Ezra 1-2
New Living Translation
Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Return
1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia,[a] the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah.[b] He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:
2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says:
“The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! 4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”
5 Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. 6 And all their neighbors assisted by giving them articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings.
7 King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah.[c] 9 This is a list of the items that were returned:
gold basins | 30 |
silver basins | 1,000 |
silver incense burners[d] | 29 |
10 gold bowls | 30 |
silver bowls | 410 |
other items | 1,000 |
11 In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar brought all of these along when the exiles went from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Exiles Who Returned with Zerubbabel
2 Here is the list of the Jewish exiles of the provinces who returned from their captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar had deported them to Babylon, but now they returned to Jerusalem and the other towns in Judah where they originally lived. 2 Their leaders were Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
This is the number of the men of Israel who returned from exile:
3 The family of Parosh | 2,172 |
4 The family of Shephatiah | 372 |
5 The family of Arah | 775 |
6 The family of Pahath-moab (descendants of Jeshua and Joab) | 2,812 |
7 The family of Elam | 1,254 |
8 The family of Zattu | 945 |
9 The family of Zaccai | 760 |
10 The family of Bani | 642 |
11 The family of Bebai | 623 |
12 The family of Azgad | 1,222 |
13 The family of Adonikam | 666 |
14 The family of Bigvai | 2,056 |
15 The family of Adin | 454 |
16 The family of Ater (descendants of Hezekiah) | 98 |
17 The family of Bezai | 323 |
18 The family of Jorah | 112 |
19 The family of Hashum | 223 |
20 The family of Gibbar | 95 |
21 The people of Bethlehem | 123 |
22 The people of Netophah | 56 |
23 The people of Anathoth | 128 |
24 The people of Beth-azmaveth[e] | 42 |
25 The people of Kiriath-jearim,[f] Kephirah, and Beeroth | 743 |
26 The people of Ramah and Geba | 621 |
27 The people of Micmash | 122 |
28 The people of Bethel and Ai | 223 |
29 The citizens of Nebo | 52 |
30 The citizens of Magbish | 156 |
31 The citizens of West Elam[g] | 1,254 |
32 The citizens of Harim | 320 |
33 The citizens of Lod, Hadid, and Ono | 725 |
34 The citizens of Jericho | 345 |
35 The citizens of Senaah | 3,630 |
36 These are the priests who returned from exile:
The family of Jedaiah (through the line of Jeshua) | 973 |
37 The family of Immer | 1,052 |
38 The family of Pashhur | 1,247 |
39 The family of Harim | 1,017 |
40 These are the Levites who returned from exile:
The families of Jeshua and Kadmiel (descendants of Hodaviah) | 74 |
41 The singers of the family of Asaph | 128 |
42 The gatekeepers of the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai | 139 |
43 The descendants of the following Temple servants returned from exile:
Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
44 Keros, Siaha, Padon,
45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,
46 Hagab, Shalmai,[h] Hanan,
47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,
48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,
49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai,
50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim,
51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,
53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah,
54 Neziah, and Hatipha.
55 The descendants of these servants of King Solomon returned from exile:
Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,
56 Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel,
57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-hazzebaim, and Ami.
58 In all, the Temple servants and the descendants of Solomon’s servants numbered 392.
59 Another group returned at this time from the towns of Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Kerub, Addan, and Immer. However, they could not prove that they or their families were descendants of Israel. 60 This group included the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda—a total of 652 people.
61 Three families of priests—Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai—also returned. (This Barzillai had married a woman who was a descendant of Barzillai of Gilead, and he had taken her family name.) 62 They searched for their names in the genealogical records, but they were not found, so they were disqualified from serving as priests. 63 The governor told them not to eat the priests’ share of food from the sacrifices until a priest could consult the Lord about the matter by using the Urim and Thummim—the sacred lots.
64 So a total of 42,360 people returned to Judah, 65 in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 singers, both men and women. 66 They took with them 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
68 When they arrived at the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders made voluntary offerings toward the rebuilding of God’s Temple on its original site, 69 and each leader gave as much as he could. The total of their gifts came to 61,000 gold coins,[i] 6,250 pounds[j] of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.
70 So the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, the Temple servants, and some of the common people settled in villages near Jerusalem. The rest of the people returned to their own towns throughout Israel.
Footnotes
- 1:1a The first year of Cyrus’s reign over Babylon was 538 B.c.
- 1:1b See Jer 25:11-12; 29:10.
- 1:8 Hebrew Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
- 1:9 The meaning of this Hebrew word is uncertain.
- 2:24 As in parallel text at Neh 7:28; Hebrew reads Azmaveth.
- 2:25 As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek version (see also Neh 7:29); Hebrew reads Kiriath-arim.
- 2:31 Or of the other Elam.
- 2:46 As in an alternate reading of the Masoretic Text (see also Neh 7:48); the other alternate reads Shamlai.
- 2:69a Hebrew 61,000 darics of gold, about 1,100 pounds or 500 kilograms in weight.
- 2:69b Hebrew 5,000 minas [3,000 kilograms].
