Ezra 4 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible

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World English Bible Classic
[1] Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel, [2] they came near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esar Haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.” [3] But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves together will build to Yahweh, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” [4] Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building. [5] They hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. [6] In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. [7] In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language. [8] Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows. [9] Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, [10] and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth, wrote. [11] This is the copy of the letter that they sent:To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River. [12] Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations. [13] Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings. [14] Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king, [15] that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed. [16] We inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River. [17] Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River:Peace. [18] The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me. [19] I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it. [20] There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them. [21] Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me. [22] Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? [23] Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms. [24] Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
King James Version

Work is Hindered

[1] Now when the adversaries H6862 of Judah H3063 and Benjamin H1144 heard H8085 that the children H1121 of the captivity H1473§ builded H1129 the temple H1964 unto the Lord H3068 God H430 of Israel; H3478 [2] then they came H5066 to Zerubbabel, H2216 and to the chief H7218 of the fathers, H1 and said H559 unto H413 them, Let us build H1129 with H5973 you: for we seek H1875 your God, H430 as ye do; and we do sacrifice H2076 unto H413 him since the days H3117 of Esarhaddon H634 king H4428 of Assur, H804 which brought us up hither. H5927 [3] But Zerubbabel, H2216 and Jeshua, H3442 and the rest H7605 of the chief H7218 of the fathers H1 of Israel, H3478 said H559 unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build H1129 an house H1004 unto our God; H430 but we ourselves together H3162 will build H1129 unto the Lord H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 as king H4428 Cyrus H3566 the king H4428 of Persia H6539 hath commanded H6680 us. [4] Then the people H5971 of the land H776 weakened H7503 the hands H3027 of the people H5971 of Judah, H3063 and troubled H926 H1089 them in building, H1129 [5] and hired H7936 counsellors H3289 against H5921 them, to frustrate H6565 their purpose, H6098 