Apocrypha.

CHAPTER V.

4 The names and number of the Jews that returned home. 50 The altar is set up in his place. 57 The foundation of the temple is laid. 73 The work is hindered for a time.

AFTER this were the principal men of the families chosen according to their tribes, to go up with their wives, and sons, and daughters, with their men-servants, and maid-servants, and their cattle.

2 And Darius sent with them a thousand horsemen, till they had brought them back to Jerusalem safely, and with musical [instruments] tabrets and flutes.

3 And all their brethren played, and he made them go up together with them.

4 And these are the names of the men which went up, according to their families among their tribes, after their several heads.

5 The priests, the sons of Phinees the son of Aaron : Jesus the son of Josedec, the son of Saraias, and Joacim, the son of Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel of the house of David, out of the kindred of Phares, of the tribe of Judah;

6 Who spake wise sentences before Darius the king of Persia in the second year of his reign, in the month Nisan, which is the first month.

7 And these are they of Jewry that came up from the captivity, where they dwelt as strangers, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon.

8 And they returned unto Jerusalem, and to the other parts of Jewry, every man to his own city, who came with Zorobabel, with Jesus, and Nehemias, and Zacharias, and Reesaias, Enenius, Mardocheus, Beelsaras, Aspharasus, Reelius, Roimus, and Baana, their guides.

9 The number of them of the nation, and their governors, sons of Phoros, two thousand an hundred seventy and two; the sons of Saphat, four hundred seventy and two:

10 The sons of Ares, seven hundred fifty and six: 11 The sons of Phaath Moab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve:

12 The sons of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four the sons of Zathui, nine hundred forty and five: the sons of Corbe, seven hundred and five: the sons of Bani, six hundred forty and eight:

13 The sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three: the sons of Sadas, three thousand two hundred twenty and two:

14 The sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and seven the sons of Bagoi, two thousand sixty and six: the sons of Adin, four hundred fifty and four:

15 The sons of Aterezias, ninety and two: the sons of Ceilan and Azetas, threescore and seven: the sons of Azuran, four hundred thirty and two:

16 The sons of Ananias, an hundred and one: the sons of Arom, thirty-two: and the sons of Bassa, three hundred twenty and three: the sons of Azephurith, an hundred and two:

17 The sons of Meterus, three thousand and five: the sons of Bethlomon, an hundred twenty and three:

A

18 They of Netophah, fifty and five: they thoth, an hundred fifty and eight: they of B forty and two:

19 They of Kiriathiarius, twenty and five Caphira and Beroth, seven hundred forty a they of Pira, seven hundred

20 They of Chadias, and Ammidioi, four twenty and two: they of Cirama and Gabdes dred twenty and one :

21 They of Macalon, an hundred twenty they of Betolius, fifty and two: the sons of hundred fifty and six:

22 The sons of Calamolalus and Onus, sever twenty and five: the sons of Jerechus, two forty and five:

23 The sons of Annaas, three thousand thre and thirty.

24 The priests: the sons of Jeddu, the son among the sons of Sanasib, nine hundred se two: the sons of Meruth, a thousand fifty and 25 The sons of Phassaron, a thousand seven the sons of Carme, a thousand and sev 26 The Levites: the sons of Jessue, and and Banuas, and Sudias, seventy and four. 27 The holy singers: the sons of Asaph, a twenty and eight.

28 The porters: the sons of Salum, the son the sons of Talmon, the sons of Dacobi, the Teta, the sons of Sami, in all an hundred thirty

29 The servants of the temple: the sons the sons of Asipha, the sons of Tabaoth, the Ceras, the sons of Sud, the sons of Phaleas, of Labana, the sons of Graba,

30 The sons of Acua, the sons of Uta, th Cetab, the sons of Agaba, the sons of Subai of Anan, the sons of Cathua, the sons of Ged

31 The sons of Airus, the sons of Daisan. of Noeba, the sons of Chaseba, the sons of G sons of Azia, the sons of Phinees, the sons the sons of Bastai, the sons of Asana, the sor ani, the sons of Naphisi, the sons of Acub, th Acipha, the sons of Assur, the sons of Phar sons of Basaloth,

32 The sons of Meeda, the sons of Coutha of Charea, the sons of Charcus, the sons of A sons of Thomoi, the sons of Nasith, the sons o

33 The sons of the servants of Solomon : of Azaphion, the sons of Pharira, the sons the sons of Lozon, the sons of Isdael, the s pheth,

34 The sons of Hagia, the sons of Phacareth, of Sabi, the sons of Sarothie, the sons of M sons of Gar, the sons of Addus, the sons of S sons of Apherra, the sons of Barodis, the sons the sons of Allom.

