Ezra

Describes the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

Chapter 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;

*When those against Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of those taken away were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel,

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.

*Then Zerubbabel and the leaders were approached, and they said, "Let's build together because we also worship your God in the same way. We have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria, who brought us here."

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.

*But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel told them, "You can't help us build a house for our God. We will build it ourselves to honor the LORD God of Israel, just like King Cyrus of Persia asked us to do."

4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

*Then the locals made it difficult for the people of Judah to build, causing them trouble and weakening their efforts.

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.

*Cyrus, the king of Persia, hired advisors to work against his enemies and stop their plans. This went on until another king, named Darius, took power in Persia.

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.

*In King Ahasuerus's time, at the start of his rule, people accused the people of Judah and Jerusalem of wrongdoing.

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.

*In King Artaxerxes' time, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their other friends wrote a letter to him. The letter was in the Syrian language, and it was translated into the Syrian language too.

8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

*Rehum, the chancellor, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes that was against Jerusalem.

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,

*Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and their other friends wrote. This group included Dinaites, Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, Dehavites, and Elamites.

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.

*And all other countries that the powerful and important Asnapper took with him, and placed in Samaria's cities, and those remaining on this side of the river too, during that specific time.

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.

*This is the message they sent to King Artaxerxes: Your servants on our side of the river send their greetings at this specific time.

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.

*The king should know that the Jewish people who came from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding the disobedient and unfriendly city, putting up its walls, and connecting the foundation stones.

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.

*The king should know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, the people won't have to pay taxes or fees. This would harm the money the kings receive.

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;

*Now that we get support from the king's palace, we didn't think it right to witness the king's disgrace. So, we sent a message to inform the king about this.

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.

*Look in the history book of your ancestors to find information about this city. You will learn that it was a rebellious city causing trouble for kings and regions throughout history. This is why it was eventually destroyed.

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.

*We confirm to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls restored, you will not have any share beyond the river.

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.

*The king sent a message to Rehum, the chancellor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their friends living in Samaria, as well as those beyond the river: "Peace and greetings at this time."

18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

*The message you sent was clearly read to me.

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.

*I ordered a search, and it was discovered that this ancient city often rebelled against kings and had acts of rebellion and unrest within it.

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.

*Big rulers were also in charge of Jerusalem, controlling lands far away. They received taxes, fees, and payments from everyone.

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.

*Tell these men to stop working on the city, and don't rebuild it until I give you another order.

22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

*Be careful not to fail in doing this: why would you want harm to increase for the kings' sake?

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.

*When King Artaxerxes' letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their friends, they quickly went to Jerusalem and used force and power to stop the Jews.

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.

*Then, the construction of God's house in Jerusalem stopped. This halt lasted until the second year of King Darius's rule over Persia.

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