AZARA 𐤏𐤆𐤓𐤀
EZRA
CHAPTER 1
1 Now in the first year of Kursh (Koor’sh) king of Paras, that the word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) by the mouth of Yaram'Yah might be accomplished, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) stirred up the rukh of Kursh king of Paras, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying,
2 "Thus says Kursh king of Paras, '𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of shama'ym, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He has commanded me to build Him a House in Yaru'shalam, which is in Yahudah.
3 Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his ALUAH be with him, and let him go up to Yaru'shalam, which is in Yahudah, and build the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), the ALUAH of Yashar'AL (HE IS ALUAH), which is in Yaru'shalam.
4 Whoever is left, in any place where he abides, let the men of his place help him with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, besides the freewill offering for the house of ALUAH which is in Yaru'shalam.'"
5 Then the heads of fathers' of Yahudah and Ban'yama'yan, and the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym (Loo’ym), even all whose rukh ALUAH had stirred to go up rose up to build the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) which is in Yaru'shalam.
6 All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, and with valuables besides all that was willingly offered.
7 Also Kursh the king brought forth the vessels of the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), which Nabu'khad'natsar had brought forth out of Yaru'shalam, and had put in the house of his idols;
8 even those did Kursh king of Paras bring forth by the hand of Mathar'dath the treasurer, and numbered them to Shash'batsar, the prince for Yahudah.
9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives,
10 thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels one thousand.
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Shash'batsar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babal to Yaru'shalam.
CHAPTER 2
1 Now these are the sons of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nabu'khad'natsar the king of Babal had carried away to Babal, and who returned to Yaru'shalam and Yahudah, everyone to his city,
2 who came with Zara'babal, Yashua, Nakhama'Yah, Shara’Yah, Raal'Yah, Mardaka'ya, Balshan, Ma'sapar, Bagu'ya (Bagoo’ya), Rakhum (Rakhoom), Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Yashar'AL:
3 sons of Parash, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two.
4 sons of Shapata'Yah, three hundred and seventy-two.
5 sons of Arakh, seven hundred and seventy-five.
6 sons of Pakhath'mu'ab, of the sons of Yashua, Yu'ab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7 sons of Ayalam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
8 sons of Zathu'a (Zathoo’a), nine hundred and forty-five.
9 sons of Zaka'ya, seven hundred and sixty.
10 sons of Ban'ya, six hundred and forty-two.
11 sons of Baba'ya, six hundred and twenty-three.
12 sons of Az'gad, one thousand two hundred and twenty-two.
13 sons of Adanya'qam, six hundred and sixty-six.
14 sons of Bagu'ya, two thousand and fifty-six.
15 sons of Adayan, four hundred and fifty-four.
16 sons of Atar, of Ya'Khazaqa'Yah, ninety-eight.
17 sons of Batsa'ya, three hundred and twenty-three.
18 sons of Yurah, one hundred and twelve.
19 sons of Khasham, two hundred and twenty-three.
20 sons of Gabar, ninety-five.
21 sons of Bayath Lakham, one hundred and twenty-three.
22 men of Natap’ah, fifty-six.
23 men of Anathuth (Ana’thooth), one hundred and twenty-eight.
24 sons of Aza'muth (Aza’mooth), forty-two.
25 sons of Qara’yath Ar'ym, Kap'yarah, and Baaruth, seven hundred and forty-three.
26 sons of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred and twenty-one.
27 men of Makamas, one hundred and twenty-two.
28 men of Bayath AL and Aya, two hundred and twenty-three.
29 sons of Nabu, fifty-two.
30 sons of Ma’gab'yash, one hundred and fifty-six.
31 sons of the other Ayalam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
32 sons of Kharam, three hundred and twenty.
33 sons of Lad, Khada'yad, and A’unu (A’oo’noo), seven hundred and twenty-five.
34 sons of Yarakhu (Yara’khoo), three hundred and forty-five.
35 sons of Sana'ah, three thousand six hundred and thirty.