35 All the ministers of the temple, and the the servants of Solomon, were three hundred and two.

36 These came up from Thermeleth, and T Charaathalar leading them, and Aalar;

37 Neither could they show their families, t

how they were of Israel: the sons of Ladan, the Ban, the sons of Necodan, six hundred fifty and

And of the priests that usurped the office of the ood, and were not found: the sons of Obdia, the Accoz, the sons of Addus who married Augia, the daughters of Berzelus, and was named after

ne.

And when the description of the kindred of these is sought in the register, and was not found, they emoved from executing the office of the priest

for unto them said Nehemias and Atharias, that ould not be partakers of the holy things, till rose up an high priest clothed with doctrine and

o of Israel from them of twelve years old and they were all in number forty thousand, besides vants and women-servants, two thousand three and sixty.

heir men-servants and handmaids were seven d three hundred forty and seven the singingsinging-women, two hundred forty and five: our hundred thirty and five camels, seven thouirty and six horses, two hundred forty and five ive thousand five hundred twenty and five beasts the yoke.

and certain of the chief of their families, when ne to the temple of God that is in Jerusalem, o set up the house again in his own place acto their ability,

nd to give into the holy treasury of the works a pounds of gold, five thousand of silver, an priestly vestments.

nd so dwelt the priests, and the Levites, and le in Jerusalem, and in the country, the singers the porters; and all Israel in their villages. ut when the seventh month was at hand, and e children of Israel were every man in his own ey came altogether with one consent into the ce of the first gate which is towards the east, hen stood up Jesus the son of Josedec, and his the priests, and Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, brethren, and made ready the altar of the God

Apocrypha.

gan to offer sacrifices to God from the first day of the seventh month, although the temple of the Lord was not yet built.

54 And they gave unto the masons and carpenters, money, meat, and drink, with cheerfulness.

55 Unto them of Sidon also and Tyre they gave cars, that they should bring cedar trees from Libanus, which should be brought by floats to the haven of Joppe, according as it was commanded them by Cyrus king of the Persians.

56 And in the second year and second month after his coming to the temple of God at Jerusalem began Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and their brethren, and the priests, and the Levites, and all they that were come unto Jerusalem out of che captivity;

57 And they laid the foundation of the house of God in the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come to Jewry and Jerusalem.

58 And they appointed the Levites from twenty years old over the works of the Lord. Then stood up Jesus, and his sons and brethren, and Cadmiel his brother, and the sons of Madiabun, with the sons of Joda the son of Eliadun, with their sons and brethren, all Levites, with one accord setters forward of the business, labouring to advance the works in the house of God. So the workmen built the temple of the Lord.

59 And the priests stood arrayed in their vestments with musical instruments and trumpets; and the Levites the sons of Asaph had cymbals,

60 Singing songs of thanksgiving, and praising the Lord, according as David the king of Israel had ordained.

61 And they sung with loud voices songs to the praise of the Lord, because his mercy and glory is for ever in all Israel.

62 And all the people sounded trumpets, and shouted with a loud voice, singing songs of thanksgiving unto the Lord for the rearing up of the house of the Lord.

63 Also of the priests and Levites, and of the chief of their families, the ancients who had seen the former house, came to the building of this with weeping and great crying.

64 But many with trumpets and joy shouted with loud voice,

65 Insomuch that the trumpets might not be heard for the weeping of the people: yet the multitude sounded marvellously, so that it was heard afar off.

66 Wherefore when the enemies of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin heard it, they came to know what that noise of trumpets should mean.

67 And they perceived that they that were of the captivity did build the temple unto the Lord God of

Israel.

68 So they went to Zorobabel and Jesus, and to the chief of the families, and said unto them, We will build together with you.

69 For we likewise, as ye, do obey your Lord, and do sacrifice unto him from the days of Azbazareth the king of the Assyrians, who brought us hither.

70 Then Zorobabel and Jesus, and the chief of the

families of Israel, said unto them, It is not for us and you to build together an house unto the Lord our God. 71 We ourselves alone will build unto the Lord of Israel, according as Cyrus the king of the Persians hath commanded us.

