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Ezra 4


Ezra 4:1 Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the Lord God of Israel,
Ezra 4:2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' households, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here."
Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers' households of Israel said to them, "You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us."
Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them from building,
Ezra 4:5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Ezra 4:6 Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.
Ezra 4:8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows--
Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
Ezra 4:10 and the rest of the nations which the great and honorable Osnappar deported and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the region beyond the River. Now
Ezra 4:11 this is the copy of the letter which they sent to him:" To King Artaxerxes: Your servants, the men in the region beyond the River, and now
Ezra 4:12 let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.
Ezra 4:13 Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, custom or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings.
Ezra 4:14 Now because we are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king,
Ezra 4:15 so that a search may be made in the record books of your fathers. And you will discover in the record books and learn that that city is a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces, and that they have incited revolt within it in past days; therefore that city was laid waste.
Ezra 4:16 We inform the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River."
Ezra 4:17 Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the River: "Peace. And now
Ezra 4:18 the document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me.
Ezra 4:19 A decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,
Ezra 4:20 that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them.
Ezra 4:21 So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.
Ezra 4:22 Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?"
Ezra 4:23 Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes' document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms.
Ezra 4:24 Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.


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King James Version New American Standard Koine Greek
Ezra 4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Ezra 4:1 Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the Lord God of Israel, Ezra 4:1 καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ θλίβοντες Ιουδα καὶ Βενιαμιν ὅτι οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς ἀποικίας οἰκοδομοῦσιν οἶκον τῷ κυρίῳ θεῷ Ισραηλ
Ezra 4:2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. Ezra 4:2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' households, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here." Ezra 4:2 καὶ ἤγγισαν πρὸς Ζοροβαβελ καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῶν πατριῶν καὶ εἶπαν αὐτοῖς οἰκοδομήσομεν μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ὅτι ὡς ὑμεῖς ἐκζητοῦμεν τῷ θεῷ ὑμῶν καὶ αὐτῷ ἡμεῖς θυσιάζομεν ἀπὸ ἡμερῶν Ασαραδδων βασιλέως Ασσουρ τοῦ ἐνέγκαντος ἡμᾶς ὧδε
Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers' households of Israel said to them, "You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us." Ezra 4:3 καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ζοροβαβελ καὶ Ἰησοῦς καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀρχόντων τῶν πατριῶν τοῦ Ισραηλ οὐχ ἡμῖν καὶ ὑμῖν τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι οἶκον τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν ὅτι ἡμεῖς αὐτοὶ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ οἰκοδομήσομεν τῷ κυρίῳ θεῷ ἡμῶν ὡς ἐνετείλατο ἡμῖν Κῦρος ὁ βασιλεὺς Περσῶν
Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them from building, Ezra 4:4 καὶ ἦν ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς ἐκλύων τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ λαοῦ Ιουδα καὶ ἐνεπόδιζον αὐτοὺς τοῦ οἰκοδομεῖν
Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:5 καὶ μισθούμενοι ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς βουλευόμενοι τοῦ διασκεδάσαι βουλὴν αὐτῶν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Κύρου βασιλέως Περσῶν καὶ ἕως βασιλείας Δαρείου βασιλέως Περσῶν
Ezra 4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 4:6 Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 4:6 καὶ ἐν βασιλείᾳ Ασουηρου ἐν ἀρχῇ βασιλείας αὐτοῦ ἔγραψαν ἐπιστολὴν ἐπὶ οἰκοῦντας Ιουδα καὶ Ιερουσαλημ
Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic. Ezra 4:7 καὶ ἐν ἡμέραις Αρθασασθα ἔγραψεν ἐν εἰρήνῃ Μιθραδάτῃ Ταβεηλ σὺν καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς συνδούλοις αὐτοῦ πρὸς Αρθασασθα βασιλέα Περσῶν ἔγραψεν ὁ φορολόγος γραφὴν Συριστὶ καὶ ἡρμηνευμένην
Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: Ezra 4:8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows-- Ezra 4:8 Ραουμ βααλταμ καὶ Σαμσαι ὁ γραμματεὺς ἔγραψαν ἐπιστολὴν μίαν κατὰ Ιερουσαλημ τῷ Αρθασασθα βασιλεῖ
Ezra 4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, Ezra 4:9 τάδε ἔκρινεν Ραουμ βααλταμ καὶ Σαμσαι ὁ γραμματεὺς καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι σύνδουλοι ἡμῶν Διναῖοι Αφαρσαθαχαῖοι Ταρφαλλαῖοι Αφαρσαῖοι Αρχυαῖοι Βαβυλώνιοι Σουσαναχαῖοι οἵ εἰσιν Ηλαμαῖοι
Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time. Ezra 4:10 and the rest of the nations which the great and honorable Osnappar deported and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the region beyond the River. Now Ezra 4:10 καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι ἐθνῶν ὧν ἀπῴκισεν Ασενναφαρ ὁ μέγας καὶ ὁ τίμιος καὶ κατῴκισεν αὐτοὺς ἐν πόλεσιν τῆς Σομορων καὶ τὸ κατάλοιπον πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ
Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. Ezra 4 11 this is the copy of the letter which they sent to him:" To King Artaxerxes Your servants, the men in the region beyond the River, and now Ezra 4:11 αὕτη ἡ διαταγὴ τῆς ἐπιστολῆς ἧς ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτόν πρὸς Αρθασασθα βασιλέα παῖδές σου ἄνδρες πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ
Ezra 4:12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Ezra 4:12 let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. Ezra 4:12 γνωστὸν ἔστω τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅτι οἱ Ιουδαῖοι ἀναβάντες ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς ἤλθοσαν εἰς Ιερουσαλημ τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἀποστάτιν καὶ πονηρὰν οἰκοδομοῦσιν καὶ τὰ τείχη αὐτῆς κατηρτισμένοι εἰσίν καὶ θεμελίους αὐτῆς ἀνύψωσαν
Ezra 4:13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. Ezra 4:13 Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, custom or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings. Ezra 4:13 νῦν οὖν γνωστὸν ἔστω τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅτι ἐὰν ἡ πόλις ἐκείνη ἀνοικοδομηθῇ καὶ τὰ τείχη αὐτῆς καταρτισθῶσιν φόροι οὐκ ἔσονταί σοι οὐδὲ δώσουσιν καὶ τοῦτο βασιλεῖς κακοποιεῖ
Ezra 4:14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king; Ezra 4:14 Now because we are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king, Ezra 4:14 καὶ ἀσχημοσύνην βασιλέως οὐκ ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν ἰδεῖν διὰ τοῦτο ἐπέμψαμεν καὶ ἐγνωρίσαμεν τῷ βασιλεῖ
Ezra 4 15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time for which cause was this city destroyed. Ezra 4:15 so that a search may be made in the record books of your fathers. And you will discover in the record books and learn that that city is a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces, and that they have incited revolt within it in past days; therefore that city was laid waste. Ezra 4:15 ἵνα ἐπισκέψηται ἐν βιβλίῳ ὑπομνηματισμοῦ τῶν πατέρων σου καὶ εὑρήσεις καὶ γνώσῃ ὅτι ἡ πόλις ἐκείνη πόλις ἀποστάτις καὶ κακοποιοῦσα βασιλεῖς καὶ χώρας καὶ φυγάδια δούλων ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ χρόνων αἰῶνος διὰ ταῦτα ἡ πόλις αὕτη ἠρημώθη
Ezra 4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. Ezra 4:16 We inform the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River." Ezra 4:16 γνωρίζομεν οὖν ἡμεῖς τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅτι ἐὰν ἡ πόλις ἐκείνη οἰκοδομηθῇ καὶ τὰ τείχη αὐτῆς καταρτισθῇ οὐκ ἔστιν σοι εἰρήνη
Ezra 4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. Ezra 4:17 Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the River: "Peace. And now Ezra 4:17 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Ραουμ βααλταμ καὶ Σαμσαι γραμματέα καὶ τοὺς καταλοίπους συνδούλους αὐτῶν τοὺς οἰκοῦντας ἐν Σαμαρείᾳ καὶ τοὺς καταλοίπους πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ εἰρήνην καί φησιν
Ezra 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. Ezra 4:18 the document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me. Ezra 4:18 ὁ φορολόγος ὃν ἀπεστείλατε πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐκλήθη ἔμπροσθεν ἐμοῦ
Ezra 4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. Ezra 4:19 A decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it, Ezra 4:19 καὶ παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἐτέθη γνώμη καὶ ἐπεσκεψάμεθα καὶ εὕραμεν ὅτι ἡ πόλις ἐκείνη ἀφ᾽ ἡμερῶν αἰῶνος ἐπὶ βασιλεῖς ἐπαίρεται καὶ ἀποστάσεις καὶ φυγάδια γίνονται ἐν αὐτῇ
Ezra 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. Ezra 4:20 that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them. Ezra 4:20 καὶ βασιλεῖς ἰσχυροὶ γίνονται ἐπὶ Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἐπικρατοῦντες ὅλης τῆς ἑσπέρας τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ φόροι πλήρεις καὶ μέρος δίδοται αὐτοῖς
Ezra 4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. Ezra 4:21 So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me. Ezra 4:21 καὶ νῦν θέτε γνώμην καταργῆσαι τοὺς ἄνδρας ἐκείνους καὶ ἡ πόλις ἐκείνη οὐκ οἰκοδομηθήσεται ἔτι ὅπως ἀπὸ τῆς γνώμης
Ezra 4:22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? Ezra 4:22 Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?" Ezra 4:22 πεφυλαγμένοι ἦτε ἄνεσιν ποιῆσαι περὶ τούτου μήποτε πληθυνθῇ ἀφανισμὸς εἰς κακοποίησιν βασιλεῦσιν
Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Ezra 4:23 Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes' document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms. Ezra 4:23 τότε ὁ φορολόγος τοῦ Αρθασασθα βασιλέως ἀνέγνω ἐνώπιον Ραουμ καὶ Σαμσαι γραμματέως καὶ συνδούλων αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν σπουδῇ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἐν Ιουδα καὶ κατήργησαν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἵπποις καὶ δυνάμει
Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:24 Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:24 τότε ἤργησεν τὸ ἔργον οἴκου τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἦν ἀργοῦν ἕως δευτέρου ἔτους τῆς βασιλείας Δαρείου τοῦ βασιλέως Περσῶν

"Scripture above taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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