Ezra 1-2
New International Version
Cyrus Helps the Exiles to Return(A)
1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah,(B) the Lord moved the heart(C) of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed(D) me to build(E) a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 4 And in any locality where survivors(F) may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold,(G) with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings(H) for the temple of God(I) in Jerusalem.’”(J)
5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin,(K) and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved(L)—prepared to go up and build the house(M) of the Lord in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold,(N) with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
7 Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.[a](O) 8 Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar(P) the prince of Judah.
9 This was the inventory:
gold dishes | 30 |
silver dishes | 1,000 |
silver pans[b] | 29 |
10 gold bowls | 30 |
matching silver bowls | 410 |
other articles | 1,000 |
11 In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
The List of the Exiles Who Returned(Q)
2 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles,(R) whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon(S) had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town,(T) 2 in company with Zerubbabel,(U) Joshua,(V) Nehemiah, Seraiah,(W) Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah):
The list of the men of the people of Israel:
3 the descendants of Parosh(X) | 2,172 |
4 of Shephatiah | 372 |
5 of Arah | 775 |
6 of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab) | 2,812 |
7 of Elam | 1,254 |
8 of Zattu | 945 |
9 of Zakkai | 760 |
10 of Bani | 642 |
11 of Bebai | 623 |
12 of Azgad | 1,222 |
13 of Adonikam(Y) | 666 |
14 of Bigvai | 2,056 |
15 of Adin | 454 |
16 of Ater (through Hezekiah) | 98 |
17 of Bezai | 323 |
18 of Jorah | 112 |
19 of Hashum | 223 |
20 of Gibbar | 95 |
21 the men of Bethlehem(Z) | 123 |
22 of Netophah | 56 |
23 of Anathoth | 128 |
24 of Azmaveth | 42 |
25 of Kiriath Jearim,[c] Kephirah and Beeroth | 743 |
26 of Ramah(AA) and Geba | 621 |
27 of Mikmash | 122 |
28 of Bethel and Ai(AB) | 223 |
29 of Nebo | 52 |
30 of Magbish | 156 |
31 of the other Elam | 1,254 |
32 of Harim | 320 |
33 of Lod, Hadid and Ono | 725 |
34 of Jericho(AC) | 345 |
35 of Senaah | 3,630 |
36 The priests:
the descendants of Jedaiah(AD) (through the family of Jeshua) | 973 |
37 of Immer(AE) | 1,052 |
38 of Pashhur(AF) | 1,247 |
39 of Harim(AG) | 1,017 |
40 The Levites:(AH)
the descendants of Jeshua(AI) and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah) | 74 |
41 The musicians:(AJ)
the descendants of Asaph | 128 |
42 The gatekeepers(AK) of the temple:
the descendants of | |
Shallum, Ater, Talmon, | |
Akkub, Hatita and Shobai | 139 |
43 The temple servants:(AL)
the descendants of |
Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, |
44 Keros, Siaha, Padon, |
45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, |
46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, |
47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, |
48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, |
49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai, |
50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim, |
51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, |
52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, |
53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, |
54 Neziah and Hatipha |
55 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:
the descendants of |
Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, |
56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, |
57 Shephatiah, Hattil, |
Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami |
58 The temple servants(AM) and the descendants of the servants of Solomon | 392 |
59 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended(AN) from Israel:
60 The descendants of | |
Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda | 652 |
61 And from among the priests:
The descendants of |
Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite(AO) and was called by that name). |
62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood(AP) as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food(AQ) until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.(AR)
64 The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers.(AS) 66 They had 736 horses,(AT) 245 mules, 67 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families(AU) gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics[d] of gold, 5,000 minas[e] of silver and 100 priestly garments.
70 The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.(AV)
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
New Living Translation
The Wisdom of God
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”[a]
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[b] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy[c] when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world,[d] things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”[e]
Paul’s Message of Wisdom
2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters,[f] I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.[g] 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
New International Version
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(A) to those who are perishing,(B) but to us who are being saved(C) it is the power of God.(D) 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](E)
20 Where is the wise person?(F) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(G) Has not God made foolish(H) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(I) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(J) those who believe.(K) 22 Jews demand signs(L) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(M) a stumbling block(N) to Jews and foolishness(O) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(P) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(Q) and the wisdom of God.(R) 25 For the foolishness(S) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(T) of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(U) Not many of you were wise(V) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(W) the foolish(X) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(Y)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(Z) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(AA) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(AB) holiness(AC) and redemption.(AD) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b](AE)
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom(AF) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[c] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.(AG) 3 I came to you(AH) in weakness(AI) with great fear and trembling.(AJ) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,(AK) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,(AL) 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.(AM)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24
- 1 Corinthians 2:1 Some manuscripts proclaimed to you God’s mystery
Psalm 27:7-14
New Living Translation
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:7-14
New International Version
7 Hear my voice(A) when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.(B)
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!(C)”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face(D) from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;(E)
you have been my helper.(F)
Do not reject me or forsake(G) me,
God my Savior.(H)
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way,(I) Lord;
lead me in a straight path(J)
because of my oppressors.(K)
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses(L) rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
Proverbs 20:22-23
New Living Translation
22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”
Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
23 The Lord detests double standards;
he is not pleased by dishonest scales.
Proverbs 20:22-23
New International Version
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(C)
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