36 The ka'ahn'ym (priests): sons of Yada'Yah, of the house of Yashua, nine hundred and seventy-three.
37 sons of Amar, one thousand and fifty-two.
38 sons of Pasha'khur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven.
39 sons of Kharam, one thousand and seventeen.
40 The Lu'ym: sons of Yashua and Qadama'ya'AL, of sons of Hudu'Yah, seventy-four.
41 The singers: sons of Asap, one hundred and twenty-eight.
42 sons of the gatekeepers sons of Shalum, sons of Atar, sons of Tal'mun (Tal’moon), sons of Aqub (Aqoob), sons of Khat'yat'a, sons of Shab'ya, in all one hundred and thirty-nine.
43 The Nath'yana'ym: sons of Tsa'yakha, sons of Kha'shupa (Kha’shoopa), sons of Taba'uth (Taba’ooth),
44 sons of Qaras, sons of Sa’ya’ah’a, sons of Padun (Pa’doon),
45 sons of Labanah, sons of Khag’bah, sons of Aqub,
46 sons of Khagab, sons of Shalam'ya, sons of Khanan,
47 sons of Gadal, sons of Gakhar, sons of Ra'Yah,
48 sons of Ratsa'yan, sons of Naquda, sons of Gazam,
49 sons of Aza, sons of Pasakh, sons of Basa'ya,
50 sons of Asanah, sons of Ma'un'ym (Ma’oon’ym), sons of Napus'ym,
51 sons of Baqa'buq (Baqa’booq), sons of Khaqupa, the sons of Khar'khur,
52 sons of Batsa'luth (Batsa’looth), sons of Makh'yada, sons of Kha'rasha,
53 sons of Bar'qus (Bar’qoos), sons of Saya'sara, sons of Thamakh,
54 sons of Natsa'yakh, sons of Khat'yapa.
55 sons of Shalamah's servants: sons of Sata'ya, sons of Ha'Sapar'tha, sons of Paruda,
56 sons of Yalah, sons of Dark'un (Dark’oon), sons of Gadal,
57 sons of Shapata’Yah, sons of Khata'yal, sons of Pakartha Ha'Tsaba'ya'ym, sons of Ama’ya.
58 All the Nath'yana'ym, and the sons of Shalamah's servants, were three hundred and ninety-two.
59 These were those who went up from Thal Malakh, Thal Kha'rasha, Karub (Karoob), Adan, Amar; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed, whether they were of Yashar'AL:
60 sons of Dala'Yah, sons of Tuba'Yah, the sons of Naquda, six hundred and fifty-two.
61 And of the sons of the ka'ahn'ym (priests): the sons of Khab'Yah, the sons of Quts (Qoots), the sons of Barzal'ya, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzal'ya the Gal'ad'ya, and was called after their name.
62 These sought their register [among] those who were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
63 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most Made Apart, until there stood up a priest with Aura'ym and with Thama'ym.
64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty,
65 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.
66 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules, two hundred and forty-five;
67 their camels, four hundred and thirty-five; donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 Some of the heads of fathers', when they came to The House of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) which is in Yaru'shalam, offered willingly for the house of ALUAH to put it up in its place:
69 They gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand manah of silver, and one hundred ka'ahn'ym (priestly) garments.
70 So the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nath'yana'ym, lived in their cities, and all Yashar'AL in their cities.
CHAPTER 3
1 When the seventh month was come, and the children of Yashar'AL were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Yaru'shalam.
2 Then stood up Yashua son of Yahu'tsadaq, and his brothers the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and Zara'babal son of Sha’al’tha’ya’AL, and his brothers, and built the altar of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the Thur'ath of Mashah the man of ALUAH.
3 So they placed the altar on its base; for fear was on them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), even burnt offerings rising and evening.
4 They kept the Feast of Sak'uth (Sak'ooth), as it is written, and the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required;
5 and afterward the continual burnt offering, and of the new months, and of all the appointed times of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) that were Made Apart, and of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH): but the foundation of the Hayakal of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was not yet laid.
