Chapter 86

10:38. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites in the tithes of the Levites, and the Levites shall offer the tithe of their tithes in the house of our God, to the storeroom into the treasure house.

10:39. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall carry to the treasury the firstfruits of corn, of wine, and of oil: and the sanctified vessels shall be there, and the priests, and the singing men, and the porters, and ministers, and we will not forsake the house of our God.

2 Esdras Chapter 11

Who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the other cities.

11:1. And the princes of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: but the rest of the people cast lots, to take one part in ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

11:2. And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

11:3. These therefore are the chief men of the province, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda. And every one dwelt in his possession, in their cities: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon.

11:4. And in Jerusalem there dwelt some of the children of Juda, and some of the children of Benjamin: of the children of Juda, Athaias the son of Aziam, the son of Zacharias, the son of Amarias, the son of Saphatias, the son of Malaleel: of the sons of Phares,

11:5. Maasia the son of Baruch, the son of Cholhoza, the son of Hazia, the son of Adaia, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zacharias, the son of the Silonite:

11:6. All these the sons of Phares, who dwelt in Jerusalem, were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.

11:7. And these are the children of Benjamin: Sellum the son of Mosollam, the son of Joed, the son of Phadaia, the son of Colaia, the son of Masia, the son of Etheel, the son of Isaia.

11:8. And after him Gebbai, Sellai, nine hundred twenty-eight.

11:9. And Joel the son of Zechri their ruler, and Judas the son of Senua was second over the city.

11:10. And of the priests Idaia the son of Joarib, Jachin,

11:11. Saraia the son of Helcias, the son of Mosollam, the son of Sadoc, the son of Meraioth, the son of Achitob the prince of the house of God,

11:12. And their brethren that do the works of the temple: eight hundred twenty-two. And Adaia the son of Jeroham, the son of Phelelia, the son of Amsi, the son of Zacharias, the son of Pheshur, the son of Melchias,

11:13. And his brethren the chiefs of the fathers: two hundred forty-two. And Amassai the son of Azreel, the son of Ahazi, the son of Mosollamoth, the son of Emmer,

11:14. And their brethren who were very mighty, a hundred twenty-eight: and their ruler Zabdiel son of the mighty.

11:15. And of the Levites Semeia the son of Hasub, the son of Azaricam, the son of Hasabia, the son of Boni,

11:16. And Sabathai and Jozabed, who were over all the outward business of the house of God, of the princes of the Levites,

11:17. And Mathania the son of Micha, the son of Zebedei, the son of Asaph, was the principal man to praise, and to give glory in prayer, and Becbecia, the second, one of his brethren, and Abda the son of Samua, the son of Galal, the son of Idithun.

11:18. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.

11:19. And the porters, Accub, Telmon, and their brethren, who kept the doors: a hundred seventy-two.

11:20. And the rest of Israel, the priests and the Levites were in all the cities of Juda, every man in his possession.

11:21. And the Nathinites, that dwelt in Ophel, and Siaha, and Gaspha of the Nathinites.

11:22. And the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem, was Azzi the son of Bani, the son of Hasabia, the son of Mathania, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, were the singing men in the ministry of the house of God.

11:23. For the king’s commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men day by day.

11:24. And Phathahia the son of Mesezebel of the children of Zara the son of Juda was at the hand of the king, in all matters concerning the people,

11:25. And in the houses through all their countries. Of the children of Juda some dwelt at Cariath-Arbe, and in the villages thereof: and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof: and at Cabseel, and in the villages thereof.

11:26. And at Jesue, and at Molada, and at Bethphaleth,

11:27. And at Hasersual, and at Bersabee, and in the villages thereof,

11:28. And at Siceleg, and at Mochona, and in the villages thereof,

11:29. And at Remmon, and at Saraa, and at Jerimuth,

11:30. Zanoa, Odollam, and in their villages, at Lachis and its dependencies, and at Azeca and the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Bersabee unto the valley of Ennom.

11:31. And the children of Benjamin, from Geba, at Mechmas, and at Hai, and at Bethel, and in the villages thereof,

11:32. At Anathoth, Nob, Anania,

11:33. Asor, Rama, Gethaim,

11:34. Hadid, Seboim, and Neballat, Lod,

11:35. And Ono the valley of craftsmen.

