Ezra 9:8–9

³Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

³Consider and heare me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleepe of death.

⁵Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

⁶And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

⁵Euen so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

⁶And if by grace, then is it no more of workes: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it bee of workes, then is it no more grace, otherwise worke is no more worke.

²After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

^2*After two daies will he reuiue vs, in the third day he will raise vs vp, and we shall liue in his sight.

¹¹¶ Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

¹²Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

¹³And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

¹⁴And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.

¹¹¶ Then he said vnto me, Sonne of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say; Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, wee are cut off for our parts.

¹²Therefore prophecie and say vnto them, Thus saith the LORD God, Behold, O my people, I wil open your graues, and cause you to come vp out of your graues, and bring you into the land of Israel.

¹³And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I haue opened your graues, O my people, and brought you vp out of your graues,

¹⁴And shall put my spirit in you, and yee shall liue, and I shall place you in your owne land: then shall ye know that I the LORD haue spoken it, and perfourmed it, saith the LORD.

²O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

^2†‖O LORD, I haue heard thy speach, and was afraide: O LORD, reuiue thy worke in the midst of the yeeres, in the midst of the yeeres make knowen; in wrath remember mercy.

¹⁵For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

¹⁵For thus saith the High and loftie One that inhabiteth eternitie, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place: with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to reuiue the spirit of the humble, and to reuiue the heart of the contrite ones.

⁶Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

⁶Wilt thou not reuiue vs againe: that thy people may reioyce in thee?

¹¹The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

¹¹The wordes of the wise are as goads, and as nailes fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are giuen from one shepheard.

²²¶ Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.

²²¶ Yet behold, therein shalbe left a remnant that shalbe brought foorth, both sonnes and daughters: behold, they shall come foorth vnto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shalbe comforted concerning the euill that I haue brought vpon Ierusalem, euen concerning all that I haue brought vpon it.

⁸¶ Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.

⁹And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

⁸¶ Yet will I leaue a remnant, that he may haue some, that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shalbe scattered through the countreys.

⁹And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations, whither they shalbe caried captiues, because I am broken with their whorish heart which hath departed from me, and with their eyes which goe a whoring after their idoles: and they shall loathe themselues for the euils which they haue committed in all their abominations.

⁹Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

⁹Except the LORD of hostes had ^*left vnto vs a very small remnant, we should haue beene as ^*Sodom, and we should haue bene like vnto Gomorrah.

²³And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.

²⁴And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

²⁵In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it.

²³And I will fasten him as a naile in asure place, and he shalbe for a glorious throne to his fathers house.

^24‖And they shall hang vpon him all the glory of his fathers house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantitie: from the vessels of cups, euen to all the vessels of flagons.

²⁵In that day, sayth the LORD of hostes, shall the naile that is fastened in the sure place, be remooued, and be cut downe and fall: and the burden that was vpon it shall bee cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

⁵Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

⁵Euen vnto them will I giue in mine house, and within my walles, a place and a name better then of sonnes and of daughters: I wil giue them an euerlasting name, that shal not be cut off.

²And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the Lord thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)

^2‖And said vnto Ieremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for vs vnto the LORD thy God, euen for all this remnant (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eies do behold vs)

¹⁴So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.

^14†So that none of the remnant of Iudah which are gone into the land of Egypt to soiourne there, shall escape or remaine, that they should returne into the land of Iudah to the which they haue a desire to returne to dwell there: for none shall returne but such as shall escape.

³⁰To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

³⁰To bring backe his soule from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the liuing.

³¹Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.

³¹Neuerthelesse, for thy great mercies sake, thou diddest not vtterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and mercifull God.

⁷Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

⁷Though I walke in the mids of trouble, thou wilt reuiue me, thou shalt stretch foorth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies: and thy right hand shall saue me.

⁵They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

^5‖They looked vnto him, and were lightned: and their faces were not ashamed.

¹²Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

¹²Him that ouercommeth, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall goe no more out: and I wil write vpon him the Name of my God, and the name of the Citie of my God, which is new Hierusalem, which commeth downe out of heauen from my God: And I will write vpon him my New name.