7 They gave money also to the stonemasons, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, to them of the Tsadan'ym, and to them of Tsar'ym, to bring cedar trees from Laba'nun (Laba’noon) to the sea, to Yapua, according to the grant that they had of Kursh king of Paras.
8 Now in the second year of their coming to the house of ALUAH at Yaru'shalam, in the second month, began Zara'babal son of Sha’al’tha’ya’AL, and Yashua son of Yahu'tsadaq, and the rest of their brothers the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym, and all those who were come out of the captivity to Yaru'shalam, and appointed the Lu'ym, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of The House OF 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
9 Then stood Yashua with his sons and his brothers, Qadama'ya'AL and his sons, the sons of Yahudah, together, to have the oversight of the workmen in the house of ALUAH: the sons of Khana'dad, with their sons and their brothers the Lu'ym.
10 When the builders laid the foundation of the Hayakal of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), they placed the ka'ahn'ym (priests) in their clothing with trumpets, and the Lu'ym the sons of Asap with cymbals, to praise 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), after the order of Dau'yad king of Yashar'AL.
11 They sang one to another in praising and giving thanks to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), "For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Yashar'AL." All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), because the foundation of The House OF 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was laid.
12 But many of the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and Lu'ym and heads of fathers', the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13 so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
CHAPTER 4
1 Now when the adversaries of Yahudah and Ban'yama'yan heard that the children of the captivity were building a Hayakal to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH Of Yashar'AL;
2 then they drew near to Zara'babal, and to the heads of fathers', and said to them, "Let us build with you; for we seek your ALUAH, as you do; and we slaughtering to him since the days of Asar Khadan king of Ashur, who brought us up here."
3 But Zara'babal, and Yashua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' of Yashar'AL, said to them, "You have nothing to do with us in building a House to our ALUAH; but we ourselves together will build to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH Of Yashar'AL, as king Kursh the king of Paras has commanded us."
4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Yahudah, and troubled them in building,
5 and hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Kursh king of Paras, even until the reign of Dara'yush king of Paras.
6 In the reign of Akh'shurush (Akh’shoo’roosh), in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Yahudah and Yaru'shalam.
7 In the days of Ar'thakh'shash'tha wrote Ba'shalam, Mathar'dath, Taba'AL, and the rest of his companions, to Ar'thakh'shash'tha king of Paras; and the writing of the letter was written in the Aram'yth, and put forth in the Aram'yth.
8 Rakhum the chancellor and Shamash'ya the scribe wrote a letter against Yaru'shalam to Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king in this sort:
9 then [wrote] Rakhum the chancellor, and Shamash'ya the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dayan'ya, and the Apar'sathak'ya, the Trapal'ya, the A'paras'ya, the Araku'ya, the Babal’ya, the Shush’kan’ya (Shoosh’kan’ya), the Dah’ya, the Alam’ya,
10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asana'par brought over, and placed in the city of Shamar'un (Shamaroon), and in the rest beyond the River, and so forth.
11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent to Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king: Your servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.
12 Be it known to the king, that the Yahud'ya who came up from you are come to us to Yaru'shalam; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.
13 Be it known now to the king that if this city is built, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not appropriate for us to see the king's shame, therefore have we sent and informed the king;
15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: so you shall find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.
16 We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
17 The king sent an answer to Rakhum the chancellor, and to Shamash'ya the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who dwell in Shamar'un, and in the rest beyond the River: Shalam (peace), and so forth.
18 The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.
19 And I decreed, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Yaru'shalam, who have ruled over all beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid to them.
21 Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree shall be made by me.
22 Take heed that you not be slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Then when the copy of king Ar'thakh'shash'tha' letter was read before Rakhum, and Shamash'ya the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Yaru'shalam to the Yahud'ya, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of ALUAH which is at Yaru'shalam, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Dara'yush (Dara’yoosh) king of Paras.
CHAPTER 5
1 Now the nab’ya (prophets), Khaga'ya the nab’ya (prophet), and Zakara'Yah son of Adua, nab’ya (prophesied) to the Yahud'ya who were in Yahudah and Yaru'shalam; in the NAME of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL upon them.
