Ezra

Chapter 4

1 NOW when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the captivity were building the temple to the LORD God of Israel,

2 Then they came to Zerubbabel and to the chiefs of the fathers and said to them, Let us also build with you; for we seek your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esarhaddom king of Assyria, who brought us up here.

3 But Zerubbabel and Joshua and the rest of the chiefs of the fathers of Israel said to them, You have nothing to do with us to build a house to our God; for we ourselves together will build a house to the LORD God of Israel, as Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.

4 Then the Gentiles of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and terrified them that they should not build,

5 And hired objectors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

6 And in the reign of King Akhshirash, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 And in the days of Artakhshisht, wrote Bishlam, Mahderat, Tabaiel, and the rest of their companions to Artakhshisht king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic and interpreted in Aramaic.

8 Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artakhshisht the king according to custom;

9 Then wrote Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, the Aspherites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,

10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper carried away and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side of the River (Euphrates), and at such a time.

11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent to him, even to Artakhshisht the king: Your servants the men on this side of the River, and at such a time.

12 Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have come to Jerusalem and they are building the rebellious and wicked city, and have completed its walls and dug out its foundations.

13 Be it known now to the king that, if this city is built and the walls are completed, then you will have no tribute, toll, and custom, and so you shall endanger the revenue of the kings.

14 Now because we have eaten the salt of the palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and en_lbp_informed the king,

15 That the book of the records of your fathers may be read; so shall you find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that great conflicts have taken place in it of old time; that is why this city was destroyed:

16 We en_lbp_inform the king that, if this city is built and its walls are set up, by this means you shall have no dominion on this side the River.

17 Then the king sent an answer: To Arkhom the chancellor and to Shimshai the scribe and to the rest of their companions who dwelt in Samaria and to the rest beyond the River, peace.

18 When the letter which you sent to us arrived it was plainly read before me,

19 And I commanded and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old times has made insurrections against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.

20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the River; and they thought nothing of the kings of the old time.

21 Now therefore make a decree causing these men to cease, and that this city should not be built until a commandment shall be given by me.

22 Take heed now that you fail not to do this, lest the damage should increase to the hurt of the king.

23 Now when the copy of King Artakhshisht's letter came, they read it before Arkhom; then the chancellor and Shamshai the scribe and their companions went in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by a strong army made them cease building.

24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra

Chapter 4

1 Now when the adversaries6862 of Judah3063 and Benjamin1144 heard8085 that the children1121 of the captivity1473 built1129 the temple1964 to the LORD3068 God430 of Israel;3478

2 Then they came5066 to Zerubbabel,2216 and to the chief7218 of the fathers,1 and said559 to them, Let us build1129 with you: for we seek1875 your God,430 as you do; and we do sacrifice2076 to him since the days3117 of Esarhaddon634 king4428 of Assur,804 which brought5927 us up here.

3 But Zerubbabel,2216 and Jeshua,3442 and the rest7605 of the chief7218 of the fathers1 of Israel,3478 said559 to them, You have nothing3808 to do with us to build1129 an house1004 to our God;430 but we ourselves587 together3162 will build1129 to the LORD3068 God430 of Israel,3478 as king4428 Cyrus3566 the king4428 of Persia6539 has commanded6680 us.

4 Then the people5971 of the land776 weakened7503 the hands3027 of the people5971 of Judah,3063 and troubled1089 them in building,1129

5 And hired7936 counsellors3289 against5921 them, to frustrate656 their purpose,6098 all3605 the days3117 of Cyrus3566 king4428 of Persia,6539 even until5704 the reign4438 of Darius1867 king4428 of Persia.6539

6 And in the reign4438 of Ahasuerus,325 in the beginning8462 of his reign,4438 wrote3789 they to him an accusation7855 against5921 the inhabitants3427 of Judah3063 and Jerusalem.3389

7 And in the days3117 of Artaxerxes783 wrote3789 Bishlam,1312 Mithredath,4990 Tabeel,2870 and the rest7605 of their companions,3675 to Artaxerxes783 king4430 of Persia;6539 and the writing3791 of the letter5406 was written3789 in the Syrian762 tongue,762 and interpreted8638 in the Syrian762 tongue.762

