Delphi Septuagint, page 101
[12] Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from thee to us have come to Jerusalem the rebellious and wicked city, which they are building, and its walls are set in order, and they have established the foundations of it. [13] Now then be it known to the king, that if that city be built up, and its walls completed, thou shalt have no tribute, neither will they pay anything, and this injures kings. [14] And it is not lawful for us to see the dishonour of the king: therefore have we sent and made known the matter to the king; [15] That examination may be made in thy fathers’ book of record; and thou shalt find, and thou shalt know that city is rebellious, and does harm to kings and countries, and there are in the midst of it from very old time refuges for runaway slaves: therefore this city has been made desolate. [16] We therefore declare to the king, that, if that city be built, and its walls be set up, thou shalt not have peace.
[17] Then the king sent to Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and the rest of their fellow-servants who dwelt in Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, saying,Peace; and he says, [18] The tribute-gatherer whom ye sent to us, has been called before me. [19] And a decree has been made by me, and we have examined, and found that city of old time exalts itself against kings, and that rebellions and desertions take place within it. [20] And there were powerful kings in Jerusalem, and they ruled over all the country beyond the river, and abundant revenues and tribute were given to them. [21] Now therefore make a decree to stop the work of those men, and that city shall no more be built. [22] See that ye be careful of the decree, not to be remiss concerning this matter, lest at any time destruction should abound to the harm of kings.
[23] Then the tribute-gatherer of king Arthasastha read the letter before Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and his fellow-servants: and they went in haste to Jerusalem and through Juda, and caused them to cease with horses and an armed force. [24] Then ceased the work of the house of God in Jerusalem, and it was at a stand until the second year of the reign of Darius king of the Persians.
Chapter 5
[1] And Aggaeus the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo, prophesied a prophesy to the Jews in Juda and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even to them. [2] Then rose up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and began to build the house of God that was in Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God assisting them.
[3] At the same time came there upon them Thanthanai, the governor on this side the river, and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants, and spoke thus to them, Who has ordained a decree for you to build this house, and to provide this preparation? [4] Then they spoke thus to them, What are the names of the men that build this city? [5] But the eyes of God were upon the captivity of Juda, and they did not cause them to cease till the decree was brought to Darius; and then was sent by the tribute-gatherer concerning this [6] the copy of a letter, which Thanthanai, the governor of the part on this side the river, and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachaeans who were on this side of the river, sent to king Darius. [7] They sent an account to him, and thus it was written in it:
All peace to king Darius. [8] Be it known to the king, that we went into the land of Judea, to the house of the great God; and it is building with choice stones, and they are laying timbers in the walls, and that work is prospering, and goes on favorably in their hands. [9] Then we asked those elders, and thus we said to them, Who gave you the order to build this house, and to provide this preparation? [10] And we asked them their names, in order to declare them to thee, so as to write to thee the names of their leading men. [11] And they answered us thus, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building the house which had been built many years before this, and a great king of Israel built it, and established it for them. [12] But after that our fathers provoked the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the Chaldean, king of Babylon, and he destroyed this house, and carried the people captive to Babylon. [13] And in the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be built. [14] And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor brought out from the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried them into the temple of the king, them did king Cyrus bring out from the temple of the king, and gave them to Sabanasar the treasurer, who was over the treasurer; [15] and said to him, Take all the vessels, and go, put them in the house that is in Jerusalem in their place. [16] Then that Sabanazar came, and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem: and from that time even until now it has been building, and has not been finished. [17] And now, if it seem good to the king, lest search be made in the treasure-house of the king at Babylon, that thou mayest know if it be that a decree was made by king Cyrus to build that house of God that was in Jerusalem, and let the king send to us when he has learnt concerning this matter.
Chapter 6
[1] Then Darius the king made a decree, and caused a search to be made in the record-offices, where the treasure is stored in Babylon. [2] And there was found in the city, in the palace, a volume, and this was the record written in it.
[3] In the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the holy house of God that was in Jerusalem, saying,Let the house be built, and the place where they sacrifice the sacrifices. (Also he appointed its elevation, in height sixty cubits; its breadth was of sixty cubits.) [4] And let there be three strong layers of stone, and one layer of timber; and the expense shall be paid out of the house of the king. [5] And the silver and the gold vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor carried off from the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried to Babylon, let them even be given, and be carried to the temple that is in Jerusalem, and put in the place where they were set in the house of God.
