\id EZR - Copyright World Bible Translation Center 1987, 1999, 2006, 2008 
\ide UTF-8
\h Ezra 
\toc1 Ezra 
\toc2 Ezra 
\mt1 Ezra 
\c 1  
\s1 Cyrus Helps the Prisoners Return 
\p
\v 1 \w During|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H0259"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*\f + \fr 1:1  \fk first year \ft That is, 538 B.C.\f* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w caused|strong="H1697"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w make|strong="H3615"\w* \w an|strong="H3615"\w* \w announcement|strong="H3068"\w*. \w It|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* written down, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w ordered|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* read \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. \w This|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w* \w so|strong="H1571"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w Jeremiah|strong="H3414"\w*\f + \fr 1:1  \fk what the LORD had told Jeremiah \ft See Jeremiah 25:12-14.\f* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* before \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H1571"\w* \w happen|strong="H1697"\w*. \w This|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w announcement|strong="H3068"\w*: 
\b
\mi
\v 2 \w From|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*: 
\pi1 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8064"\w*, \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdoms|strong="H4467"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* chose \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. 
\v 3 \w If|strong="H0834"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* living \w among|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*, \w I|strong="H0834"\w* pray \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* bless \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w must|strong="H0853"\w* \w let|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* country \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w must|strong="H0853"\w* \w let|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\v 4 \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w so|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w might|strong="H4725"\w* \w be|strong="H0376"\w* \w survivors|strong="H7604"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Israel, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w must|strong="H5375"\w* \w support|strong="H5375"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* \w survivors|strong="H7604"\w*. \w Give|strong="H5375"\w* \w them|strong="H5375"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w animals|strong="H0929"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Give|strong="H5375"\w* \w them|strong="H5375"\w* gifts \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 5 \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w from|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribes \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w going|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Also|strong="H3068"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* encouraged \w prepared|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\v 6 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* neighbors \w gave|strong="H2388"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* many gifts. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w gave|strong="H2388"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w animals|strong="H0929"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* expensive \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* neighbors freely \w gave|strong="H2388"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 7 \w Also|strong="H3068"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w things|strong="H3627"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w belonged|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w taken|strong="H3318"\w* \w away|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w kept|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* false \w gods|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 8 \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w told|strong="H5608"\w* \w Mithredath|strong="H4990"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* man \w who|strong="H3063"\w* keeps \w his|strong="H5921"\w* money, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* things \w out|strong="H3318"\w*. \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mithredath|strong="H4990"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Sheshbazzar|strong="H8339"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w leader|strong="H5387"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. 
\p
\v 9 \w This|strong="H0428"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* what Mithredath brought out \w of|strong="H4557"\w* \w the|strong="H0428"\w* Lord’s Temple: 30 \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w dishes|strong="H0105"\w*, 1000 \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w dishes|strong="H0105"\w*, 29 knives \w and|strong="H3701"\w* pans, 
\v 10 30 \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w bowls|strong="H3713"\w*, 410 \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w bowls|strong="H3713"\w* similar \w to|strong="H0312"\w* \w the|strong="H3967"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w bowls|strong="H3713"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* 1000 \w other|strong="H0312"\w* dishes. 
\p
\v 11 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w together|strong="H5973"\w*, \w there|strong="H5927"\w* \w were|strong="H0702"\w* 5400 \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w made|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*. \w Sheshbazzar|strong="H8339"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w when|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* prisoners \w left|strong="H5927"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w back|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\c 2  
\s1 The List of the Prisoners Who Returned 
\p
\v 1 \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w captivity|strong="H1540"\w*. \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5020"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w taken|strong="H5927"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w prisoners|strong="H7628"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* now \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w everyone|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* \w own|strong="H0376"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*. 
\v 2 \w These|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w returned|strong="H0935"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w*: \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w*, \w Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w*, \w Reelaiah|strong="H7480"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w Bilshan|strong="H1114"\w*, \w Mispar|strong="H4558"\w*, \w Bigvai|strong="H0902"\w*, \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Baanah|strong="H1196"\w*. \w This|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w list|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* names \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w numbers|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w returned|strong="H0935"\w*: 
\b
\li1
\v 3 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Parosh|strong="H6551"\w* 2172 
\li1
\v 4 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w* 372 
\li1
\v 5 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Arah|strong="H0733"\w* 775 
\li1
\v 6 \w the|strong="H3097"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Pahath Moab \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3097"\w* \w family|strong="H0505"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* 2812 
\li1
\v 7 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w* 1254 
\li1
\v 8 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zattu|strong="H2240"\w* 945 
\li1
\v 9 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zaccai|strong="H2140"\w* 760 
\li1
\v 10 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w* 642 
\li1
\v 11 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bebai|strong="H0893"\w* 623 
\li1
\v 12 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Azgad|strong="H5803"\w* 1222 
\li1
\v 13 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Adonikam|strong="H0140"\w* 666 
\li1
\v 14 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bigvai|strong="H0902"\w* 2056 
\li1
\v 15 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Adin|strong="H5720"\w* 454 
\li1
\v 16 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ater|strong="H0333"\w* through \w the|strong="H1121"\w* family \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hezekiah|strong="H2396"\w* 98 
\li1
\v 17 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bezai|strong="H1209"\w* 323 
\li1
\v 18 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jorah|strong="H3139"\w* 112 
\li1
\v 19 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hashum|strong="H2828"\w* 223 
\li1
\v 20 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibbar|strong="H1402"\w* 95 
\li1
\v 21 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* 123 
\li1
\v 22 \w from|strong="H0376"\w* the town \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Netophah|strong="H5199"\w* 56 
\li1
\v 23 \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H3967"\w* town \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Anathoth|strong="H6068"\w* 128 
\li1
\v 24 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Azmaveth|strong="H5820"\w* 42 
\li1
\v 25 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* towns \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kiriath|strong="H7157"\w* Jearim, \w Kephirah|strong="H3716"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Beeroth|strong="H0881"\w* 743 
\li1
\v 26 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* towns \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Geba|strong="H1387"\w* 621 
\li1
\v 27 \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H8147"\w* town \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Micmash|strong="H4363"\w* 122 
\li1
\v 28 \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H3967"\w* towns \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w Ai|strong="H5857"\w* 223 
\li1
\v 29 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nebo|strong="H5015"\w* 52 
\li1
\v 30 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Magbish|strong="H4019"\w* 156 
\li1
\v 31 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* town named \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w* 1254 
\li1
\v 32 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Harim|strong="H2766"\w* 320 
\li1
\v 33 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* towns \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Lod, \w Hadid|strong="H2307"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ono|strong="H0207"\w* 725 
\li1
\v 34 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jericho|strong="H3405"\w* 345 
\li1
\v 35 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Senaah|strong="H5570"\w* 3630 
\b
\m
\v 36 These \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*: 
\li1 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w* through \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* 973 
\li1
\v 37 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Immer|strong="H0564"\w* 1052 
\li1
\v 38 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Pashhur|strong="H6583"\w* 1247 
\li1
\v 39 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Harim|strong="H2766"\w* 1017 
\b
\m
\v 40 These \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w*: 
\li1 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w* through \w the|strong="H1121"\w* family \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hodaviah|strong="H1938"\w* 74 
\b
\m
\v 41 These \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w singers|strong="H7891"\w*: 
\li1 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Asaph|strong="H0623"\w* 128 
\b
\m
\v 42 \w These|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Temple \w gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*: 
\li1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shallum|strong="H7967"\w*, \w Ater|strong="H0333"\w*, \w Talmon|strong="H2929"\w*, \w Akkub|strong="H6126"\w*, \w Hatita|strong="H2410"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shobai|strong="H7630"\w* 139 
\b
\m
\v 43 These \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* special \w Temple|strong="H5411"\w* \w servants|strong="H5411"\w*: 
\li1 \w Ziha|strong="H6727"\w*, \w Hasupha|strong="H2817"\w*, \w Tabbaoth|strong="H2884"\w*, 
\li1
\v 44 \w Keros|strong="H7026"\w*, \w Siaha|strong="H5517"\w*, \w Padon|strong="H6303"\w*, 
\li1
\v 45 \w Lebanah|strong="H3838"\w*, \w Hagabah|strong="H2286"\w*, \w Akkub|strong="H6126"\w*, 
\li1
\v 46 \w Hagab|strong="H2285"\w*, Shalmai, \w Hanan|strong="H2605"\w*, 
\li1
\v 47 \w Giddel|strong="H1435"\w*, \w Gahar|strong="H1515"\w*, \w Reaiah|strong="H7211"\w*, 
\li1
\v 48 \w Rezin|strong="H7526"\w*, \w Nekoda|strong="H5353"\w*, \w Gazzam|strong="H1502"\w*, 
\li1
\v 49 \w Uzza|strong="H5798"\w*, \w Paseah|strong="H6454"\w*, \w Besai|strong="H1153"\w*, 
\li1
\v 50 \w Asnah|strong="H0619"\w*, \w Meunim|strong="H4586"\w*, Nephussim, 
\li1
\v 51 \w Bakbuk|strong="H1227"\w*, \w Hakupha|strong="H2709"\w*, Harhur, 
\li1
\v 52 \w Bazluth|strong="H1213"\w*, \w Mehida|strong="H4240"\w*, \w Harsha|strong="H2797"\w*, 
\li1
\v 53 \w Barkos|strong="H1302"\w*, \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w Temah|strong="H8547"\w*, 
\li1
\v 54 \w Neziah|strong="H5335"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hatipha|strong="H2412"\w*. 
\b
\m
\v 55 These \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5650"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Solomon’s|strong="H8010"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*: 
\li1 \w Sotai|strong="H5479"\w*, \w Hassophereth|strong="H5618"\w*, \w Peruda|strong="H6514"\w*, 
\li1
\v 56 \w Jaala|strong="H3279"\w*, \w Darkon|strong="H1874"\w*, \w Giddel|strong="H1435"\w*, 
\li1
\v 57 \w Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w*, \w Hattil|strong="H2411"\w*, Pokereth Hazzebaim, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Ami, 
\li1
\v 58 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Temple|strong="H5411"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Solomon’s|strong="H8010"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* 392 
\b
\m
\v 59 \w Some|strong="H0428"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* Jerusalem \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0518"\w* towns \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, \w Kerub|strong="H3743"\w*, \w Addon|strong="H0135"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Immer|strong="H0564"\w*. \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* prove \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w families|strong="H1004"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0518"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*: 
\li1
\v 60 \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Delaiah|strong="H1806"\w*, \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nekoda|strong="H5353"\w* 652 
\b
\m
\v 61 \w From|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* family \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w there|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* 
\li1 \w Hobaiah|strong="H2252"\w*, \w Hakkoz|strong="H6976"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* (\w If|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* Gilead, \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* counted \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w descendant|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w*.) 
\b
\p
\v 62 \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w searched|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H1245"\w* \w their|strong="H1245"\w* family histories, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* could \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w them|strong="H4672"\w*. \w Their|strong="H1245"\w* names \w were|strong="H0428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* included \w in|strong="H4672"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w list|strong="H3187"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w priests|strong="H3808"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* could \w not|strong="H3808"\w* prove \w that|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H1245"\w* ancestors \w were|strong="H0428"\w* \w priests|strong="H3808"\w*, \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* could \w not|strong="H3808"\w* serve \w as|strong="H3550"\w* \w priests|strong="H3808"\w*. 
