1 Esdras 9

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

1Then Esdras rising from the court of the temple went to the chamber of Joanan the son of Eliasib,

Then Esdras rising from the court of the temple went to the chamber of Joanan the son of Eliasib — from the sanctuary's court to a chamber of the house, carrying the grief within.

2And remained there, and did eat no meat nor drink water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude.

And remained there, and did eat no meat nor drink water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude — no nourishment taken while the house's error is mourned.

3And there was a proclamation in all Jewry and Jerusalem to all them that were of the captivity, that they should be gathered together at Jerusalem:

And there was a proclamation in all Jewry and Jerusalem to all them that were of the captivity, that they should be gathered together at Jerusalem — the returned faculties summoned to the center for the reckoning.

4And that whosoever met not there within two or three days according as the elders that bare rule appointed, their cattle should be seized to the use of the temple, and himself cast out from them that were of the captivity.

And that whosoever met not there within two or three days according as the elders that bare rule appointed, their cattle should be seized to the use of the temple, and himself cast out from them that were of the captivity — the summons enforced, as decreed, on goods and on membership in the returned company.

5And in three days were all they of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem the twentieth day of the ninth month.

And in three days were all they of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem the twentieth day of the ninth month — Praise and the youngest faculty gathered together.

6And all the multitude sat trembling in the broad court of the temple because of the present foul weather.

And all the multitude sat trembling in the broad court of the temple because of the present foul weather — the whole company trembling before the sanctuary, under the storm of the moment.

7So Esdras arose up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed the law in marrying strange wives, thereby to increase the sins of Israel.

So Esdras arose up, and said unto them: Ye have transgressed the law in marrying strange wives, thereby to increase the sins of Israel — the transgression named plainly: foreign affections joined, and the spiritual man's errors increased.

8And now by confessing give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers,

And now by confessing give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers — confession itself giving the manifested weight of the Presence its due.

9And do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the strange women.

And do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the strange women — the will done as separation from the surrounding sense-states and their affections.

10Then cried the whole multitude, and said with a loud voice, Like as thou hast spoken, so will we do.

Then cried the whole multitude, and said with a loud voice: Like as thou hast spoken, so will we do — the whole company consenting with one voice.

11But forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather, so that we cannot stand without, and this is not a work of a day or two, seeing our sin in these things is spread far:

But forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather, so that we cannot stand without, and this is not a work of a day or two, seeing our sin in these things is spread far — the multitude asking ordered time for an error spread through the whole state.

12Therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all them of our habitations that have strange wives come at the time appointed,

Therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all them of our habitations that have strange wives come at the time appointed.

13And with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter.

And with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter — case by case, place by place, until the judgment on this matter is turned away.

14Then Jonathan the son of Azael and Ezechias the son of Theocanus accordingly took this matter upon them: and Mosollam and Levis and Sabbatheus helped them.

Then Jonathan the son of Azael and Ezechias the son of Theocanus accordingly took this matter upon them: and Mosollam and Levis and Sabbatheus helped them.

15And they that were of the captivity did according to all these things.

And they that were of the captivity did according to all these things — the returned company carrying out its own decree.

16And Esdras the priest chose unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth month they sat together to examine the matter.

And Esdras the priest chose unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth month they sat together to examine the matter — the examination ordered by name and by family, in the order of states.

17So their cause that held strange wives was brought to an end in the first day of the first month.

So their cause that held strange wives was brought to an end in the first day of the first month.

18And of the priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found:

And of the priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found — the register of the separation begins, every name exact.

19Of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Matthelas and Eleazar, and Joribus and Joadanus.

Of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Matthelas and Eleazar, and Joribus and Joadanus.

20And they gave their hands to put away their wives and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their errors.

And they gave their hands to put away their wives and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their errors — the hand pledged, and the offering made for at-one-ment: the covering of error and reconciliation of the state to God.

21And of the sons of Emmer; Ananias, and Zabdeus, and Eanes, and Sameius, and Hiereel, and Azarias.

And of the sons of Emmer; Ananias, and Zabdeus, and Eanes, and Sameius, and Hiereel, and Azarias.

22And of the sons of Phaisur; Elionas, Massias Israel, and Nathanael, and Ocidelus and Talsas.

And of the sons of Phaisur; Elionas, Massias Israel, and Nathanael, and Ocidelus and Talsas.

23And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Semis, and Colius, who was called Calitas, and Patheus, and Judas, and Jonas.

And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Semis, and Colius, who was called Calitas, and Patheus, and Judas, and Jonas — the serving order named in the same reckoning.

24Of the holy singers; Eleazurus, Bacchurus.

Of the holy singers; Eleazurus, Bacchurus.

25Of the porters; Sallumus, and Tolbanes.

