1 Esdras 1

How to read these pages: the text itself comes first, verse by verse, in the volume's own translation. Beneath each verse stands its Meaning — a rendering of what the passage's terms name in the inner life, drawn from the correspondences the text itself uses. The text is never altered; the meaning is offered, not imposed.

King James Version

1And Josias held the feast of the passover in Jerusalem unto his Lord, and offered the passover the fourteenth day of the first month;

And Josias held the feast of the passover — the passing-over, in which death's claim passes over the house marked by the yielded life — in Jerusalem, the established center of spiritual consciousness, unto his LORD, and offered the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2Having set the priests according to their daily courses, being arrayed in long garments, in the temple of the Lord.

Having set the priests — the mediating faculties — according to their daily courses, arrayed in long garments, in the temple of the LORD, the established sanctuary-state.

3And he spake unto the Levites, the holy ministers of Israel, that they should hallow themselves unto the Lord, to set the holy ark of the Lord in the house that king Solomon the son of David had built:

And he spoke to the Levites, the serving order that attends the inner sanctuary, the holy ministers of Israel — the spiritual man — that they should set themselves apart wholly to the divine order, to set the holy ark of the LORD, the heart-shrine carrying the tablets of the law, in the house that Solomon — Wisdom in its fullness — the son of David — Love enthroned — had built.

4And said, Ye shall no more bear the ark upon your shoulders: now therefore serve the Lord your God, and minister unto his people Israel, and prepare you after your families and kindreds,

And said: You shall no more bear the ark upon your shoulders; now therefore serve the indwelling LORD your God, and minister to His people Israel, and prepare yourselves after your families and kindreds — each state in its own order.

5According as David the king of Israel prescribed, and according to the magnificence of Solomon his son: and standing in the temple according to the several dignity of the families of you the Levites, who minister in the presence of your brethren the children of Israel,

According as David, Love enthroned, the king of Israel prescribed, and according to the magnificence of Solomon his son; and standing in the sanctuary according to the several dignity of the families of you the Levites, who minister in the presence of your brethren, the children of Israel.

6Offer the passover in order, and make ready the sacrifices for your brethren, and keep the passover according to the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto Moses.

Offer the passover in order, and make ready the sacrifices — the yielding of faculties to God — for your brethren, and keep the passover according to the commandment of the LORD, the specific articulation of the law, which was given to Moses, the deliverer-lawgiver faculty.

7And unto the people that was found there Josias gave thirty thousand lambs and kids, and three thousand calves: these things were given of the king’s allowance, according as he promised, to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites.

And to the people found there Josias gave thirty thousand lambs and kids — the innocent, yielded life — and three thousand calves: these were given from the ruling state's own allowance, as he promised, to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites.

8And Helkias, Zacharias, and Syelus, the governors of the temple, gave to the priests for the passover two thousand and six hundred sheep, and three hundred calves.

And Helkias, Zacharias, and Syelus, the governors of the temple, gave to the priests for the passover two thousand and six hundred sheep, and three hundred calves — every number kept exact, as the order of the giving was exact.

9And Jeconias, and Samaias, and Nathanael his brother, and Assabias, and Ochiel, and Joram, captains over thousands, gave to the Levites for the passover five thousand sheep, and seven hundred calves.

And Jeconias, and Samaias, and Nathanael his brother, and Assabias, and Ochiel, and Joram, captains over thousands, gave to the Levites for the passover five thousand sheep, and seven hundred calves.

10And when these things were done, the priests and Levites, having the unleavened bread, stood in very comely order according to the kindreds,

And when these things were done, the priests and Levites, having the unleavened bread — truth-substance with the ferment of old error purged out — stood in very comely order according to the kindreds.

11And according to the several dignities of the fathers, before the people, to offer to the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses: and thus did they in the morning.

And according to the several dignities of the fathers, before the people, to offer to the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses; and thus did they in the morning — the dawning of the new state.

12And they roasted the passover with fire, as appertaineth: as for the sacrifices, they sod them in brass pots and pans with a good savour,

And they roasted the passover with fire, as appertains; as for the sacrifices, they boiled them in brass pots and pans with a good savour.

13And set them before all the people: and afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron.

And set them before all the people; and afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron, the speaking priest-faculty.

14For the priests offered the fat until night: and the Levites prepared for themselves, and the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron.

For the priests offered the fat until night — the hidden state; and the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron.

15The holy singers also, the sons of Asaph, were in their order, according to the appointment of David, to wit, Asaph, Zacharias, and Jeduthun, who was of the king’s retinue.

The holy singers also, the sons of Asaph, were in their order, according to the appointment of David, namely Asaph, Zacharias, and Jeduthun, who was of the king's retinue.

16Moreover the porters were at every gate; it was not lawful for any to go from his ordinary service: for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

Moreover the porters — the faculties that guard the gates of the sanctuary — were at every gate; it was not lawful for any to go from his ordinary service, for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

17Thus were the things that belonged to the sacrifices of the Lord accomplished in that day, that they might hold the passover,

Thus were the things belonging to the sacrifices of the LORD accomplished in that day, that they might hold the passover.

18And offer sacrifices upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josias.

And offer sacrifices upon the altar of the LORD — the built point of consecration where a faculty is yielded to God — according to the commandment of king Josias.

19So the children of Israel which were present held the passover at that time, and the feast of sweet bread seven days.

So the children of Israel who were present held the passover at that time, and the feast of sweet bread seven days — seven, the completeness of the cycle.

20And such a passover was not kept in Israel since the time of the prophet Samuel.

And such a passover was not kept in Israel since the time of the prophet Samuel — the hearing faculty grown from childhood in the sanctuary — the forth-telling faculty who hears God for the whole.

21Yea, all the kings of Israel held not such a passover as Josias, and the priests, and the Levites, and the Jews, held with all Israel that were found dwelling at Jerusalem.

Yea, all the kings of Israel — all its ruling states — held not such a passover as Josias, and the priests, and the Levites, and the Jews, held with all Israel that were found dwelling at Jerusalem, the city of peace within.

22In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias was this passover kept.

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias was this passover kept.

23And the works of Josias were upright before his Lord with an heart full of godliness.

And the works of Josias were upright before his LORD, with a heart full of godliness — a state in right relation to the divine order.

24As for the things that came to pass in his time, they were written in former times, concerning those that sinned, and did wickedly against the Lord above all people and kingdoms, and how they grieved him exceedingly, so that the words of the Lord rose up against Israel.

As for the things that came to pass in his time, they were written in former times, concerning those that sinned — that erred, acting apart from the divine order — and did wickedly against the LORD above all people and kingdoms, and how they grieved Him exceedingly, so that the words of the LORD rose up against Israel.

25Now after all these acts of Josias it came to pass, that Pharaoh the king of Egypt came to raise war at Carchamis upon Euphrates: and Josias went out against him.

Now after all these acts of Josias it came to pass that Pharaoh, the enthroned sense-mind of the material world, the king of Egypt — the material sense-realm — came to raise war at Carchamis upon Euphrates, the great river of life-consciousness; and Josias went out against him.

26But the king of Egypt sent to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, O king of Judea?

But the king of Egypt sent to him, saying: What have I to do with thee, O king of Judea — Praise ruling from Jerusalem?

27I am not sent out from the Lord God against thee; for my war is upon Euphrates: and now the Lord is with me, yea, the Lord is with me hasting me forward: depart from me, and be not against the Lord.

I am not sent out from the Lord God against thee; for my war is upon Euphrates; and now the LORD is with me, yea, the LORD is with me hasting me forward: depart from me, and be not against the LORD.

28Howbeit Josias did not turn back his chariot from him, but undertook to fight with him, not regarding the words of the prophet Jeremy spoken by the mouth of the Lord:

Howbeit Josias did not turn back his chariot from him, but undertook to fight with him, not regarding the words of the prophet Jeremy spoken by the mouth of the LORD.

29But joined battle with him in the plain of Magiddo, and the princes came against king Josias.

But joined battle with him in the plain of Magiddo — the open, level state of sense-consciousness — and the princes came against king Josias.

30Then said the king unto his servants, Carry me away out of the battle; for I am very weak. And immediately his servants took him away out of the battle.

Then said the king to his servants: Carry me away out of the battle, for I am very weak. And immediately his servants took him away out of the battle.

31Then gat he up upon his second chariot; and being brought back to Jerusalem died, and was buried in his father’s sepulchre.

Then he got up upon his second chariot, and being brought back to Jerusalem died, and was buried in his father's sepulchre — the resting-place of the former ruling states.

32And in all Jewry they mourned for Josias, yea, Jeremy the prophet lamented for Josias, and the chief men with the women made lamentation for him unto this day: and this was given out for an ordinance to be done continually in all the nation of Israel.

And in all Jewry they mourned for Josias; yea, Jeremy the prophet lamented for Josias, and the chief men with the women made lamentation for him to this day; and this was given out for an ordinance to be done continually in all the nation of Israel.

33These things are written in the book of the stories of the kings of Judah, and every one of the acts that Josias did, and his glory, and his understanding in the law of the Lord, and the things that he had done before, and the things now recited, are reported in the book of the kings of Israel and Judea.

These things are written in the book of the stories of the kings of Judah, and every one of the acts that Josias did, and his glory, and his understanding in the law of the LORD — the written order of the divine life — and the things he had done before, and the things now recited, are reported in the book of the kings of Israel and Judea.

34And the people took Joachaz the son of Josias, and made him king instead of Josias his father, when he was twenty and three years old.

And the people took Joachaz the son of Josias, and made him king instead of Josias his father, when he was twenty and three years old — a new ruling state set in the place of the old.

35And he reigned in Judea and in Jerusalem three months: and then the king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem.

And he reigned in Judea and in Jerusalem three months; and then the king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem.

36And he set a tax upon the land of an hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold.

And he set a tax upon the land of an hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold — the sense-realm exacting its tribute from the outer life.

37The king of Egypt also made king Joacim his brother king of Judea and Jerusalem.

