1 Esdras — Chapter 2

with one minde into the courr,that was before the eaft gare.48.And lefusthe fonne of Iofedec , and hisbrethren the Priefts : Zorobabel the fonne of Salathiel.and his bretheren {tanding yp, prepared an alcar, 49. that they might offer vpon it holocaufies, according to the things that are writen in the book of Moyfes the ma of God.so,.And chere afsébled there of o:her nations of the Jand,and al che nations of the land erected the alrar in his place,and they offered hofts,and morning holocauftes to our Lord, s1-And they celebrared the feaft oi T abernacles,and the folemne day , as itis commanded inthe lawe:and facrifices dayly,as it behoued:5 2.& after jthefe they appointed oblations ,and the holts of the fabbaths ,and of the newmoones,and of al thefolemne f{anctified dayes, 53. And as manie as vowed to our Lord from the new moone of the feuenth moneth , began to offer the holts to God,and the temple of our Lord wasnot yet built. 54.And they gaue monie to the mafons and workworen, and drinke and victuals with toy, 55, And they gaue cartestothe Sidonians,& Tyrianes, that with them they should carie ceder beames from Lybanus , & should make boares in the hauen loppe,according to the decree that was writen tor them byCyrus King of the Perfians.5 6.Andin the fecond yeare com- ming into the temple of Godin Ierufalem, in the fecond moneth began Zorobabel thefonne of Salathiel , and lofuethe fonne of lofedec, and their brectheren , trom che captiuitie into Ierufalemm, 57. and they founded the temple of God in the new moone of the fecond moneth of the fecond yeare, after that they came into Iurie & Ierufalem. 58. And they appoyn- ted the Leuites fromrwentie yeares, ouer the workesof our Lord : and lefus ftood and his fonne, andthe bretheren,al Leuites ioyning together, & executours of the lawe,doing the workes in the houfe ofour Lord.s 9, And al the Priefts ftood , hauing ftoles with trumpets : 60, and Leuites the children of Afaph, hauing cymbals together prayfingour Lord, and bleffiing him according to Dauid King of Ifrael, 61. And they fong a fongto our Lord, becaufe his {weetncs and honour is for euer vpon Ifrael. 62, And al the people founded wich trumpet, and cried out with a loud voice,prayfing our Lord in the rayfing vp of the houfe of our Lord, 63.Andthere came ofthe Priefts,& Leuites , and prefidents by their villa- { ges the more ancients, which had fenethe old houfe: 6 4.and to the bui]- ding ofthis with crieand great lamentation , and manie with trum pets and great ioy: 65.in fo much that the people heard not the rrumpettes for the lamentation of the people, For the multitude was founding with trutpectes magnifically, fothat it was heard far off.66.And the eninies ofthe tribe of luda, and Beniamin heard it, & they cameto knowe what the voyce ofthe trumpettes was : 67. And they knew that they which werc ot the captiuitie doe build a téple coour Lord the God of Ifrael. 68, And comining to Zorobabel & lefus, the oucrieers of the villages , they fayd to them: We wil build together with you. 69. For we haue in like manner heard vour Lord ,& we walke like from the dayes ot Asbaza- reth and the Priefts and Leuites, and althat were come ; OF ESDRAS, 967 reth King orthe Affyrians.who tran{ported vs hither.70,And Zorobabel & lefus,& the Princes of the villages of Ifracl,faydto them: 71, It is not; for vs and you to build the houfe of our God. For we alone wil build to -our Lord of Ifrael according as Cyrus the King of the Perfians hath com- manded,72.And the nations ofthe land lying vp6 them that are in lurie, and lifting vp the worke of the building,and bringing ambuinments,and peoples,prohibited chem to build: 73, & practifing aflaults hindred them, that the building might not be finished althe time of thelife of King Cy- rus,and they differred the building for two yeares vntil the reigne 0: Da- rius, g Cuarp, VIL rhe reyes by afsiftance of King Darins build vp the Temple in Ierufalem, ESRRON p in thefecéd yeare of the reigne of Dariusprophecied Aggeus, 1.Efd. $.v.1, x ie WB & Zachariasthe fonne of Addo the Prophet to Iurie & lerufalem AES in thename of God of Iirael vponthé, 2. Thé Zorobabel the ionne ae of Salathie} {tanding vp,and lefus the fonne of lofedec,began to build the houfe of our Lord,which isin Ierufalem. 