72 But the heathen of the land lying heavy upon the inhabitants of Judea, and holding them strait, hindered their building;

73 And by their secret plots, and popular persuasions and commotions, they hindered the finishing of the building all the time that king Cyrus lived: so they were hindered from building for the space of two years, until the reign of Darius.

CHAPTER VI.

1 The prophets stir up the people to build the temple; 8 Darius is solicited to hinder it; 27 but he doth further it by all means, 32 and threateneth those that shall hinder it.

NOW in

OW in the second year of the reign of Darius, Aggeus, and Zacharias the son of Addo, the prophets, prophesied unto the Jews, in Jewry and Jerusalem, in the name of the Lord God of Israel which was upon them.

2 Then stood up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, the prophets of the Lord being with them, and helping them.

3 At the same time came unto them Sisinnes, the governor of Syria and Phenice, with Sathrabuzanes, and his companions, and said unto them,

4 By whose appointment do ye build this house and this roof, and perform all the other things? and who are the workmen that perform these things?

5 Nevertheless the elders of the Jews obtained favour, because the Lord had visited the captivity.

6 And they were not hindered from building, until such time as signification was given unto Darius concerning them, and an answer received.

7 The copy of the letters which Sisinnes, governor of Syria and Phenice, and Sathrabuzanes, with their companions, rulers in Syria and Phenice, wrote and sent unto Darius; To king Darius, greeting:

8 Let all things be known unto our lord the king, that being come into the country of Judea, and entered into the city of Jerusalem, we found in the city of Jerusalem the ancients of the Jews that were of the captivity, 9 Building an house unto the Lord, great and new, of hewn and costly stones, and the timber already laid upon the walls.

10 And those works are done with great speed, and the work goeth on prosperously in their hands, and with all glory and diligence is it made.

11 Then asked we these elders, saying, By whose commandment build ye this house, and lay the foundations of these works?

12 Therefore to the intent that we might give knowledge unto thee by writing, we demanded of them who were the chief doers, and we required of them the names in writing of their principal men.

13 So they gave us the answer, We are the servants the Lord which made heaven and earth.

14 And as for this house, it was builded m ago by a king of Israel, great and strong. finished.

15 But when our fathers provoked God u and sinned against the Lord of Israel which is he gave them over into the power of Nabud king of Babylon, of the Chaldees;

16 Who pulled down the house, and burn carried away the people captives unto Babylon 17 But in the first year that king Cyrus re the country of Babylon, Cyrus the king wro up this house.

18 And the holy vessels of gold and silve buchodonosor had carried away out of the he rusalem, and had set them in his own tem Cyrus the king brought forth again out of the Babylon, and they were delivered to Zorobab Sanabassarus the ruler,

19 With commandment that he should e the same vessels, and put them in the temple lem; and that the temple of the Lord shoul in his place.

20 Then the same Sanabassarus, being co laid the foundations of the house of the Lord lem, and from that time to this being still a b is not yet fully ended.

21 Now therefore, if it seem good unto the search be made among the records of king Cy

22 And if it be found that the building of of the Lord at Jerusalem, hath been done wit sent of king Cyrus, and if our lord the king be s let him signify unto us thereof.

23 Then commanded king Darius to seek a records at Babylon: and so at Ecbatana, t which is in the country of Media, there was fo wherein these things were recorded.

24 In the first year of the reign of Cyrus, rus commanded that the house of the Lord at should be built again, where they do sacrifice tinual fire:

25 Whose height shall be sixty cubits. breadth sixty cubits, with three rows of hew and one row of new wood of that country: expenses thereof to be given out of the hous Cyrus :

26 And that the holy vessels of the hou Lord, both of gold and silver, that Nabuchodon out of the house at Jerusalem, and brought to should be restored to the house at Jerusalem set in the place where they were before.

27 And also he commanded that Sisinnes t nor of Syria and Phenice, and Sathrabuzanes, companions, and those which were appointed Syria and Phenice, should be careful not to me the place, but suffer Zorobabel, the servant of and governor of Judea, and the elders of the build the house of the Lord in that place.

28 I have commanded also to have it built again; and that they look diligently to help : be of the captivity of the Jews, till the house of be finished:

29 And out of the tribute of Celosyria, and Phenice, portion carefully to be given these men, for the sacrices of the Lord, that is, to Zorobabel the governor, for ullocks, and rams, and lambs;

30 And also corn, salt, wine, and oil, and that coninually every year without further question, according Is the priests that be in Jerusalem shall signify to be aily spent:

31 That offerings may be made to the most high God, or the king, and for his children, and that they may ray for their lives.