2 Then rose up Zara'babal son of Sha’al’tha’ya’AL, and Yashua son of Yahu'tsadaq, and began to build the house of ALUAH which is at Yaru'shalam; and with them were the nab’ya (prophets) of ALUAH, helping them.
3 At the same time came to them Tha'than'ya, the governor beyond the River, and Shathar Buzan'ya (Boozan’ya), and their companions, and said thus to them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?"
4 Then we told them in this way, what the names of the men were who were making this building.
5 But The Eye of their ALUAH was on the elders of the Yahud'ya, and they did not make them cease, until the matter should come to Dara'yush, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
6 The copy of the letter that Tha'than'ya, the governor beyond the River, and Shathar Buzan'ya, and his companions the A'paras'ya, who were beyond the River, sent to Dara'yush the king;
7 they sent a letter to him, in which was written thus: To Dara'yush the king, all shalam’a (peace).
8 Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Yahudah, to The House Of The GREAT ALUAH, that is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
9 Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?"
10 We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at the head of them.
11 Thus they returned us answer, saying, "We are the servants of the ALUAH of shama'ya and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Yashar'AL built and finished.
12 But after that our fathers had provoked the ALUAH of shama'ym to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nabu'khad'natsar king of Babal, the Kasada'ah, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babal.
13 But in the first year of Kursh king of Babal, Kursh the king made a decree to build this house of ALUAH.
14 The gold and silver vessels also of the House of ALUAH, which Nabu'khad'natsar took out of the Hayakal that was in Yaru'shalam, and brought into the Hayakal of Babal, those Kursh the king took out of the Hayakal of Babal, and they were brought to one whose name was Shash'batsar, whom he had made governor,
15 and he said to him, 'Take these vessels, go, put them in the Hayakal that is in Yaru'shalam, and let the house of ALUAH be built in its place.'
16 Then the same Shash'batsar came, and laid the foundations of the house of ALUAH which is in Yaru'shalam: and since that time even until now has it been in building, and yet it is not completed.
17Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babal, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Kursh the king to build this house of ALUAH at Yaru'shalam; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter."
CHAPTER 6
1 Then Dara'yush the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babal.
2 There was found at Akh'matha, in the palace that is in the province of Mada'ya, a scroll, and therein was thus written for a record:
3 In the first year of Kursh the king, Kursh the king made a decree: Concerning the house of ALUAH at Yaru'shalam, let the house be built, the place where they offer offerings, and let its foundations be strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits;
4 with three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house.
5 Also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of ALUAH, which Nabu'khad'natsar took forth out of the Hayakal which is at Yaru'shalam, and brought to Babal, be restored, and brought again to the Hayakal which is at Yaru'shalam, everyone to its place; and you shall put them in the house of ALUAH.
6 Now therefore, Tha'than'ya, governor beyond the River, Shathar Buzan'ya, and your companions the A'paras'ya, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there.
7 Leave the work of this house of ALUAH alone; let the governor of the Yahud'ym and the elders of the Yahud'ym build this house of ALUAH in its place.
8 Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to these elders of the Yahud'ym for the building of this house of ALUAH: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they be not hindered.
9 That which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the ALUAH of shama'ym; wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the ka'ahn'ya (priests) who are at Yaru'shalam, let it be given them day by day without fail;
10 that they may offer offerings of pleasant aroma to the ALUAH of shama'ya, and pray for the khaYah (life) of the king, and of his sons.
11 Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:
12 and The ALUAH who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who shall put forth their hand to alter, to destroy this house of ALUAH which is at Yaru'shalam. I Dara'yush have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.
13 Then Tha'than'ya, the governor beyond the River, Shathar Buzan'ya, and their companions, because that Dara'yush the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.
14 The elders of the Yahud'ym built and prospered, through the inspired truth of Khaga'ya the nab’ya (prophet) and Zakara'Yah son of Adua. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, and according to the decree of Kursh, and Dara'yush, and Ar'thakh'shash'tha king of Paras.
15 This house was finished on the third day of the cloudy moon*, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Dara'yush the king.