²⁷Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

²⁷Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, ^*Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shalbe saued.

⁴Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

⁴Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the naile, out of him the battell bow, out of him euery oppressour together.

¹²For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

^12†For the seed shalbe prosperous: the Uine shall giue her fruit, and the ground shall giue her increase, and the heauens shall giue their dew, and I will cause the remnant of this people to possesse all these things.

⁶Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.

^6‖Thus saith the LORD of hosts, If it bee marueilous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these dayes, should it also bee marueilous in my eyes, saith the LORD of hostes?

²⁷But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

²⁷But Ionathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath; wherefore he put foorth the ende of the rodde that was in his hand, and dipt it in an hony combe, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were enlightened.

²⁹Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

²⁹Then said Ionathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes haue beene enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honie:

³⁰And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

³¹For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

³⁰And ^†the remnant that is escaped of the house of Iudah, shall yet againe take root downeward, and beare fruit vpward.

³¹For out of Ierusalem shall goe forth a remnant, and ^†they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeale of the LORD of hostes shall doe this.

⁴It may be the Lord thy God will hear all the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.

⁴It may be, the LORD thy God will heare all the words of Rabshakeh whome the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproch the liuing God, and will reprooue the wordes which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift vp thy prayer for the remnant that are ^†left.

¹³And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

¹⁴Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?

¹⁵O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

¹³And after all that is come vpon vs, for our euill deeds, and for our great trespasse, seeing that thou, our God, ^†hast punished vs lesse, then our iniquities deserue, and hast giuen vs such deliuerance as this:

¹⁴Should wee againe breake thy commandements, and ioyne in affinitie with the people of these abominations? wouldest thou not be angry with vs, til thou haddest consumed vs, so that there should be no remnant, nor escaping?

¹⁵O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous, for wee remaine yet escaped, as it is this day: Behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for wee can not stand before thee, because of this.

⁹For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

⁹For wee were bondmen, yet our God hath not forsaken vs in our bondage, but hath extended mercie vnto vs in the sight of the kings of Persia, to giue vs a reuiuing to set vp the house of our God, and ^†to repaire the desolations thereof, and to giue vs a wall in Iudah and in Ierusalem.

¹¹O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

¹¹O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine eare be attentiue to the prayer of thy seruant, and to the prayer of thy seruants, who desire to feare thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy seruant this day, and grant him mercie in the sight of this man. For I was the kings cup-bearer.

⁶This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

⁶This Ezra went vp from Babylon, and hee was a ready Scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had giuen: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God vpon him.

²³Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²⁴And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²³Who remembred vs in our lowe estate: for his mercy endureth for euer.

²⁴And hath redeemed vs from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for euer.

⁹Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

⁹Ye looked for much, and loe it came to litle: and when yee brought it home, I did ^‖blow vpon it: Why, saith the LORD of hostes? because of mine house that is waste, and yee runne euery man vnto his owne house.

⁴⁵And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

⁴⁶He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

^45*And hee remembred for them his couenant: and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

⁴⁶He made them also to be pitied, of all those that caried them captiues.

⁵For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

⁵For I, saith the LORD, will be vnto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

⁶Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

⁷Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

⁸Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

⁹The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.

¹⁰For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

⁶Then hee answered and spake vnto mee, saying; This is the word of the LORD vnto Zerubbabel, saying; Not by ^‖might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hostes.

⁷Who art thou, O great mountaine? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plaine, and he shall bring forth the head stone thereof with shoutings, crying; Grace, grace vnto it.

⁸Moreouer the word of the LORD came vnto me, saying;

⁹The hands of Zerubbabel haue layed the foundation of this house: his hands shall also finish it, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hostes hath sent me vnto you.

¹⁰For who hath despised the day of small things? ^‖for they shall reioyce and shall see the ^†plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seuen: ^*they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

²⁵Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

^25†‖†Know therefore and vnderstand, that from the going foorth of the commandement to restore and to build Ierusalem, vnto the Messiah the Prince, shall be seuen weekes; and threescore and two weekes, the street shall be built againe, and the wall, euen in troublous times.