all H3605 the days H3117 of Cyrus H3566 king H4428 of Persia, H6539 even until the reign H4438 of Darius H1867 king H4428 of Persia. H6539 [6] And in the reign H4438 of Ahasuerus, H325§ in the beginning H8462 of his reign, H4438 wrote H3789 they unto him an accusation H7855 against H5921 the inhabitants H3427 of Judah H3063 and Jerusalem. H3389 [7] And in the days H3117 of Artaxerxes H783 wrote H3789 Bishlam, H1312§ Mithredath, H4990 Tabeel, H2870 and the rest H7605 of their companions, H3674§ unto Artaxerxes H783 king H4428 of Persia; H6539 and the writing H3791 of the letter H5406 was written H3789 in the Syrian tongue, H762 and interpreted H8638 in the Syrian tongue. H762 [8] Rehum H7348 the chancellor H1169 H2942 and Shimshai H8124 the scribe H5613§ wrote H3790 a H2298 letter H104 against H5922 Jerusalem H3390 to Artaxerxes H783 the king H4430 in this sort: H3660 [9] then H116 wrote Rehum H7348 the chancellor, H1169 H2942 and Shimshai H8124 the scribe, H5613 and the rest H7606 of their companions; H3675§ the Dinaites, H1784 the Apharsathchites, H671 the Tarpelites, H2967 the Apharsites, H670 the Archevites, H756 the Babylonians, H896 the Susanchites, H7801 the Dehavites, H1723 and the Elamites, H5962 [10] and the rest H7606 of the nations H524 whom H1768 the great H7229 and noble H3358 Asnapper H620 brought over, H1541 and set H3488 H1994 in the cities H7149 of Samaria, H8115 and the rest H7606 that are on this side H5675 the river, H5103 and at such a time. H3706§ [11] This H1836 is the copy H6573 of the letter H104 that H1768 they sent H7972 unto him, H5922 even unto Artaxerxes H783 the king; H4430 Thy servants H5649 the men H606 on this side H5675 the river, H5103 and at such a time. H3706 [12] Be it H1934 known H3046 unto the king, H4430 that the Jews H3062 which H1768 came up H5559 from H4481 thee H3890 to us H5922 are come H858 unto Jerusalem, H3390 building H1124 the rebellious H4779 and the bad H873 city, H7149 and have set up H3635§ H3635 the walls H7792 thereof, and joined H2338§ the foundations. H787 [13] Be it known H3046 H1934 now H3705 unto the king, H4430 that, if H2006 this H1791 city H7149 be builded, H1124 and the walls H7792 set up H3635 again, then will they not H3809 pay H5415§ toll, H4061 tribute, H1093 and custom, H1983 and so thou shalt endamage H5142 the revenue H674§ of the kings. H4430 [14] Now H3705 because H6903 H3606 we have H1768 maintenance H4415 H4416 from the king’s palace, H1965 and it was not H3809 meet H749 for us to see H2370 the king’s H4430 dishonour, H6173 therefore H5922 H1836 have we sent H7972 and certified H3046 the king; H4430 [15] that search H1240 may be made in the book H5609 of the records H1799 of thy fathers: H2 so shalt thou find H7912 in the book H5609 of the records, H1799 and know H3046 that this H1791 city H7149 is a rebellious H4779 city, H7149 and hurtful H5142 unto kings H4430 and provinces, H4083 and that they have moved H5648§ sedition H849 within the same H1459 of H4481 old H5957 time: H3118§ for H5922 which H1836 cause was this H1791 city H7149 destroyed. H2718 [16] We H586 certify H3046 the king H4430 that, if H2006 this H1791 city