*Known as Adar to also mean dark or cloudy.
16 The children of Yashar'AL, the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of ALUAH with joy.
17 They offered at the dedication of this house of ALUAH one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a transgression offering for all Yashar'AL, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Yashar'AL.
18 They placed the ka'ahn'ya (priests) in their divisions, and the Lu'ym in their courses, for the service of ALUAH, which is at Yaru'shalam; as it is written in the book of Mashah.
19 The children of the captivity kept the Pasakh on the fourteenth of the first month.
20 For the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the Pasakh for all the children of the captivity, and for their brothers the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and for themselves.
21 The children of Yashar'AL who had come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL, ate,
22 and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Ashur to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of ALUAH, The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL.
CHAPTER 7
1 Now after these, in the reign of Ar'thakh'shash'tha king of Paras, Azara son of Shara’Yah, son of Azar'Yah, son of Khalaqa'Yah,
2 son of Shalum, son of Tsaduq, son of Akh'ya'tub (Akh’ya’toob),
3 son of Amar'Yah, son of Azar'Yah, son of Mara'yuth (Mara’yooth),
4 son of Zarakh'Yah, son of Aza'ya, son of Baqa'ya,
5 son of Ab'yashua, son of Payana'khas, son of AL'azar, son of A'haran the chief ka’ahn (priest);
6 this Azara went up from Babal: and he was a ready scribe in the law of Mashah, which 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) his ALUAH on him.
7 There went up some of the children of Yashar'AL, and of the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nath'yana'ym, to Yaru'shalam, in the seventh year of Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king.
8 He came to Yaru'shalam in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9 For on the first of the first month began he to go up from Babal; and on the first of the fifth month came he to Yaru'shalam, according to the good hand of his ALUAH on him.
10 For Azara had made his heart to seek the Thur’ath of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and to do it, and to teach in Yashar'AL statutes and ordinances.
11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Ar'thakh'shash'tha gave to Azara the ka’ahn (priest), the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and of his statutes to Yashar'AL:
12 Ar'thakh'shash'tha, king of kings, to Azara the ka’ahn’a (priest), the scribe of the decree of the ALUAH of shama'ya, complete and so forth.
13 I make a decree, that all those of the people of Yashar'AL, and their ka'ahn’ua’ya (priests) and the Lu'ym, in my realm, who are minded of their own free will to go to Yaru'shalam, go with you.
14 Because you are sent of the king and his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Yahudah and Yaru'shalam, according to the law of your ALUAH which is in your hand,
15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, whose habitation is in Yaru'shalam,
16 and all the silver and gold that you shall find in all the province of Babal, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the ka'ahn'ya (priests), offering willingly for the house of their ALUAH which is in Yaru'shalam;
17 therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your ALUAH which is in Yaru'shalam.
18 Whatever shall seem good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do that after the will of your ALUAH.
19 The utensils that are given to you for the service of the house of your ALUAH, bring before the ALUAH of Yaru'shalam.
20 Whatever more shall be needful for the house of your ALUAH, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21 I, even I, Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Azara the ka’ahn’ah (priest), the scribe of the law of the ALUAH of shama'ya, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence,
22 to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred measures of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23 Whatever is commanded by the ALUAH of shama'ya, let it be done exactly for the house of the ALUAH of shama'ym; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 Also we inform you, that touching any of the ka'ahn'ya (priests) and Lu'ya, the singers, porters, Nath'yana'ym, or servants of this house of ALUAH, it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on them.
25 You, Azara, after the discernment of your ALUAH who is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your ALUAH; and teach him who doesn't know them.
26 Whoever will not do the law of your ALUAH, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27 Baruk be 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), the ALUAH of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) which is in Yaru'shalam;
28 and has extended loving kindness to me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. I was strengthened according to the hand of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) my ALUAH on me, and I gathered together from Yashar'AL chief men to go up with me.
CHAPTER 8
1 Now these are the heads of their fathers', and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babal, in the reign of Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king:
2 Of the sons of Payana'khas, Grasham. Of the sons of Aya'thamar, Dan'ya'AL. Of the sons of Dau'yad, Khat'ush (Khat’oosh).