¹⁶Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

¹⁶Therefore say, Thus sayth the LORD God; Although I haue cast them farre off among the heathen, and although I haue scattered them among the countreys, yet will I be to them as a little Sanctuarie in the countreys where they shall come.

¹NOW in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

²Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

³Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

⁴And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.

¹¶ Now in the first yeere of Cyrus King of Persia, (that the word of the LORD ^*by the mouth of Ieremiah, might be fulfilled) y ^e LORD stirred vp the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he ^†made a proclamation throughout all his kingdome, and put it also in writing, saying;

²Thus sayth Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heauen hath giuen mee all the kingdomes of the earth, and he hath ^*charged me to build him an house at Ierusalem, which is in Iudah.

³Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him goe vp to Ierusalem, which is in Iudah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is the God) which is in Ierusalem.

⁴And whosoeuer remaineth in any place where hee soiourneth, let the men of his place ^†helpe him with siluer, and with golde, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the free-will offering for the house of God that is in Ierusalem.

⁷¶ Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

⁸Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.

⁹And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,

¹⁰Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.

¹¹All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

⁷¶ Also Cyrus the king brought foorth the vessels of the house of the LORD, ^*which Nebuchadnezzar had brought foorth out of Ierusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods:

⁸Euen those did Cyrus king of Persia bring foorth, by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbred them vnto ^*Sheshbazzar the Prince of Iudah.

⁹And this is the number of them: thirtie chargers of golde, a thousand chargers of siluer, nine and twentie kniues:

¹⁰Thirtie basins of golde: siluer basins of a second sort, foure hundred and ten: and other vessels a thousand.

¹¹All the vessels of golde and of siluer, were fiue thousand and foure hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring vp with them of ^†the captiuitie, that were brought vp from Babylon vnto Ierusalem.

¹THEN Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

²And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

³In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

⁴With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences be given out of the king’s house:

⁵And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

⁶Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

⁷Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

⁸Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

¹⁰That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

¹¹Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

¹²And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

¹¶ Then Darius the King made a decree, and search was made in the house of the ^†rolles, where the treasures were ^†laide vp in Babylon.

²And there was found at ^‖Achmetha, in the palace that is in the prouince of the Medes, a rolle, and therein was a record thus written:

³In the first yeere of Cyrus the king, the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Ierusalem: Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof of be strongly laid, the height therof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubites:

⁴ With three rowes of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences bee giuen out of the kings house.

⁵And also let the golden, and siluer vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar tooke foorth out of the temple which is at Ierusalem, and brought vnto Babylon, be restored, and ^†brought againe vnto the temple which is at Ierusalem, euery one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

⁶Now therefore Tatnai, gouernour beyond the riuer, Shethar-Boznai, and ^†your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the riuer, be ye farre from thence:

⁷Let the worke of this house of God alone, let the gouernour of the Iewes, and the elders of the Iewes, build this house of God in his place.

⁸Moreouer ^†I make a decree, what ye shall doe to the Elders of these Iewes, for the building of this house of God: that of the kings goods, euen of the tribute beyond the riuer, forthwith expences be giuen vnto these men, that they be not ^†hindered.

⁹And that which they haue need of, both yong bullocks, and rammes, and lambes, for the burnt offerings of the God of heauen, wheat, salt, wine, and oyle, according to the appoyment of the priests which are at Ierusalem, let it be giuen them, day by day without faile:

¹⁰That they may offer sacrifices ^†of sweet sauours vnto the God of heauen, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sonnes.

¹¹Also I haue made a decree, that whosoeuer shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set vp, let him bee ^†hanged thereon, and let his house bee made a doung hill for this.

¹²And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there, destroy all kings and people that shall put to their hand, to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Ierusalem. I Darius haue made a decree, let it be done with speed.