\v 63 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w governor|strong="H8660"\w* \w ordered|strong="H0559"\w* \w them|strong="H5975"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w any|strong="H0398"\w* \w of|strong="H3548"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w food|strong="H0398"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w there|strong="H5975"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* could \w use|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Urim|strong="H0224"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w Thummim|strong="H8550"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w God|strong="H0559"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* do. 
\p
\v 64-65 All together, there were 42,360 people in the group who came back. This is not counting their 7337 men and women slaves. They also had 200 men and women singers with them. 
\v 66-67 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6720 donkeys. 
\p
\v 68 \w When|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* group \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w place|strong="H4349"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w*, \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w gave|strong="H0935"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* gifts \w for|strong="H5921"\w* building \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* again. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H0935"\w* build \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* same \w place|strong="H4349"\w*. 
\v 69 \w They|strong="H4399"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H5414"\w* much \w as|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H4399"\w* were able. These \w are|strong="H3548"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* things \w they|strong="H4399"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H5414"\w* building \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Temple: 1100 pounds\f + \fr 2:69  \fk 1100 pounds \ft Literally, “61,000 drachmas” (about 526 kg).\f* \w of|strong="H0505"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, about 4 tons\f + \fr 2:69  \fk about 4 tons \ft Literally, “5000 minas” (3450 kg).\f* \w of|strong="H0505"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* 100 coats \w that|strong="H4399"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* wear. 
\p
\v 70 \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* moved \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Jerusalem \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* area around \w it|strong="H3605"\w*. \w This|strong="H3605"\w* group \w included|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Temple|strong="H5411"\w* \w singers|strong="H7891"\w*, \w gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Temple|strong="H5411"\w* \w servants|strong="H5411"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* own hometowns. 
\c 3  
\s1 Rebuilding the Altar 
\p
\v 1 \w So|strong="H0259"\w* \w by|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,\f + \fr 3:1  \fk seventh month \ft That is, September–October, 538 B.C.\f* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w moved|strong="H3389"\w* \w back|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H5060"\w* \w own|strong="H0376"\w* hometowns. \w At|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w time|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H0259"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* met \w together|strong="H0622"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w They|strong="H0376"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H0259"\w* \w united|strong="H0259"\w* \w as|strong="H1121"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jozadak \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shealtiel|strong="H7597"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w so|strong="H5927"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w could|strong="H0376"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* sacrifices \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* just \w as|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* says \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*. \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* special servant. 
\p
\v 3 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H0776"\w* afraid \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* other \w people|strong="H5971"\w* living \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* didn’t stop \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* built \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* old \w foundation|strong="H4350"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offerings|strong="H3068"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* sacrifices \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w celebrated|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Shelters|strong="H5521"\w* \w just|strong="H4941"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Law \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Moses \w said|strong="H1697"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* offered \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w right|strong="H4941"\w* \w number|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offerings|strong="H5930"\w* \w for|strong="H4941"\w* \w each|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w festival|strong="H2282"\w*. 
\v 5 \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* began \w offering|strong="H5071"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w continual|strong="H8548"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offerings|strong="H5071"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w offerings|strong="H5071"\w* \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w New|strong="H2320"\w* \w Moon|strong="H2320"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w festivals|strong="H4150"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* were commanded \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* people \w also|strong="H3068"\w* began giving \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* gifts \w they|strong="H3068"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H3068"\w* give \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\v 6 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w first|strong="H0259"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, these Israelites again \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w offering|strong="H5927"\w* sacrifices \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w This|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* done, \w even|strong="H3808"\w* though \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1964"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H5927"\w* rebuilt. 
\s1 \w Rebuilding|strong="H3245"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1964"\w* 
\p
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w those|strong="H4480"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H0935"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* captivity \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w stonecutters|strong="H2672"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w carpenters|strong="H2796"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w food|strong="H3978"\w*, wine, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w olive|strong="H8081"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w used|strong="H5414"\w* these things \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w pay|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* people \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tyre|strong="H6876"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* Sidon \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w cedar|strong="H0730"\w* \w logs|strong="H6086"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w logs|strong="H6086"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* ships \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* seacoast town \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Joppa|strong="H3305"\w* \w as|strong="H0935"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* did \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* first Temple. \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w permission|strong="H7558"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w do|strong="H0935"\w* \w this|strong="H0935"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*\f + \fr 3:8  \fk second month \ft That is, April–May, 536 B.C.\f* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w after|strong="H5921"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shealtiel|strong="H7597"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jozadak \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w captivity|strong="H7628"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* working \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* chose \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* 20 \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w older|strong="H4605"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* building \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\v 9 These \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w supervised|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* building \w the|strong="H5921"\w* LORD’S \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*: \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* (\w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*), \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Henadad|strong="H2582"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*. 
\v 10 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w builders|strong="H1129"\w* finished \w laying|strong="H3245"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w foundation|strong="H3245"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1964"\w*. \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w foundation|strong="H3245"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* finished, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* special \w clothing|strong="H3847"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* got \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H2689"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Asaph|strong="H0623"\w* got \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w cymbals|strong="H4700"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* all \w took|strong="H0853"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* places \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w praise|strong="H1984"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w This|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w way|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* ordered \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* past. 
\v 11 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w sang|strong="H7321"\w* songs \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w praise|strong="H1984"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w thanksgiving|strong="H3034"\w*, taking \w turns|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* singing \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w part|strong="H5921"\w*.\f + \fr 3:11  \fk taking turns … part \ft These songs were sung in two parts. One group (the Levites) sang the first part and the other group (the people) responded with the second part. Here, these are probably Psalm 111—118 and Psalm 136.\f* \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w sang|strong="H7321"\w*, 
\b
\q1 “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\q2 \w His|strong="H3605"\w* \w faithful|strong="H2617"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w last|strong="H5769"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*.” 
\b
\m \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* cheered—\w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H7321"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w loud|strong="H1419"\w* \w shout|strong="H7321"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w praised|strong="H1984"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w foundation|strong="H3245"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H5769"\w* \w laid|strong="H3245"\w*. 
\p
\v 12 \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w older|strong="H1419"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w*, \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H2088"\w* remember \w seeing|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*, began \w to|strong="H0001"\w* \w cry|strong="H8643"\w* \w aloud|strong="H7311"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w while|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w others|strong="H7227"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w shouted|strong="H8643"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*. 
\v 13 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H6963"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w away|strong="H7350"\w*. \w All|strong="H5704"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w them|strong="H5704"\w* \w made|strong="H8085"\w* \w so|strong="H3588"\w* \w much|strong="H1419"\w* \w noise|strong="H6963"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* tell \w the|strong="H3588"\w* difference \w between|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w shouts|strong="H8643"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w crying|strong="H1065"\w*. 
\c 4  
\s1 Enemies Against  //  Rebuilding the Temple 
\p
\v 1-2 Many people living in the area were against the people of Judah and Benjamin. These enemies heard that the people who had come from captivity were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel. So they came to Zerubbabel and to the family leaders and said, “Let us help you build. We are the same as you, we ask your God for help. We have offered sacrifices to your God since the time King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.” 
\p
\v 3 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w*, \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w other|strong="H3162"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* help \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. Only \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w do|strong="H6680"\w*.” 
\p
\v 4 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* enemies \w began|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* discourage \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* tried \w to|strong="H1961"\w* frighten \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w order|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* stop \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w building|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Temple. 
\v 5 \w These|strong="H3605"\w* enemies \w hired|strong="H7936"\w* government officials \w to|strong="H5704"\w* work \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Judah. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* officials \w constantly|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3117"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* stop \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jews’ \w plans|strong="H6098"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* build \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Temple. \w This|strong="H3117"\w* continued \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3566"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w Darius|strong="H1867"\w* became \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*. 
\p
\v 6 These \w enemies|strong="H3389"\w* \w even|strong="H5921"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* letters \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Persia trying \w to|strong="H5921"\w* stop \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3063"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* letter \w the|strong="H5921"\w* year \w that|strong="H3389"\w* Xerxes\f + \fr 4:6  \fk Xerxes \ft King of Persia about 485–465 B.C.\f* became \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Persia. 
\s1 \w Enemies|strong="H3389"\w* \w Against|strong="H5921"\w* Rebuilding \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* 
\p
\v 7 Later, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* became \w the|strong="H5921"\w* new \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*, \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* these men \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* another \w letter|strong="H3791"\w* complaining \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Jews. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* men \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w letter|strong="H3791"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w Bishlam|strong="H1312"\w*, \w Mithredath|strong="H4990"\w*, \w Tabeel|strong="H2870"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* other people \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* group. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w letter|strong="H3791"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Aramaic|strong="H0762"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w translated|strong="H8638"\w*.\f + \fr 4:7  \fk The letter … translated \ft Or “The letter was written in the local language, but with Aramaic characters, and then translated into Aramaic.” This would mean the scribe used the “modern” Aramaic alphabet rather than the older alphabet that was still being used in Judah.\f* 
\p
\v 8  \f + \fr 4:8  \ft Here, the original language changes from Hebrew to Aramaic.\f* \w Then|strong="H4430"\w* \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* commanding officer \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w Shimshai|strong="H8124"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* secretary \w wrote|strong="H3790"\w* \w a|strong="H2298"\w* \w letter|strong="H0104"\w* \w against|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* people \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w They|strong="H3660"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3790"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w letter|strong="H0104"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*. This \w is|strong="H2942"\w* what \w they|strong="H3660"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3790"\w*: 
\b
\mi
\v 9 \w From|strong="H1768"\w* \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* commanding officer \w and|strong="H0116"\w* \w Shimshai|strong="H8124"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* secretary, \w and|strong="H0116"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* judges \w and|strong="H0116"\w* important \w officials|strong="H2967"\w* over \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w men|strong="H0756"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* Tripolis, Persia, \w Erech|strong="H0756"\w*, \w and|strong="H0116"\w* Babylon, \w and|strong="H0116"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w Elamites|strong="H5962"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7801"\w*, 
\v 10 \w and|strong="H0524"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* other people \w who|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w great|strong="H7229"\w* \w and|strong="H0524"\w* powerful \w Ashurbanipal|strong="H0620"\w* moved \w to|strong="H1541"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w city|strong="H7149"\w* \w of|strong="H5103"\w* \w Samaria|strong="H8115"\w* \w and|strong="H0524"\w* other places \w in|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* country west \w of|strong="H5103"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 11 \w This|strong="H1836"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w copy|strong="H6573"\w* \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w letter|strong="H0104"\w* \w sent|strong="H7972"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*: 
\b
\mi \w From|strong="H1768"\w* \w your|strong="H5922"\w* \w servants|strong="H5649"\w* living \w in|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. 
\b
\pi1
\v 12 \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Artaxerxes, \w we|strong="H1768"\w* wish \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w inform|strong="H3046"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3062"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* sent \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w there|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w now|strong="H4430"\w* \w in|strong="H5922"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* terrible \w city|strong="H7149"\w*. \w The|strong="H5922"\w* people \w there|strong="H1768"\w* \w have|strong="H4430"\w* always rebelled \w against|strong="H5922"\w* other \w kings|strong="H4430"\w*. \w Now|strong="H4430"\w* \w they|strong="H1768"\w* \w have|strong="H4430"\w* almost \w finished|strong="H3635"\w* \w repairing|strong="H2338"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w foundations|strong="H0787"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w building|strong="H1124"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w walls|strong="H7792"\w*.\f + \fr 4:12  \fk building the walls \ft This was a way of protecting a city. These men wanted the king to think that the Jews were preparing to rebel against the king.\f* 
\pi1
\v 13 Also, \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Artaxerxes, \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w should|strong="H4430"\w* \w know|strong="H3046"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w if|strong="H2006"\w* Jerusalem \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w its|strong="H3046"\w* \w walls|strong="H7792"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1124"\w*, \w the|strong="H1768"\w* people \w of|strong="H4430"\w* Jerusalem \w will|strong="H1768"\w* stop paying their \w taxes|strong="H4061"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* \w will|strong="H1768"\w* stop sending money \w to|strong="H3046"\w* honor \w you|strong="H1768"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* also \w will|strong="H1768"\w* stop paying customs fees, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w* \w will|strong="H1768"\w* lose all \w that|strong="H1768"\w* money. 