3 Of the sons of Shakan'Yah, of the sons of Parash, Zakara'Yah; and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males one hundred and fifty.
4 Of the sons of Pakhath'mu'ab, AL'Yahua'yan'a son of Zarakh'Yah; and with him two hundred males.
5 Of the sons of Shakan'Yah, son of Yakhaz'y'AL; and with him three hundred males.
6 Of the sons of Adayan, Abad son of Yahu'nathan; and with him fifty males.
7 Of the sons of Ayalam, Yasha'Yah son of Athal'Yah; and with him seventy males.
8 Of the sons of Shapata’Yah, Zabada'Yah son of Maya’ka’AL; and with him eighty males.
9 Of the sons of Yu'ab, Abada'Yah son of Yakha'y'AL; and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
10 Of the sons of Shalum'yth, son of Yahu'sap'Yah; and with him one hundred and sixty males.
11 Of the sons of Baba'ya, Zakara'Yah son of Baba'ya; and with him twenty-eight males.
12 Of the sons of Az'gad, Yahu'Khanan son of Ha'qatan; and with him one hundred and ten males.
13 Of the sons of Adanya'qam, the last; and these are their names: AL'ya'palat, Ya'ya'AL, and Shama'Yah; and with them sixty males.
14 Of the sons of Bagu'ya, A'uth'ya (A’ooth’ya) and Zabud (Zabood); and with them seventy males.
15 I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahua (Ah’ooa); and there we encamped three days: and I viewed the people, and the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and found there none of the sons of Lu'ya (Loo’ya).
16 Then sent I for AL'ya'azar, for Ara'y'AL, for Shama'Yah, and for AL'nathan, and for Yara'yab, and for AL'nathan, and for Nathan, and for Zakara'Yah, and for Ma'Shalam, chief men; also for Yu'yara'yab, and for AL'nathan, who were men of understanding.
17 I sent them forth to Adua the chief at the place Kasapa'ya; and I told them what they should tell Adua, his brothers the Nath'yana'ym, at the place Kasapa'ya, that they should bring to us servants for the house of our ALUAH.
18 According to the good hand of our ALUAH on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Makhal'ya, son of Lu'ya, son of Yashar'AL; and Sharab'Yah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;
19 and Khashab'Yah, and with him Yasha'Yah of the sons of Ma’rara'ya, his brothers and their sons, twenty;
20 and of the Nath'yana'ym, whom Dau'yad and the princes had given for the service of the Lu'ym, two hundred and twenty Nath'yana'ym: all of them were mentioned by name.
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ah’ua, that we might humble ourselves before our ALUAH, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22 For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The Hand of our ALUAH is on all those who seek Him, for good; but His power and His wrath is against all those who forsake him."
23 So we fasted and begged our ALUAH for this: and He was entreated of us.
24 Then I made apart twelve of the chiefs of the ka'ahn'ym (priests), even Sharab'Yah, Khashab'Yah, and ten of their brothers with them,
25 and weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering for the house of our ALUAH, which the king, and his counselors, and his princes, and all Yashar'AL there found, had offered:
26 Thus I weighed into their hand six hundred fifty talents of silver, and silver utensils one hundred talents; of gold one hundred talents;
27 and twenty bowls of gold, of one thousand darics; and two vessels of fine bright bronze, precious as gold.
28 I said to them, "You Are Made Apart to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and the objects are Made Apart; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of your fathers.
29 Watch, and keep them, until you weigh them before the chiefs of the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym, and the princes of the fathers' of Yashar'AL, at Yaru'shalam, in the rooms of the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)."
30 So the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym received the weight of the silver and the gold, and the utensils, to bring them to Yaru'shalam to the house of our ALUAH.
31 Then we departed from the river Ah’ua on the twelfth of the first month, to go to Yaru'shalam: and the hand of our ALUAH was on us, and he spared us from the hand of the enemy and the bandit by the way.
