Aramaic Text of Ezra (4.8 - 6.18; 7.12 - 26) [Aramaic words within parentheses are the Qaré forms, ‘Read!”, following the unvocalised Karib forms, ‘itis written’ In manuscripts and printed texts the vowels of the former are placed on the latter.] Ezra Chapter 4 oyay mtinp obvs Sn NTe yunea7 snp oF oD NI METS NDT BIND ANA SDMPTS OFT PATS BAP 3OND NID wr saver) obwine oy mn ms HNpaD NBD NTED "URY oeprea many ms » anpoy () Nm STDS TNL? joa anim Tape oT Apa {HEBREW} 7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the ‘Aramaic character, and set forth in the Aramaic tongue. {ARAMAIC} 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort 9 then wrote Rehum the commander, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinites, and the Apharesattechites, the Tarpelites, the ‘Apharesites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehites, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asenappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and the rest that are in the country beyond the River: ‘And now 11 this is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king thy 2 servants the men beyond the River and now sop aoerrb any gpa aN) boowx eB REND XN 72 12 be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto ) Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and are digging out the foundations. 13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they T will not pay tribute, impost, or toll, and so thou wilt endamage the revenue of the kings.gay :pran orp ohey) pany x? 72M simp xD" 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not meet for us to see the king's D1 dishonour, therefore have we sent and announced to the king, , 2 yoy 15 that search may be made in the book of the FIRST RPT BOS 7p ra records of thy fathers; so shalt thou find in the a Mp MT DAWN] N'ITDT TBD MDWIIN book of the records, and know that this city is BIS peo MPI NTP NWP TT a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition oop DP YD FD [TRY TWN) within the same of old time; for which cause na ain a “was this city laid waste. . “TNE 5 yh 16 We announce to the king that, if this city ROOTP TT TT Spb? TaN PETIA To be builded, and the walls finished, by this nyt apy po ame> mew, NINN 77 means thou shalt have no portion beyond the ‘ * . River.’ 17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the commander, and to Shimshai the scribe, 7 and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the River: ‘Peace, and now “7p wep xpop penby ST) NPTABD TP 18 the letier which ye sent unto us hath been vote hanya before me. oP a . ; ny "19 And I decreed, and search hath been made, ee eo Ol ee and it is found that this city of old time hath pebnoy spb ner 7 NIP made insumecton aginst kings, and that -s3"nn 77 iN] al nm nn rebellion and sedition have been made therein. pede obyrn-bp ral pen peon 'D 20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the sina aon a mp 7D? Tay SDA country beyond the River; and tute, impost, sind and toll, was paid unto them. DN N78 xbuad DVI WY [PD ND 21 Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, NOVY UTD NIENNn xd [JT SETP) until a decree shall be made by me. :Dbm mn mr ‘by sapnd aby Tad prim 35 22 And take heed that ye be not slack herein; pabe rer why should damage grow to the hurt of the oon NR? kings?”NUD 7 see wae oT e 23 Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ iu RY we CTIR TS 3 eter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai ) DITTO TR TB NPP NMYTTIAN he scribe, and their companions, they went in ‘ haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made vied Yoga sry IND nF them wo cease by foree and power TD st xmoycma mpaoy noon yIN2 3 24 Then ceased the work of the house of God . rea = aa “= oe which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased unto the peta my op xbe2 ni WHTIMD second year of the reign of Darius king of mandy Persia. Ezra Chapter 5 NVTPTID PIDE ANNDD ca aan] 8 L Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and “ ~ ee a we Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto owe) TaD TN TTITDY NPNNDD the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem; in : ae = the name of the God of Israel prophesied they spiny Sy ies my mi The mane 3573 1 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of 2 337 wap [7182 3 Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and “I stds ma niand my PTSP7D began to build the house of God which is at - p . Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets PRDD STP NINES: T17ET aera of God, helping them. opi m= cnn prby TION NTT D 3 3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar- PIS 137 bozenai, and their companions, and said thus _ ak unto them: 'Who gave you a decree to build sun? TY] NIB DE 12 DH‘? ‘tis house. and to fish this souctre?” TET NTR STON NZD [TTR 7 4'Then spoke we unto them after this manner t [, wrote they]: What are the names of the men 13} that build this building?’ sear ocap-Sy mn oandy pera 5 But the eye of their God was upon the Fo =F ~ pea “ elders of the Jews, and they did not make sa west wpe tat sdw278)7 tem cease, tll the matter should come to ‘ Darius, and then answer should be returned TSH? TTS) by letter conceming it. mp omn onbdvooNmay we 6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the nied aa ne governor beyond the River, and Shethar- SY bozenai, and his companions _ the Apharesachites, who were beyond the River,Nay axpizd WT Ty MIT IBS mma amp np) aby nbw spun + ano spy xpop wind sam sine spb eigb pon TBS NIBMD NIT] NBT NT ma REPT NTIS NBD x rab i noyy PRD mand TPT sms opp 055 ob-19 ob mbbael my PTE ARTI? BAD NRW DANITY AN) OWNS TNT IDO’ 333 7 ONDINE NED N a cae nn samy Tab sna Tap) NPIS) NY x03 oe abe SSy eS - 3 ‘on am “Oa MRP] TINS APT TMS Cay T2) baa "7 spn wind 770m iD a3 3 “yp EIT TSYTEIRD “T NBOD) baa sy xboad inn Sam odes b339 wor ye Spon wD jn PET sent unto Darius the king; 7 they sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: 'Unto Darius the king, all peace, 8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work # goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands. 9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus: Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? 10 We asked them their names also, to announce to thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them 11 And thus they retuned us answer, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished. 12 But because that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon, 13 But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God. 14 And the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, "whom he had made governor;ND xeoossp (Oy) nbs bop ma novia “7 sdons ian nosh miny7by sian stds NWR IT NOS FT TSaVYy PIN Pay obvrea st oats mac :pbw sb1 Suan PW! map "pam ap xppyby yp cy qi bags st onen spb em wand opp oe spon wipe mit oowra 7 xa>yma ispoy nde npyop 15 and he said unto him: Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not completed. 17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the king's treasure-house there, which is at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. Ezra Chapter 6 yp oye oy xpop wT] pKa 8 25993 Tin Poo 8-7 NBD 33 “Ta “TO NODID NNOINA MS 7 a ma on272) 740 mba SAY m3 xpbp wip pop woisb min mya a suant NM2 obymna xa>yrr3 ope op pozion cmwN) PIs png T 1 Toy {PAS PAS ANNE PAS Pas A 7) pRaT I 29] NIT PNT NBOD) TTT MT sya can FAN) ODT] PE OTST} am pram baad Sam abverant 1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up, in Babylon. 2 And there was found at Ahmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written: 'A record. 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 4 with three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber, and let the expenses be given out of the king's house; 5 and also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought back unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place,ND nam mninyd obviean xb TPN 2 ANY AWAY nna wn >) PPM Ta Ta “TS POTES TAN AT Ny mp TT Ntyyea npayd spawt yaa TT saya seit cab sam ny by "307 By Tent xnd Dyp oy cm no soba JI Toys Seand Jos sim PIS) PIET pon 3 mye mo neign Tan nbp pag wipe mbx> Ted amme sig? obese ND TNAD sow soo og of on sow roy> prima patpae pbc Soap NO ay pbs yb Tope oy aN Ta DS MN TPT NBINE yoy Tan oy ana Toy smn Pe 7 ete = 32 TN TI IEy MOB A INP spoo erty nove bap> fam and thou shalt put them in the house of God." 6 ‘Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharesachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence; 7 let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place. 8 Moreover I make a decree concerning what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God; that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence unto these men, that they be not hindered. 9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for bumt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail; 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. 11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this; 12 and may the God that hath caused His name to dwell there overthrow all kings and > peoples, that shall put forth their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.’ 13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had thus sent, acted with all diligence.gay 2772) NITES NDID SMT Maza PTORDD [PE NTT vB!) TP | And the elders of the Jews builded and i alee ae cn prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai TODD SUBD NITPTTD MDM FIND the prophet and Zechariah the son of lddo. san ae ; a9, And they builded and finished it, according to PNT OTD OVER ONT APY BET essen ot the Gad oF Israel, and :OTE TOD NMbVTIAIN? according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, ™ vee =" and Artaxerxes king of Persia. mpd mndm of sy 07 mia xoyteiy 1p 15 And this house was finished on the third ves * ee 2 E ~ day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth vat midi nent "] TGNS year of the reign of Darius the king npn 3 TTDY) tty 16 And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the smby “J2 captivity, kept the dedication of this house of . * God with joy. I . 