8 Rehum7348 the chancellor1169 2942 and Shimshai8124 the scribe5613 wrote3790 a letter104 against5922 Jerusalem3390 to Artaxerxes783 the king4430 in this3660 sort:3660

9 Then116 wrote Rehum7348 the chancellor,1169 2942 and Shimshai8124 the scribe,5613 and the rest7606 of their companions;3675 the Dinaites,1784 the Apharsathchites,671 the Tarpelites,2967 the Apharsites,670 the Archevites,756 the Babylonians,896 the Susanchites,7801 the Dehavites,1723 and the Elamites,5962

10 And the rest7606 of the nations524 whom1768 the great7229 and noble3358 Asnapper620 brought1541 over,1541 and set3488 in the cities5892 of Samaria,8115 and the rest7606 that are on this side5675 the river,5103 and at such3706 a time.

11 This1836 is the copy6573 of the letter104 that they sent7972 to him, even to Artaxerxes783 the king;4430 Your servants5649 the men606 on this side5675 the river,5103 and at such3706 a time.

12 Be it known3046 to the king,4430 that the Jews3062 which1768 came5559 up from you to us are come858 to Jerusalem,3390 building1124 the rebellious4779 and the bad873 city,7149 and have set3635 up the walls7791 thereof, and joined2338 the foundations.787

13 Be it known3046 now3705 to the king,4430 that, if2006 this1791 city7149 be built,1124 and the walls7791 set3635 up again, then will they not pay5415 toll,4061 tribute,1093 and custom,1983 and so you shall damage5142 the revenue674 of the kings.4430

14 Now3705 because3606 we have maintenance4415 from the king's4430 palace,1964 and it was not meet749 for us to see2370 the king's4430 dishonor,6173 therefore5921 1836 have we sent7972 and certified3046 the king;4430

15 That search1240 may be made in the book5609 of the records1799 of your fathers:2 so shall you find7912 in the book5609 of the records,1799 and know3046 that this1791 city7149 is a rebellious4779 city,7149 and hurtful5142 to kings4430 and provinces,4083 and that they have moved5648 sedition849 within4481 the same1459 of old5957 time:3118 for which1836 cause was this1791 city7149 destroyed.2718

16 We certify3046 the king4430 that, if2006 this1791 city7149 be built1124 again, and the walls7791 thereof set3635 up, by this1836 means6903 you shall have383 no3809 portion2508 on this side5675 the river.5103

17 Then sent7972 the king4430 an answer6600 to Rehum7348 the chancellor,1169 2942 and to Shimshai8124 the scribe,5613 and to the rest7606 of their companions3675 that dwell3488 in Samaria,8115 and to the rest7606 beyond5675 the river,5103 Peace,8001 and at such3706 a time.

18 The letter5407 which1768 you sent7972 to us has been plainly6568 read7123 before6925 me.

19 And I commanded,7761 2942 and search1240 has been made, and it is found7912 that this1791 city7149 of old5957 time3118 has made insurrection5376 against5922 kings,4430 and that rebellion4776 and sedition849 have been made5648 therein.

20 There have1934 been1934 mighty8624 kings4430 also over5922 Jerusalem,3390 which have ruled7990 over all3606 countries beyond5675 the river;5103 and toll,4061 tribute,1093 and custom,1983 was paid3052 to them.

21 Give7761 you now3705 commandment2942 to cause these479 men1400 to cease,989 and that this1791 city7149 be not built,1124 until5704 another commandment2941 shall be given7761 from me.

22 Take2095 heed2095 now that you fail7960 not to do5648 this:1836 why4101 should damage2257 grow7680 to the hurt5142 of the kings?4430

23 Now116 when4481 1768 the copy6573 of king4430 Artaxerxes'783 letter5407 was read7123 before6925 Rehum,7348 and Shimshai8124 the scribe,5613 and their companions,3675 they went236 up in haste924 to Jerusalem3390 to the Jews,3062 and made them to cease989 by force153 and power.2429

24 Then116 ceased989 the work5673 of the house1005 of God426 which1768 is at Jerusalem.3390 So it ceased1934 989 to the second8648 year8140 of the reign4437 of Darius1868 king4430 of Persia.6540

Ezra

Chapter 4

Ezra

Chapter 4

1 NOW when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the captivity were building the temple to the LORD God of Israel,

1 Now when the adversaries6862 of Judah3063 and Benjamin1144 heard8085 that the children1121 of the captivity1473 built1129 the temple1964 to the LORD3068 God430 of Israel;3478

2 Then they came to Zerubbabel and to the chiefs of the fathers and said to them, Let us also build with you; for we seek your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esarhaddom king of Assyria, who brought us up here.