3. When the Prophets of our Lord were prefent with them, and did helpethem.At the fame time came Sifennes to them,the deputie of Syria,and of Phenice , and Satrabuzanes, and his felowes:4.and they fayd to them:By whoie commandment build ye this houfe,and this roofe, and perfire al other things? And who arethe workmen that build thefe things?s.And the ancients of the lewes,which were left of che captiuitie by our ord , had fauour when the vifitation was made vponthem,6.And they were not hindered from building, til ie was fignified to Darius of al thefethings, and anfwer wasreceiued. 7. A copie of the letter, which they fent to Darius, Sisennzs deputie of Syria & Phenice,and Satrabuzanes,and his felowes in Syria and Phenice Pre. fidents,to King Darius greeting, 8. Be al things knowento our Lordthe King,that when we came into the countrie of lutie, and had entered into lerufalem,we found them building the great houfe of God, 9. And the temple of polished ftones, and of great & precious matter inthe walles, 10.And the workes to be a doing earneftly,and to fuccede and profper in their hands, and in al glorie to be perfited moft diligently, 11. Then we asked the ancients faying,by whote permiffion build yethishoufe, and found thefe workes? 32. And therfore we asked them, that we might doe thee to know the men & the ouerfeers, and we required ofthem a role of che names of the ouerfeers.13.Butthcy aa{wered vs {aying: We are the feruants ofthe Lord , which made heauen and earth, 14.And this houfe was built thefe manie yeares paftby a King of Iftacl, that was great and moft valiant, & was finithed,15-And becaute our fathers were prouoking to wrath, and finned agayn{t God of lfrael , he delinered them into the Dddddd 3; hands —_a- ee ZA 8.v.y. I. 968 THIRD BOOK. ‘ hands of Nabuchodonofor the King of Babylon , King of the Chaldees. 16,And throwing downe this hou‘e they burnt it, andthey led the people captive into Babylon.17.Inthe firlt yeare when Cyrus reigned the Kin of Babylon ,Cyrusthe King wrote to build this noufe, 18. And thele fa- cred ve‘els of gold and filuer -which Nabuchodonofor had taken out of the houfe which isin lerufalem , and had confecrated them in his owne temple, Cyrus brought them torthagayne out of thetemple which was in Babylonyand they were deiiuered to Zorobabei, & to salmanafar, the de- _puzie.ry. Andis was commanded thé thar they should offer thefe veflels, _& lay then vp inthe temple,waich was in lerufalem, & build the tempie of God itfelrin his place.20. Then did Salmanafar lay the toundations of : the houte of our Lord which is in Terufalem:& rrom that time vntil now itis a building,& is nor accomplifhed. 21, Now therfore if thou chinke 1t good o Kinz tecit be fought inthe Kings libraries 0° Cyrus the King, which are in Babylon, z2.andif it (hal be round, thatthe building of the ‘ houre ofthe Lord,which is in Terufalem,begane by the counfel ot Cyrus i the King,and itbe thought good of out Lord the King, ter him writte to vs of thete things,23.Then Darius the King cémanded fearchio be made in the libraries : andthere was found in Ecbatana a. towne thar is inthe : countrie of Media,one place wherin were writé chefe wordes.24.IN THE: ‘FIRST YEAREOfthercigne of Cyrus, King Cyrus commanded to build ithe houfe ozrhe Lord which isin lerufalem,where they did burne incenfe j with dayly fire, 25. the he«ght wherof fhal be of ten cubits, & the bredth three fcore cubits,toure ( quare with chree {tones polifhed,and witha. loft. galerie of wood o; the fame countrie,& one new galerie and the expenfes. to-be giuen out of the houfe of Cyrus the King. 26, and the facred vel ifeis of the houie of the Lord, as wel of gold asof filuer, which Nabu-: chodono ortooke from the houie of out Lord, which isin Jerujalem. where they were layed, chatthey be put there +27. and-he commanded Si ennes the deputie of Syria & Pheenice, and Sarrabuzanes , and his fe- lowes,& them that were ordayned prefidents in Syria & Pheenice, that they tnould refraine themfelues from that place,28.and Lalio haue giuen comandinent to build is wholly:& haue prouided, that chey helpe them, which areofthe captiuiue of the iewes,til the remple ofthe house. of the Lord be accéplished.2 9.and fré the vexatid of the tributes of Coclefyria. & Phoenice,a quatitieto be giuen diligently to thefe men for the facrifice ofthe Lord,io Zorobabel the gouernqur , for oxen ,.and rammes, and lambes, 30, Aad in like manner corne alo, and valt, and wine, and oyle continually yeare by yeare, according as the Priefts which are in Jeruia- lem, haue prefcribedto be fpent dayly : 31. that libaments may be offered cothe moit high God tor the King & his children , & thacthey may pray ‘vor their lite, 32, Andthat itbe denounced, that whoioeuer thal rrant- arefic anic thing of there which are wriren, or ital de pie it, a beame be _ akenofiacyrowne, & they be hangd, & thcir coods be confucateto t we \ - . * A . . . ; oe King, 33. Thertore tne Lord alo, whzic name is inuvocated. there, defizoy OF ESDRAS. 