\pi1
\v 14 \w We|strong="H1768"\w* \w have|strong="H4430"\w* \w a|strong="H2370"\w* responsibility \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*. \w We|strong="H1768"\w* don’t want \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w see|strong="H2370"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* happen, \w so|strong="H1768"\w* \w we|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* sending \w this|strong="H1836"\w* letter \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w inform|strong="H3046"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 15 \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Artaxerxes, \w we|strong="H1768"\w* suggest \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w search|strong="H1240"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* writings \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* \w who|strong="H1768"\w* ruled before \w you|strong="H1768"\w*. \w You|strong="H1768"\w* \w will|strong="H1768"\w* see \w in|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* writings \w that|strong="H1768"\w* Jerusalem always rebelled \w against|strong="H5922"\w* other \w kings|strong="H4430"\w*. \w It|strong="H5922"\w* \w has|strong="H1768"\w* caused much trouble \w for|strong="H1768"\w* other \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* nations. Many rebellions \w have|strong="H4430"\w* started \w in|strong="H5922"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w city|strong="H7149"\w* \w since|strong="H1768"\w* ancient times. \w That|strong="H1768"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* why Jerusalem \w was|strong="H4430"\w* destroyed. 
\pi1
\v 16 \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Artaxerxes, \w we|strong="H0586"\w* wish \w to|strong="H3046"\w* \w inform|strong="H3046"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w if|strong="H2006"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w city|strong="H7149"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w its|strong="H3046"\w* \w walls|strong="H7792"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1124"\w*, \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w will|strong="H1768"\w* lose control \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 17 \w Then|strong="H4430"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Artaxerxes \w sent|strong="H7972"\w* this \w answer|strong="H6600"\w*: 
\b
\mi \w To|strong="H5922"\w* \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* commanding officer, \w Shimshai|strong="H8124"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* secretary, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* all \w the|strong="H5675"\w* people \w with|strong="H5922"\w* them living \w in|strong="H5922"\w* \w Samaria|strong="H8115"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* other places west \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. 
\b
\mi Greetings: 
\pi1
\v 18 \w The|strong="H5922"\w* letter \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w sent|strong="H7972"\w* us \w has|strong="H1768"\w* been \w translated|strong="H6568"\w* \w and|strong="H1768"\w* \w read|strong="H7123"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w me|strong="H6925"\w*. 
\v 19 \w I|strong="H4481"\w* \w gave|strong="H7761"\w* \w an|strong="H5648"\w* order \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* writings \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* before me \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w be|strong="H1240"\w* searched. \w The|strong="H5922"\w* writings \w were|strong="H1768"\w* read, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w we|strong="H1768"\w* \w found|strong="H7912"\w* \w out|strong="H5648"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* Jerusalem \w has|strong="H1768"\w* \w a|strong="H7761"\w* \w long|strong="H5957"\w* history \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w rebellion|strong="H4776"\w* \w against|strong="H5922"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w*. Jerusalem \w has|strong="H1768"\w* been \w a|strong="H7761"\w* place \w where|strong="H1768"\w* \w rebellion|strong="H4776"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w revolt|strong="H0849"\w* \w has|strong="H1768"\w* happened often. 
\v 20 \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w* \w has|strong="H4430"\w* \w had|strong="H4430"\w* \w powerful|strong="H8624"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* ruling \w over|strong="H5922"\w* \w it|strong="H5922"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w over|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w whole|strong="H3606"\w* area west \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3606"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* received \w taxes|strong="H4061"\w*, customs, fees, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4061"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 21 \w Now|strong="H3705"\w*, you must \w give|strong="H7761"\w* an order \w for|strong="H5705"\w* \w these|strong="H0479"\w* \w men|strong="H1400"\w* \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w stop|strong="H0989"\w* work. \w That|strong="H2942"\w* order must \w be|strong="H3705"\w* given \w to|strong="H2942"\w* keep Jerusalem \w from|strong="H4481"\w* being \w rebuilt|strong="H1124"\w* \w until|strong="H5705"\w* \w I|strong="H4481"\w* say \w so|strong="H4481"\w*. 
\v 22 \w Be|strong="H1934"\w* careful not \w to|strong="H5922"\w* overlook \w this|strong="H1836"\w* matter. We \w should|strong="H4101"\w* not let \w the|strong="H5922"\w* building \w of|strong="H4430"\w* Jerusalem continue. If \w that|strong="H4430"\w* work continues, \w I|strong="H1836"\w* \w will|strong="H4101"\w* not get any \w more|strong="H5922"\w* money from Jerusalem. 
\b
\p
\v 23 \w So|strong="H0116"\w* \w a|strong="H0116"\w* \w copy|strong="H6573"\w* \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* letter \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* sent \w was|strong="H4430"\w* \w read|strong="H7123"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w*, \w Shimshai|strong="H8124"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* secretary, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* people \w with|strong="H5922"\w* \w them|strong="H1994"\w*. \w They|strong="H0116"\w* \w went|strong="H0236"\w* very quickly \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3062"\w* \w in|strong="H0236"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* forced \w them|strong="H1994"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w stop|strong="H0989"\w* building. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0116"\w* Work \w on|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* Temple \w Stopped|strong="H0989"\w* 
\p
\v 24 \w So|strong="H0116"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w work|strong="H5673"\w* \w stopped|strong="H0989"\w*\f + \fr 4:24  \fk the work stopped \ft Here, this refers to the time of Xerxes, when work on the Temple was stopped, not to the time of Artaxerxes, when work on the walls around Jerusalem was stopped.\f* \w on|strong="H5705"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w The|strong="H0116"\w* \w work|strong="H5673"\w* did not continue \w until|strong="H5705"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w second|strong="H8648"\w* \w year|strong="H8140"\w*\f + \fr 4:24  \fk second year \ft That is, 520 B.C.\f* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w* \w was|strong="H1934"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6540"\w*. 
\c 5  
\p
\v 1 \w At|strong="H0426"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* time \w the|strong="H5922"\w* prophets \w Haggai|strong="H2292"\w*\f + \fr 5:1  \fk Haggai \ft See Haggai 1:1.\f* \w and|strong="H3061"\w* \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w* \w son|strong="H1247"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Iddo|strong="H5714"\w*\f + \fr 5:1  \fk Zechariah son of Iddo \ft See Zechariah 1:1.\f* began \w to|strong="H5922"\w* prophesy \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w name|strong="H8036"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* encouraged \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3062"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3061"\w* \w and|strong="H3061"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. 
\v 2 \w So|strong="H0116"\w* \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2217"\w* \w son|strong="H1247"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Shealtiel|strong="H7598"\w* \w and|strong="H1005"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3443"\w* \w son|strong="H1247"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* Jozadak again started working on \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. All \w of|strong="H0426"\w* God’s \w prophets|strong="H5029"\w* \w were|strong="H1768"\w* \w with|strong="H5974"\w* them \w and|strong="H1005"\w* \w were|strong="H1768"\w* \w supporting|strong="H5583"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* work. 
\v 3 At \w that|strong="H2942"\w* \w time|strong="H2166"\w* \w Tattenai|strong="H8674"\w* \w was|strong="H2942"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w governor|strong="H6347"\w* \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. \w Tattenai|strong="H8674"\w*, Shethar Bozenai, \w and|strong="H3652"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* men \w with|strong="H5922"\w* \w them|strong="H0560"\w* \w went|strong="H0858"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* Zerubbabel, Jeshua, \w and|strong="H3652"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* others \w who|strong="H4479"\w* were \w building|strong="H1124"\w*. \w Tattenai|strong="H8674"\w* \w and|strong="H3652"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* people \w with|strong="H5922"\w* him \w asked|strong="H0560"\w* Zerubbabel \w and|strong="H3652"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* people \w with|strong="H5922"\w* him, “\w Who|strong="H4479"\w* \w gave|strong="H0560"\w* \w you|strong="H5922"\w* permission \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w and|strong="H3652"\w* repair \w it|strong="H5922"\w* like new?” 
\v 4 \w They|strong="H0116"\w* \w also|strong="H3660"\w* \w asked|strong="H0560"\w* Zerubbabel, “\w What|strong="H4479"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w names|strong="H8036"\w* \w of|strong="H8036"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w men|strong="H1400"\w* \w who|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* working on \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w building|strong="H1124"\w*?” 
\p
\v 5 \w But|strong="H0116"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w was|strong="H1934"\w* \w watching|strong="H5870"\w* \w over|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3062"\w* leaders. \w The|strong="H0116"\w* builders didn’t \w have|strong="H1934"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w stop|strong="H0989"\w* working \w until|strong="H5705"\w* \w a|strong="H5705"\w* report could \w be|strong="H0426"\w* sent \w to|strong="H5922"\w* King \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w*. \w They|strong="H0116"\w* \w continued|strong="H1934"\w* working \w until|strong="H5705"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* king sent \w his|strong="H5922"\w* answer back. 
\p
\v 6 \w Tattenai|strong="H8674"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w governor|strong="H6347"\w* \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*, Shethar Bozenai, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* important people \w with|strong="H5922"\w* them \w sent|strong="H7972"\w* \w a|strong="H7972"\w* \w letter|strong="H0104"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w*. 
\v 7 \w This|strong="H1836"\w* is \w a|strong="H7972"\w* copy \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w that|strong="H4430"\w* letter: 
\b
\mi \w To|strong="H5922"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w*. 
\b
\mi Greetings: 
\pi1
\v 8 \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Darius, \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w should|strong="H4430"\w* \w know|strong="H3046"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w we|strong="H1768"\w* \w went|strong="H0236"\w* \w to|strong="H3046"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w province|strong="H4083"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3061"\w*. \w We|strong="H1768"\w* \w went|strong="H0236"\w* \w to|strong="H3046"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w great|strong="H7229"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. \w The|strong="H1768"\w* people \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3061"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w building|strong="H1124"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w with|strong="H1124"\w* \w large|strong="H7229"\w* \w stones|strong="H0069"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* putting big wooden \w timbers|strong="H0636"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w walls|strong="H3797"\w*. \w The|strong="H1768"\w* \w work|strong="H5673"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* being \w done|strong="H5648"\w* \w with|strong="H1124"\w* much \w care|strong="H0629"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* people \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3061"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* working very hard. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w building|strong="H1124"\w* very fast; it \w will|strong="H1768"\w* \w soon|strong="H1768"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w done|strong="H5648"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 9 \w We|strong="H0116"\w* \w asked|strong="H7593"\w* their leaders some questions about \w the|strong="H0116"\w* work \w they|strong="H0116"\w* are doing. \w We|strong="H0116"\w* \w asked|strong="H7593"\w* \w them|strong="H0560"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4479"\w* \w gave|strong="H0560"\w* you permission \w to|strong="H0560"\w* \w rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w and|strong="H1005"\w* repair it like new?” 