H7149 be builded H1124 again, and the walls H7792 thereof set up, H3635 by this H1836 means H6903 thou shalt have H383 no H3809 portion H2508 on this side H5675 the river. H5103 [17] Then sent H7972 the king H4430 an answer H6600 unto H5922 Rehum H7348 the chancellor, H1169 H2942 and to Shimshai H8124 the scribe, H5613 and to the rest H7606 of their companions H3675§ that dwell H3488 in Samaria, H8115 and unto the rest H7606 beyond H5675 the river, H5103 Peace, H8001 and at such a time. H3706 [18] The letter H5407 which ye sent H7972 unto us H5922 hath been plainly H6568 read H7123 before H6925 me. [19] And I H4481 commanded, H7761§ H2942 and search H1240 hath been made, and it is found H7912 that this H1791 city H7149 of H4481 old H5957 time H3118 hath made insurrection H5376§ against H5922 kings, H4430 and that rebellion H4776 and sedition H849 have been made H5648 therein. [20] There have been H1934 mighty H8624 kings H4430 also over H5922 Jerusalem, H3390 which have ruled H7990 over all H3606 countries beyond H5675 the river; H5103 and toll, H4061 tribute, H1093 and custom, H1983 was paid H3052 unto them. [21] Give H7761 ye now H3705 commandment H2942 to cause H989 these H479 men H1400 to cease, H989 and that this H1791 city H7149 be not H3809 builded, H1124 until H5705 another commandment H2941 shall be given H7761 from me. H4481 [22] Take heed H1934 H2095 now that ye fail H7960 not to do H5922 H5648 this: H1836 why H4101 should damage H2257 grow H7680 to the hurt H5142 of the kings? H4430 [23] Now H116 when H4481 H1768 the copy H6573 of king H4430 Artaxerxes’ H783 letter H5407 was read H7123 before H6925 Rehum, H7348 and Shimshai H8124 the scribe, H5613 and their companions, H3675 they went up H236 in haste H924 to Jerusalem H3390 unto H5922 the Jews, H3062 and made them H1994 to cease H989 by force H153 and power. H2429§ [24] Then H116 ceased H989 the work H5673 of the house H1005 of God H426 which is at Jerusalem. H3390 So it ceased H1934 H989 unto H5705 the second H8648 year H8140 of the reign H4437 of Darius H1868 king H4430 of Persia. H6540

Footnotes

  1. § 4:1 Heb. the sons of the transportation
  2. § 4:6 Heb. Ahashverosh
  3. § 4:7a Or, in peace
  4. § 4:7b Heb. societies
  5. § 4:8 Or, Secretary
  6. § 4:9 Chald. societies
  7. § 4:10 Chal. Cheeneth
  8. § 4:12a Or, finished
  9. § 4:12b Chal. sowed together
  10. § 4:13a Chal. give
  11. § 4:13b Or, strength
  12. § 4:15a Cald. made
  13. § 4:15b Chald. in the midst thereof
  14. § 4:17 Chal, societies
  15. § 4:19a Chald. by me a decree is set
  16. § 4:19b Chald. lifted up itself
  17. § 4:23 Chald. by arm and power
Septuaginta
[1] ‡Καὶ G2532 ἤκουσαν G191 οἱ G3588 θλίβοντες G2346 Ιουδα καὶ G2532 Βενιαμιν G958 ὅτι G3754 οἱ G3588 υἱοὶ G5207 τῆς G3588 ἀποικίας οἰκοδομοῦσιν G3618 οἶκον G3624 τῷ G3588 κυρίῳ G2962 θεῷ G2316 Ισραηλ, G2474 [2] καὶ G2532 ἤγγισαν G1448 πρὸς G4314 Ζοροβαβελ G2216 καὶ G2532 πρὸς G4314 τοὺς G3588 ἄρχοντας G758 τῶν G3588 πατριῶν G3965 καὶ G2532 εἶπαν G2036 αὐτοῖς G846 Οἰκοδομήσομεν G3618 μεθ’ G3326 ὑμῶν, G5216 ὅτι G3754 ὡς G5613 ὑμεῖς G5210 ἐκζητοῦμεν G1567 τῷ G3588 θεῷ G2316 ὑμῶν, G5216 καὶ G2532 αὐτῷ G846 ἡμεῖς G2249 θυσιάζομεν ἀπὸ G575 ἡμερῶν G2250 Ασαραδδων βασιλέως G935 Ασσουρ τοῦ G3588 ἐνέγκαντος G5342 ἡμᾶς G2248 ὧδε. G5602 [3] Καὶ G2532 εἶπεν G2036 πρὸς G4314 αὐτοὺς G846 Ζοροβαβελ G2216 καὶ G2532 Ἰησοῦς G2424 καὶ G2532 οἱ G3588 κατάλοιποι G2645 τῶν G3588 ἀρχόντων G758 τῶν G3588 πατριῶν G3965 τοῦ G3588 Ισραηλ G2474 Οὐχ G3756 ἡμῖν G2254 καὶ G2532 ὑμῖν G5213 τοῦ G3588 οἰκοδομῆσαι G3618 οἶκον G3624 τῷ G3588 θεῷ G2316 ἡμῶν, G2257 ὅτι G3754 ἡμεῖς G2249 αὐτοὶ G846 ἐπὶ G1909 τὸ G3588 αὐτὸ G846 οἰκοδομήσομεν G3618 τῷ G3588 κυρίῳ G2962 θεῷ G2316 ἡμῶν, G2257 ὡς G5613 ἐνετείλατο G1781 ἡμῖν G2254 Κῦρος ὁ G3588 βασιλεὺς G935 Περσῶν. [4] Καὶ G2532 ἦν G2258 ὁ G3588 λαὸς G2992 τῆς G3588 γῆς G1093 ἐκλύων G1590 τὰς G3588 χεῖρας G5495 τοῦ G3588 λαοῦ G2992 Ιουδα καὶ G2532 ἐνεπόδιζον αὐτοὺς G846 τοῦ G3588 οἰκοδομεῖν G3618 [5] καὶ G2532 μισθούμενοι G3409 ἐπ’ G1909 αὐτοὺς G846 βουλευόμενοι G1011 τοῦ G3588 διασκεδάσαι βουλὴν G1012 αὐτῶν G846 πάσας G3956 τὰς G3588 ἡμέρας G2250 Κύρου βασιλέως G935 Περσῶν καὶ G2532 ἕως G2193 βασιλείας G932 Δαρείου βασιλέως G935 Περσῶν. [6] Καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 βασιλείᾳ G932 Ασουηρου ἐν G1722 ἀρχῇ G746 βασιλείας G932 αὐτοῦ G846 ἔγραψαν G1125 ἐπιστολὴν G1992 ἐπὶ G1909 οἰκοῦντας G3611 Ιουδα καὶ G2532 Ιερουσαλημ. G2419 [7] Καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 ἡμέραις G2250 Αρθασασθα ἔγραψεν G1125 ἐν G1722 εἰρήνῃ G1515 Μιθραδάτῃ Ταβεηλ σὺν G4862 καὶ G2532 τοῖς G3588 λοιποῖς G3062 συνδούλοις G4889 αὐτοῦ G846 πρὸς G4314 Αρθασασθα βασιλέα G935 Περσῶν· ἔγραψεν G1125 ὁ G3588 φορολόγος γραφὴν G1124 Συριστὶ καὶ G2532 ἡρμηνευμένην. G2059 [8] Ραουμ βααλταμ καὶ G2532 Σαμσαι ὁ G3588 γραμματεὺς G1122 ἔγραψαν G1125 ἐπιστολὴν G1992 μίαν G3391 κατὰ G2596 Ιερουσαλημ G2419 τῷ G3588 Αρθασασθα βασιλεῖ. G935 [9] Τάδε G3592 ἔκρινεν G2919 Ραουμ βααλταμ καὶ G2532 Σαμσαι ὁ G3588 γραμματεὺς G1122 καὶ G2532 οἱ G3588 κατάλοιποι G2645 σύνδουλοι G4889 ἡμῶν, G2257 Διναῖοι, Αφαρσαθαχαῖοι, Ταρφαλλαῖοι, Αφαρσαῖοι, Αρχυαῖοι, Βαβυλώνιοι, Σουσαναχαῖοι [οἵ G3739 εἰσιν G1526 Ηλαμαῖοι] [10] καὶ G2532 οἱ G3588 κατάλοιποι G2645 ἐθνῶν, G1484 ὧν G3739 ἀπῴκισεν Ασενναφαρ ὁ G3588 μέγας G3173 καὶ G2532 ὁ G3588 τίμιος G5093 καὶ G2532 κατῴκισεν αὐτοὺς G846 ἐν G1722 πόλεσιν G4172 τῆς G3588 Σομορων, καὶ G2532 τὸ G3588 κατάλοιπον G2645 πέραν G4008 τοῦ G3588 ποταμοῦ· G4215 [11] αὕτη G3778 ἡ G3588 διαταγὴ G1296 τῆς G3588 ἐπιστολῆς, G1992 ἧς G3739 ἀπέστειλαν G649 πρὸς G4314 αὐτόν G846 Πρὸς G4314 Αρθασασθα βασιλέα G935 παῖδές G3816 σου G4675 ἄνδρες G435 πέραν G4008 τοῦ G3588 ποταμοῦ. G4215 [12] Γνωστὸν G1110 ἔστω G2077 τῷ G3588 βασιλεῖ G935 ὅτι G3754 οἱ G3588 Ιουδαῖοι G2453 ἀναβάντες G305 ἀπὸ G575 σοῦ G4675 ἐφ’ G1909 ἡμᾶς G2248 ἤλθοσαν G2064 εἰς G1519 Ιερουσαλημ· G2419 τὴν G3588 πόλιν G4172 τὴν G3588 ἀποστάτιν καὶ G2532 πονηρὰν οἰκοδομοῦσιν, G3618 καὶ G2532 τὰ G3588 τείχη G5038 αὐτῆς G846 κατηρτισμένοι G2675 εἰσίν, G1526 καὶ G2532 θεμελίους G2310 αὐτῆς G846 ἀνύψωσαν. [13] Νῦν G3568 οὖν G3767 γνωστὸν G1110 ἔστω G2077 τῷ G3588 βασιλεῖ G935 ὅτι G3754 ἐὰν G1437 ἡ G3588 πόλις G4172 ἐκείνη G1565 ἀνοικοδομηθῇ G456 καὶ G2532 τὰ G3588 τείχη G5038 αὐτῆς G846 καταρτισθῶσιν, G2675 φόροι G5411 οὐκ G3756 