969 defiroy eucry King & nation , that fhal extend cheir handro hinderor to handle il the houfe of the Lord whichisin Terufalem, 34,1 Darius the King haue decreed that it be moft diligently done according to thefe things. CHaprp, VII, The boufe of Godss finished 7. and dedscated,1o, the feaft of Pafch w aljo-celebra- sed feuen dayes with AXimes, yw HEN Sifennes the deputie of Calefy ria, and Phnice, ¥ and Satrabuzames , and their felowes , obeying thofe kw rhings which were decreed of Dariusthe King,2.applied (4gr the facred workes moft diligéily working together with Y the ancients of the lewes,the Princes of Syria. 3. And rhe facred workes prospered , Aggeus & Zacharias the Pro- phets prophecying 4.And they accomplilhed al things by the precept of our Lord the God of :irael, and bythe counfel of Cyrus, & Darius, and Artaxerxes the King of the Perfians, 5. And our houfe wasa finifhing vntil the three and rwentith day of the moneth of Adar, the fixth yeare of Dariusthe King. 6. And the.children of Ifrael, and the Priefts and Leuires, and thereft that were-ot the captiuitie, which were added, did according to thofe things that are written inthe book of Moyfes. 7. And they offered for the dedication of the temple of our Lord, oxen an hun- dred, rammestwo hundred, lambes foure hundred, 8.And kiddes forthe finnes or.al If{rael ,twelue,accarding tothe nnmber of the tribes of Ifrael, g.And the Priefts & Leuites fiood Gothed with ftoles by tribes,ouer althe wokes of our Lord the God of Ifrael,accoraing tothe book of Moyfes, & the porters at cuerie gate. 10,.And the children of lirael, with them that were of the captiuitie, celebraied the phate thefourteenth moone of the firft moneth, when the-Priefts & Leuites.were fandtified.11.Al the chil- drenof the capriuitie were not fanctified together, becaufe al the Leuites were {anctifiea together. 12.. And al the children of the captiuitie immo- lated the phaie.both for heir brethren the Priefts,& for chéielues.13.And the children of Israel did eate,they thatwere of the captiuicie,al that re- mayned a part from al the abominations of the nations of the land {ee king our Lord.14.And they celebrated the feftiual day of Azymcs 4euen } dayes feafting inthe lighto! our Lord.15, Becaufe he turned the couniel of the King cf the Affirians toward them, to {trengthen their hands to the workes of our Lord the God of Lirael. CHAT, LEfd7.U.1 970 THIRD BOOK Cuarv. VIIL Efdras going from Babylon to Terufalem,o.carieth King Artaxerxes foueurable letsers, 14. with licenceto take gold , filuer » and al things neceffarie at their pleafure. 31. The cheef men that goe with him are recited. 51. He “voweth a faft praying for good fucceffe in their sourney:5 6 weigheth she gold and filner which he delimereth to the Pricfts,and Lewstes.69. And fenerely admonishesh she people to repentance, for their-mariages made with infidels, “4 N p- after him when Artaxerxes King of the Perfians reigned , came Efdras the fonne of Azarias, the fonne of Helciasthe fonne of Salome, 2.rhe fonne of Sadoc, the fonne of Achitob,the fonne of Ameri,the fonne of Aza-. hel, the fonne of Bocci, the fonne-of Abifue,the fonne w<s70) of Phinees the fonne of Eleazar, the fonne of Aaron the firft Prieft,;, This Efdras.came vp from Babylon being (cribe & wile inthelaw of Moyfes, which was giuen of our Lord the God of Ifrael toteach androdoe. 4. Andthe King gaue him glorie , becaufe he had found gracein al dignitie and defire in his fight. 5. And there went vp with him of the children of Jirael, and the Priefts , andthe Leuites, and the facred fingers of the temple, and the porcers , and the {eruants of the. temple into-lerufalem, 6, In the feuenth yeare when Artaxerxes reigned in the fifth monerh, this is the feuenth yeare of his reigne , going forth of . Babyloninthe new.mooncof the fifth moneth,7. they cameto lerufalem according to_his commandment, according tothe profperitie of their iour- ney, which their Lord gauethem,8. For in thefe Efdras had great know-. ledge , chat he would not pretermitte:anie .of thofe things , which were, according to the law, and the precepts of our. Lord, and in teaching a] Hrael.al inftice and iudgemenr, 9, Andthey thar wrote.the writings of Artaxerxes the King, comming deliuered the writing which was granted of Artaxerxesthe King-to Efdrasthe Prief*, & the reader.of the.law of. our Lord,the copie wherof here fuloweth, 10. Kine Artaxerxes to Efdras the Prieft , and reader of the law of. the Lord, greeting. 