\v 10 \w We|strong="H1768"\w* \w also|strong="H0638"\w* \w asked|strong="H7593"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* their \w names|strong="H8036"\w*. \w We|strong="H1768"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H8036"\w* \w write|strong="H3790"\w* \w down|strong="H3790"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w names|strong="H8036"\w* \w of|strong="H7217"\w* their leaders \w so|strong="H1768"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* would \w know|strong="H3046"\w* \w who|strong="H1768"\w* \w they|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 11 \w This|strong="H1836"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w answer|strong="H6600"\w* \w they|strong="H3660"\w* \w gave|strong="H0560"\w* \w us|strong="H5649"\w*: 
\b
\pi1 “\w We|strong="H0586"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w servants|strong="H5649"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w earth|strong="H0772"\w*. \w We|strong="H0586"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w rebuilding|strong="H1124"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w a|strong="H1934"\w* \w great|strong="H7229"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3479"\w* \w built|strong="H1124"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w finished|strong="H3635"\w* \w many|strong="H7690"\w* \w years|strong="H8140"\w* \w ago|strong="H6928"\w*. 
\v 12 \w But|strong="H3861"\w* our ancestors made \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w* angry, \w so|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w gave|strong="H3052"\w* our ancestors \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5020"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w*. \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5020"\w* destroyed \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w*, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w he|strong="H1768"\w* forced \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w people|strong="H5972"\w* \w to|strong="H4481"\w* go \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w* \w as|strong="H1768"\w* prisoners. 
\v 13 \w But|strong="H1297"\w*, \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w first|strong="H2298"\w* \w year|strong="H8140"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* \w was|strong="H4430"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w*, \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* \w gave|strong="H7761"\w* \w a|strong="H7761"\w* special order \w for|strong="H1768"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1124"\w*. 
\v 14 \w And|strong="H4430"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* \w brought|strong="H2987"\w* out \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w his|strong="H5020"\w* false god’s \w temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w gold|strong="H1722"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w* things \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w were|strong="H1768"\w* \w taken|strong="H5312"\w* \w from|strong="H4481"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* past. \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5020"\w* \w took|strong="H5312"\w* \w them|strong="H1994"\w* \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w brought|strong="H2987"\w* \w them|strong="H1994"\w* \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w his|strong="H5020"\w* false god’s \w temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w*. \w Then|strong="H4430"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* \w gave|strong="H7761"\w* \w those|strong="H1768"\w* \w gold|strong="H1722"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w* things \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w Sheshbazzar|strong="H8340"\w*.” \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* chose \w Sheshbazzar|strong="H8340"\w* \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w governor|strong="H6347"\w*. 
\b
\pi1
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H1768"\w* Cyrus \w said|strong="H0560"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* Sheshbazzar, “\w Take|strong="H5376"\w* \w these|strong="H0412"\w* gold \w and|strong="H1005"\w* silver things \w and|strong="H1005"\w* \w put|strong="H5182"\w* \w them|strong="H1994"\w* back \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w Rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* same \w place|strong="H0870"\w* \w it|strong="H5922"\w* \w was|strong="H1768"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* past.” 
\pi1
\v 16 \w So|strong="H0116"\w* \w Sheshbazzar|strong="H8340"\w* \w came|strong="H0858"\w* \w and|strong="H1005"\w* \w built|strong="H1124"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w foundations|strong="H0787"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w From|strong="H4481"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* day \w until|strong="H5705"\w* \w now|strong="H3705"\w*, \w the|strong="H0116"\w* work \w has|strong="H0426"\w* continued, \w but|strong="H1768"\w* it \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w not|strong="H3809"\w* yet finished. 
\pi1
\v 17 \w Now|strong="H3705"\w*, \w if|strong="H2006"\w* \w it|strong="H2006"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2869"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*, please \w search|strong="H1240"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* official records \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*. See \w if|strong="H2006"\w* \w it|strong="H2006"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* true \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* \w gave|strong="H7761"\w* \w an|strong="H7972"\w* order \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w And|strong="H4430"\w* \w then|strong="H4430"\w*, sir, please \w send|strong="H7972"\w* us \w a|strong="H7761"\w* letter \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w let|strong="H3705"\w* us know \w what|strong="H1768"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w have|strong="H0383"\w* decided \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w do|strong="H0383"\w* \w about|strong="H5922"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w*. 
\c 6  
\s1 The Order of Darius 
\p
\v 1 \w So|strong="H0116"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w* \w gave|strong="H7761"\w* an order \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w search|strong="H1240"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* writings \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* before him. \w The|strong="H0116"\w* writings \w were|strong="H1768"\w* kept \w in|strong="H4430"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w* \w in|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H0116"\w* same place \w the|strong="H0116"\w* money \w was|strong="H4430"\w* kept. 
\v 2 \w A|strong="H7912"\w* \w scroll|strong="H4040"\w* \w was|strong="H1768"\w* \w found|strong="H7912"\w* \w in|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* fortress \w of|strong="H4083"\w* \w Ecbatana|strong="H0307"\w*. (\w Ecbatana|strong="H0307"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w in|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w province|strong="H4083"\w* \w of|strong="H4083"\w* \w Media|strong="H4076"\w*.) This \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w what|strong="H1768"\w* \w was|strong="H1768"\w* \w written|strong="H3790"\w* on \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w scroll|strong="H4040"\w*: 
\b
\mi Official Note: 
\v 3 During \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w first|strong="H2298"\w* \w year|strong="H8140"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w* \w was|strong="H4430"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*, \w he|strong="H1768"\w* \w gave|strong="H7761"\w* an order about \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w The|strong="H1768"\w* order said: 
\b
\pi1 Let \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1124"\w*. It \w will|strong="H1768"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w a|strong="H7761"\w* \w place|strong="H0870"\w* \w to|strong="H2942"\w* offer \w sacrifices|strong="H1685"\w*. Let its \w foundations|strong="H0787"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w built|strong="H1124"\w*. \w The|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* 60 \w cubits|strong="H0521"\w*\f + \fr 6:3  \fk 60 cubits \ft 102' 3/8” (31.1 m).\f* high \w and|strong="H4430"\w* 60 \w cubits|strong="H0521"\w* \w wide|strong="H6613"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Its|strong="H4481"\w* wall \w will|strong="H1768"\w* \w be|strong="H5313"\w* \w in|strong="H1768"\w* \w layers|strong="H5073"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w have|strong="H4430"\w* \w three|strong="H8532"\w* rows \w of|strong="H1005"\w* large \w stones|strong="H0069"\w*\f + \fr 6:4  \fk large stones \ft Or “marble stones.”\f* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* one row \w of|strong="H1005"\w* wooden \w timbers|strong="H0636"\w*. \w The|strong="H1768"\w* \w cost|strong="H5313"\w* \w of|strong="H1005"\w* building \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* must \w be|strong="H5313"\w* \w paid|strong="H3052"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4430"\w* \w treasury|strong="H1005"\w*. 
\v 5 \w Also|strong="H0638"\w*, \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w gold|strong="H1722"\w* \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w* things \w from|strong="H4481"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w put|strong="H5182"\w* back \w in|strong="H0426"\w* their \w places|strong="H0870"\w*. \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5020"\w* \w took|strong="H5312"\w* them \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w* \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w brought|strong="H2987"\w* them \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0895"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w put|strong="H5182"\w* back \w in|strong="H0426"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 6 \w So|strong="H1768"\w* King Darius sent this message \w to|strong="H4481"\w* \w his|strong="H1768"\w* officials: 
\b
\pi1 \w To|strong="H4481"\w* \w Tattenai|strong="H8674"\w*, \w governor|strong="H6347"\w* \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*, \w to|strong="H4481"\w* Shethar Bozenai, \w and|strong="H8370"\w* \w to|strong="H4481"\w* all \w the|strong="H5675"\w* officials living \w in|strong="H1768"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* province. \w I|strong="H4481"\w* order \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w to|strong="H4481"\w* stay \w away|strong="H7352"\w* \w from|strong="H4481"\w* Jerusalem. 
\v 7 Don’t bother \w the|strong="H5922"\w* workers. Don’t try \w to|strong="H5922"\w* stop \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w work|strong="H5673"\w* \w on|strong="H5922"\w* \w this|strong="H1791"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. Let \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3062"\w* \w governor|strong="H6347"\w* \w and|strong="H1005"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3062"\w* leaders \w rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* \w it|strong="H5922"\w*. Let them \w rebuild|strong="H1124"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* same \w place|strong="H0870"\w* \w it|strong="H5922"\w* \w was|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* past. 
\pi1
\v 8 \w Now|strong="H4430"\w* \w I|strong="H4481"\w* \w give|strong="H3052"\w* \w this|strong="H1791"\w* order. \w You|strong="H1768"\w* must \w do|strong="H5648"\w* \w this|strong="H1791"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3062"\w* leaders \w building|strong="H1124"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w*: \w The|strong="H5675"\w* \w cost|strong="H5313"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w building|strong="H1124"\w* must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* fully \w paid|strong="H3052"\w* \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4430"\w* \w treasury|strong="H1005"\w*. \w The|strong="H5675"\w* money \w will|strong="H1768"\w* come \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w taxes|strong="H4061"\w* collected \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* provinces \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. \w Do|strong="H5648"\w* \w these|strong="H0479"\w* things quickly, \w so|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* work \w will|strong="H1768"\w* \w not|strong="H3809"\w* \w stop|strong="H0989"\w*. 
\v 9 \w Give|strong="H3052"\w* them anything \w they|strong="H1768"\w* \w need|strong="H2818"\w*. If \w they|strong="H1768"\w* \w need|strong="H2818"\w* \w young|strong="H1123"\w* \w bulls|strong="H8450"\w*, \w rams|strong="H1798"\w*, \w or|strong="H0426"\w* male \w lambs|strong="H0563"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* sacrifices \w to|strong="H2818"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w*, \w give|strong="H3052"\w* these things \w to|strong="H2818"\w* them. If \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w priests|strong="H3549"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w* ask \w for|strong="H1768"\w* wheat, \w salt|strong="H4416"\w*, \w wine|strong="H2562"\w*, \w and|strong="H8065"\w* \w oil|strong="H4887"\w*, \w give|strong="H3052"\w* these things \w to|strong="H2818"\w* them every \w day|strong="H3118"\w* \w without|strong="H3809"\w* \w fail|strong="H7960"\w*. 
\v 10 Give them \w to|strong="H8065"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* Jewish priests \w so|strong="H1768"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w they|strong="H1768"\w* \w may|strong="H2417"\w* \w offer|strong="H7127"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5208"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* please \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w*. Give these things \w so|strong="H1768"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* priests \w may|strong="H2417"\w* \w pray|strong="H6739"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* me \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w my|strong="H1768"\w* \w sons|strong="H1123"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 11 Also, \w I|strong="H4481"\w* \w give|strong="H7761"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* order: If \w anyone|strong="H0606"\w* \w changes|strong="H8133"\w* \w this|strong="H1836"\w* order, \w a|strong="H7761"\w* wooden beam must be pulled \w from|strong="H4481"\w* \w their|strong="H3606"\w* \w house|strong="H1005"\w* \w and|strong="H0606"\w* pushed through \w their|strong="H3606"\w* body. \w Then|strong="H1768"\w* \w their|strong="H3606"\w* \w house|strong="H1005"\w* must be destroyed until \w it|strong="H5922"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* only \w a|strong="H7761"\w* pile \w of|strong="H1005"\w* rocks. 
