OET-RV L ESD Chapter 1

1 The second book of the prophet Ezra, the son of Serayah, the son of Azaryah, the son of Hilkiyah, the son of Shalum, the son of Tsadok, the son of Ahituv, 2 the son of Ahiyah, the son of Pinhas, the son of Eli, the son of Amaryah, the son of Uzi, the son of Merayot, the son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Buki, the son of Avishua, the son of Pinhas, the son of Eleazar, 3 the son of Aharon (Aaron), of the tribe of Levi, who was captive in the land of the Madim (Medes), in the reign of Artahshashta (Artaxerxes) king of the Persians.

4 The master’s word came to me, saying, 5 “Go your way and show my people their sinful actions, and their children their wickedness which they’ve done against me, that they may tell their children’s children, 6 because the sins of their fathers have increased in them, for they’ve forgotten me, and have offered sacrifices to foreign gods. 7 Didn’t I bring them out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt), out of the house of bondage? But they’ve provoked me to anger and have despised my counsels. 8 So pull out the hair of your head and throw all evils on them, for they haven’t been obedient to my law, but they’re a rebellious people. 9 How long must I put up with them, to whom I’ve done so much good? 10 I have overthrown many kings for their sakes. I’ve struck down Par’oh (Pharaoh) with his servants and all his army. 11 I’ve destroyed all the nations before them. In the east, I’ve scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tsor (Tyre) and Tsidon (Sidon), and have slain all their adversaries. 12 Speak therefore to them, saying:

13 “The master says, truly I brought you through the sea, and where there was no path I made highways for you. I gave you Mosheh (Moses) for a leader and Aharon (Aaron) for a priest. 14 I gave you light in a pillar of fire. I’ve done great wonders among you, yet you’ve forgotten me, says the master.

15 “The master Almighty says: The quails were for a token to you. I gave you a camp for your protection, but you complained there. 16 You didn’t celebrate in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but even to this day you still complain. 17 Where are the benefits that I’ve given you? When you were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, didn’t you cry to me, 18 saying, ‘Why have you brought us into this wilderness to kill us? It’d have been better for us to have served the Mitsrim (Egyptians) than to die in this wilderness.’ 19 I had pity on your mourning and gave you manna for food. You ate angels’ bread. 20 When you were thirsty, didn’t I split the rock, and water flowed out in abundance? Because of the heat, I covered you with the leaves of the trees. 21 I divided fruitful lands among you. I drove out the Kena’anim (Canaanites), the Perizi, and the Pelishtim before you. What more can I do for you?” says the master.

22 The master Almighty says, “When you were in the wilderness, at the bitter stream, being thirsty and blaspheming my name, 23 I gave you not fire for your blasphemies, but threw a tree in the water, and made the river sweet. 24 What should I do to you, Oh Ya’akov (Jacob)? You, Yehudah (Judah), wouldn’t obey me. I’ll turn myself to other nations, and I’ll give my name to them, that they may keep my statutes. 25 Since you’ve forsaken me, I also will forsake you. When you ask me to be merciful to you, I’ll have no mercy on you. 26 Whenever you call on me, I won’t hear you, for you’ve defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit murder. 27 It isn’t as though you’ve forsaken me, but your own selves,” says the master.

28 The master Almighty says, “Haven’t I asked you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babies, 29 that you’d be my people, and I’d be your god, that you’d be my children, and I’d be your father? 30 I gathered you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But now, what should I do to you? I’ll throw you out from my presence. 31 When you offer burnt sacrifices to me, I’ll turn my face from you, for I’ve rejected your solemn feast days, your new moons, and your circumcisions of the flesh. 32 I sent to you my servants the prophets, whom you’ve taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I’ll require from you,” says the master.

33 The master Almighty says, “Your house is desolate. I’ll throw you out as the wind blows stubble. 34 Your children won’t be fruitful, for they’ve neglected my commandment to you, and done that which is evil before me. 35 I’ll give your houses to a people that’ll come, which not having heard of me yet believe me. Those to whom I’ve shown no signs will do what I’ve commanded. 36 They’ve seen no prophets, yet they’ll remember their former condition. 37 I call to witness the gratitude of the people who’ll come, whose little ones rejoice with gladness. Although they see me not with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they’ll believe what I say.”

38 And now, father, look in glory and see the people that come from the east: 39 to whom I’ll give for leaders, Avraham, Yitshak (Isaac), and Ya’akov (Jacob), Hoshea (Hosea), Amos, and Mikah, Yoel (Joel), Ovadyah (Obadiah), and Yonah (Jonah), 40 Nahum, and Havakuk (Habakkuk), Tsefanyah (Zephaniah), Hagay, Zekaryah (Zechariah), and Malaki (Malachi), who’s also called the master’s messenger.