Apocrypha. I. E S D R A S

not labour and toil, and give and bring all to (be woman >

»3 Yea, a man taketh his sword, and goeth his way to rob, and to steal, to fail upon the sea, and upon rivers;

14 And looketh upon a lion, and goeth in the darkness; and when he hath stolen, spoiled, and robbed, he bringeth it to his love.

»j Wherefore a man loveth hie wife better than father or mother.

a6 Yea, many there be that have run out of their wits for women, and become servants for their fakes.

47Many also haveperifhed, have erred, and sinned for women.

»8 And now do ye not believe me? is not the king great in his power? do not all regions fear to touch him?

a» Yet did I fee him, and Apame the king's concubine, the daughter of the admirable Bartacus, sitting at the right band of the king,

30 And taking the crown from the king's bead, and setting it upon her own head • (he also struck the king with ber left hand.

31 And yetfor all this, the ki.-.g gaped and gazed upon her with open mouth: if (he laughed upon him, he laughed also: but if (he took any displeasure at him, the king was fain to flatter, that ihe might be reconciled to him again.

3» O ye men, how can it be but women mould be strong, seeing they do thus i

33 t Then the king and the princes looked one upon another: so he began to speak of the truth.

34 O ye men, are not women strong? great is the earth, high is the heaven, swift 19 the fun in his course, for he compasTeth the heavens round about, and fetcheth his course again to his own place in one day.

35 Is he not great that maketh these things? therefore great is the truth, and stronger than all things.

36AU theearthcalleth upon the truth, and the heaven blessesh it; all works shake and tremble at it, and with it is no unrighteous thing.

37 Wine is wicked, the king is wicked, women are wicked, all the children of men are wicked, and such are all their wicked works; and there is no truth in them: In their unrighteousness also they shall perilh.

38 As for the truth it endureth, and istwKays strong; it livcta and conquered for evermore.; • ■ >■• , '..

Apxtjfha.

39 With her there is no accepting of persons, or rewards; but (he doeth the things that are just, and refrairieth from all unjust and wicked things: and all men do well like of her works.

40 Neither in her judgement is any unrighteousness; and (heis the strength, kingdom, power, and majesty of all ages. Blessed be the God of truth.

41 And with that he held his peace: and all the people then moused, and said, Great is truth^aiid mighty above all things.

41 Then said the king unto him, Ask, what thou wilt more than is appointed in the writing, and we will give it thee, because thou art found wisest; and tboti (halt sit next me, and (halt be called mr cousin.

43 Then said he unto the king, Rrmember thy vow which thou hast vowed, To build Jerusalem, in the day when thou earnest to thy kingdom,

44 And to send away all the vessel! that were taken away out of Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart, when he vowed to destroy Babylon, and to send them again thither.

4j Thou also bast vowed to buildup the temple, which the Edomites burned when Judea was made desolate by the Cbaldees.

46 And now, O lord the king, this is that which I require, and which I desire of thee, and this is the princely liberality proceeding from thyself: 1 desire therefore, that thou make pood the vow, the performance whereof with thine own mouth thou hast vowed to the King of heaven.

47 Then Darius the king stood up, and kissed him, and wrote letters for him unto ail the treasurers, and lieutenants, and captains, and governor*, that they should safely convey on their way, both him, and al) those that go up with him to build Jerusalem.

48 He wrote letters also unto the lieutenants '.hat were in Celosyria and Phenice, and unto them in Libanus, that they mould bring cedar wood from Libanus unto Jerusalem, and that they should build the city with him.

49 Moreover, he wrote for all the Jews that went out of his realm up into Jewry, concerning their freedom, thai no officer, no ruler, ho lieutenant, nor treasurer, should fortiblyenter into their doors;

50 And that all the cotwiry which they hold, should be free without tribute; and that the Edomitei slwuU

pre

stive over the villages of the Jews, which then they held:

51 Yea, that there should be yearly given twenty talents to the building of the temple, until the time that it were built;

5» And other ten talents yearly, to maintain the burnt offerings upon the altar every day, as they bad a commandment to offer seventeen:

53 And that all they that went from Babylon to build the city, should have free liberty, as well they as their posterity, arid all the priests that went away.

54 He wrote also concerning the charges, and the priests' vestments wherein they minister;

55 And likewise for the charges of the Levites, to be given them, until the day that the house were finished, and Jerusalem builded up.