32 We came to Yaru'shalam, and stayed there three days.
33 On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the utensils were weighed in the house of our ALUAH into the hand of Mara'muth (Mara’mooth) son of Aura'Yah the ka’ahn (priest); and with him was AL'azar son of Payana'khas; and with them was Yahu'zabad son of Yashua, and Nuada'Yah son of Banu'ya, the Lu'ym;
34 the whole by number and by weight: and all the weight was written at that time.
35 The children of the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, twelve bulls for all Yashar'AL, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats for a transgression offering: all this was a burnt offering to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
36 And they brought the king's commissions to the king's viceroys, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and The House OF ALUAH.
CHAPTER 9
1 Now when these matters were done, the princes drew near to me, saying, "The people of Yashar'AL, and the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, [doing] according to their abominations, even of the Kanan'ya, the Khath'ya, the Paraz'ya, the Yabus'ya, the Aman'ya, the Mab'ya, the Matsara’ya, and the Amar'ya.
2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the made apart seed have mixed themselves with the peoples of the lands. Yes, the hand of the princes and rulers has been chief in this trespass."
3 When I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded.
4 Then were assembled to me everyone who trembled at the words of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, because of the trespass of them of the captivity; and I sat confounded until the evening offering.
5 At the evening offering I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn; and I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) my ALUAH;
6 and I said, "My ALUAH, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my ALUAH; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the shama'ym.
7 Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty to this day; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our ka'ahn (priests), have been brought into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
8 Now for a little moment favor has been shown from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) our ALUAH, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his Made Apart place, that our ALUAH may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9 For we are bondservants; yet our ALUAH has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Paras, to give us a reviving, to make up the house of our ALUAH, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Yahudah and in Yaru'shalam.
10 "Now, our ALUAH, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments,
11 which you have commanded by your servants the nab’ya’ym (prophets), saying, 'The land, to which you go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness.
12 Now therefore don't give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their shalam (peace) or their prosperity forever; that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.'
13 "After all that has come on us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, since you, our ALUAH, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such a remnant,
14 shall we again break your commandments, and join in marriage with the peoples that do these abominations? Wouldn't you be angry with us until you had consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
15 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of Yashar’AL, you are righteous; for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is this day. Behold, we are before you in our guiltiness; for none can stand before you because of this."
CHAPTER 10
1 Now while Azara prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of ALUAH, there was gathered together to him out of Yashar'AL a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very bitterly.
2 Shakan'Yah son of Yakha'y'AL, one of the sons of Ayalam, answered Azara, "We have trespassed against our ALUAH, and have married foreign wives* of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is expectancy for Yashar'AL concerning this thing.
*Some translations also use pagan wives.
3 Now therefore let us make a Bar’yath (covenant) with our ALUAH to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my sovereign, and of those who tremble at the commandment of our ALUAH. Let it be done according to the Thurah.
4 Arise; for the matter belongs to you, and we are with you. Be courageous, and do it."
5 Then Azara arose, and made the chiefs of the ka'ahn'ym (priests), the Lu'ym, and all Yashar'AL, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore.
6 Then Azara rose up from before the house of ALUAH, and went into the room of Yahu'khanan son of AL'yash'yab: and he came there, he ate no bread, nor drank water; for he mourned because of the trespass of them of the captivity.
7 They made proclamation throughout Yahudah and Yaru'shalam to all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together to Yaru'shalam;
8 and that whoever didn't come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the assembly of the captivity.
9 Then all the men of Yahudah and Ban'yama'yan gathered themselves together to Yaru'shalam within the three days; it was the ninth month, on the twentieth of the month: and all the people sat in the broad place before the house of ALUAH, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
10 Azara the ka’ahn (priest) stood up, and said to them, "You have trespassed, and have married foreign wives, to increase the guilt of Yashar'AL.
11 Now therefore, make confession to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), the ALUAH of your fathers, and do his pleasure; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the foreign wives.”
12 Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, "As you have said concerning us, so must we do.
13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand outside; neither is this a work of one day or two; for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.