¹⁴And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

¹⁴And the elders of the Iewes builded, and they prospered, through the prophecying of Haggai the Prophet, and Zechariah the sonne of Iddo, and they builded, and finished it, according to the commandement of the God of Israel, and according to the ^†commandement of Cyrus and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵And this honse was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixt yere of the reigne of Darius the king.

¹¹¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel.

¹²Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.

¹³I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.

¹⁴Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;

¹⁵And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

¹⁶And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

¹⁷That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

¹⁸And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

¹⁹The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

²⁰And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.

²¹And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

²²Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

²³Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

²⁴Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

²⁵And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.

²⁶And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

²⁷¶ Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem:

²⁸And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

¹¹¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gaue vnto Ezra the Priest, the Scribe, euen a Scribe of the words of the commandements of the LORD, and of his Statutes to Israel.

¹²Artaxerxes king of kings, ^‖Unto Ezra the Priest, a Scribe of the Law of the God of heauen, Perfect peace, and at such a time.

¹³I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his Priests, and Leuites in my Realme, which are minded of their owne free-will to goe vp to Ierusalem, goe with thee.

¹⁴Forasmuch as thou art sent ^†of the king, and of his ^*seuen counsellers, to enquire concerning Iudah and Ierusalem, according to the Lawe of thy God, which is in thine hand;

¹⁵And to cary the siluer and gold, which the king and his counsellers haue freely offered vnto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Ierusalem.

^16*And all the siluer and gold, that thou canst find in all the prouince of Babylon, with the free-will offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God, which is in Ierusalem:

¹⁷That thou maiest buy speedily with this money, bullockes, rammes, lambes, with their meate offerings, and their drinke offerings, and offer them vpon the altar of the house of your God, which is in Ierusalem.

¹⁸And whatsoeuer shall seeme good to thee, and to thy brethren, to doe with the rest of the siluer and gold; that doe, after the will of your God.

¹⁹The vessels also that are giuen thee, for the seruice of the house of thy God, those deliuer thou before the God of Ierusalem.

²⁰And whatsoeuer more shall be needfull for the house of thy God, which thou shalt haue occasion to bestowe; bestowe it out of the kings treasure house.

²¹And I, euen I Artaxerxes the king, doe make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the riuer, that whatsoeuer Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heauen, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

²²Unto an hundred talents of siluer, and to an hundred ^†measures of wheate, and to an hundred bathes of wine, and to an hundred bathes of oyle, and salt, without prescribing how much.

^23†Whatsoeuer is commanded by the God of heauen, let it be diligently done, for the house of the God of heauen: for why should there be wrath against the realme of the king and his sonnes?

²⁴Also we certifie you, that touching any of the priests, and Leuites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawfull to impose tolle, tribute, or custome vpon them.

²⁵And thou, Ezra, after the wisdome of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and iudges, which may iudge all the people, that are beyond the riuer, all such as know the lawes of thy God, and teach yee them that knowe them not.

²⁶And whosoeuer will not doe the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let iudgement be executed speedily vpon him, whether it be vnto death, or to ^†banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

²⁷¶ Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this, in the kings heart, to beautifie the house of the LORD which is in Ierusalem:

²⁸And hath extended mercy vnto me, before the king and his counsellers, and before all the kings mighty princes, and I was strengthned as the hand of the LORD my God was vpon me, and I gathered together out of Israel, chiefe men to goe vp with me.

²And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

^2‖†And hee fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a towre in the middest of it, and also made a winepresse therein: and he looked that it should bring foorth grapes, and it brought foorth wilde grapes.

⁵And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

^5†And now goe to; I will tell you what I will doe to my Uineyard, I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten vp; and breake downe the wall thereof, and it shall be troden downe.

³⁶Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:

³⁷And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.

³⁶Behold, we are seruants this day; and for the land that thou gauest vnto our fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold, wee are seruants in it.

³⁷And it yeeldeth much increase vnto the kings, whom thou hast set ouer vs, because of our sinnes: also they haue dominion ouer our bodies, and ouer our cattell, at their pleasure; and wee are in great distresse.

⁸And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

⁸And he came to Ierusalem in the fifth moneth, which was in the seuenth yeere of the king.