\pi1
\v 12 \w God|strong="H0426"\w* put \w his|strong="H7972"\w* \w name|strong="H8036"\w* \w there|strong="H8536"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. May \w God|strong="H0426"\w* defeat \w any|strong="H3606"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w* \w or|strong="H0426"\w* other person \w who|strong="H1768"\w* tries \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w change|strong="H8133"\w* \w this|strong="H1791"\w* order. If \w anyone|strong="H3606"\w* tries \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2255"\w* \w this|strong="H1791"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*, may \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2255"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* person. 
\pi1 \w I|strong="H0576"\w*, \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w*, \w have|strong="H0576"\w* ordered it. \w This|strong="H1791"\w* order must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* obeyed quickly \w and|strong="H4430"\w* completely. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H3606"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* Completed \w and|strong="H4430"\w* Dedicated 
\p
\v 13 \w So|strong="H0116"\w* \w Tattenai|strong="H8674"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* \w governor|strong="H6347"\w* \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* area west \w of|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*, Shethar Bozenai, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w the|strong="H5675"\w* men \w with|strong="H6903"\w* them obeyed \w King|strong="H4430"\w* Darius’ order. \w They|strong="H0116"\w* obeyed \w the|strong="H5675"\w* order quickly \w and|strong="H4430"\w* completely. 
\v 14 \w So|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H1868"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3062"\w* leaders continued \w to|strong="H2942"\w* build. Encouraged \w by|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H1868"\w* preaching \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Haggai|strong="H2292"\w* \w the|strong="H1868"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5029"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w* \w son|strong="H1247"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Iddo|strong="H5714"\w*, they \w had|strong="H4430"\w* great \w success|strong="H6744"\w*. They \w finished|strong="H3635"\w* \w building|strong="H1124"\w* \w the|strong="H1868"\w* Temple as \w the|strong="H1868"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3479"\w* \w had|strong="H4430"\w* commanded \w and|strong="H4430"\w* as \w Cyrus|strong="H3567"\w*, \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w*, \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*, \w the|strong="H1868"\w* \w kings|strong="H4430"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6540"\w*, \w had|strong="H4430"\w* ordered. 
\v 15 \w The|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w was|strong="H4430"\w* finished \w on|strong="H5705"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w third|strong="H8532"\w* \w day|strong="H3118"\w* \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w month|strong="H3393"\w* \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0144"\w*.\f + \fr 6:15  \fk third … Adar \ft That is, February–March. Some ancient writers have “23rd of Adar.”\f* \w That|strong="H1768"\w* \w was|strong="H4430"\w* \w in|strong="H4437"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w sixth|strong="H8353"\w* \w year|strong="H8140"\w* \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* rule \w of|strong="H1005"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Darius|strong="H1868"\w*.\f + \fr 6:15  \fk the sixth year … Darius \ft That is, 515 B.C.\f* 
\p
\v 16 Then \w the|strong="H5648"\w* Israelites \w celebrated|strong="H5648"\w* \w the|strong="H5648"\w* \w dedication|strong="H2597"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w with|strong="H5648"\w* much happiness. \w The|strong="H5648"\w* \w priests|strong="H3549"\w*, \w the|strong="H5648"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3879"\w*, \w and|strong="H1005"\w* all \w the|strong="H5648"\w* other people who came back from captivity joined \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5648"\w* celebration. 
\p
\v 17 \w This|strong="H1836"\w* \w is|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* way they dedicated God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w*: They \w offered|strong="H7127"\w* 100 \w bulls|strong="H8450"\w*, 200 \w rams|strong="H1798"\w*, \w and|strong="H1005"\w* 400 \w male|strong="H6841"\w* \w lambs|strong="H0563"\w*. \w And|strong="H1005"\w* they \w offered|strong="H7127"\w* \w twelve|strong="H6236"\w* \w male|strong="H6841"\w* \w goats|strong="H5796"\w* \w for|strong="H5922"\w* \w all|strong="H3606"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3479"\w* \w for|strong="H5922"\w* a \w sin|strong="H2409"\w* \w offering|strong="H7127"\w*. That \w is|strong="H0426"\w* \w one|strong="H1836"\w* goat \w for|strong="H5922"\w* each \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w twelve|strong="H6236"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7625"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3479"\w*. 
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H1768"\w* \w they|strong="H1768"\w* chose \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w priests|strong="H3549"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* their groups \w and|strong="H3792"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3879"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* their groups \w to|strong="H5922"\w* serve \w in|strong="H0426"\w* God’s Temple \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* did these things \w as|strong="H1768"\w* \w it|strong="H5922"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w written|strong="H3792"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H5922"\w* \bk \+w Book|strong="H5609"\+w* \+w of|strong="H0426"\+w* \+w Moses|strong="H4873"\+w*\bk*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H5922"\w* Passover 
\p
\v 19  \f + \fr 6:19  \ft Here, the original language changes from Aramaic back to Hebrew.\f* \w On|strong="H6453"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* fourteenth \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,\f + \fr 6:19  \fk first month \ft That is, March–April, 515 B.C.\f* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Jews \w who|strong="H1121"\w* came back \w from|strong="H1121"\w* captivity \w celebrated|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Passover|strong="H6453"\w*. 
\v 20 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w made|strong="H3605"\w* \w themselves|strong="H2891"\w* \w pure|strong="H2889"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w made|strong="H3605"\w* \w themselves|strong="H2891"\w* \w clean|strong="H2889"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* ready \w to|strong="H1121"\w* celebrate \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Passover|strong="H6453"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w killed|strong="H7819"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Passover|strong="H6453"\w* lamb \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jews \w who|strong="H3605"\w* came back \w from|strong="H1121"\w* captivity. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* did \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w themselves|strong="H2891"\w*. 
\v 21 \w So|strong="H7725"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H0413"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* captivity \w ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Passover meal. \w Other|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* washed themselves \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w made|strong="H7725"\w* themselves pure \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w unclean|strong="H2932"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* living \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w*. \w These|strong="H3605"\w* pure \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w also|strong="H3068"\w* shared \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Passover meal. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* did \w this|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H7725"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* could \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w for|strong="H0413"\w* help. 
\v 22 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w celebrated|strong="H8055"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w Bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w much|strong="H3027"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w very|strong="H8055"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w changed|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w attitude|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w*.\f + \fr 6:22  \fk king of Assyria \ft This probably means King Darius of Persia.\f* \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w helped|strong="H2388"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\c 7  
\s1 Ezra Comes to Jerusalem 
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w*,\f + \fr 7:1  \fk After these things \ft There is a time period of 58 years between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7. The story of Esther takes place at this time.\f* \w during|strong="H0428"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* \w rule|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*, \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* came \w to|strong="H1697"\w* Jerusalem \w from|strong="H1121"\w* Babylon. \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w*. \w Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w*. \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0310"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hilkiah|strong="H2518"\w*. 
\v 2 Hilkiah \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shallum|strong="H7967"\w*. \w Shallum|strong="H7967"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w*. \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ahitub|strong="H0285"\w*. 
\v 3 Ahitub \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5838"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amariah|strong="H0568"\w*. \w Amariah|strong="H0568"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5838"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w*. \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5838"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Meraioth|strong="H4812"\w*. 
\v 4 Meraioth \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zerahiah|strong="H2228"\w*. \w Zerahiah|strong="H2228"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Uzzi|strong="H5813"\w*. \w Uzzi|strong="H5813"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bukki|strong="H1231"\w*. 
\v 5 Bukki \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Abishua|strong="H0050"\w*. \w Abishua|strong="H0050"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Phinehas|strong="H6372"\w*. \w Phinehas|strong="H6372"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Eleazar|strong="H0499"\w*. \w Eleazar|strong="H0499"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Aaron|strong="H0175"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* high \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*. 
\p
\v 6 \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* Jerusalem \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* teacher\f + \fr 7:6  \fk teacher \ft Literally, “scribe.” This was a person who made copies of books. These men studied those books and became teachers.\f* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* knew \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* very \w well|strong="H0834"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Artaxerxes \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* asked \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w*. 
\v 7 \w Among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3548"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* Ezra \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w singers|strong="H7891"\w*, \w gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Temple|strong="H5411"\w* \w servants|strong="H5411"\w*. \w They|strong="H8141"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* during \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7651"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*. 
\v 8 Ezra \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*\f + \fr 7:8  \fk fifth month \ft That is, July–August, 458 B.C.\f* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* Artaxerxes \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\v 9 Ezra \w left|strong="H0935"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*. \w With|strong="H0413"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* blessing \w his|strong="H5921"\w* trip \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w well|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\v 10 \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* always given \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* attention \w to|strong="H3068"\w* studying \w and|strong="H3068"\w* obeying \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H3068"\w* loved \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w teach|strong="H3925"\w* \w its|strong="H0853"\w* \w rules|strong="H2706"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* commandments \w to|strong="H3068"\w* others \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. 
\s1 King Artaxerxes’ Letter \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* 
\p
\v 11 \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* teacher. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* knew \w much|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w commands|strong="H4687"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w laws|strong="H2706"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w letter|strong="H5406"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* teacher: 
\b
\mi
\v 12  \f + \fr 7:12  \ft Here, the text changes from Hebrew to Aramaic.\f* \w From|strong="H1768"\w* \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*, 
\b
\mi \w To|strong="H4430"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5831"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w priest|strong="H3549"\w*, a teacher \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w law|strong="H1882"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w*: 
\b
\mi Greetings! 
\pi1
\v 13 \w I|strong="H4481"\w* \w give|strong="H7761"\w* this order: \w Any|strong="H3606"\w* \w of|strong="H4481"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* Israelites living \w in|strong="H4437"\w* \w my|strong="H1768"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4437"\w*, including \w priests|strong="H3549"\w* \w and|strong="H4437"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3879"\w*, \w who|strong="H1768"\w* want \w to|strong="H2942"\w* go \w with|strong="H5974"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*, may go. 
\pi1
\v 14 \w I|strong="H4481"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w my|strong="H1768"\w* \w seven|strong="H7655"\w* advisors \w send|strong="H7972"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3061"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. Go \w and|strong="H4430"\w* see \w how|strong="H5922"\w* \w your|strong="H5922"\w* people \w are|strong="H1768"\w* doing \w in|strong="H0426"\w* obeying \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w law|strong="H1882"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w your|strong="H5922"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. \w You|strong="H1768"\w* \w have|strong="H4430"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w law|strong="H1882"\w* \w with|strong="H5922"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 15 \w I|strong="H1768"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w my|strong="H1768"\w* advisors \w are|strong="H1768"\w* giving \w gold|strong="H1722"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w* \w to|strong="H2987"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3479"\w*, \w who|strong="H1768"\w* lives \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w You|strong="H1768"\w* must take this \w gold|strong="H1722"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w* \w with|strong="H0426"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w*. 
\v 16 \w You|strong="H1768"\w* must also go through \w all|strong="H3606"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4083"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* Babylonia. Collect \w the|strong="H3606"\w* gifts \w from|strong="H1768"\w* your \w people|strong="H5972"\w*, \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w priests|strong="H3549"\w*, \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* Levites. \w The|strong="H3606"\w* gifts \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w their|strong="H3606"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 17 Use \w this|strong="H1836"\w* \w money|strong="H3702"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w buy|strong="H7066"\w* \w bulls|strong="H8450"\w*, \w rams|strong="H1798"\w*, \w and|strong="H3702"\w* male \w lambs|strong="H0563"\w*. \w Buy|strong="H7066"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* grain \w offerings|strong="H5261"\w* \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w drink|strong="H5261"\w* \w offerings|strong="H5261"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* go \w with|strong="H5922"\w* \w these|strong="H1836"\w* sacrifices. \w Then|strong="H6903"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4504"\w* \w them|strong="H1994"\w* \w on|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w altar|strong="H4056"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w your|strong="H5922"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. 