Of the porters; Sallumus, and Tolbanes — the gate-guarding faculties named.

26Of them of Israel, of the sons of Phoros; Hiermas, and Eddias, and Melchias, and Maelus, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Baanias.

Of them of Israel, of the sons of Phoros; Hiermas, and Eddias, and Melchias, and Maelus, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Baanias.

27Of the sons of Ela; Matthanias, Zacharias, and Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and Aedias.

Of the sons of Ela; Matthanias, Zacharias, and Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and Aedias.

28And of the sons of Zamoth; Eliadas, Elisimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, and Sabatus, and Sardeus.

And of the sons of Zamoth; Eliadas, Elisimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, and Sabatus, and Sardeus.

29Of the sons of Babai; Johannes, and Ananias and Josabad, and Amatheis.

Of the sons of Babai; Johannes, and Ananias and Josabad, and Amatheis.

30Of the sons of Mani; Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedeus, Jasubus, Jasael, and Hieremoth.

Of the sons of Mani; Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedeus, Jasubus, Jasael, and Hieremoth.

31And of the sons of Addi; Naathus, and Moosias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathanias, and Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas.

And of the sons of Addi; Naathus, and Moosias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathanias, and Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas.

32And of the sons of Annas; Elionas and Aseas, and Melchias, and Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus.

And of the sons of Annas; Elionas and Aseas, and Melchias, and Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus.

33And of the sons of Asom; Altaneus, and Matthias, and Baanaia, Eliphalet, and Manasses, and Semei.

And of the sons of Asom; Altaneus, and Matthias, and Baanaia, Eliphalet, and Manasses, and Semei.

34And of the sons of Maani; Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the sons of Ozora; Sesis, Esril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Josephus.

And of the sons of Maani; Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the sons of Ozora; Sesis, Esril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Josephus.

35And of the sons of Ethma; Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias.

And of the sons of Ethma; Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias.

36All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children.

All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children — the register closed: the foreign affections put away, with all that had sprung from the mixture.

37And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the country, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their habitations.

And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the country, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their habitations — the house settled again in its own places for the reading of the law.

38And the whole multitude came together with one accord into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east:

And the whole multitude came together with one accord into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east — gathered with one consent at the dawning side of the sanctuary.

39And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel.

And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel — the people themselves asking for the written order of the divine life.

40So Esdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear law in the first day of the seventh month.

So Esdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear law in the first day of the seventh month — the law brought to the whole consciousness, knowing and willing faculties alike.

41And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and women; and the multitude gave heed unto the law.

And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and women; and the multitude gave heed unto the law — read from the dawning of the state to its full light, and the whole company attending.

42And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon a pulpit of wood, which was made for that purpose.

And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon a pulpit of wood, which was made for that purpose — the reader raised on the wooden stand made for the reading, that the order be heard by all.

43And there stood up by him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand:

And there stood up by him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand — the supporting faculties at the point of power, every name exact.

44And upon his left hand stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, and Nabarias.

And upon his left hand stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, and Nabarias.

45Then took Esdras the book of the law before the multitude: for he sat honourably in the first place in the sight of them all.

Then took Esdras the book of the law before the multitude: for he sat honourably in the first place in the sight of them all.

46And when he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of hosts, Almighty.

And when he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of hosts, Almighty — the whole company rising at the opening of the order, and the Source blessed under His titles of height and power.

47And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord.

And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord — assent with uplifted hands, then the whole state bowed to the ground before the indwelling LORD.

48Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, Auteas, Maianeas, and Calitas, Asrias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it.

Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, Auteas, Maianeas, and Calitas, Asrias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it — the serving order teaching the law and making the company understand it: no one left asking what the order means.

49Then spake Attharates unto Esdras the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying,

Then spake Attharates unto Esdras the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying.

50This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they all wept when they heard the law:)

This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they all wept when they heard the law:) — the day declared set apart wholly to the order, the weeping of conviction named within it.

51Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part to them that have nothing;

Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part to them that have nothing — the richest nourishment eaten, the sweet essence drunk, and a portion sent to the states that have nothing.

52For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour.

For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour — sorrow ended not by forgetting the law, but by the LORD's own honouring of the state that heard it.

53So the Levites published all things to the people, saying, This day is holy to the Lord; be not sorrowful.

So the Levites published all things to the people, saying: This day is holy to the Lord; be not sorrowful — the serving order carrying the word through the whole company.

54Then went they their way, every one to eat and drink, and make merry, and to give part to them that had nothing, and to make great cheer;

Then went they their way, every one to eat and drink, and make merry, and to give part to them that had nothing, and to make great cheer — every faculty to its nourishment and its gladness, and the portion shared with the empty states.

55Because they understood the words wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled.

Because they understood the words wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled — the gladness grounded in understanding: the book closes where the law is not only heard, but understood.

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