11. I of curtefie. efteeming it among benefirs , haue commanded them that of their owne. accord are defirous of the nation of thedewes , and ofthe Priefts & Leui-. tes, which are in my Kingdom, to-goe with thee into-Jerufalem, 12. If anietherfore-defirero goe with thee, let them come together , and fer forward as it hath pleated me,& my. feuen freinds my countelers: 13. that they may vifirethofe things which are done touching Lurie & lerufalem, ob(feruing as thou haft in the law of the Lord, 14, And.Jet them carie the ifts tothe Lord the God.of Ifrael, which I haue vowed and my treinds to Ierufalem, and al the gold and diluer,that fhal be found in the countrie of Babylontothe Lord in Ierufalem, with that 15. whichis giuen for the nauon q OF ESDRAS,. 971 nation it felf vnto the remple of their Lord which isin Ierufalem:thar this gold and filuer be gathered for oxen,and ramines,and lambes,& kids, & for the things tharare agreable to thefe,16, that they may offer holts to the Lord vpon the altar of their Lord,which is in lerufalem. 17, And al- thingswhat fceuer thou with thy brethré wilt doe with gold, & filuer,doe it at thy pleaCure, according‘to the precept of the Lord thy God. 18, And the facred veffels , which are giuen thee to the workes of the hou’e of the Lord thy God,which isin lerufalé.19. Andother things whatfoeuer fhal helpe thee to the workes of the temple of thy God, thou shalt giue it out of the Kings treafure.20, Whenthou withthy brethren wilt doe ought with gold and filuer,doe according tothe wil ofthe Lord.21, And I King Artaxerxes haue giuen commandmentto the keepers of thetreafure of of Syria and Phenice, that what things foeuer Efdrasthe Prieft and rea- - der of the law of.the Lord shal write for,they giuc him ynto an hundred ; talentsoffiluer, likewife allo of gold.22.And vnro an hundred meafures ! of corne,& an hundred veffels ot wine , and other things what-foeuer according to the law of God, left perhaps there arife wrath in the reigne of the King, & of his fonne,& his s6nes.2.4.And to you it is fayd,that vpé al the Prietts, & Leuites,& facred fingers, & feruants of the temple, and {cribes this téple 25.no rribute,nor any other taxe be ferte,& that no man. haue auctoritie to obiect any thing to thé,26.Butthou Efdras according to: the wifedom of God appoynt iudges , and arbitrersin al Syria and Phe- nice:and teach althem that know no the law of thy God:2 7. that who- abound without taxing. 23, Let al things be done tothe moft high God . foeuer shal tranfgrefie the law , they be diligently punifhed either with death,or with torment, or eis with a forfeite of moncy , or with banish- ment, 28. And Efdrasthe fcribe fayd : Blefled be the God of our fathers, which hath giuen this wilintothe Kings hart,to glorifie his houfe,which. is in Lerufalem.29, And hath honoured me in the fight of the King , and of his counfelers,and freinds, andthem that weare purple. 30. And £. was made conftant in minde according to the ayde ofour Lord my God, and gathered rogether of I {rael men, chat should goe vp together with me, 31. And theie are the Princes according to their Aindreds, and feueral. principalities ef them that came vp from Babylon the: Kingdom of Artaxerxes, 32. Ot the children of Phares , Gerfomus: Acchus the fonne of Scecilia : 33. Of the children of Phares, Zacha— rias,and with him returned an hundred fiftie men. 34. Of the children of jeader Moabilion,Zarzi,and with himtwo hundred fitie men,35.Of the children of Zachues,lechonias of Zechoel , and with him two hundred fiftie men: 36. of the children of Sala, Maafias of Gotholia,& with him feuentie men, 3 7. ofthe children of Saphatia,Zarias of Michel, and with. {him cightiemen: 38. of the children of Job, Abdias of Iehel, and with} } him two hundred twelue men: 3 g.of the children of Bania,Salimotlythe jfonne of lofaphia,& with him anhundred fixtie men:4o, of the children and of the children of Siemarith, Amenus : of the children of Dauid,, a a Tom. 2. Eeceee of Beer 972 THIRD BOOK of Beer , Zacharias Bebei, and with himtwo hundred eight men : 41, of the childrenof Ezead’, Ioannes of Eccetan, and with him an hun- dred ren men: 42.0fthe children of Adonicam, which were laft , and thefe are their names:Eliphalam che fonne of Gebel, & Semeias, and with him feuentie men, 43. And J gatheredthem togetherto che riuer that is called Thia,and we camped there three dayes , and vewed them againe, 44, And of the children. of the Priefts and Leuites. 1 found not there.