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H1768"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* other Jews may spend \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w* \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w gold|strong="H1722"\w* left \w over|strong="H5921"\w* any \w way|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* want \w to|strong="H5921"\w*. Use \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* pleasing \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. 
\v 19 Take all these things \w to|strong="H6925"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3390"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* \w are|strong="H1768"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* worship \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w your|strong="H3052"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. 
\v 20 \w And|strong="H4430"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* may get any other things \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w you|strong="H1768"\w* need \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* your \w God|strong="H0426"\w*. Use \w the|strong="H1768"\w* money \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H1768"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4430"\w* \w treasury|strong="H1005"\w* \w to|strong="H4481"\w* buy anything \w you|strong="H1768"\w* need. 
\pi1
\v 21 \w Now|strong="H4430"\w* \w I|strong="H0576"\w*, \w King|strong="H4430"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*, \w give|strong="H7761"\w* this order: \w I|strong="H0576"\w* order \w all|strong="H3606"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* men \w who|strong="H1768"\w* keep \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4430"\w* money \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* area west \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w* \w to|strong="H2942"\w* \w give|strong="H7761"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5831"\w* anything \w he|strong="H1768"\w* wants. \w Ezra|strong="H5831"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w a|strong="H7761"\w* \w priest|strong="H3549"\w* \w and|strong="H4430"\w* \w a|strong="H7761"\w* teacher \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w Law|strong="H1882"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w*. \w Do|strong="H5648"\w* this quickly \w and|strong="H4430"\w* completely. 
\v 22 Give this much \w to|strong="H5705"\w* Ezra: 3 3/4 tons\f + \fr 7:22  \fk 3 3/4 tons \ft Literally, “100 talents” (3450 kg).\f* \w of|strong="H1325"\w* \w silver|strong="H3702"\w*, 600 bushels\f + \fr 7:22  \fk 600 bushels \ft Literally, “100 \+tl \+w cors|strong="H3734"\+w*\+tl*” (22,000 l).\f* \w of|strong="H1325"\w* wheat, 600 gallons\f + \fr 7:22  \fk 600 gallons \ft Literally, “100 baths” (2200 l).\f* \w of|strong="H1325"\w* \w wine|strong="H2562"\w*, 600 gallons \w of|strong="H1325"\w* olive \w oil|strong="H4887"\w*, \w and|strong="H3702"\w* \w as|strong="H1768"\w* much \w salt|strong="H4416"\w* \w as|strong="H1768"\w* Ezra wants. 
\v 23 Anything \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w* \w has|strong="H0426"\w* ordered \w for|strong="H1768"\w* Ezra \w to|strong="H5922"\w* get, \w you|strong="H1768"\w* must give \w to|strong="H5922"\w* Ezra quickly \w and|strong="H4430"\w* completely. \w Do|strong="H5648"\w* this \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8065"\w*. \w We|strong="H1768"\w* don’t want \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* angry \w with|strong="H5922"\w* \w my|strong="H1768"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4437"\w* \w or|strong="H0426"\w* \w my|strong="H1768"\w* \w sons|strong="H1123"\w*. 
\pi1
\v 24 \w I|strong="H1768"\w* want \w you|strong="H1768"\w* men \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w know|strong="H3046"\w* \w that|strong="H1768"\w* \w it|strong="H5922"\w* \w is|strong="H1768"\w* \w against|strong="H5922"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* law \w to|strong="H5922"\w* \w make|strong="H3046"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w priests|strong="H3549"\w*, \w Levites|strong="H3879"\w*, \w singers|strong="H2171"\w*, gatekeepers, \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* \w servants|strong="H6399"\w*, \w and|strong="H1005"\w* other workers \w in|strong="H0426"\w* God’s \w Temple|strong="H1005"\w* pay \w taxes|strong="H4061"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* don’t have \w to|strong="H5922"\w* pay \w taxes|strong="H4061"\w*, money \w to|strong="H5922"\w* honor \w the|strong="H3606"\w* king, \w or|strong="H0426"\w* \w any|strong="H3606"\w* customs fees. 
\v 25 \w Ezra|strong="H5831"\w*, \w I|strong="H1768"\w* give \w you|strong="H0607"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* authority \w to|strong="H2452"\w* use \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2452"\w* \w you|strong="H0607"\w* \w have|strong="H1934"\w* \w from|strong="H1768"\w* \w your|strong="H4483"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w and|strong="H2452"\w* choose civil \w and|strong="H2452"\w* religious \w judges|strong="H1782"\w*. These men \w will|strong="H1768"\w* \w be|strong="H0426"\w* \w judges|strong="H1782"\w* \w for|strong="H1768"\w* \w all|strong="H3606"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w people|strong="H5972"\w* living \w in|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* area west \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* Euphrates \w River|strong="H5103"\w*. \w They|strong="H1768"\w* \w will|strong="H1768"\w* judge \w all|strong="H3606"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w people|strong="H5972"\w* \w who|strong="H1768"\w* \w know|strong="H3046"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w laws|strong="H1882"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w your|strong="H4483"\w* \w God|strong="H0426"\w* \w and|strong="H2452"\w* \w they|strong="H1768"\w* \w will|strong="H1768"\w* \w teach|strong="H3046"\w* \w those|strong="H1768"\w* \w who|strong="H1768"\w* don’t \w know|strong="H3046"\w* \w those|strong="H1768"\w* \w laws|strong="H1882"\w*. 
\v 26 \w Anyone|strong="H3606"\w* \w who|strong="H1768"\w* \w does|strong="H5648"\w* \w not|strong="H3809"\w* obey \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w law|strong="H1882"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* your \w God|strong="H0426"\w*, \w or|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w law|strong="H1882"\w* \w of|strong="H0426"\w* \w the|strong="H3606"\w* \w king|strong="H4430"\w*, must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* punished. Depending on \w the|strong="H3606"\w* crime, \w they|strong="H1768"\w* must \w be|strong="H0426"\w* punished \w with|strong="H0426"\w* \w death|strong="H4193"\w*, \w or|strong="H0426"\w* sent away \w to|strong="H4481"\w* another country, \w or|strong="H0426"\w* \w their|strong="H3606"\w* property taken away, \w or|strong="H0426"\w* put into prison. 
\s1 Ezra Praises \w God|strong="H0426"\w* 
\p
\v 27  \f + \fr 7:27  \ft Here, the text changes from Aramaic back to Hebrew.\f* \w Blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* idea \w into|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w honor|strong="H6286"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\v 28 \w God|strong="H0430"\w* showed \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w faithful|strong="H2617"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w his|strong="H3605"\w* advisors, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* important \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w gave|strong="H2388"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w courage|strong="H2388"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* Jerusalem. 
\c 8  
\s1 List of Leaders Returning With Ezra 
\p
\v 1 \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are|strong="H0428"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* names \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w family|strong="H0001"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w other|strong="H0428"\w* people \w who|strong="H0428"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w* \w to|strong="H0001"\w* Jerusalem \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w*. We \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0001"\w* Jerusalem \w during|strong="H0428"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w rule|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*. Here \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w list|strong="H3187"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* names: 
\b
\li1
\v 2 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Phinehas|strong="H6372"\w*: \w Gershom|strong="H1647"\w*; \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ithamar|strong="H0385"\w*: \w Daniel|strong="H1840"\w*; \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*: \w Hattush|strong="H2407"\w*; 
\li1
\v 3 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shecaniah|strong="H7935"\w*: \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Parosh|strong="H6551"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 150 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 4 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Pahath Moab: \w Eliehoenai|strong="H0454"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zerahiah|strong="H2228"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 200 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 5 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Zattu: \w Shecaniah|strong="H7935"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jahaziel|strong="H3166"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 300 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 6 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Adin|strong="H5720"\w*: \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 50 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 7 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w*: \w Jeshaiah|strong="H3470"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Athaliah|strong="H6271"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 70 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 8 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w*: \w Zebadiah|strong="H2069"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Michael|strong="H4317"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 80 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 9 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*: \w Obadiah|strong="H5662"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jehiel|strong="H3171"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 218 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 10 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bani: \w Shelomith|strong="H8019"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Josiphiah|strong="H3131"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 160 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 11 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bebai|strong="H0893"\w*: \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bebai|strong="H0893"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 28 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 12 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Azgad|strong="H5803"\w*: \w Johanan|strong="H3110"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hakkatan|strong="H6997"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 110 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 13 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w last|strong="H0314"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Adonikam|strong="H0140"\w*: \w Eliphelet|strong="H0467"\w*, \w Jeuel|strong="H3273"\w*, \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 60 \w other|strong="H0428"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*; 
\li1
\v 14 \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bigvai|strong="H0902"\w*: \w Uthai|strong="H5793"\w*, Zaccur, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 70 other \w men|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H5973"\w* Return \w to|strong="H1121"\w* Jerusalem 
\p
\v 15 \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w called|strong="H8033"\w* \w all|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H5971"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w meet|strong="H4672"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w river|strong="H5104"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w flows|strong="H0935"\w* \w toward|strong="H0413"\w* \w Ahava|strong="H0163"\w*. \w We|strong="H3117"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w place|strong="H0935"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w learned|strong="H0995"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* group, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3878"\w*. 
\v 16 \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w I|strong="H7971"\w* called these \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w*: \w Eliezer|strong="H0461"\w*, \w Ariel|strong="H0740"\w*, \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Elnathan|strong="H0494"\w*, \w Jarib|strong="H3402"\w*, \w Elnathan|strong="H0494"\w*, \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w I|strong="H7971"\w* called \w Joiarib|strong="H3114"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Elnathan|strong="H0494"\w*. (These \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w were|strong="H7218"\w* \w teachers|strong="H0995"\w*.) 
\v 17 \w I|strong="H7760"\w* \w sent|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Iddo|strong="H0112"\w*, \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* town \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Casiphia|strong="H3703"\w*. \w I|strong="H7760"\w* \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w say|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Iddo|strong="H0112"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w relatives|strong="H0251"\w*, \w who|strong="H0430"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* workers \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Casiphia|strong="H3703"\w*. \w I|strong="H7760"\w* \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* ask \w Iddo|strong="H0112"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w relatives|strong="H0251"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w send|strong="H3318"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w* workers \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w serve|strong="H8334"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\v 18 \w Because|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w sent|strong="H3027"\w* \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w a|strong="H0935"\w* skilled \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Mahli|strong="H4249"\w* (\w Mahli|strong="H4249"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3878"\w*, \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel’s|strong="H3478"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.) \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w also|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, 18 \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H0376"\w*. 
\v 19 They \w also|strong="H0853"\w* sent \w Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshaiah|strong="H3470"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Merari|strong="H4847"\w*, \w along|strong="H0853"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w their|strong="H4847"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* nephews. \w In|strong="H1121"\w* all there \w were|strong="H1121"\w* 20 \w men|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\v 20 \w Besides|strong="H4480"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w*, \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3881"\w* 220 \w Temple|strong="H5411"\w* \w workers|strong="H5656"\w* \w whose|strong="H3605"\w* ancestors \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w* chosen \w by|strong="H8034"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* help \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w names|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3881"\w* written \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* list. 