14 Let now our princes be appointed for all the assembly, and let all those who are in our cities who have married foreign wives come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and its judges, until the fierce wrath of our ALUAH be turned from us, until this matter is resolved."
15 Only Yahu'nathan son of Ashah'AL and Yakhaza'Yah son of Tha'quah stood up against this; and Ma'Shalam and Shabatha'ya the Lu'ya helped them.
16 The children of the captivity did so. Azara the ka’ahn (priest), certain heads of fathers', after their fathers' houses, and all of them by their names, were Made Apart; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
17 They made an end with all the men who had married foreign wives by the first day of the first month.
18 Among the sons of the ka'ahn'ym (priests) there were found who had married foreign wives: of the sons of Yashua, son of Yahu'tsadaq, and his brothers, Ma’asha’Yah, and AL'ya'azar, and Yara'yab, and Gadal'Yah.
19 They gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, [offered] a ram of the flock for their guilt.
20 Of the sons of Amar: Khanan'ya and Zabada'Yah.
21 Of the sons of Kharam: Ma’asha’Yah, and AL'YAH, and Shama'Yah, and Yakha'y'AL, and Aza'Yah.
22 Of the sons of Pasha'khur: AL'YAHU'ayan'ya, Ma’asha’Yah, Ya'shama'AL, Nathan'AL, Yahu'zabad, and AL'ashah.
23 Of the Lu'ym: Yahu'zabad, and Shama'ya, and Qal'Yah, he is Kal’yata, Pathakha'Yah, Yahudah, and AL'ya'azar.
24 Of the singers: AL'yash'yab. Of the gatekeepers: Shalam, and Talam, and Aur’ya.
25 Of Yashar'AL: Of the sons of Parash: Ram'Yah, and Yaza'Yah, and Malak'Yah, and Ma'yaman, and AL'azar, and Malak'Yah, and Ban'Yah.
26 Of the sons of Ayalam: Mathan'Yah, Zakara'Yah, and Yakha'y'AL, and Abada'ya, and Yara'muth (Yara’mooth), and AL'YAH.
27 Of the sons of Zathu'a: AL'YAHU'ayan'ya, AL'yash'yab, Mathan'Yah, and Yara'muth, and Zabad, and Az'yaza.
28 Of the sons of Baba'ya: Yahu'khanan, Khanan'Yah, Zaba'ya, Athal'ya.
29 Of the sons of Ban'ya: Ma'Shalam, Maluk, and Ada'Yah, Yashub (Ya’shoob), and Sha'al, Yara'muth.
30 Of the sons of Pakhath'mu'ab: Adna, and Kalal, Ban'Yah, Ma’asha’Yah, Mathan'Yah, Batsal'AL, and Banu'ya, and Mana'shah.
31 And sons of Kharam: AL'ya'azar, Yasha'Yah, Malak'Yah, Shama'Yah, Shama'un (Shama’oon),
32 Ban'yama'yan, Maluk, Shamara'Yah.
33 Of the sons of Khasham: Mathan'ya, Ma'tha'tha'ah, Zabad, AL'ya'palat, Yaram'ya, Mana'shah, Shama'ya.
34 Of the sons of Ban'ya: Mada'ya, Amram, and A’U’AL,
35 Ban'Yah, Bada'Yah, Kaluah'u (Kal’oo’ah’oo),
36 Un'Yah (Oon’Yah), Mara'muth, AL'yash'yab,
37 Mathan'Yah, Mathan'ya, and Yash'ya,
38 and Ban'ya, and Banu'ya, Shama'ya,
39 and Shalama'Yah, and Nathan, and Ada'Yah,
40 Mak'nadab'ya, Shash'ya, Shara’ya,
41 Azar'AL, and Shalama'Yah, Shamara'Yah,
42 Shalum, Amar'Yah, Yahu'sap.
43 Of the sons of Nabu: Ya'ya'AL, Ma'tha'tha'Yah, Zabad, Zab'yana, Yad’ya, and YAHU'AL, Ban'Yah.
44 All these had taken foreign wives; and some of them had wives by whom they had children.