giue them confufion, and their mother into fpoile, that there beno generation of them. 7. Let their names be difperfed into the Gentils , let them be deftroyed out of the land : becaufe they haue defpifed my facrament. 8, Woe beto thee A@ur , which hideft the wicked with thee, Thou naug htie nation, re- member what I did to Sodom ard Gomorrha: 9. whofe land lieth in cloddes of pitch, and heapes of afhes : fo wil make them, that haue not heard me , faith our Lord omvipotent. 10, Thus fayth.our Lord to Efdras : Tel my people, that 1 wil giue them the Kingdom of Icrufalem which ment to giue to Irael.11.And I wil take to methe glorie of thé, and wil giue then: eternal tabernacles , which had prepared for them.

be wearied. 13. Goe and you fhal reesiue, Aske for your {clues a few dayes,that they may-abide, Now the ‘Kingdom is pre- pared for you , watch ye. +4, Cal thou heauen and-carth to witnes : for I haue deftroyed euil , and hauc created good, beeaufe I hive fayth our Lord.1.. Mother embrace thychildren, bring them vp withioy, As a doue confirme theirfeet : becaufe] haue chofen thee, fayth-our Lord, ‘ 16.And . wilraife againe the dead out oftheir places , and out of the monuments . wil bring them forth , becaufe] haue knowen my name in Mrae}, 1.7. Feare not Ounother of the children, -becaufe] haue chofen thee, faith ont Lord, 18..1 wil fendthee aide, my feruants lfaie and Iere- nic, at whofe courfel haue farétified , and preparcd for thee twelue trees loden with diucrfe fruits.19.& as manie tourtaines Ac wing milke ard honie : and feuen huge mountaines, hauing.tharofe.and the lilie, in the which] wil fl thy chiidren with joy, 20. luftifie thou the widow, nidge for the pupil, giue to-the ocedie , defendthe orphane , oth the Farftt naked —pewew Sew 9 Ver, ‘Exod, 15.0,27. t Cobie Ley. 12, cApn.7.¥. 9, 280 FOVRTH BOOK naked, 21, cure the broken and feeble, mocke not the lame, defend the mained, and admittethe blind to the vifion of my glorie. 22. The old ma & the yong keepe within thy wals:22.where thou fhaltfind the dead,. com-nit them to the graue figning it , and T wil giue thee the firft feate In my refurre@ion., 2.4. Paufe and reft my people, hecaufe thy reft fhal come, 25. As a good nurce nourifh thy chiliren, confirme their feet. 26, The feruants that I haue giuen thee, none of them thal peri(h. For J wil require them of thy number. 27. Benot wearied, For when the day of affliction and diftreffe thal come, others thal weepe, & be fad, butthou thalt be merie and plenteous. 28. The gentils thal enuie, & fhal be able to doe nothing againft thee, fayth eur Lord. 29. My hands ihal couer thee, that thy children fee not hel. 30.Be pleafant thou mother with thy children, becaufe I wil deliuer thee fayth our Lord. 31. Remember thy children that fleepe, for 1 wil bring them out of the fides of rhe earth, & wil doe mercie with them : becaufe Iam merciful, fayth our Lord om- nipotent, 32, Embrace thy children til! come, & fhew them mercie:be- scaufe my fountaines runne ouer, & my grace fhal not taile. 33. Efaras feceiued commandment of our Losdin mount Oreb , that I ibould goe to Ifrael :to whom when I came, they refufed me, & reiected the com- man dement of our Lord.34.And therfore,! fay vnto you gentils,wuich heare, and vnderftand, Looke for you paltor, he wil giue youthe reft of eternizie:becaufe he is at hand,that inal come inthe end of the world, 35.Be ye readie for the rewards of the Kingdé , becaufe perpetual light thal nine co you fortime euerlaiting. 36, Flye trom the wadow of this world ; receiue ye the pleafantnes of your glorie. I openly calto witnes my fauiour. 37, Receiue the commended guitts aid be pleafant , yiuing thanks to him that called youto the heaue..lie Kingdoms. 38. Ariic, & Rand & fee the number of them that are tigned in the teaft of our Lord,

Receiue 6 Sion thy number , and ihut vp thyne made white , which haue accom- plithed the law of our Lord. 41. The number of thy children, which thou didft wish is ful .Defire the powre of our Lord that thy people may be fanétified, which was called from the beginninz, 42.1 Efdras faw in mount Sion a great multitude, which I couid not number, and they did al prayfe our Lord with fongs, 43, And in the middes of tnem wasa. yong man high of {tartare , appearing aboue ouer them al, and he put crownes vpon cuerie one of their headcs, and he was more exalted, And I was aftonithed at the miracle, 44. Then asked I an Angel, and fayd: Whoare thefe Lord? 45. Who aniwering fay.) to me + Tiefe are they that biue laid off the mortal garment,andtak«n an immortal , and haue confefled the name of God. Now they are crowned ,and receiue palmes,

and io De giuen into the rempie to the sacred-creafure of the workes, of goid twelue thou‘and mnas, and fue thoufand mnas o. filuer , aid, {toles for Prieits and hundred. 46: andthe Pricits and Leuiics , cid they that came out of the people, divelt in Ictu:aiem, and sn the coun th, and the .acred fingingmen, and porters, andl Ifrael in theiz coun:rics,

And I faydtothe Angel : That yong man what ts ne, which putteth the crownes vpon them,& giueth paiimes inco th eir hands?.47.Aud ane {wering he fayd tome: The famic is the Sonne of God, whom they did coh- --- PAGE 1998 --- OF ESDRAS, 98! confeffe inthe world: aid I bezan to magnifie them, that ftood ftrong- ly for the name of our Lord. 48. Then fayd the Angel to me : Goe, tel my people, what manner of meruelous things and how great thou haft feen of the Lord God.

And the feuentn monerh being at hand , and when ric chh- 1. Ef ey Dddddd 2 Grsn --- PAGE 1983 ---

And there affembled ro me mourning vpon this iniquitie,as manic as. were then moued by the word of our Lord the God of Iirael, & I fate fad). vntil the evening facrifice.74.And I rifing vp fré falting, hauing my gar- méts rent & the facred tunike,Kneeling , & ftretching torth my hands to, our Lord,75.1 fayd: Lord I am confounded and ashamed before thy face, 76.for our finnes are multiplied ouer our heads, & our iniquities are exal- ted euen to heaué. 77.Becaule frd the times of our tathers we are in-great finne vniothis day.78.And for the fannes of vs, & of our fathers we. haue been delivered with our brethren , and with our Priefts to the Kings of the earth, into {word & captiuirie & fpoile with cdfufion ynro this presér day.79.And now what a great thing is this chat mercie hath happened to vs tr6 thee,o Lord God,and leauethou vnto vs a roote,and a name inthe place of thy sactificatié, 80.to difcouer our light in the houfe ofthe Lord our God,to giuc vs mearein al the time of our bodage, 81. And when we ferued, wewerenot forfaké ofthe Lord our God: but he ferre vs in fauour, appointing the K ings of the Perfidsto giue vs meare,8 2,8 toglorifie the téple of the Lord our God,& to build che defolasids of Sid,to giue vs fta- bilitie in Lurie, & Terufaié.33.And now what tay we Lerd., hauing the fe things? For we haue tranfgreffed thy precepts,which thou gaueft into the hads of chy serudcs the prophets,$ 4.faying:T hae che lad into whichye en- tred ro pofleffe the inheritace therof is.a 14d polluted with the coinquina- ts or che ttragers of the lad, & their vncleannes hath filled i whoiy with: their fiithines.S5.Andnow your daughters you inal not match with their Eeceee fonnes --- PAGE 1991 --- 1.Efd.10.v.1. I.Efd.10.¥.6. or THIRD BOOK fonnes & theit daughters,you shal not take for your fonnes, 86.And you shal not fecketo haue peace withthem for euer,that growing {trong you may eate the beft things ofthe land, and may diftribute che inheritance to your children for euer.8 7.And the things that happen to vs,al arecone for our naughtie workes,and our great finnes,88,And thou gaueft vs fuch aroote , and weare returned againe to tranferefle thy ordinances, that we would be mingled with the vncleannes ot the nations of this land,

Wile not thou be wrath withvsto deftroy vs,til there be no.roote left nor our name? go. Lord God of Ifrrael thou art true, For there is 2 roore left yntilthis prefent day.g1, Behold,now we are in thy fightin our iniquities. For it is notto ftand any longer before thee in thefe matters, g2.And when Efdras with adoration confefled weeping, lying flat on the ground before the teimple,there were gathered before him out of Terufalé averie great multitude,men and women,and yong mé and yong women, For there was great weeping inthe multitude it felf.g 3.And when he had. cried, lechonias of Ieheli ofthe children of Ifrael fayd to Efdras:We haue finned againft our Lord, for that we hauc taken vnto vs in mariage ftrige women ofthe nations of the land.g4.And now thou art ouer al Ifrael, in thefe therfore let there be an othe from our Lord to expel al our wiues that are of {trangers with their children.95.As it was decreed tothoe of the ancefters according to the law of our Lord, rifing vp declare it. 96, For to thee che bulines perreineth,& we are with thee:doe manfully. 97. And Efdras ryfing vp adiured the Princes of the Priefts and Leuites, and al Ifrael to doe according to thefe things and they {ware, CHa», 1X, Efdras fafting for the fines of the peoplescommsandeth tat they feparate al frrage women fromthem, 18. The Priefs and Lemites, Vvhich had off ended herein, are recsted.38. He readeth the law Lefore the people: 48. certaine doe expound to the mulzitudes in feneral places.s2. And fo they are difmifsed “yvith ioy. YBN p Efdras ryfing vp from before the court of the temple,went ae intothe chamber of Jonathasthe fonne of Nafabi, 2. And Jod- GO2N ging there h¢ tafted no bread,nor dranke water for the iniquiric of the multitude,3.And there was proclamation made in al lurie,& in Ic- rufalé to al that were of the captiuitie gathered in Ierufalem,4. that who foeuer shal not appeare! within two or three daves , according to the iud geméc of the ancients fitring vpé it,their goods should betaké away, himfelfe should be iudged an alié fronithe multitude of the captiuitie.s. And al were oathered that were of the tribe of luda, & of Béiamin within three dayes inlerufalem: thisis the ninth moneth,the twentith day of the month. 6, And al the multitude fate in the court of thetéple trébling, for the prefent wirter, 7.And Efdrasryfing vp fayd to them:Y ou haue done Viuawtully --- PAGE 1992 --- = { Leuis,and Sabbathzus, wrought together with them, 15.And al that were }co examine this-bufines.17, And they derermined of chemé thar had out- }landish wiues , vntil the newmoone of the firftsmonth: And there were OF ESDRAS. O75 vnlawfully taking to you in mariage {trang wiues, that you might-adde to the fines of Ifrael.8.And now giue confeflion & magnificence to out Lord the God of our fathers: 9. and accomplith his wil, and depart from the nations of the land,and from your wiues the ftrangers. 10. And al the multitude cried, and they fayd with a lowde voice : Asthou haft fayd,we wil doe,11.But becaufe the multitude is great,and wintertime, & we can not ftand in the ayre without fuccour : and thisis a worke tor vs not of one day,nor of two,forwehaue finned much in thefethings : 12. Let the rulers of the multitude {tand,and that dwel with vs, andasnranie as haue with them forreine wiues,1 3.and at atime appointed let the Priefts our of euerie place, & theiudges affift,vneil they appeazethe wrath of our Lord concernifig this bufines.14.And Tonathas the fonneof Ezeli,and Ozias of ‘Thecam tooke vpon them according to thefe words,and Boloramus,and ofthe captiuitie ftood according to al thefethings, 16, And Efdras the prieft chofe vnto him men the great Princes oftheir fathers according to theirnames: & they fate together inthe new moone of the tenth month found of the Priefts entermingled that had outlandish wiurs.19. Of the fonnes of lefusthe fonne of lofedec,and his brethren:Mafeas, and Elea- zarus,and Joribus,and Ioadeus, 20, and they put to their hands to expel their wiues:and to offer a ramme to obtayne pardonfor their ignorance, _21.And the fonnes of Semmeri:Mafeas and Effes,leelech,and Azarias.22, And ofthe children of Fofere:Limafias, Hifmaenis,and Nathanee,lufsio, Reddus,and Thalfas,23,And of the Leuites: lorabdus, and Semeis , and Colnis,and Calitas,and Facteas,and Coluas,and Eliomas, 24, and of the -facred finging men, Eliafib,Zaccarus,25.And of the porters.Salumus,and Tolbanes.26.And of Ifrael:ofthe fonnesof Foro,Ozi,and Remias, and Geddias, & Melchias,and Michelus,Eleazarus,and lammebias, and Ban- nas.27.And of che fonnes of Jolaman:Chamas,and Zacharias,and lezue- lus,and Ioddius,& Erimoth, & Helias.28.And of the (oanes of Zathoim: Eliadas,and Liafummus,Zochias,and Larimoth,& Zabdis ,.