\p
\v 21 \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ahava|strong="H0163"\w* \w River|strong="H5104"\w*, \w I|strong="H4480"\w* announced \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H8033"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* should \w fast|strong="H6685"\w*. \w We|strong="H8033"\w* should \w fast|strong="H6685"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H7121"\w* \w ourselves|strong="H4480"\w* humble \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w wanted|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* ask \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H7121"\w* \w safe|strong="H3477"\w* trip \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w ourselves|strong="H4480"\w*, \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H8033"\w* owned. 
\v 22 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w embarrassed|strong="H0954"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Artaxerxes \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H2428"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w horsemen|strong="H6571"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w protect|strong="H5826"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* traveled. \w There|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w reason|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w embarrassed|strong="H0954"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* protection \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H0430"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H0430"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Artaxerxes, “\w Our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* trusts \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w very|strong="H2428"\w* \w angry|strong="H0639"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w turns|strong="H5921"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.” 
\v 23 \w So|strong="H5921"\w* we \w fasted|strong="H6684"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w prayed|strong="H6279"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* trip. \w He|strong="H0430"\w* \w answered|strong="H6279"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w prayers|strong="H6279"\w*. 
\p
\v 24 \w Then|strong="H3548"\w* \w I|strong="H8147"\w* chose \w twelve|strong="H6240"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w who|strong="H3548"\w* \w were|strong="H8269"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. \w I|strong="H8147"\w* chose \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w their|strong="H3548"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*. 
\v 25 \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w weighed|strong="H8254"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w given|strong="H3289"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w gave|strong="H3289"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* twelve priests \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H0430"\w* chosen. \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Artaxerxes, \w his|strong="H3605"\w* advisors, \w his|strong="H3605"\w* important \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* Babylon \w gave|strong="H3289"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\v 26 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w weighed|strong="H8254"\w* all these \w things|strong="H3627"\w*. There \w were|strong="H3027"\w* 25 tons\f + \fr 8:26  \fk 25 tons \ft Literally, “650 talents” (22,425 kg).\f* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*. There \w were|strong="H3027"\w* also 7500 pounds\f + \fr 8:26  \fk 7500 pounds \ft Literally, “100 talents” (3450 kg).\f* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* dishes \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w things|strong="H3627"\w*. There \w were|strong="H3027"\w* 3 3/4 tons \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*. 
\v 27 \w And|strong="H2091"\w* \w I|strong="H8147"\w* gave \w them|strong="H0505"\w* 20 \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w bowls|strong="H3713"\w*. \w The|strong="H8147"\w* \w bowls|strong="H3713"\w* weighed about 19 pounds.\f + \fr 8:27  \fk 19 pounds \ft Literally, “1000 \+tl \+w darics|strong="H0150"\+w*\+tl*” (about 8.63 kg).\f* \w And|strong="H2091"\w* \w I|strong="H8147"\w* gave \w them|strong="H0505"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2532"\w* dishes \w made|strong="H3627"\w* \w from|strong="H2091"\w* polished \w bronze|strong="H5178"\w* \w that|strong="H3627"\w* \w were|strong="H3627"\w* \w as|strong="H2091"\w* \w valuable|strong="H2532"\w* \w as|strong="H2091"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*. 
\v 28 \w Then|strong="H0859"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* twelve priests: “\w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* these \w things|strong="H6944"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. People \w gave|strong="H0559"\w* \w this|strong="H3068"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*. 
\v 29 \w So|strong="H6440"\w* \w guard|strong="H8104"\w* these \w things|strong="H3478"\w* \w carefully|strong="H8104"\w*. \w You|strong="H6440"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* responsible \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w give|strong="H8104"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w You|strong="H6440"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H8104"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w leading|strong="H8269"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w weigh|strong="H8254"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* put \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w rooms|strong="H3957"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w LORD’S|strong="H3068"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.” 
\p
\v 30 \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w accepted|strong="H6901"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* special \w things|strong="H3627"\w* \w that|strong="H1004"\w* Ezra \w had|strong="H0430"\w* \w weighed|strong="H4948"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* given \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w them|strong="H0935"\w*. \w They|strong="H0935"\w* \w were|strong="H3881"\w* told \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w take|strong="H0935"\w* \w them|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\p
\v 31 \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* twelfth \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,\f + \fr 8:31  \fk first month \ft That is, March–April, 458 B.C.\f* we \w left|strong="H5265"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ahava|strong="H0163"\w* \w River|strong="H5104"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w started|strong="H1961"\w* \w toward|strong="H1870"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w he|strong="H0430"\w* protected \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5265"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* robbers \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*. 
\v 32 \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w we|strong="H3117"\w* \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w We|strong="H3117"\w* rested \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\v 33 \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fourth|strong="H7243"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w we|strong="H3117"\w* \w went|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w weighed|strong="H8254"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* special \w things|strong="H3627"\w*. \w We|strong="H3117"\w* gave \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Uriah|strong="H0223"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*. \w Eleazar|strong="H0499"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Phinehas|strong="H6372"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w Jozabad|strong="H3107"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Noadiah|strong="H5129"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Binnui|strong="H1131"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w also|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 34 \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w counted|strong="H4557"\w* \w and|strong="H3605"\w* \w weighed|strong="H4948"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H3605"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w total|strong="H3605"\w* \w weight|strong="H4948"\w*. 
\p
\v 35 \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jewish \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H0935"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w captivity|strong="H7628"\w* \w offered|strong="H7126"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offerings|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w offered|strong="H7126"\w* \w twelve|strong="H6240"\w* \w bulls|strong="H6499"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, 96 \w rams|strong="H0352"\w*, 77 \w male|strong="H3532"\w* \w lambs|strong="H3532"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w twelve|strong="H6240"\w* \w male|strong="H3532"\w* \w goats|strong="H6842"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w sin|strong="H2403"\w* \w offering|strong="H7126"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offering|strong="H7126"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*. 
\p
\v 36 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* letter \w from|strong="H0430"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Artaxerxes \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w satraps|strong="H0323"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* area \w west|strong="H5676"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Euphrates|strong="H5104"\w* \w River|strong="H5104"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* leaders \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* \w support|strong="H5375"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Israelites \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\c 9  
\s1 Marriages to Non-Jewish People 
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H0413"\w* \w we|strong="H0776"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w all|strong="H3615"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w things|strong="H0428"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w came|strong="H5066"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “Ezra, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w have|strong="H0776"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* kept \w themselves|strong="H0428"\w* \w separate|strong="H0914"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w other|strong="H0428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* living around \w us|strong="H0413"\w*. \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w have|strong="H0776"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* kept \w themselves|strong="H0428"\w* \w separate|strong="H0914"\w*. \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w are|strong="H0428"\w* being influenced \w by|strong="H0413"\w* evil \w things|strong="H0428"\w* done \w by|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*, \w Hittites|strong="H2850"\w*, \w Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w*, \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w*, \w Ammonites|strong="H5984"\w*, \w Moabites|strong="H4125"\w*, \w Egyptians|strong="H4713"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Amorites|strong="H0567"\w*. 
\v 2 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H2088"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w married|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* living \w around|strong="H3027"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H2088"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* supposed \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* special, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w now|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* mixed \w with|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* living \w around|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* important \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H2088"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w set|strong="H6944"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* bad example \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H6944"\w*.” 
\v 3 \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w robe|strong="H4598"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* coat \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w show|strong="H8085"\w* \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w upset|strong="H1697"\w*. \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w pulled|strong="H4803"\w* \w hair|strong="H8181"\w* \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w beard|strong="H2206"\w*. \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*, \w shocked|strong="H8074"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w upset|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H3605"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* respected \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* Law shook \w with|strong="H0413"\w* fear. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* afraid \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H0413"\w* \w back|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* captivity \w were|strong="H3478"\w* not faithful \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w shocked|strong="H8074"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w upset|strong="H1697"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4503"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w gathered|strong="H0622"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w*, \w when|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* time \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4503"\w*, \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*. \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* made myself look shameful \w while|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* sitting \w there|strong="H3068"\w*. \w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w robe|strong="H4598"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* coat \w were|strong="H0430"\w* \w torn|strong="H7167"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w fell|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w knees|strong="H1290"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w hands|strong="H3709"\w* \w spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 6 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w prayed|strong="H0559"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* prayer: 
\p “\w My|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H0430"\w* too \w ashamed|strong="H0954"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w embarrassed|strong="H3637"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* look \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H0430"\w* \w ashamed|strong="H0954"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w our|strong="H0430"\w* \w sins|strong="H5771"\w* \w are|strong="H8064"\w* \w higher|strong="H4605"\w* \w than|strong="H7235"\w* \w our|strong="H0430"\w* \w heads|strong="H7218"\w*. \w Our|strong="H0430"\w* \w guilt|strong="H5771"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w reached|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w way|strong="H6440"\w* \w up|strong="H7311"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w heavens|strong="H8064"\w*. 
\v 7 \w We|strong="H0587"\w* \w have|strong="H0001"\w* \w been|strong="H0776"\w* \w guilty|strong="H5771"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w many|strong="H1419"\w* \w sins|strong="H5771"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w now|strong="H3117"\w*. \w We|strong="H0587"\w* sinned \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* punished. Foreign \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3027"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w took|strong="H5414"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w* away. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w took|strong="H5414"\w* away \w our|strong="H5414"\w* wealth \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* ashamed. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 “\w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, finally, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* kind \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*. \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w few|strong="H4592"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w escape|strong="H6413"\w* captivity \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* live \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w this|strong="H6258"\w* \w holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w*. \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* new \w life|strong="H4241"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w relief|strong="H4241"\w* \w from|strong="H1961"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w slavery|strong="H5659"\w*. 
\v 9 \w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*, \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w were|strong="H3063"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w* forever. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H3063"\w* kind \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* kind \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Your|strong="H5414"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w ruined|strong="H2723"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* new \w life|strong="H4241"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w can|strong="H5975"\w* rebuild \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* repair \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* new. \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* helped \w us|strong="H5414"\w* build \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w wall|strong="H1447"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* protect \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\p
\v 10 “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*? \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H6258"\w* stopped obeying \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w again|strong="H0310"\w*. 
\v 11 \w You|strong="H0859"\w* used \w your|strong="H0834"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w give|strong="H6680"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w going|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w live|strong="H4390"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* own \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* ruined \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* ruined \w by|strong="H3027"\w* evil \w things|strong="H8441"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* living \w there|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H3027"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H3027"\w* very bad \w things|strong="H8441"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* every \w place|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w made|strong="H0834"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* dirty \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w their|strong="H0935"\w* sins. 
\v 12 \w So|strong="H4616"\w* Israelites, \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w marry|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* join \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w want|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w things|strong="H2898"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w*. Obey \w my|strong="H5414"\w* commands \w so|strong="H4616"\w* \w that|strong="H4616"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w strong|strong="H2388"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* enjoy \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w things|strong="H2898"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w then|strong="H6258"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w can|strong="H1121"\w* keep \w this|strong="H6258"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*.’ 
\p
\v 13 “\w What|strong="H4639"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w happened|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* own \w fault|strong="H7451"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w done|strong="H4639"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w much|strong="H3605"\w* \w guilt|strong="H5771"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*, \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w have|strong="H0859"\w* punished \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w much|strong="H3605"\w* \w less|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w done|strong="H4639"\w* \w many|strong="H1419"\w* \w terrible|strong="H7451"\w* \w sins|strong="H5771"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w* punished \w worse|strong="H7451"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w some|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* people \w escape|strong="H6413"\w* captivity. 