11:36. And of the Levites were portions of Juda and Benjamin.

2 Esdras Chapter 12

The priests, and Levites that came up with Zorobabel. The succession of high priests: the solemnity of the dedication of the wall.

12:1. Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras,

12:2. Amaria, Melluch, Hattus,

12:3. Sebenias, Rheum, Merimuth,

12:4. Addo, Genthon, Abia,

12:5. Miamin, Madia, Belga,

12:6. Semeia, and Joiarib, Idaia, Sellum Amoc, Helcias,

12:7. Idaia. These were the chief of the priests, and of their brethren in the days of Josue.

12:8. And the Levites, Jesua, Bennui, Cedmihel, Sarebia, Juda, Mathanias, they and their brethren were over the hymns:

12:9. And Becbecia, and Hanni, and their brethren every one in his office.

12:10. And Josue begot Joacim, and Joacim begot Eliasib, and Eliasib begot Joiada,

12:11. And Joiada begot Jonathan and Jonathan begot Jeddoa.

12:12. And in the days of Joacim the priests and heads of the families were: Of Saraia, Maraia: of Jeremias, Hanania:

12:13. Of Esdras, Mosollam: and of Amaria, Johanan:

12:14. Of Milicho, Jonathan: of Sebenia, Joseph:

12:15. Of Haram, Edna: of Maraioth, Helci:

12:16. Of Adaia, Zacharia: of Genthon, Mosollam:

12:17. Of Abia, Zechri: of Miamin and Moadia, Phelti:

12:18. Of Belga, Sammua of Semaia, Jonathan:

12:19. Of Joiarib, Mathanai: of Jodaia, Azzi:

12:20. Of Sellai, Celai: of Amoc, Heber:

12:21. Of Helcias, Hasebia: of Idaia, Nathanael.

12:22. The Levites the chiefs of the families in the days of Eliasib, and Joiada, and Johanan, and Jeddoa, were recorded, and the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian.

12:23. The sons of Levi, heads of the families were written in the book of Chronicles, even unto the days of Jonathan the son of Eliasib.

12:24. Now the chief of the Levites were Hasebia, Serebia, and Josue the son of Cedmihel: and their brethren by their courses, to praise and to give thanks according to the commandment of David the man of God, and to wait equally in order.

12:25. Mathania, and Becbecia, Obedia, and Mosollam, Telmon, Accub, were keepers of the gates and of the entrances before the gates.

12:26. These were in the days of Joacim the son of Josue, the son of Josedec, and in the days of Nehemias the governor, and of Esdras the priest and scribe.

12:27. And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, and to keep the dedication, and to rejoice with thanksgiving, and with singing, and with cymbals, and psalteries and harps.

12:28. And the sons of the singing men were gathered together out of the plain country about Jerusalem, and out of the villages of Nethuphati,

12:29. And from the house of Galgal, and from the countries of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singing men had built themselves villages round about Jerusalem.

12:30. And the priests and the Levites were purified, and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

12:31. And I made the princes of Juda go up upon the wall, and I appointed two great choirs to give praise. And they went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate.

12:32. And after them went Osaias, and half of the princes of Juda,

12:33. And Azarias, Esdras, and Mosollam, Judas, and Benjamin, and Semeia, and Jeremias.

12:34. And of the sons of the priests with trumpets, Zacharias the son of Jonathan, the son of Semeia, the son of Mathania, the son of Michaia, the son of Zechur, the son of Asaph,

12:35. And his brethren Semeia, and Azareel, Malalai, Galalai, Maai, Nathanael, and Judas, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God: and Esdras the scribe before them at the fountain gate.

12:36. And they went up over against them by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall of the house of David, and to the water gate eastward:

12:37. And the second choir of them that gave thanks went on the opposite side, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, and upon the tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,

12:38. And above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Emath, and even to the flock gate: and they stood still in the watch gate.

12:39. And the two choirs of them that gave praise stood still at the house of God, and I and the half of the magistrates with me.