ἔσονταί G2071 σοι G4671 οὐδὲ G3761 δώσουσιν· G1325 καὶ G2532 τοῦτο G5124 βασιλεῖς G935 κακοποιεῖ. G2554 [14] Καὶ G2532 ἀσχημοσύνην G808 βασιλέως G935 οὐκ G3756 ἔξεστιν G1832 ἡμῖν G2254 ἰδεῖν· G1492 διὰ G1223 τοῦτο G5124 ἐπέμψαμεν G3992 καὶ G2532 ἐγνωρίσαμεν G1107 τῷ G3588 βασιλεῖ, G935 [15] ἵνα G2443 ἐπισκέψηται G1980 ἐν G1722 βιβλίῳ G975 ὑπομνηματισμοῦ τῶν G3588 πατέρων G3962 σου, G4675 καὶ G2532 εὑρήσεις G2147 καὶ G2532 γνώσῃ G1097 ὅτι G3754 ἡ G3588 πόλις G4172 ἐκείνη G1565 πόλις G4172 ἀποστάτις καὶ G2532 κακοποιοῦσα G2554 βασιλεῖς G935 καὶ G2532 χώρας, G5561 καὶ G2532 φυγάδια δούλων G1401 ἐν G1722 μέσῳ G3319 αὐτῆς G846 ἀπὸ G575 χρόνων G5550 αἰῶνος· G165 διὰ G1223 ταῦτα G5023 ἡ G3588 πόλις G4172 αὕτη G3778 ἠρημώθη. G2049 [16] Γνωρίζομεν G1107 οὖν G3767 ἡμεῖς G2249 τῷ G3588 βασιλεῖ G935 ὅτι G3754 ἐὰν G1437 ἡ G3588 πόλις G4172 ἐκείνη G1565 οἰκοδομηθῇ G3618 καὶ G2532 τὰ G3588 τείχη G5038 αὐτῆς G846 καταρτισθῇ, G2675 οὐκ G3756 ἔστιν G2076 σοι G4671 εἰρήνη. G1515 [17] Καὶ G2532 ἀπέστειλεν G649 ὁ G3588 βασιλεὺς G935 πρὸς G4314 Ραουμ βααλταμ καὶ G2532 Σαμσαι γραμματέα G1122 καὶ G2532 τοὺς G3588 καταλοίπους G2645 συνδούλους G4889 αὐτῶν G846 τοὺς G3588 οἰκοῦντας G3611 ἐν G1722 Σαμαρείᾳ G4540 καὶ G2532 τοὺς G3588 καταλοίπους G2645 πέραν G4008 τοῦ G3588 ποταμοῦ G4215 εἰρήνην G1515 καί G2532 φησιν G5346 [18] Ὁ G3588 φορολόγος, ὃν G3739 ἀπεστείλατε G649 πρὸς G4314 ἡμᾶς, G2248 ἐκλήθη G2564 ἔμπροσθεν G1715 ἐμοῦ. G1699 [19] Καὶ G2532 παρ’ G3844 ἐμοῦ G1699 ἐτέθη G5087 γνώμη G1106 καὶ G2532 ἐπεσκεψάμεθα G1980 καὶ G2532 εὕραμεν G2147 ὅτι G3754 ἡ G3588 πόλις G4172 ἐκείνη G1565 ἀφ’ G575 ἡμερῶν G2250 αἰῶνος G165 ἐπὶ G1909 βασιλεῖς G935 ἐπαίρεται, G1869 καὶ G2532 ἀποστάσεις καὶ G2532 φυγάδια γίνονται G1096 ἐν G1722 αὐτῇ, G846 [20] καὶ G2532 βασιλεῖς G935 ἰσχυροὶ G2478 γίνονται G1096 ἐπὶ G1909 Ιερουσαλημ G2419 καὶ G2532 ἐπικρατοῦντες ὅλης G3650 τῆς G3588 ἑσπέρας G2073 τοῦ G3588 ποταμοῦ, G4215 καὶ G2532 φόροι G5411 πλήρεις G4134 καὶ G2532 μέρος G3313 δίδοται G1325 αὐτοῖς. G846 [21] Καὶ G2532 νῦν G3568 θέτε G5087 γνώμην G1106 καταργῆσαι G2673 τοὺς G3588 ἄνδρας G435 ἐκείνους, G1565 καὶ G2532 ἡ G3588 πόλις G4172 ἐκείνη G1565 οὐκ G3756 οἰκοδομηθήσεται G3618 ἔτι, G2089 ὅπως G3704 ἀπὸ G575 τῆς G3588 γνώμης G1106 [22] πεφυλαγμένοι G5442 ἦτε G2258 ἄνεσιν G425 ποιῆσαι G4160 περὶ G4012 τούτου, G5127 μήποτε G3379 πληθυνθῇ G4129 ἀφανισμὸς G854 εἰς G1519 κακοποίησιν βασιλεῦσιν. G935 [23] Τότε G5119 ὁ G3588 φορολόγος τοῦ G3588 Αρθασασθα βασιλέως G935 ἀνέγνω G314 ἐνώπιον G1799 Ραουμ καὶ G2532 Σαμσαι γραμματέως G1122 καὶ G2532 συνδούλων G4889 αὐτῶν· G846 καὶ G2532 ἐπορεύθησαν G4198 σπουδῇ G4710 εἰς G1519 Ιερουσαλημ G2419 καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 Ιουδα καὶ G2532 κατήργησαν G2673 αὐτοὺς G846 ἐν G1722 ἵπποις G2462 καὶ G2532 δυνάμει. G1411 [24] Τότε G5119 ἤργησεν G691 τὸ G3588 ἔργον G2041 οἴκου G3624 τοῦ G3588 θεοῦ G2316 τοῦ G3588 ἐν G1722 Ιερουσαλημ G2419 καὶ G2532 ἦν G2258 ἀργοῦν G691 ἕως G2193 δευτέρου G1208 ἔτους G2094 τῆς G3588 βασιλείας G932 Δαρείου τοῦ G3588 βασιλέως G935 Περσῶν.
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament

Footnotes

  1. ‡ 4:1 This chapter was originally Ἔσδρας Β΄ 4.