2 Then they came5066 to Zerubbabel,2216 and to the chief7218 of the fathers,1 and said559 to them, Let us build1129 with you: for we seek1875 your God,430 as you do; and we do sacrifice2076 to him since the days3117 of Esarhaddon634 king4428 of Assur,804 which brought5927 us up here.

3 But Zerubbabel and Joshua and the rest of the chiefs of the fathers of Israel said to them, You have nothing to do with us to build a house to our God; for we ourselves together will build a house to the LORD God of Israel, as Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.

3 But Zerubbabel,2216 and Jeshua,3442 and the rest7605 of the chief7218 of the fathers1 of Israel,3478 said559 to them, You have nothing3808 to do with us to build1129 an house1004 to our God;430 but we ourselves587 together3162 will build1129 to the LORD3068 God430 of Israel,3478 as king4428 Cyrus3566 the king4428 of Persia6539 has commanded6680 us.

4 Then the Gentiles of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and terrified them that they should not build,

4 Then the people5971 of the land776 weakened7503 the hands3027 of the people5971 of Judah,3063 and troubled1089 them in building,1129

5 And hired objectors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

5 And hired7936 counsellors3289 against5921 them, to frustrate656 their purpose,6098 all3605 the days3117 of Cyrus3566 king4428 of Persia,6539 even until5704 the reign4438 of Darius1867 king4428 of Persia.6539

6 And in the reign of King Akhshirash, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

6 And in the reign4438 of Ahasuerus,325 in the beginning8462 of his reign,4438 wrote3789 they to him an accusation7855 against5921 the inhabitants3427 of Judah3063 and Jerusalem.3389

7 And in the days of Artakhshisht, wrote Bishlam, Mahderat, Tabaiel, and the rest of their companions to Artakhshisht king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic and interpreted in Aramaic.

7 And in the days3117 of Artaxerxes783 wrote3789 Bishlam,1312 Mithredath,4990 Tabeel,2870 and the rest7605 of their companions,3675 to Artaxerxes783 king4430 of Persia;6539 and the writing3791 of the letter5406 was written3789 in the Syrian762 tongue,762 and interpreted8638 in the Syrian762 tongue.762

8 Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artakhshisht the king according to custom;

8 Rehum7348 the chancellor1169 2942 and Shimshai8124 the scribe5613 wrote3790 a letter104 against5922 Jerusalem3390 to Artaxerxes783 the king4430 in this3660 sort:3660

9 Then wrote Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, the Aspherites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,

9 Then116 wrote Rehum7348 the chancellor,1169 2942 and Shimshai8124 the scribe,5613 and the rest7606 of their companions;3675 the Dinaites,1784 the Apharsathchites,671 the Tarpelites,2967 the Apharsites,670 the Archevites,756 the Babylonians,896 the Susanchites,7801 the Dehavites,1723 and the Elamites,5962

10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper carried away and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side of the River (Euphrates), and at such a time.

10 And the rest7606 of the nations524 whom1768 the great7229 and noble3358 Asnapper620 brought1541 over,1541 and set3488 in the cities5892 of Samaria,8115 and the rest7606 that are on this side5675 the river,5103 and at such3706 a time.

11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent to him, even to Artakhshisht the king: Your servants the men on this side of the River, and at such a time.

11 This1836 is the copy6573 of the letter104 that they sent7972 to him, even to Artaxerxes783 the king;4430 Your servants5649 the men606 on this side5675 the river,5103 and at such3706 a time.

12 Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have come to Jerusalem and they are building the rebellious and wicked city, and have completed its walls and dug out its foundations.

12 Be it known3046 to the king,4430 that the Jews3062 which1768 came5559 up from you to us are come858 to Jerusalem,3390 building1124 the rebellious4779 and the bad873 city,7149 and have set3635 up the walls7791 thereof, and joined2338 the foundations.787

13 Be it known now to the king that, if this city is built and the walls are completed, then you will have no tribute, toll, and custom, and so you shall endanger the revenue of the kings.

13 Be it known3046 now3705 to the king,4430 that, if2006 this1791 city7149 be built,1124 and the walls7791 set3635 up again, then will they not pay5415 toll,4061 tribute,1093 and custom,1983 and so you shall damage5142 the revenue674 of the kings.4430

14 Now because we have eaten the salt of the palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and en_lbp_informed the king,

14 Now3705 because3606 we have maintenance4415 from the king's4430 palace,1964 and it was not meet749 for us to see2370 the king's4430 dishonor,6173 therefore5921 1836 have we sent7972 and certified3046 the king;4430

15 That the book of the records of your fathers may be read; so shall you find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that great conflicts have taken place in it of old time; that is why this city was destroyed:

15 That search1240 may be made in the book5609 of the records1799 of your fathers:2 so shall you find7912 in the book5609 of the records,1799 and know3046 that this1791 city7149 is a rebellious4779 city,7149 and hurtful5142 to kings4430 and provinces,4083 and that they have moved5648 sedition849 within4481 the same1459 of old5957 time:3118 for which1836 cause was this1791 city7149 destroyed.2718

16 We en_lbp_inform the king that, if this city is built and its walls are set up, by this means you shall have no dominion on this side the River.

16 We certify3046 the king4430 that, if2006 this1791 city7149 be built1124 again, and the walls7791 thereof set3635 up, by this1836 means6903 you shall have383 no3809 portion2508 on this side5675 the river.5103

17 Then the king sent an answer: To Arkhom the chancellor and to Shimshai the scribe and to the rest of their companions who dwelt in Samaria and to the rest beyond the River, peace.

17 Then sent7972 the king4430 an answer6600 to Rehum7348 the chancellor,1169 2942 and to Shimshai8124 the scribe,5613 and to the rest7606 of their companions3675 that dwell3488 in Samaria,8115 and to the rest7606 beyond5675 the river,5103 Peace,8001 and at such3706 a time.

18 When the letter which you sent to us arrived it was plainly read before me,

18 The letter5407 which1768 you sent7972 to us has been plainly6568 read7123 before6925 me.

19 And I commanded and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old times has made insurrections against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.

19 And I commanded,7761 2942 and search1240 has been made, and it is found7912 that this1791 city7149 of old5957 time3118 has made insurrection5376 against5922 kings,4430 and that rebellion4776 and sedition849 have been made5648 therein.

20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the River; and they thought nothing of the kings of the old time.

20 There have1934 been1934 mighty8624 kings4430 also over5922 Jerusalem,3390 which have ruled7990 over all3606 countries beyond5675 the river;5103 and toll,4061 tribute,1093 and custom,1983 was paid3052 to them.

21 Now therefore make a decree causing these men to cease, and that this city should not be built until a commandment shall be given by me.

21 Give7761 you now3705 commandment2942 to cause these479 men1400 to cease,989 and that this1791 city7149 be not built,1124 until5704 another commandment2941 shall be given7761 from me.

22 Take heed now that you fail not to do this, lest the damage should increase to the hurt of the king.

22 Take2095 heed2095 now that you fail7960 not to do5648 this:1836 why4101 should damage2257 grow7680 to the hurt5142 of the kings?4430

23 Now when the copy of King Artakhshisht's letter came, they read it before Arkhom; then the chancellor and Shamshai the scribe and their companions went in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by a strong army made them cease building.

23 Now116 when4481 1768 the copy6573 of king4430 Artaxerxes'783 letter5407 was read7123 before6925 Rehum,7348 and Shimshai8124 the scribe,5613 and their companions,3675 they went236 up in haste924 to Jerusalem3390 to the Jews,3062 and made them to cease989 by force153 and power.2429

24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

24 Then116 ceased989 the work5673 of the house1005 of God426 which1768 is at Jerusalem.3390 So it ceased1934 989 to the second8648 year8140 of the reign4437 of Darius1868 king4430 of Persia.6540