\v 14 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w we|strong="H5704"\w* know \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w we|strong="H5704"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w break|strong="H6565"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w commands|strong="H4687"\w*. \w We|strong="H5704"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* marry \w those|strong="H0428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H0369"\w* \w very|strong="H5704"\w* bad \w things|strong="H0428"\w*. \w God|strong="H3808"\w*, if \w we|strong="H5704"\w* continue \w to|strong="H5704"\w* marry \w these|strong="H0428"\w* bad \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w we|strong="H5704"\w* know \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3615"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w*. \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w would|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Israelites \w left|strong="H7725"\w* alive. 
\p
\v 15 “\w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w good|strong="H2005"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w still|strong="H5975"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* let \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w live|strong="H3117"\w*. \w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*, \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w guilty|strong="H0819"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w guilt|strong="H0819"\w*, \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*.” 
\c 10  
\s1 The People Confess Their Sin 
\p
\v 1 \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w praying|strong="H6419"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w confessing|strong="H3034"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w crying|strong="H1058"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* bowing \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w While|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* doing \w that|strong="H3588"\w*, \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w large|strong="H7227"\w* \w group|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*—\w men|strong="H0376"\w*, \w women|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w children|strong="H3206"\w*—\w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w around|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w crying|strong="H1058"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* \w Shecaniah|strong="H7935"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jehiel|strong="H3171"\w*, \w one|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w*, \w spoke|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w We|strong="H0587"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w not|strong="H0776"\w* \w been|strong="H4603"\w* faithful \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w We|strong="H0587"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*. \w But|strong="H6030"\w*, \w even|strong="H0776"\w* though \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* done \w this|strong="H2063"\w*, \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w still|strong="H0559"\w* hope \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w let|strong="H6258"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H3772"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w before|strong="H0430"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w send|strong="H3318"\w* \w away|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H1992"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w children|strong="H3205"\w*. \w We|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* follow \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* Ezra \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w who|strong="H3605"\w* respect \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w laws|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w We|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, Ezra. \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w responsibility|strong="H5921"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* \w support|strong="H2388"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* brave \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*.” 
\p
\v 5 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leading|strong="H8269"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w promise|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 6 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w went|strong="H6965"\w* \w away|strong="H0398"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w room|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jehohanan|strong="H3076"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*. \w While|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* still \w very|strong="H4604"\w* sad. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0430"\w* \w very|strong="H4604"\w* sad \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelites \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w came|strong="H0413"\w* \w back|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* Jerusalem. 
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H5674"\w* \w he|strong="H3389"\w* sent \w a|strong="H3389"\w* \w message|strong="H3389"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w message|strong="H3389"\w* told \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jewish \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3063"\w* come back \w from|strong="H1121"\w* captivity \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w meet|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\v 8 \w Those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* Jerusalem \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* said \w would|strong="H0834"\w* lose \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w property|strong="H7399"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* removed \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* group. 
\p
\v 9 \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w families|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w And|strong="H3063"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twentieth|strong="H6242"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w ninth|strong="H8671"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,\f + \fr 10:9  \fk ninth month \ft That is, November–December.\f* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* met \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Temple|strong="H1004"\w* yard. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H0376"\w* very \w upset|strong="H1697"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w reason|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* meeting \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* heavy \w rain|strong="H1653"\w*. 
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w stood|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*, “\w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w not|strong="H3254"\w* \w been|strong="H4603"\w* faithful \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H0559"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w made|strong="H0802"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w guilty|strong="H0819"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* doing \w that|strong="H0559"\w*. 
\v 11 \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w must|strong="H0776"\w* confess \w your|strong="H3068"\w* sins \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*. \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w must|strong="H0776"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* command. \w Separate|strong="H0914"\w* \w yourselves|strong="H3068"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* living around \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w wives|strong="H0802"\w*.” 
\p
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* group \w who|strong="H3605"\w* met \w together|strong="H5921"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w* Ezra. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* shouted, “Ezra, \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w right|strong="H3651"\w*! \w We|strong="H3605"\w* must \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*. 
\v 13 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w*. \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w rainy|strong="H1653"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w year|strong="H3117"\w*, \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w stay|strong="H5975"\w* \w outside|strong="H2351"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* problem \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* solved \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* sinned \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* bad \w way|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 14 \w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w decide|strong="H8199"\w* \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* group meeting \w here|strong="H2088"\w*. \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w towns|strong="H5892"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* Jerusalem \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* planned \w time|strong="H6256"\w*. \w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w judges|strong="H8199"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w towns|strong="H5892"\w*. \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w stop|strong="H5975"\w* \w being|strong="H0430"\w* \w angry|strong="H0639"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w*.” 
\p
\v 15 \w Only|strong="H0389"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* few \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* plan. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jahzeiah|strong="H3167"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Tikvah|strong="H8616"\w*. \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shabbethai|strong="H7678"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w also|strong="H2063"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* plan. 
\p
\v 16 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelites \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H0376"\w* \w back|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* Jerusalem accepted \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w plan|strong="H1697"\w*. \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w chose|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w chose|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* tribe. \w Each|strong="H0376"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* chosen \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*. \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H0259"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tenth|strong="H6224"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,\f + \fr 10:16  \fk tenth month \ft That is, December–January.\f* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* chosen \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w study|strong="H1875"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cases|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 17 \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w by|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,\f + \fr 10:17  \fk first month \ft That is, March–April.\f* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* discussing \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H0376"\w* \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. 
\s1 List \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Men|strong="H0376"\w* \w Who|strong="H3605"\w*  //  \w Married|strong="H0802"\w* \w Foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w Women|strong="H0802"\w* 
\p
\v 18 \w These|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* names \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*: 
\b
\li1 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jozadak \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Jeshua’s \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w these|strong="H0834"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Eliezer|strong="H0461"\w*, \w Jarib|strong="H3402"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gedaliah|strong="H1436"\w*. 
\v 19 All \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w promised|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* divorce \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w wives|strong="H0802"\w*. \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w then|strong="H3318"\w* \w each|strong="H0802"\w* \w one|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w offered|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w ram|strong="H0352"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w flock|strong="H6629"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w guilt|strong="H0819"\w* \w offering|strong="H0819"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* did \w that|strong="H3027"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w guilt|strong="H0819"\w*. 
\li1
\v 20 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Immer|strong="H0564"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Hanani|strong="H2607"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zebadiah|strong="H2069"\w*. 
\li1
\v 21 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8098"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Elijah|strong="H0452"\w*, \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Jehiel|strong="H3171"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Uzziah|strong="H5818"\w*. 
\li1
\v 22 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3458"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Pashhur|strong="H6583"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Elioenai|strong="H0454"\w*, \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Ishmael|strong="H3458"\w*, \w Nethanel|strong="H5417"\w*, \w Jozabad|strong="H3107"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Elasah|strong="H0501"\w*. 
\b
\m
\v 23 \w Among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w these|strong="H1931"\w* \w are|strong="H3063"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* men \w who|strong="H1931"\w* married foreign women: 
\li1 \w Jozabad|strong="H3107"\w*, \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w*, \w Kelaiah|strong="H7041"\w* (\w also|strong="H3063"\w* called \w Kelita|strong="H7042"\w*), \w Pethahiah|strong="H6611"\w*, \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Eliezer|strong="H0461"\w*. 
\li1
\v 24 \w Among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w singers|strong="H7891"\w*, this is \w the|strong="H4480"\w* man \w who|strong="H7891"\w* married \w a|strong="H4480"\w* foreign woman: \w Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*. 
\li1 \w Among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, these are \w the|strong="H4480"\w* men \w who|strong="H7891"\w* married foreign women: \w Shallum|strong="H7967"\w*, \w Telem|strong="H2928"\w*, \w and|strong="H7891"\w* \w Uri|strong="H0221"\w*. 
\b
\m
\v 25 \w Among|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* other \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w* married foreign women: 
\li1 \w From|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0499"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Parosh|strong="H6551"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Ramiah|strong="H7422"\w*, \w Izziah|strong="H3150"\w*, \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*, \w Mijamin|strong="H4326"\w*, \w Eleazar|strong="H0499"\w*, \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w*. 
\li1
\v 26 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w Jehiel|strong="H3171"\w*, \w Abdi|strong="H5660"\w*, \w Jeremoth|strong="H3406"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Elijah|strong="H0452"\w*. 
\li1
\v 27 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zattu|strong="H2240"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Elioenai|strong="H0454"\w*, \w Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*, \w Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w Jeremoth|strong="H3406"\w*, \w Zabad|strong="H2066"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Aziza|strong="H5819"\w*. 
\li1
\v 28 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3076"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bebai|strong="H0893"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Jehohanan|strong="H3076"\w*, \w Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w*, \w Zabbai|strong="H2079"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Athlai. 
\li1
\v 29 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w Malluch|strong="H4409"\w*, \w Adaiah|strong="H5718"\w*, \w Jashub|strong="H3437"\w*, \w Sheal|strong="H7594"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeremoth|strong="H3406"\w*. 
\li1
\v 30 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1141"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Pahath Moab, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Adna|strong="H5733"\w*, \w Kelal|strong="H3636"\w*, \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w*, \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w Bezalel|strong="H1212"\w*, \w Binnui|strong="H1131"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*. 
\li1
\v 31 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8098"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Eliezer|strong="H0461"\w*, \w Ishijah|strong="H3449"\w*, \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*, \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Shimeon|strong="H8095"\w*, 
\v 32 \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w Malluch|strong="H4409"\w*, \w and|strong="H1144"\w* \w Shemariah|strong="H8114"\w*. 
\li1
\v 33 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hashum|strong="H2828"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Mattenai|strong="H4982"\w*, \w Mattattah|strong="H4992"\w*, \w Zabad|strong="H2066"\w*, \w Eliphelet|strong="H0467"\w*, \w Jeremai|strong="H3413"\w*, \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w*. 
\li1
\v 34 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Maadai|strong="H4572"\w*, \w Amram|strong="H6019"\w*, \w Uel|strong="H0177"\w*, 
\v 35 \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w*, \w Bedeiah|strong="H0912"\w*, \w Keluhi|strong="H3622"\w*, 
\v 36 \w Vaniah|strong="H2057"\w*, \w Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w*, \w Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*, 
\v 37 \w Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w Mattenai|strong="H4982"\w*, and \w Jaasu|strong="H3299"\w*. 
\li1
\v 38 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Binnui|strong="H1131"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w*, 
\v 39 \w Shelemiah|strong="H8018"\w*, \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w*, \w Adaiah|strong="H5718"\w*, 
\v 40 Macnadebai, \w Shashai|strong="H8343"\w*, \w Sharai|strong="H8298"\w*, 
\v 41 \w Azarel|strong="H5832"\w*, \w Shelemiah|strong="H8018"\w*, \w Shemariah|strong="H8114"\w*, 
\v 42 \w Shallum|strong="H7967"\w*, \w Amariah|strong="H0568"\w*, \w and|strong="H3130"\w* \w Joseph|strong="H3130"\w*. 
\li1
\v 43 \w From|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1141"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nebo|strong="H5015"\w*, these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*: \w Jeiel|strong="H3273"\w*, \w Mattithiah|strong="H4993"\w*, \w Zabad|strong="H2066"\w*, \w Zebina|strong="H2081"\w*, \w Jaddai|strong="H3035"\w*, \w Joel|strong="H3100"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w*. 
\b
\m
\v 44 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w some|strong="H0428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H0802"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w wives|strong="H0802"\w*. 