The king of Egypt also made Joacim his brother king of Judea and Jerusalem.

38And he bound Joacim and the nobles: but Zaraces his brother he apprehended, and brought him out of Egypt.

And he bound Joacim and the nobles; but Zaraces his brother he apprehended, and brought him out of Egypt.

39Five and twenty years old was Joacim when he was made king in the land of Judea and Jerusalem; and he did evil before the Lord.

Five and twenty years old was Joacim when he was made king in the land of Judea and Jerusalem; and he did evil before the LORD — a ruling state acting apart from the divine order.

40Wherefore against him Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon came up, and bound him with a chain of brass, and carried him into Babylon.

Wherefore against him Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon — confusion enthroned as an empire — came up, and bound him with a chain of brass, and carried him into Babylon.

41Nabuchodonosor also took of the holy vessels of the Lord, and carried them away, and set them in his own temple at Babylon.

Nabuchodonosor also took the holy vessels of the LORD — the dedicated instruments of the sanctuary — and carried them away, and set them in his own temple at Babylon.

42But those things that are recorded of him, and of his uncleaness and impiety, are written in the chronicles of the kings.

But those things that are recorded of him, and of his uncleanness and impiety, are written in the chronicles of the kings.

43And Joacim his son reigned in his stead: he was made king being eighteen years old;

And Joacim his son reigned in his stead; he was made king being eighteen years old.

44And reigned but three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and did evil before the Lord.

And reigned but three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and did evil before the LORD.

45So after a year Nabuchodonosor sent and caused him to be brought into Babylon with the holy vessels of the Lord;

So after a year Nabuchodonosor sent and caused him to be brought into Babylon with the holy vessels of the LORD.

46And made Zedechias king of Judea and Jerusalem, when he was one and twenty years old; and he reigned eleven years:

And made Zedechias king of Judea and Jerusalem, when he was one and twenty years old; and he reigned eleven years.

47And he did evil also in the sight of the Lord, and cared not for the words that were spoken unto him by the prophet Jeremy from the mouth of the Lord.

And he did evil also in the sight of the LORD, and cared not for the words spoken to him by the prophet Jeremy from the mouth of the LORD.

48And after that king Nabuchodonosor had made him to swear by the name of the Lord, he forswore himself, and rebelled; and hardening his neck, his heart, he transgressed the laws of the Lord God of Israel.

And after king Nabuchodonosor had made him swear by the name of the LORD, he forswore himself and rebelled; and hardening his neck and his heart, he transgressed the laws of the Lord God of Israel.

49The governors also of the people and of the priests did many things against the laws, and passed all the pollutions of all nations, and defiled the temple of the Lord, which was sanctified in Jerusalem.

The governors also of the people and of the priests did many things against the laws, and passed all the pollutions of all nations, and defiled the temple of the LORD, which was sanctified — set apart wholly to the divine order — in Jerusalem.

50Nevertheless the God of their fathers sent by his messenger to call them back, because he spared them and his tabernacle also.

Nevertheless the God of their fathers sent by His messenger to call them back, because He spared them and His tabernacle also — the structured dwelling of the Presence in the midst of the camp.

51But they had his messengers in derision; and, look, when the Lord spake unto them, they made a sport of his prophets:

But they had His messengers in derision; and, look, when the LORD spoke to them, they made a sport of His prophets — the forth-telling faculties.

52So far forth, that he, being wroth with his people for their great ungodliness, commanded the kings of the Chaldees to come up against them;

So far forth that He, being wroth with His people for their great ungodliness, commanded the kings of the Chaldees to come up against them — the state given over to the disorder it had chosen.

53Who slew their young men with the sword, yea, even within the compass of their holy temple, and spared neither young man nor maid, old man nor child, among them; for he delivered all into their hands.

Who slew their young men with the sword — the cutting word of judgment — yea, even within the compass of their holy temple, and spared neither young man nor maid, old man nor child among them; for He delivered all into their hands.

54And they took all the holy vessels of the Lord, both great and small, with the vessels of the ark of God, and the king’s treasures, and carried them away into Babylon.

And they took all the holy vessels of the LORD, both great and small, with the vessels of the ark of God, and the king's treasures, and carried them away into Babylon.

55As for the house of the Lord, they burnt it, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem, and set fire upon her towers:

As for the house of the LORD, they burnt it, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem, and set fire upon her towers — the intellect's heights built toward heaven.

56And as for her glorious things, they never ceased till they had consumed and brought them all to nought: and the people that were not slain with the sword he carried unto Babylon:

And as for her glorious things, they never ceased till they had consumed and brought them all to nought; and the people that were not slain with the sword he carried to Babylon.

57Who became servants to him and his children, till the Persians reigned, to fulfil the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremy:

Who became servants to him and his children, till the Persians reigned, to fulfil the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremy — captivity: consciousness carried away from its own land into a foreign ruling state through its own error.

58Until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths, the whole time of her desolation shall she rest, until the full term of seventy years.

Until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths — rest in God — the whole time of her desolation shall she rest, until the full term of seventy years.

Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.