[6] Now, ye rulers beyond the river, Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachaeans, who are on the other side of the river, give these things, keeping far from that place. [7] Now let alone the work of the house of God: let the rulers of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build that house of God on its place. [8] Also a decree has been made by me, if haply ye may do somewhat in concert with the elders of the Jews for the building of that house of God: to wit, out of the king’s property, even the tributes beyond the river, let there be money to defray the expenses carefully granted to those men, so that they be not hindered. [9] And whatever need there may be, ye shall give both the young of bulls and rams, and lambs for whole-burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, oil: — let it be given them according to the word of the priests that are in Jerusalem, day by day whatsoever they shall ask; [10] that they may offer sweet savours to the God of heaven, and that they may pray for the life of the king and his sons. [11] And a decree has been made by me, that every man who shall alter this word, timber shall be pulled down from his house, and let him be lifted up and slain upon it, and his house shall be confiscated. [12] And may the God whose name dwells there, overthrow every king and people who shall stretch out his hand to alter or destroy the house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be diligently attended to.
[13] Then Thanthanai the governor on this side beyond the river, Satharbuzanai, and his fellow-servants, according to that which king Darius sent, so they did diligently. [14] And the elders of the Jews and the Levites built, at the prophecy of Aggaeus the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo: and they built up, and finished it, by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Arthasastha, kings of the Persians.
[15] And they finished this house by the third day of the month Adar, which is the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
[16] And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of the house of God with gladness. [17] And they offered for the dedication of the house of God a hundred calves, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, twelve kids of the goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. [18] And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their separate orders, for the services of God in Jerusalem, according to the writing of the book of Moses.
[19] And the children of the captivity kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. [20] For the priests and Levites were purified, all were clean to a man, and they slew the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. [21] And the children of Israel ate the passover, even they that were of the captivity, and every one who separated himself to them from the uncleanness of the nations of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel. [22] and they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with gladness, because the Lord made them glad, and he turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the house of the God of Israel.
Chapter 7
[1] Now after these things, in the reign of Arthasastha king of the Persians, came up Esdras the son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Chelcias, [2] the son of Selum, the son of Sadduc, the son of Achitob, [3] the son of Samarias, the son of Esria, the son of Mareoth, [4] the son of Zaraia, the son of Ozias, the son of Bokki, [5] the son of Abisue, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the first priest. [6] This Esdras went up out of Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel gave: and the king gave him leave, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him in all things which he sought. [7] And some of the children of Israel went up, and some of the priests, and of the Levites, and the singers, and the door-keepers, and the Nathinim, to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Arthasastha the king. [8] And they came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, this was the seventh year of the king. [9] For in the first day of the first month he began the going up from Babylon, and in the first day of the fifth month, they came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was upon him. [10] For Esdras had determined in his heart to seek the law, and to do and teach the ordinances and judgments in Israel.
[11] And this is the copy of the order which Arthasastha gave to Esdras the priest, the scribe of the book of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his ordinances to Israel.
[12] Arthasastha, king of kings, to Esdras, the scribe of the law of the Lord God of heaven, Let the order and the answer be accomplished. [13] A decree is made by me, that every one who is willing in my kingdom of the people of Israel, and of the priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, be permitted to go with thee. [14] One has been sent from the king and the seven councillors, to visit Judea and Jerusalem, according to the law of their God that is in thine hand. [15] And for the house of the Lord there have been sent silver and gold, which the king and the councillors have freely given to the God of Israel, who dwells in Jerusalem. [16] And all the silver and gold, whatsoever thou shalt find in all the land of Babylon, with the freewill-offering of the people, and the priests that offer freely for the house of God which is in Jerusalem. [17] And as for every one that arrives there, speedily order him by this letter to bring calves, rams, lambs, and their meat-offerings, and their drink-offerings; and thou shalt offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. [18] And whatever it shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do as it is pleasing to your God. [19] And deliver the vessels that are given thee for the service of the house of God, before God in Jerusalem. [20] And as to the rest of the need of the house of thy God, thou shalt give from the king’s treasure-houses, [21] and from me, whatever it shall seem good to thee to give.
I king Arthasastha have made a decree for all the treasuries that are in the country beyond the river, that whatever Esdras the priest and scribe of the God of heaven may ask you, it shall be done speedily, [22] to the amount of a hundred talents of silver, and a hundred measures of wheat, and a hundred baths of wine, and a hundred baths of oil, and salt without reckoning. [23] Let whatever is in the decree of the God of heaven, be done: take heed lest any one make an attack on the house of the God of heaven, lest at any time there shall be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons. [24] Also this has been declared to you, with respect to all the priests, and Levites, the singers, porters, Nathinim and ministers of the house of God, let no tribute be paid to thee; thou shalt not have power to oppress them. [25] And thou, Esdras, as the wisdom of God is in thy hand, appoint scribes and judges, that they may judge for all the people beyond the river, all that know the law of the Lord thy God; and ye shall make it known to him that knows not.