12:40. And the priests, Eliachim, Maasia, Miamin, Michea, Elioenai, Zacharia, Hanania with trumpets,

12:41. And Maasia, and Semeia, and Eleazar, and Azzi, and Johanan, and Melchia, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sung loud, and Jezraia was their overseer:

12:42. And they sacrificed on that day great sacrifices, and they rejoiced: for God had made them joyful with great joy: their wives also and their children rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.

12:43. They appointed also in that day men over the storehouses of the treasure, for the libations, and for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, that the rulers of the city might bring them in by them in honour of thanksgiving, for the priests and Levites: for Juda was joyful in the priests and Levites that assisted.

12:44. And they kept the watch of their God, and the observance of expiation, and the singing men, and the porters, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

12:45. For in the days of David and Asaph from the beginning there were chief singers appointed, to praise with canticles, and give thanks to God.

12:46. And all Israel, in the days of Zorobabel, and in the days of Nehemias gave portions to the singing men, and to the porters, day by day, and they sanctified the Levites, and the Levites sanctified the sons of Aaron.

Sanctified.... That is, they gave them that which by the law was set aside, and sanctified for their use.

2 Esdras Chapter 13

Divers abuses are reformed.

13:1. And on that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people: and therein was found written, that the Ammonites and the Moabites should not come in to the church of God for ever:

13:2. Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired against them Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing.

13:3. And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated every stranger from Israel.

13:4. And over this thing was Eliasib the priest, who was set over the treasury of the house of our God, and was near akin to Tobias.

Over this thing, etc.... Or, he was faulty in this thing, or in this kind.

13:5. And he made him a great storeroom, where before him they laid up gifts, and frankincense, and vessels, and the tithes of the corn, of the wine, and of the oil, the portions of the Levites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and the firstfruits of the priests.

13:6. But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem, because in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, I went to the king, and after certain days I asked the king:

13:7. And I came to Jerusalem, and I understood the evil that Eliasib had done for Tobias, to make him a storehouse in the courts of the house of God.

13:8. And it seemed to me exceeding evil. And I cast forth the vessels of the house of Tobias out of the storehouse.

13:9. And I commanded and they cleansed the storehouses: and I brought thither again the vessels of the house of God, the sacrifice, and the frankincense.

13:10. And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: and that the Levites, and the singing men, and they that ministered were fled away every man to his own country:

13:11. And I pleaded the matter against the magistrates, and said: Why have we forsaken the house of God? And I gathered them together, and I made them to stand in their places.

13:12. And all Juda brought the tithe of the corn, and the wine, and the oil into the storehouses.

13:13. And we set over the storehouses Selemias the priest, and Sadoc the scribe, and of the Levites Phadaia, and next to them Hanan the son of Zachur, the son of Mathania: for they were approved as faithful, and to them were committed the portions of their brethren.

13:14. Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies.

13:15. In those days I saw in Juda some treading the presses on the sabbath, and carrying sheaves, and lading asses with wine, and grapes, and figs, and all manner of burthens, and bringing them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. And I charged them that they should sell on a day on which it was lawful to sell.

13:16. Some Tyrians also dwelt there, who brought fish, and all manner of wares: and they sold them on the sabbaths to the children of Juda in Jerusalem.

13:17. And I rebuked the chief men of Juda, and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day:

13:18. Did not our fathers do these things, and our God brought all this evil upon us, and upon this city? And you bring more wrath upon Israel by violating the sabbath.

13:19. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem were at rest on the sabbath day, I spoke: and they shut the gates, and I commanded that they should not open them till after the sabbath: and I set some of my servants at the gates, that none should bring in burthens on the sabbath day.

13:20. So the merchants, and they that sold all kinds of wares, stayed without Jerusalem, once or twice.

13:21. And I charged them, and I said to them: Why stay you before the wall? if you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the sabbath.

13:22. I spoke also to the Levites that they should be purified, and should come to keep the gates, and to sanctify the sabbath day: for this also remember me, O my God, and spare me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

13:23. In those days also I saw Jews that married wives, women of Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab.

13:24. And their children spoke half in the speech of Azotus, and could not speak the Jews’ language, but they spoke according to the language of this and that people.

13:25. And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, nor for themselves, saying:

13:26. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing: and surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: and yet women of other countries brought even him to sin.

