Ezra's Arrival And Work
1 Now after these things, when Artaxerxes was king of Persia, Ezra, the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
1 (A)Now after these things, in the reign of (B)Artaxerxes king of Persia, there went up Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
1 After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes(A) of Persia, Ezra—Seraiah’s(B) son, Azariah’s son,Hilkiah’s(C) son,
1 After all of this, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Seraiah's son Ezra (who was the grandson of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.
5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest)
6 Ezra came from Babylon. He was a scribe (copyist) and an expert in the Law of Moses which Jehovah, the God of Israel, had given. The king was moved by Jehovah his God to give him whatever he requested.
6 This 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.
6 This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a (C)scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all (a)he requested (D)because the hand of the Lord his God was upon him.
6 —came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses,(F) which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested(G) because the hand of Yahweh his God was on him.(H)
6 left Babylon. He was a skillful scribe of the Law of Moses that the LORD God of Israel had given. And the king granted him everything he had requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
7 Some of the children of Israel went with some of the priests and Levites and the music-makers and the doorkeepers and the Nethinim, to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
7 (E)Some of the sons of Israel and some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
7 Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants(I) accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
7 Some of the descendants of Israel also left for Jerusalem, including the priests, the descendants of Levi, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Temple Servants, during the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king's rule.
8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
8 He arrived in Jerusalem during the fifth month of the seventh year of the king's reign.
9 He started his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month. He arrived at Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, by the good help of his God.
9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
9 For on the first of the first month (b)he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, (F)because the good hand of his God was upon him.
9 He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month(J) and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month(K) since the gracious hand of his God was on him.(L)
9 On the first day of the first month he left Babylon and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, since the beneficent hand of his God was upon him.
10 Ezra devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of Jehovah. He taught its decrees and laws in Israel.
10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
10 For Ezra had set his heart to (c)study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and (G)to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
10 Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach(M) its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
10 For Ezra had set his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, to obey it, and to teach God's statutes and judgments in Israel.
Artaxerxes' Letter To Ezra
11 This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest and the scribe-copyist, who put into writing the words of the orders of Jehovah and of his rules for Israel:
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.
11 Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, (d)learned in the words of the commandments of the Lord and His statutes to Israel:
11 This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in matters of the Lord’s commands and statutes for Israel:(b)
11 Here is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest-scribe, a scholar in matters concerning the commandments of the LORD and concerning his statutes pertaining to Israel:
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, all peace;
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
12 “(e)Artaxerxes, (H)king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace. And now
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings,(N) to Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of heaven: Greetings.
12 From: Artaxerxes, King of Kings To: Ezra, the Priest, a scholar in matters concerning the laws of the God of Heaven Greetings!
13 It is my order that all the people of Israel, including their priests and Levites in my kingdom, who are ready and have a desire to go to Jerusalem, are to go with you.
13 I 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.
13 (I)I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.
13 I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.(O)
13 I hereby decree that all of the people of Israel along with their priests and descendants of Levi in my kingdom who are determined to return to Jerusalem with you may do so.
14 The king and his seven wise men send you to get knowledge about Judah and Jerusalem. The Law of your God orders you.
14 Forasmuch 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;
14 Forasmuch as you are sent (f)by the king and his (J)seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God which is in your hand,
14 You are sent by the king and his seven counselors(P) to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your possession.
14 You have authority to act for the king and for his Council of Seven to conduct an inquiry concerning Judah and Jerusalem in accordance with the Law of your God, which is in your possession.
15 You are to take with you the silver and gold freely offered by the king and his wise men to the God of Israel, who's Temple is in Jerusalem,
15 And 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,
15 and to bring the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, (K)whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,
15 You are also to bring the silver and gold the king and his counselors have willingly given to the God of Israel,(Q) whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,(R)
15 You are carrying silver and gold that the king and his advisors have freely given to the God of Israel, whose Temple is in Jerusalem,
16 As well as all the silver and gold which you get from the land of Babylon, together with the offering of the people and of the priests, freely given for the house of their God in Jerusalem.
16 And 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:
16 with (L)all the silver and gold which you find in the whole province of Babylon, along (M)with the freewill offering of the people and of the priests, who (N)offered willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;
16 and all the silver and gold you receive throughout the province of Babylon, together with the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem.(S)
16 together with all of the silver and gold that you can raise in the province of Babylon, plus the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests, contributed for the Temple of their God, which is in Jerusalem.
17 Use this money to buy bulls, sheep, and lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, to be offered on the altar of the house of your God, which is in Jerusalem.
17 That 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.
17 with this money, therefore, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams and lambs, (O)with their grain offerings and their drink offerings and (P)offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
17 Then you are to buy with this money as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.(T)
17 Accordingly, you are to exercise due diligence to utilize this money to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, grain offerings, and drink offerings, and to offer them upon the altar of the Temple of your God, which is in Jerusalem.
18 Whatever seems right to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, that do, as may be pleasing to your God.
18 And 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.
18 Whatever seems good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do according to the will of your God.
18 You may do whatever seems best to you and your brothers with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God.
18 Furthermore, the balance remaining of the silver and gold may be used for whatever other purpose you and your people desire, as long as such use is consistent with the will of your God.
19 The vessels that have been given to you for the uses of the house of your God, you are to give to the God of Jerusalem.
19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
19 Also the utensils which are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver in full before the God of Jerusalem.
19 You must deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles given to you for the service of the house of your God.(U)
19 Furthermore, you are to deliver to the God of Jerusalem the vessels for the service of the Temple of your God that have been given to you.
20 Whatever is needed for the house of your God, and which you may have to give, take it from the king's storehouse.
20 And 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.
20 The rest of the needs for the house of your God, for which you may have occasion to provide, (Q)provide for it from the royal treasury.
20 Furthermore, provide from the royal treasury whatever else may be needed for the Temple of your God.
21 And I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, now give orders to all keepers of the king's money across the river, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, may have need of from you, is to be done with all care,
21 And 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,
21 “I, even I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers who are in the provinces beyond the (g)River, that whatever Ezra the priest, (R)the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it shall be done diligently,
21 I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the Euphrates River:(W) Whatever Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of heaven, asks of you must be provided promptly,(X)
21 I, Artaxerxes, in my capacity as king, hereby decree to all royal treasuries beyond the Euphrates River that whatever Ezra the priest-scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven, may require of you are to be performed with all due diligence,
22 Up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred measures of grain, a hundred measures of wine, and a hundred measures of oil, and salt without measure.
22 Unto 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.
22 even up to 100 talents of silver, 100 (h)kors of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt (i)as needed.
22 up to 7,500 pounds(c) of silver, 500 bushels(d) of wheat, 550 gallons(e) of wine, 550 gallons(f) of oil, and salt without limit.(g)
22 up to 100 silver talents, 100 measures of wheat, 100 measures of wine, 100 measures of oil, and salt without limitation.
23 Whatever the God of heaven orders let it be done completely for the house of the God of heaven. Let there not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons.
23 Whatsoever 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?
23 Whatever is (j)commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, (S)so that there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons.
23 Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven must be done diligently for the house of the God of heaven, so that wrath will not fall on the realm of the king and his sons.(Y)
23 Whatever is commanded by the God of Heaven is to be done with all due diligence for the Temple of the God of Heaven, or wrath will come against the king's realm and his sons.
24 In addition, we make it clear to you, that it will be against the law to put any tax or payment in goods or forced payment on any of the priests or Levites, the music-makers, doorkeepers, Nethinim, or any servants of this house of God.
24 Also 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.
24 We also inform you that (T)it is not allowed to (k)impose tax, tribute or toll (U)on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.
24 Be advised that tribute, duty, and land tax must not be imposed on any priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
24 Furthermore, we decree that with respect to any of the priests, descendants of Levi, singers, gatekeepers, Temple Servants, or other servants of this Temple of God, it is not to be lawful to impose any tribute, tax, or toll on them.
25 And you, Ezra, by the wisdom of your God which is in you, are to put rulers and judges to have authority over all the people across the river who have knowledge of the laws of your God. You are to teach any who have no knowledge of them.
25 And 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.
25 “You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which is in your hand, (V)appoint magistrates and judges that they may judge all the people who are in the province beyond the River, even all those who know the laws of your God; and you may (W)teach anyone who is ignorant of them.
25 And you, Ezra, according to(h) God’s wisdom that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the region west of the Euphrates who know the laws of your God and to teach anyone who does not know them.(Z)
25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom given to you by your God, are to appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people beyond the Euphrates River. All of them are to know the laws of your God, and you are to instruct those who do not know them.
26 If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, take care that punishment is given to him. This is by death or by driving him from his country or by taking away his goods or by putting him in prison.
26 And 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.
26 (X)Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly, whether for death or for (l)banishment or for confiscation of goods or for imprisonment.”
26 Anyone who does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a fair judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.(AA)
26 Whoever refuses to practice the law of your God and the law of the king is to see judgment executed quickly, whether to death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.
Ezra Praises God
27 Praise be to Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing into the heart of the king, to make fair the house of Jehovah that is in Jerusalem.
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:
27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, (Y)who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to adorn the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem,
27 Praise Yahweh the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s mind(AB) to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem,(AC)
27 Blessed be the LORD God of our ancestors, who placed this decree into the king's heart to beautify the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem
28 He has given mercy to me before the king and his government and before all the king's great captains. I was made strong by the hand of Jehovah my God which was on me, and I got together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
28 And 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.
28 and (Z)has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes. Thus I was strengthened according to (AA)the hand of the Lord my God upon me, and I gathered (m)leading men from Israel to go up with me.
28 and who has shown favor to me before the king,(AD) his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God,(i)(AE) and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.(AF)
28 and who showed gracious love to me before the king, before his advisors, and before all of the king's mighty officials. And I was strengthened because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me. So I gathered together the leaders of Israel to go with me.