returned ·captives [exiles]. That was the decision of the officers and elders.
9 So within three days all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem. It was the twentieth day of the ninth month. All the men were sitting in the open place in front of the ·Temple [L house] and were upset because of the meeting and because it was raining. 10 Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and have married ·non-Jewish [L foreign] women. You have made Israel more guilty. 11 Now, confess it to the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers]. Do his will and separate yourselves from the people living around you and from your ·non-Jewish [L foreign] wives.”
12 Then the whole group answered Ezra with a loud voice, “Ezra, you’re right! We must do what you say. 13 But there are many people here, and it’s the rainy season. We can’t stand outside, and this problem can’t be solved in a day or two, because we have sinned badly. 14 Let our officers make a decision for the whole group. Then let everyone in our towns who has married a non-Jewish woman meet with the elders and judges of each town at a planned time, until the hot anger of our God turns away from us.” 15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel, Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, Meshullam, and Shabbethai the Levite were against the plan.
16 So the returned ·captives [exiles] did what was suggested. Ezra the priest chose men who were leaders of the family groups and named one from each family division. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to study each case. 17 By the first day of the first month, they had finished with all the men who had married non-Jewish women.
Those Guilty of Marrying Non-Jewish Women
18 These are the ·descendants [sons; C and so throughout this section] of the priests who had married foreign women:
From the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak [3:2] and Jeshua’s brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 (They all promised to ·divorce [send away; L put out] their wives, and each one brought a male sheep from the flock as a ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering [Lev. 5:14—6:7].)
20 From the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.
21 From the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22 From the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
23 Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
24 Among the singers: Eliashib.
Among the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.
25 And among the other Israelites, these married ·non-Jewish [L foreign] women:
From the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malkijah, and Benaiah.
26 From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
27 From the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.
28 From the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
29 From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
30 From the descendants of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.
31 From the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Ishijah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
33 From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
34 From the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu.
38 From the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Macnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
43 From the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.
44 All these men had married ·non-Jewish [L foreign] women, and some of them had children by these wives.
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