17 And they offered at the dedication of this Poin APT Nps Nea IPA P house of God a hundred bullocks, two FIND YSIS PUPS TON mer FUS1D hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a ‘ sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, Grgpnb) wend TEP “TB? according to the number ofthe tribes of Israel sway oyand becom bye bp-by ON Te wr yinmbaa STD TT]: 18 And they set the priests in their divisions, : eheTe Bat Fie’ © and the Levites in their courses, for the “TD ONTDS MT aR >Y pip STMT service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is Smid IBD anoD OSyis reg Witten in the book of Moses. Ezra Chapter 7 ROQVMTS TOOT 1; TWN TAT WIE mp NY (HEBREW) 11 Now this is the copy of the letter - . L, that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, NAATMS IB7 TS ABST IST NF Te? the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the :Dyqe7-Sy commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israel: NUTP 8D Nei TP NMOUTTIATS BP ARAMAIC) 12 ‘Artaxerces, king of kings, mT ae = unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of DD the God of heaven, and so forth. And now smbboa atana-S> st ope oy cn yp 13 Imake a decree, that all they of the people ie ch ne ~ "7" of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, inND NUDT}D MY realm, that are minded of their own free . + * | will to go with thee to Jerusalem, go. yp ody 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king and his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning 7? Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of dowry savy apa md . in thy hand; SPDR UT TAN gg BY God which , , seq gy 15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the Bi 228 TSI ype Mop w king and his counsellors have freely offered abgina “IT Osten: nbyd D"TINT unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, 9 52 ” 5 5 16 and all the silver and gold that thou shalt nap 993 navn 7 37 ep 75) Te find in all the province of Babylon, with the PRMD NTP] NPY MDBW OY 22D ficowilt-offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem; 17 therefore thou shalt with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with HNP PTA 727 their meal-offerings and their drink-offerings, and shalt offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem NBODD NIP NIBP TPT "7 ma“ nna T7 ‘by ya 27pm pron aber sy ndaby smebyy (aby) poy 7 om 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee : and to thy brethren to do with the rest of the Saynd MITT) NOD TNWD Dy" (FTN) silver and the gold, that do ye after the will of 2ptapn odady my yp You God =) 7 ) 3 95 ty 3 19 And the vessels that are given thee for the Pee PRET? REIT NNT Be i enous of ty Cod delves ee powant my OTP OUT TDN before the God of Jerusalem . yo F Soist) Sy vi7_ 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for Te et WTey Ma Pap Reh 5 the house of thy God, which thou shalt have apbp “ER DPSTTD TAM 1AM occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house. Dpy oy NDbe NMOVTIATN TIN WN ND 21 And even | Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers that are beyond sybp - mqoD Tava 77 xe243 555 the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, shall * require of you, it be done with all diligence, POND POT TD] MND PTD APPA ID 22 unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a : wee = hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred MW PRD TW) AND PD TTY) TN baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, 8Nay :an> xoot mony T7ND and salt without prescribing how much. eT my 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of SBU we opera rep 3 heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of bs mab NTT AS the God of heaven; for why should there be : mah xpbn masbie by asp ae against the realm of the king and his 352 “| pyting 55; 7D 24 Also we announce to you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, the singers, saby ma onber SEPM] NYT NTU porters, Nethinim, or servants of this house of ‘ God, it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, mange whe xb adm soa ryan Tay Gott sl nthe ae i 2y 72 9 > 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy TTS WPS MPTP DRS) TD Gi that isin thy hand, appoint magistrates (pep puxt po "] PET) PAY cND and judges, who may judge all the people that ” ™ I are beyond the River, all such as know the ny eT? cord mM 7393 7 NET ep laws of thy God; and teach ye him that pTinn ya Nd TON knoweth them not. soy 3 a 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy TDANTT NOT TRE NI? NPT PTD God, and the law of the king, let judgment be n> np NITBON pon 771 NIT) executed upon him with all diligence, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to (ee) ww WW rin ] TREE confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. spony) pops wed 10