32 And he commanded that whosoever should transress, yea, or make light of any thing afore spoken or ritten, out of his own house should a tree be taken, ad he thereon be hanged, and all his goods seized for e king.

33 The Lord therefore, whose name is there called pon, utterly destroy every king and nation, that stretchh out his hand to hinder or endamage that house of te Lord in Jerusalem.

34 I Darius the king have ordained that according to these things it be done with diligence.

CHAPTER VII.

Sisinnes and others help forward the building. 5 The temple is finished and dedicated. 10 The passover is kept.

HEN Sisinnes the governor of Celosyria and Phenice, and Sathrabuzanes, with their companions, following e commandments of king Darius,

2 Did very carefully oversee the holy works, assisting e ancients of the Jews and governors of the temple. 3 And so the holy works prospered when Aggeus and charias the prophets prophesied.

4 And they finished these things by the commandment the Lord God of Israel, and with the consent of Cyrus, irius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.

5 And thus was the holy house finished in the three d twentieth day of the month Adar, in the sixth year Darius king of the Persians.

6 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the vites, and others that were of the captivity, that were ded unto them, did according to the things written in e book of Moses.

7 And to the dedication of the temple of the Lord ey offered an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, ir hundred lambs;

8 And twelve goats for the sin of all Israel, accordto the number of the chief of the tribes of Israel. 9 The priests also and the Levites stood arrayed in ir vestments, according to their kindreds, in the sere of the Lord God of Israel, according to the book Moses and the porters at every gate.

10 And the children of Israel that were of the capity held the passover the fourteenth day of the first nth, after that the priests and the Levites were sanced.

11 They that were of the captivity were not all ctified together: but the Levites were all sanctified ether.

12 And so they offered the passover for all them of

Apocrypha.

the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

13 And the children of Israel that came out of the captivity did eat, even all they that had separated themselves from the abominations of the people of the land, and sought the Lord.

14 And they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days, making merry before the Lord,

15 For that he had turned the counsel of the king of Assyria towards them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the Lord God of Israel.

CHAPTER VIII.

1 Esdras bringeth the king's commission to build; 8 The copy of it: 28 He declareth the names and number of those that came with him, 61 and his journey: 71 He lamenteth the sins of his people, 96 and sweareth the priests to put away their strange wives.

AND after these things, when Artaxerxes the king of the Persians reigned, came Esdras the son of Saraias, the son of Ezerias, the son of Helchiah, the son of Salum,

2 The son of Sadduc, the son of Achitob, the son of Amarias, the son of Ezias, the son of Meremoth, the son of Zarias, the son of Savias, the son of Boccas, the son of Abisum, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest.

3 This Esdras went up from Babylon, as a scribe, being very ready in the law of Moses, that was given by the God of Israel.

4 And the king did him honour: for he found grace in his sight in all his requests.

5 There went up with him also certain of the children of Israel, of the priests, of the Levites, of the holy singers, porters, and ministers of the temple, unto Jerusalem,

6 In the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, in the fifth month, this was the king's seventh year; for they went from Babylon in the first day of the first month, and came to Jerusalem, according to the prosperous journey which the Lord gave them.

7 For Esdras had very great skill, so that he omitted nothing of the law and commandments of the Lord, but taught all Israel the ordinances and judgments.

8 Now the copy of the commission, which was written from Artaxerxes the king, and came to Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, is this that followeth ;

9 King Artaxerxes unto Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, sendeth greeting:

10 Having determined to deal graciously, I have given order, that such of the nation of the Jews, and of the priests and Levites being within our realm, as are willing and desirous, should go with thee unto Jerusalem.

11 As many therefore as have a mind thereunto, let them depart with thee, as it hath seemed good both to me and my seven friends the counsellors;

12 That they may look unto the affairs of Judea and Jerusalem, agreeably to that which is in the law of the Lord;

13 And carry the gifts unto the Lord of Israel to Jerusalem, which I and my friends have vowed, and all the gold and silver that in the country of Babylon can be found, to the Lord in Jerusalem,

14 With that also which is given of the people for the temple of the Lord their God at Jerusalem and that silver and gold may be collected for bullocks, rams, and lambs, and things thereunto appertaining;

15 To the end that they may offer sacrifices unto the Lord upon the altar of the Lord their God, which is in Jerusalem.

16 And whatsoever thou and thy brethren will do with the silver and gold, that do, according to the will of thy God.

17 And the holy vessels of the Lord which are given thee for the use of the temple of thy God, which is in Jerusalem, thou shalt set before thy God in Jerusalem.

18 And whatsoever thing else thou shalt remember for the use of the temple of thy God, thou shalt give it out of the king's treasury.

19 And I king Artaxerxes have also commanded the keepers of the treasures in Syria and Phenice, that whatsoever Esdras the priest and the reader of the law of the most high God shall send for, they should give it him with speed,

20 To the sum of an hundred talents of silver, likewise also of wheat, even to an hundred cors, and an hundred pieces of wine, and other things in abundance.

21 Let all things be performed after the law of God diligently unto the most high God, that wrath come not upon the kingdom of the king and his sons.

22 I command you also, that ye require no tax, nor any other imposition, of any of the priests or Levites, or holy singers, or porters, or ministers of the temple, or of any that have doings in this temple, and that no man have authority to impose any thing upon them.

23 And thou, Esdras, according to the wisdom of God, ordain judges and justices, that they may judge in all Syria and Phenice all those that know the law of thy God; and those that know it not thou shalt teach.

24 And whosoever shall transgress the law of thy God, and of the king, shall be punished diligently, whether it be by death, or other punishment, by penalty of money, or by imprisonment.

25¶ Then said Esdras the scribe, Blessed be the only Lord God of my fathers, who hath put these things into the heart of the king, to glorify his house that is in Jerusalem:

26 And hath honoured me in the sight of the king, and his counsellors, and all his friends, and nobles.

27 Therefore was I encouraged by the help of the Lord my God, and gathered together men of Israel to go up with me.

28 And these are the chief according to their families and several dignities, that went up with me from Babylon in the reign of king Artaxerxes:

29 Of the sons of Phinees, Gerson of the sons of Ithamar, Gamael: of the sons of David, Lettus, the son of Sechenias :

A

30 Of the sons of Pharez, Zecharias: and were counted an hundred and fifty men: 31 Of the sons of Paheth Moab, Eliaonia of Zaraias, and with him two hundred men:

:

32 Of the sons of Zathoe, Sechenias the so lus, and with him three hundred men of th Adin, Obeth the son of Jonathan, and with hundred and fifty men:

33 Of the sons of Elam, Josias son of Goth with him seventy men:

34 Of the sons of Saphatias, Zaraias son of and with him threescore and ten men :

35 Of the sons of Joab, Abadias son of Je with him two hundred and twelve men:

36 Of the sons of Banid, Assalimoth son phias, and with him an hundred and threescor 37 Of the sons of Babi, Zecharias son of with him twenty and eight men :

38 Of the sons of Astath, Johannes son o and with him an hundred and ten men:

39 Of the sons of Adonicam the last, and the names of them, Eliphalet, Jeuel, and San with them seventy men:

40 Of the sons of Bago, Uthi the son of I and with him seventy men.

41 And these I gathered together to the ri Theras, where we pitched our tent three days: I surveyed them.

42 But when I had found there none of t and Levites,

43 Then sent I unto Eleazar, and Iduel, and 44 And Alnathan, and Mamaias, and Jo Nathan, Eunatan, Zecharias, and Mosollamon, men and learned.

45 And I bade them that they should go deus the captain, who was in the place of sury:

46 And commanded them that they shou unto Saddeus, and to his brethren, and to the in that place, to send us such men as might ex priest's office in the house of the Lord.

47 And by the mighty hand of our Lord the unto us skilful men of the sons of Moli the soi the son of Israel, Asebebia, and his sons, and ren, who were eighteen.

48 And Asebia and Annuus, and Osaias hiof the sons of Channuneus, and their sons, we

men.

49 And of the servants of the temple wh had ordained, and the principal men for the the Levites (to wit) the servants of the to hundred and twenty, the catalogue of whose na showed.

50 And there I vowed a fast unto the young fore our Lord, to desire of him a prosperous jour for us and them that were with us, for our chil for the cattle:

51 For I was ashamed to ask the king's foot horsemen, and conduct for safeguard against o saries.

52 For we had said unto the king, that the