1 Esdras 2 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1885, 1895(RV1895)

1 let the Lord, even his Lord, be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judæa, and build the house of the Lord of Israel: he is the Lord that dwelleth in Jerusalem.

6Of such therefore as dwell in divers places, let them that are in his own place help each one with gold, and with silver,

7With gifts, with horses also and cattle, beside the other things which have been added by vow for the temple of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.

8Then the chief of the families of Judah and of the tribe of Benjamin stood up; the priests also, and the Levites, and all they whose spirit the Lord had stirred to go up, to build the house for the Lord which is in Jerusalem.

9And they that dwelt round about them helped them in all things with silver and gold, with horses and cattle, and with very many gifts that were vowed of a great number whose minds were stirred up thereto.

10King Cyrus also brought forth the holy vessels of the Lord, which storywriter, and Samellius the scribe, and the rest of their council, and the judges that are in ver. 24,27. ch. 4.48 & 6.29 & 7.1 & 8.67.2 Macc. 3.5, al.Cœlesyria and Phœnicia.

18Be it now known to our lord the king, that the Jews that are come up from you to us, being come unto Jerusalem, do build that rebellious and wicked city, and do repair the market-places and the walls of it, and do lay the foundation of a temple.

19Now if this city be builded and the walls thereof be finished, they will not only refuse to give tribute, but will even stand up against kings.

20And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand, we think it meet not to neglect such a matter,

21But to speak unto our lord the king, to the intent that, if it be thy pleasure, search may be made in the books of thy fathers:

22And thou shalt find in the chronicles what is written concerning these things, and shalt understand that that city was rebellious, troubling both kings and cities:

23And that the Jews were rebellious, and raised always wars therein of old time; for the which cause even this city was laid waste.

24Wherefore now we do declare unto thee, O lord the king, that if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up anew, thou shalt from henceforth have no passage into ver. 17,27. ch. 4.48 & 6.29 & 7.1 & 8.67.2 Macc. 3.5, al.Cœlesyria and Phœnicia.

25Then the king wrote back again to Ezra 4.9 (for mg.).Rathumus the storywriter, and Beeltethmus, and Ezra 4.9 (for mg.).Samellius the scribe, and to the rest that were in commission, and dwelt in Samaria and Syria and Phœnicia, after this manner:

26I have read the epistle which ye have sent unto me: therefore I commanded to make search, and it hath been found that that city of old time hath made insurrection against kings;

27And the men were given to rebellion and war therein: and that mighty kings and fierce were in Jerusalem, who reigned and exacted tribute in ver. 17,24. ch. 4.48 & 6.29 & 7.1 & 8.67.2 Macc. 3.5, al.Cœlesyria and Phœnicia.

28Now therefore I have commanded to hinder those men from building the city, and heed to be taken that there be nothing done contrary to this order;

29And that those wicked doings proceed no further to the annoyance of kings.

30Then king Artaxerxes his letters being read, Rathumus, and Samellius the scribe, and the rest that were in commission with them, removing in haste unto Jerusalem with horsemen and a multitude of people in battle array, began to hinder the builders; and the building of the temple in Jerusalem ceased until the ch. 5.6.second year of the reign of Darius king of the Persians.