[26] And whosoever shall not do the law of God, and the law of the king readily, judgment shall be taken upon him, whether for death or for chastisement, or for a fine of his property, or casting into prison.
[27] Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who has put it thus into the heart of the king, to glorify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem; [28] and has given me favour in the eyes of the king, and of his councillors, and all the rulers of the king, the exalted ones. And I was strengthened according to the good hand of God upon me, and I gathered chief men of Israel to go up with me.
Chapter 8
[1] And these are the heads of their families, the leaders that went up with me in the reign of Arthasastha the king of Babylon. [2] Of the sons of Phinees; Gerson: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Attus. [3] Of the sons of Sachania, and the sons of Phoros; Zacharias: and with him a company of a hundred and fifty. [4] Of the sons of Phaath-Moab; Eliana the son of Saraia, and with him two hundred that were males. [5] And of the sons of Zathoes; Sechenias the son of Aziel, and with him three hundred males. [6] And of the sons of Adin; Obeth the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males. [7] And of the sons of Elam; Isaeas the son of Athelia, and with him seventy males. [8] And of the sons of Saphatia; Zabadias the son of Michael, and with him eighty males. [9] And of the sons of Joab; Abadia the son of Jeiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males. [10] And of the sons of Baani; Selimuth the son of Josephia, and with him a hundred and sixty males. [11] And of the sons of Babi; Zacharias the son of Babi, and with him twenty-eight males. [12] And of the sons of Asgad; Joanan the son of Accatan, and with him a hundred and ten males. [13] And of the sons of Adonicam were the last, and these were their names, Eliphalat, Jeel, and Samaea, and with them sixty males. [14] And of the sons of Baguae, Uthai, and Zabud, and with him seventy males. [15] And I gathered them to the river that comes to Evi, and we encamped there three days: and I reviewed the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there. [16] And I sent men of understanding to Eleazar, to Ariel, to Semeias, and to Alonam, and to Jarib, and to Elnatham, and to Nathan, and to Zacharias, and to Mesollam, and to Joarim, and to Elnathan. [17] And I forwarded them to the rulers with the money of the place, and I put words in their mouth to speak to their brethren the Athinim with the money of the place, that they should bring us singers for the house of our God. [18] And they came to us, as the good hand of our God was upon us, even a man of understanding of the sons of Mooli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, and at the commencement came his sons and his brethren, eighteen. [19] And Asebia, and Isaia of the sons of Merari, his brethren and his sons, twenty. [20] And of the Nathinim; whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites there were two hundred and twenty Nathinim; all were gathered by their names.
[21] And I proclaimed there a fast, at the river Aue, that we should humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our children, and for all our property. [22] For I was ashamed to ask of the king a guard and horsemen to save us from the enemy in the way: for we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all that seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath are upon all that forsake him. [23] So we fasted, and asked of our God concerning this; and he hearkened to us.
[24] And I gave charge to twelve of the chiefs of the priests, to Saraia, to Asabia, and ten of their brethren with them. [25] And I weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of the first-fruits of the house of our God, which the king, and his councillors, and his princes, and all Israel that were found, had dedicated. [26] I even weighed into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred silver vessels, and a hundred talents of gold; [27] and twenty golden bowls, weighing about a thousand drachms, and superior vessels of fine shining brass, precious as gold. [28] And I said to them, Ye are holy to the Lord; and the vessels are holy; and the silver and the gold are freewill-offerings to the Lord God of our fathers. [29] Be watchful and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief priests and the Levites, and the chiefs of families in Jerusalem, at the chambers of the house of the Lord. [30] So the priests and the Levites took the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring to Jerusalem into the house of our God.
[31] And we departed from the river of Aue on the twelfth day of the first month, to come to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and delivered us from the hand of the enemy and adversary in the way. [32] And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. [33] And it came to pass on the fourth day that we weighed the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, in the house of our God, into the hand of Merimoth the son of Uria the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinees, and with them Jozabad the son of Jesus, and Noadia the son of Banaia, the Levites. [34] All things were reckoned by number and weight, and the whole weight was written down.