& T:hebedias, 29.And of the fonnes of Zebes : loannes,and Amanias, and Zabdias;and Emeus, 30. And of the fonnes of Banni :‘Olamus, & Maluchus, and ied- deus,and Ia{ub,and Azabus , & lerimoth.31.And of the fonnes of Addin: Nathus,and Moofias,& Caleus, and Raanas, Maafeas, Mathathias, and Befeel,and Banus,and Manafles,32.And of the fonnes of Nuae: Noneas, and A‘eas,and Melchias,and Sameas, and Simon, Beniainin,and Malchus, atid Marras,33.And of the fonnes of Afom:Carianeus,Mathathias, & Ban- nus,& Eliphalach,and Manafles,& Semei.34.And of the fonnes of Banni Teremias,and Moadias,and Abramus,& lohel,and Baneas,& Pelias, anc Tonas,and Marimoth, é& Eliafib,and Matheneus, & Eliafis,and Orizas,& t Dielus, and Semedius, & Zambris,and lofephus.35. And of the fonnes of Nobei :Idelus,and Mathathias,and Sabadus,& Zecheda, zedmi,& Ieflei, Eeceee 3 Baneas, wa i --- PAGE 1993 --- 976 THIRD BOOK, Baneas. 36. Althe’e maried outlandith wiues , and did put them away wich their children, 37. Andthe Priefts & the Leuites , & they that were of Ifrael , dwelr in Terufalem ; & in the whole countriein the newmoone of the feuenth month, And the children of Ifcael were in their habira- tions,38.And al the multitude was gathered together into the cour:, which ison the eaft of the facred gate : 39. and they iayd to Efdras the High Prieft, and reader, that he thould bring the law of Moyles, which was deliuered of our Lord the Godot Ifracl. 4a. And Efdrasthe High-Prieft broughr thelaw toal the mulritude of them from man vnto- woman,and to althe Priefts to heare the law inthe newmoone of the (euenth month, 41, And he read inthe court,which is before the facred gate of the téple, from breake of day vntil euening defore mren and women, And they a] . ‘gauetheir mindetothelaw. 42. And Efdras the Prieit and reader o¢ the law {tood vpon atribunal of wood, which was made. 43. And by him {tood Mathathias , and Samus,and ananias, azarias, Vrias,_Ezechias,and Balfamus onthe right hand,4g & onthe left Faldeus,Mifacl, Malachias, Ambutthas,Sabus, Nabadias, and Zacharias, 45..And Edras tcoke the Book before al the multitude:: for he was..chicfe in gloric inthe fight of al.46. and whenche hadended the law., they {tood al vpright : & Eidras. bleffed our Lord the moft -high God, the God of Sabaoth omnipotent, 47-and al the people anfwered: amen.and lifting vp their hands, falling onthe ground they adored our Lord. 48. Iefus & Banaeus,& Sarebias,& Jaddimus & Accubus,& Sabbathens,& Caliche:,& Azarias, & Joradus,& Ananias, and Philias Leuites , 49. who taught the law of our Lord , and read the {ame inthe multitude,and euerie one preferred thein that vnder- ftoodthe leffon. 50, And Atharathes faydto Efdras the High-Pricft and the reader, and othe Leuites, that caught the multitude, 51..faying:T his day is fanctified to our Lord. And they al wept , whenthey had heard the law.52. And Efdras fayd, departing therfore eate ye al che farteft chings, and drinke al moft iwere things, and. ‘end guifs. to them that haue not, 53. For this isthe holy day of our Lord, & be not fad, For our Lord wil glorifie you. 5 4. And the Leuites denounced openly to al, faying: This day is holie, be nor fad, 55. Andthey went altocare, and drinke, and make meric, and to giue guifts ro themthat had not, thar they might make meric, for they were exceedingly exalted with the words that they were taught.s6.And they were al gathered in Ierufalem to celebrate the ,ey, according tothe teftament ef our Lord the God of Irael.. HE --- PAGE 1994 ---