56 And he commanded to give to all that kept the city, pensions and wages.

57 He sent away also all the vessels from Babylon that Cyrus had set apart, and all that Cyrus had given in commandment, the fame charged he also to be done, and sent unto Jerusalem.

58 Now when this young man was gone forth, he lifted up his face to heaveil toward Jerusalem, and praised the King of heaven,

59 And said, From thee cometh victory, from thee cometh wisdom, and thine is the glory, and I am thy servant.

60 Blessed art thou who haft given me wisdom: for to thee 1 give thanks, O Lord of'our fathers.

61 And so he took the letters, 'and went out, and came unto Babylon, and told it all his brethren.

61 And they praised the God of their fathers; because he had given them freedom and liberty

63 To go up, and to build Jerusalem, and the temple which is called by his name: and they feasted with instruments of musick and gladness seven days.

CHAP. V. 4 The names and number of the Jews thai

returned home. 37 We foundation of the

temple is laid.

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 menservants, and maidservants, and their cattle.

j And Darius sent with them a thousand horsemen, till they had brought them back to Jerusalem safely, and with

Apocrypha.

musical[instrument»,]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 lit ads.

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, Nebemias, and Zacharias, and Reesaias, Enenius, Mardocheus,Bcelsarus,Aspharasus,Reeliu8, 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, twp thousand eight hundred and twelve:

11 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 ot 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:

1 j 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 1 and the sons of Bassa, three hundred twenty and three: the sons of Azcphurith, an hundred and two:

1 -/ The font of Meterus, three thout A 4"' send Apocrypha. I. E 8 D R A S

find and five i the son« of Bethlomon, an hundred twenty and three:

18 They of Netopbah, fifty and five: they of Anathoth, an hundred fifty and eight: they of Bethsamos, forty and two:

19 They of Kiriathiarius. twenty and five: they of Caphira and Beroth, seven hundred forty and three: they of Pira, seven hundred:

10 They of Chadias, and Ammidoi, Four hundred twenty and two: they of Ciramaand Gabdes, six hundred twenty and one:

41 TheyofMacolon.an hundred twenty and two: they of Betolius, fifty and two: the sons of Nephis, an hundred fifty and fix:

»i The sons of Calamolalus and Onusi seven hundred twenty and five: the sons of Jerechus, two hundred forty and five:

»3 The sons of Annaas, three thousand three hundred and thirty.

34 The priests: the sonsof jeddu.the son of Jesus, among the sonsof Sanafib, nine hundred seventy and two: the sons of Merutb, a thousand fifty and two:

»jThe sons of Phaslaron, a thousand forty and seven: the son» of Carmc, a thousand and seventeen.

«6 The Levites: the sons of Jesfue, and Cadmiel, and Banuas, and Suidas, seventy and four.

47 The holy fingers i the sons of Asapb, an hundred twenty and eight.

•8 The porters: the sons of Salum, the sons of Jatal, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Dacobi, the sons of Teta, the sons of Sami, in all an hundred thirty and nine.

»9 The servants of the temple: the sons of Esau, the sons of Asipha, the sons of Tabaoth, the sons of Ceras, the sens of Sud, the sons of Phaleas, the sons Juabana, the sons of Graba,

30 The sons of Acua, the sons of Uta, the sonj of Cetab, the sons of Agaba, the sons of Subai, the sons of Anan, the sonsof Cathua, the sonsof Geddur,

31 The sons of Airus, the sonsof DaiIan, the sons of Noeba, the sons of Chaseba, the sons of Gazera, the sons of Azia, the sons of Phinees, the sons of Azara, the sons of Rastai, the sons of Afana, the sons of Meani, the sons of Naphifi, the sons of Acub, the sons of Acipha, the sons of Assur, the sons of Pharacim, the sonB of Bafaloth,

31 The sons of Meeda, the sons of Coutha, the sens of Charea, the sons of Cbarcus, the sons of Aserer, the sons of Thomoi, the sons of Nafith, the sons of Atipha.

Apocrypha.

33 The sons of the servants of Solomon : the sons of Azaphion, the sons of Pharira, the sons of Jeeli, the sons of Lozon, the sons of Isdael, the sonsof Sapheth,

34 The sens of Hagia, the sons of Phacareth, the sons of Sabi.thesonsof Sarotbie, the sonsof Mafias, the sonsof Gar, the sons of Addus, the sons of Suba, the sons of Apherra, the ions of Barodis, the sons of Sabat, the sons of Aliom.

3 j All the ministers of the temple, and the sons of the servants of Solomon, were three hundred seventy and two.

36 These came up from ThermeJetb, and Thelersas, Charaatbalar leading them, and Aalar;

37 Neither could they (hew their families, nor their stock, how they were of Israel: the sons of Ladan, the. son of Ban, the sons of Nccodan, fix hundred fifty and two.

18 And of the priests that usurped the office of the priesthood, and were not sound : the sons of Obdia, the sons of Aceoz, the sonsof Addus, who married Augia, one of the daughters of Berxelus, and was named after his name.

39 And when the description of the kindred of these men was sought in the register, and was not found, they were removed from executing the office of the priesthood:

40 For unto them saidNehemias, and Atharias, That they should not be partakers of the holy things, till there arose up an high priest clothed with doctrine and truth.

41 So of Israel, from them of twelve years old and upward, they were all in number forty thousand, beside mensrr vents, and womenservants, two thousand three hundred and sixty.

41 Their menservants and handmaids were seven thousand three huodred forty and seven: the singing men and singing women, two hundred forty and five:

43 Four hundred thirty and five camels seven thousand thirty and fix horses, two hundred forty and Btc mules, five thousand five hundred twenty and five beasts used to the yoke.

44 And certain of the chief of their families, when they came to the temple of God that is in Jerusalem, vowed to set up the house again in his own place, ac* cording to their ability,

45 And to give into the holy treasury of the works, a thousand pounds of polci, five thousand of silver, and an hundred priestly vestments.

4* And.

Apocrypha.

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: to they were hindered from building for the space of two years, until the reign of Darius.

CHAP. Vt.

I The prophets Jtir up this tuple to build the

temt le: 8 Darius uloltcited tohindtr it:

17 but he doth further it by all means.

TOW in the second year of the reign

of Darius, Aegeut, and Zacharias

— - „. v~-._-, --cc j

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.

» Then stood up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jclus 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 fame time came unto them Sifinnes 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 Sifinnes governor of Syria and Phenice, and Sathraliuzanee, 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 arc done with great speed, and the wor.k' goeth on

'prosperously in their hands, and with "all glory iand diligence is it made.

jiTben asked we these elders, faying, By whose commandment build ye this bouse, and lay the foundations of these works i

E 3 D R A S Apocrjpks.

i» Therefore to the intent that we might give knowleo'ge unto thee by writing, we demanded ot them who were the chief doers, and we required of them the names in writing of their principal men.

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

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

Ij But when our fathers provoked God unto wrath, and sinned against the Lord of Israel which is in heaven, he gave them over into the power of Nabuchodonosor.'king of Babylon of the Chaldees;

16 Who pulled down tbe house, and burned it, and carried away the people captives unto Babylon.

17 But in the first year that king Cyrus reigned over the country of Babylon, Cyrus the king wrote to build up this house.

18 And the holy vessels of gold and of silver, that Nabuchodonosor had carried away out of the bouse at Jerusalem, and bad set them in his own temple, those Cyrus the king brought forth again out of the temple at Babylon, and they were delivered to Zorobabcl.and to Sanabassarus the ruler,

19 With commandment, that he should carry away the fame vessels, and put them in the temple at Jerusalem; and that the temple of the Lord mould be built in his place.

aoThen the fame Sanabassarus being come hither, laid the foundation! ot the house of the Lord at Jerusalem; and from that time to this, being still a building, it is not yet fully ended.

si Now therefore, if it seem good unto the king, let search be made among tbe records of king Cyrus:

11 And if it be found that the building of the house of the Lord at Jerusalem hath been done with the consent of king Cyrus, and if our Lord the king be so minded.let him signify unto us thereof.

»3 T Then commanded king Darius to seek among the records at Babylon: and so at Ecbatana the palace, which is in the country of Media, there was found a roll, whereinthese things were recorded.

14 In the first year ot the reign of Cyrus, king Cyrus commanded, that the house ofthe Lord at Jerusalem Owuk! be built again, where they do sacri6c« with continual fire:

95 Whose height mall he sixty cubits.

and