13:27. And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women:

13:28. And one of the sons of Joiada the son of Eliasib the high priest, was son in law to Sanaballat the Horonite, and I drove him from me.

13:29. Remember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the law of priests and Levites.

13:30. So I separated from them all strangers, and I appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, every man in his ministry:

13:31. And for the offering of wood at times appointed, and for the firstfruits: remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen.

THE BOOK OF TOBIAS

This Book takes its name from the holy man Tobias, whose wonderful virtues are herein recorded. It contains most excellent documents of great piety, extraordinary patience, and of a perfect resignation to the will of God. His humble prayer was heard, and the angel Raphael was sent to relieve him: he is thankful and praises the Lord, calling on the children of Israel to do the same. Having lived to the age of one hundred and two years, he exhorts his son and grandsons to piety, foretells the destruction of Ninive and the rebuilding of Jerusalem: he dies happily.

Tobias Chapter 1

Tobias’s early piety: his works of mercy, particularly in burying the dead.

1:1. Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)

1:2. When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,

1:3. But every day gave all he could get to his brethren his fellow captives, that were of his kindred.

1:4. And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.

1:5. Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,

1:6. And went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes,

1:7. So that in the third year he gave all his tithes to the proselytes, and strangers.

1:8. These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.

1:9. But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name,

1:10. And from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.

1:11. And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,

1:12. (When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.

1:13. And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favour in the sight of Salmanasar the king.

1:14. And he gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind.

1:15. He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.

1:16. And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king:

1:17. And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.

1:18. But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel:

1:19. Tobias daily went among all his kindred and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:

1:20. He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.

1:21. And when king Sennacherib was come back, fleeing from Judea by reason of the slaughter that God had made about him for his blasphemy, and being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies.

1:22. But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance.

1:23. But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.

1:24. But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons.

1:25. And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.

Tobias Chapter 2

Tobias leaveth his dinner to bury the dead: he loseth his sight by God’s permission, for manifestation of his patience.

2:1. But after this, when there was a festival of the Lord, and a good dinner was prepared in Tobias’s house,

2:2. He said to his son: Go, and bring some of our tribe that fear God, to feast with us.

2:3. And when he had gone, returning he told him, that one of the children of Israel lay slain in the street. And he forthwith leaped up from his place at the table, and left his dinner, and came fasting to the body.

2:4. And taking it up carried it privately to his house, that after the sun was down, he might bury him cautiously.

2:5. And when he had hid the body, he ate bread with mourning and fear,

2:6. Remembering the word which the Lord spoke by Amos the prophet: Your festival days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning.

2:7. So when the sun was down, he went and buried him.

2:8. Now all his neighbours blamed him, saying: once already commandment was given for thee to be slain because of this matter, and thou didst scarce escape the sentence of death, and dost thou again bury the dead?

2:9. But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them.

2:10. Now it happened one day that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down by the wall and slept,

2:11. And as he was sleeping, hot dung out of a swallow’s nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind.

2:12. Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job.

2:13. For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him,

2:14. But continued immoveable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life.

2:15. For as the kings insulted over holy Job: so his relations and kinsmen mocked at his life, saying:

Kings.... So Job’s three friends are here called, because they were princes in their respective territories.

2:16. Where is thy hope, for which thou gavest alms, and buriedst the dead?

2:17. But Tobias rebuked them, saying: Speak not so:

2:18. For we are the children of saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.

2:19. Now Anna his wife went daily to weaving work, and she brought home what she could get for their living by the labour of her hands.

2:20. Whereby it came to pass, that she received a young kid, and brought it home:

2:21. And when her husband heard it bleating, he said: Take heed, lest perhaps it be stolen: restore ye it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat or to touch any thing that cometh by theft.

2:22. At these words his wife being angry answered: It is evident thy hope is come to nothing, and thy alms now appear.

2:23. And with these and other, such like words she upbraided him.

Tobias Chapter 3

The prayer of Tobias, and of Sara, in their several afflictions, are heard by God, and the angel Raphael is sent to relieve them.

3:1. Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears,

3:2. Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:

3:3. And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offences, nor those of my parents.

3:4. For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us.

3:5. And now, O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee.