1 Esdras

4:1 Then the second that had spoken of the strength of the King, began to say;

4:1 Then the second, that had spoken of the strength of the king, began to say,

4:2 O yee men, doe not men excel in strength, that beare rule ouer Sea and land, and all things in them?

4:2 O ye men, do not men excel in strength that bear rule over sea and land and all things in them?

4:3 But yet the King is more mighty: for hee is lord of all these things, and hath dominion ouer them, and whatsoeuer he commandeth them, they doe:

4:3 But yet the king is more mighty: for he is lord of all these things, and hath dominion over them; and whatsoever he commandeth them they do.

4:4 If thee bid them make warre the one against the other, they doe it: if hee send them out against the enemies, they goe, and breake downe mountaines, walles and towres.

4:4 If he bid them make war the one against the other, they do it: if he send them out against the enemies, they go, and break down mountains walls and towers.

4:5 They slay and are slaine, and transgresse not the Kings commandement: if they get the victory, they bring all to the King, as well the spoile as all things else.

4:5 They slay and are slain, and transgress not the king's commandment: if they get the victory, they bring all to the king, as well the spoil, as all things else.

4:6 Likewise for those that are no souldiers, and haue not to doe with warres, but vse husbandrie; when they haue reaped againe, that which they had sowen, they bring it to the King, and compell one another to pay tribute vnto the King.

4:6 Likewise for those that are no soldiers, and have not to do with wars, but use husbundry, when they have reaped again that which they had sown, they bring it to the king, and compel one another to pay tribute unto the king.

4:7 And yet he is but one man; if hee commaund to kill, they kill, if he command to spare, they spare.

4:7 And yet he is but one man: if he command to kill, they kill; if he command to spare, they spare;

4:8 If he command to smite, they smite; if he command to make desolate, they make desolate; if hee command to build, they build:

4:8 If he command to smite, they smite; if he command to make desolate, they make desolate; if he command to build, they build;

4:9 If he command to cut downe, they cut downe; if he command to plant, they plant.

4:9 If he command to cut down, they cut down; if he command to plant, they plant.

4:10 So all his people and his armies obey him; furthermore he lieth downe, he eateth and drinketh, & taketh his rest.

4:10 So all his people and his armies obey him: furthermore he lieth down, he eateth and drinketh, and taketh his rest:

4:11 And these keepe (watch) round about him, neither may any one depart, and doe his owne businesse, neither disobey they him in any thing.

4:11 And these keep watch round about him, neither may any one depart, and do his own business, neither disobey they him in any thing.

4:12 O yee men, how should not the King be mightiest, when in such sort he is obeyed? and he held his tongue.

4:12 O ye men, how should not the king be mightiest, when in such sort he is obeyed? And he held his tongue.

4:13 Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of the truth (this was Zorobabel) beganne to speake.

4:13 Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of the truth, (this was Zorobabel) began to speak.

4:14 O yee men, it is not the great King, nor the multitude of men, neither is it wine that excelleth; who is it then that ruleth them, or hath the lordship ouer them, are they not women?

4:14 O ye men, it is not the great king, nor the multitude of men, neither is it wine, that excelleth; who is it then that ruleth them, or hath the lordship over them? are they not women?

4:15 Women haue borne the King and all the people, that beare rule by sea and land.

4:15 Women have borne the king and all the people that bear rule by sea and land.

4:16 Euen of them came they: & they nourished them vp that planted the vineyards from whence the wine commeth.

4:16 Even of them came they: and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards, from whence the wine cometh.

4:17 These also make garments for men; these bring glory vnto men, and without women cannot men be.

4:17 These also make garments for men; these bring glory unto men; and without women cannot men be.

4:18 Yea and if men haue gathered together gold and siluer, or any other goodly thing, doe they not loue a woman, which is comely in fauour and beautie?

4:18 Yea, and if men have gathered together gold and silver, or any other goodly thing, do they not love a woman which is comely in favour and beauty?

4:19 And letting all those things goe, doe they not gape, and euen with open mouth fixe their eyes fast on her; and haue not all men more desire vnto her, then vnto siluer or gold, or any goodly thing whatsoeuer?

4:19 And letting all those things go, do they not gape, and even with open mouth fix their eyes fast on her; and have not all men more desire unto her than unto silver or gold, or any goodly thing whatsoever?

4:20 A man leaueth his owne father that brought him vp, and his owne countrie, and cleaueth vnto his wife.

4:20 A man leaveth his own father that brought him up, and his own country, and cleaveth unto his wife.

4:21 He stickes not to spend his life with his wife, and remembreth neither father, nor mother, nor countrey.

4:21 He sticketh not to spend his life with his wife, and remembereth neither father, nor mother, nor country.

4:22 By this also you must know, that women haue dominion ouer you: doe yee not labour and toyle, and giue and bring all to the woman?

4:22 By this also ye must know that women have dominion over you: do ye not labour and toil, and give and bring all to the woman?

4:23 Yea a man taketh his sword, and goeth his way to rob, and to steale, to saile vpon the sea, and vpon riuers,

4:23 Yea, a man taketh his sword, and goeth his way to rob and to steal, to sail upon the sea and upon rivers;

4:24 And looketh vpon a lyon, and goeth in the darknesse, and when he hath stolen, spoiled and robbed, he bringeth it to his loue.

4:24 And looketh upon a lion, and goeth in the darkness; and when he hath stolen, spoiled, and robbed, he bringeth it to his love.

4:25 Wherefore a man loueth his wife better then father and mother.

4:25 Wherefore a man loveth his wife better than father or mother.

4:26 Yea many there be that haue run out of their wits for women, and become seruants for their sakes:

4:26 Yea, many there be that have run out of their wits for women, and become servants for their sakes.

4:27 Many also haue perished, haue erred, and sinned for women.

4:27 Many also have perished, have erred, and sinned, for women.

4:28 And now doe yee not belieue me? is not the King great in his power? doe not all regions feare to touch him?

4:28 And now do ye not believe me? is not the king great in his power? do not all regions fear to touch him?

4:29 Yet did I see him and Apame the Kings concubine, the daughter of the admirable Bartacus, sitting at the right hand of the King,

4:29 Yet did I see him and Apame the king's concubine, the daughter of the admirable Bartacus, sitting at the right hand of the king,

4:30 And taking the crowne from the Kings head, and setting it vpon her owne head; she also strooke the King with her left hand.

4:30 And taking the crown from the king's head, and setting it upon her own head; she also struck the king with her left hand.

4:31 And yet for all this, the King gaped and gazed vpon her with open mouth: if she laughed vpon him, hee laughed also: but if she tooke any displeasure at him, the King was faine to flatter, that she might be reconciled to him againe.

4:31 And yet for all this the king gaped and gazed upon her with open mouth: if she laughed upon him, he laughed also: but if she took any displeasure at him, the king was fain to flatter, that she might be reconciled to him again.

4:32 O ye men, how can it be but women should be strong, seeing they doe thus?

4:32 O ye men, how can it be but women should be strong, seeing they do thus?

4:33 Then the king & the princes looked one vpon another: so he began to speake of the trueth.

4:33 Then the king and the princes looked one upon another: so he began to speak of the truth.

4:34 O ye men, are not women strong? great is the earth, high is the heauen, swift is the Sunne in his course, for he compasseth the heauens round about, and fetcheth his course againe to his owne place in one day.

4:34 O ye men, are not women strong? great is the earth, high is the heaven, swift is the sun in his course, for he compasseth the heavens round about, and fetcheth his course again to his own place in one day.

4:35 Is he not great that maketh these things? therefore great is the truth, and stronger then all things.

4:35 Is he not great that maketh these things? therefore great is the truth, and stronger than all things.

4:36 All the earth calleth vpon the truth, & the heauen blesseth it, all works shake and tremble at it, and with it is no vnrighteous thing.

4:36 All the earth crieth upon the truth, and the heaven blesseth it: all works shake and tremble at it, and with it is no unrighteous thing.

4:37 Wine is wicked, the king is wicked, women are wicked, all the children of men are wicked, and such are all their wicked workes, and there is no trueth in them. In their vnrighteousnes also they shall perish.

4:37 Wine is wicked, the king is wicked, women are wicked, all the children of men are wicked, and such are all their wicked works; and there is no truth in them; in their unrighteousness also they shall perish.

4:38 As for the trueth it endureth, and is alwayes strong, it liueth and conquereth for euermore.

4:38 As for the truth, it endureth, and is alwaYs strong; it liveth and conquereth for evermore.

4:39 With her there is no accepting of persons, or rewards, but she doeth the things that are iust, and refraineth from all vniust and wicked things, and all men doe well like of her workes.

4:39 With her there is no accepting of persons or rewards; but she doeth the things that are just, and refraineth from all unjust and wicked things; and all men do well like of her works.

4:40 Neither in her iudgement is any vnrighteousnesse, & she is the strength, kingdome, power and maiestie of all ages. Blessed be the God of trueth.

4:40 Neither in her judgment is any unrighteousness; and she is the strength, kingdom, power, and majesty, of all ages. Blessed be the God of truth.

4:41 And with that he held his peace, and al the people then shouted and said, Great is trueth, and mightie aboue all things.

4:41 And with that he held his peace. And all the people then shouted, and said, Great is Truth, and mighty above all things.

4:42 Then saide the king vnto him, Aske what thou wilt, more then is appointed in the writing, and we wil giue it thee, because thou art found wisest, and thou shalt sit next me, and shalt bee called my cousin.

4:42 Then said the king unto him, Ask what thou wilt more than is appointed in the writing, and we will give it thee, because thou art found wisest; and thou shalt sit next me, and shalt be called my cousin.

4:43 Then said hee vnto the king, Remember thy vow which thou hast vowed to build Ierusalem in the day when thou camest to the kingdome,

4:43 Then said he unto the king, Remember thy vow, which thou hast vowed to build Jerusalem, in the day when thou camest to thy kingdom,

4:44 And to send away all the vessels that were taken away out of Ierusalem, which Cyrus set apart, when hee vowed to destroy Babylon, and to send them againe thither.

4:44 And to send away all the vessels that were taken away out of Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart, when he vowed to destroy Babylon, and to send them again thither.

4:45 Thou also hast vowed to build vp the Temple, which the Edomites burnt when Iudea was made desolate by the Chaldees.

4:45 Thou also hast vowed to build up the temple, which the Edomites burned when Judea was made desolate by the Chaldees.

4:46 And now, O lord the king, this is that which I require, and which I desire of thee, and this is the princely liberalitie proceeding from thy selfe: I desire therefore that thou make good the vow, the performance wherof with thine owne mouth thou hast vowed to the king of heauen.

4:46 And now, O lord the king, this is that which I require, and which I desire of thee, and this is the princely liberality proceeding from thyself: I desire therefore that thou make good the vow, the performance whereof with thine own mouth thou hast vowed to the King of heaven.

4:47 Then Darius the king stood vp and kissed him, and wrote letters for him vnto all the treasurers and lieutenants, and captaines and gouernours that they should safely conuey on their way, both him, and all those that go vp with him to build Ierusalem.

4:47 Then Darius the king stood up, and kissed him, and wrote letters for him unto all the treasurers and lieutenants and captains and governors, that they should safely convey on their way both him, and all those that go up with him to build Jerusalem.

4:48 Hee wrote letters also vnto the lieutenants that were in Coelosyria and Phenice, and vnto them in Libanus, that they should bring Cedar wood from Libanus vnto Ierusalem, and that they should build the city with him

4:48 He wrote letters also unto the lieutenants that were in Celosyria and Phenice, and unto them in Libanus, that they should bring cedar wood from Libanus unto Jerusalem, and that they should build the city with him.

4:49 Moreouer he wrote for all the Iewes that went out of his realme vp into Iurie, concerning their freedome, that no officer, no ruler, no lieutenant, nor treasurer, should forcibly enter into their dores,

4:49 Moreover he wrote for all the Jews that went out of his realm up into Jewry, concerning their freedom, that no officer, no ruler, no lieutenant, nor treasurer, should forcibly enter into their doors;

4:50 And that all the countrey which they hold, should be free without tribute, & that the Edomites should giue ouer the villages of the Iewes which then they held,

4:50 And that all the country which they hold should be free without tribute; and that the Edomites should give over the villages of the Jews which then they held:

4:51 Yea that there should be yereely giuen twentie talents to ye building of the Temple, vntill ye time that it were built,

4:51 Yea, that there should be yearly given twenty talents to the building of the temple, until the time that it were built;

4:52 And other tenne talents yeerely, to maintaine the burnt offerings vpon the Altar euery day (as they had a commandement to offer seuenteene)

4:52 And other ten talents yearly, to maintain the burnt offerings upon the altar every day, as they had a commandment to offer seventeen:

4:53 And that all they that went from Babylon to build the citie, should haue free liberty as well they as their posteritie, and all the priests that went away.

4:53 And that all they that went from Babylon to build the city should have free liberty, as well they as their posterity, and all the priests that went away.

4:54 He wrote also concerning the charges, and the priests vestments wherein they minister:

4:54 He wrote also concerning the charges, and the priests' vestments wherein they minister;

4:55 And likewise for the charges of the Leuites, to be giuen them, vntill the day that the house were finished, and Ierusalem builded vp.

4:55 And likewise for the charges of the Levites, to be given them until the day that the house were finished, and Jerusalem builded up.

4:56 And he commanded to giue to all that kept the city, pensions and wages.

4:56 And he commanded to give to all that kept the city pensions and wages.

4:57 He sent away also all the vessels from Babylon that Cyrus had set apart, and all that Cyrus had giuen in commandement, the same charged hee also to be done, and sent vnto Ierusalem.

4:57 He sent away also all the vessels from Babylon, that Cyrus had set apart; and all that Cyrus had given in commandment, the same charged he also to be done, and sent unto Jerusalem.

4:58 Now when this yong man was gone forth, he lifted vp his face to heauen toward Ierusalem, and praised the king of heauen,

4:58 Now when this young man was gone forth, he lifted up his face to heaven toward Jerusalem, and praised the King of heaven,

4:59 And said, From thee commeth victory, from thee commeth wisedom, and thine is the glory, & I am thy seruant.

4:59 And said, From thee cometh victory, from thee cometh wisdom, and thine is the glory, and I am thy servant.

4:60 Blessed art thou who hast giuen me wisedom: for to thee I giue thanks, O Lord of our fathers.

4:60 Blessed art thou, who hast given me wisdom: for to thee I give thanks, O Lord of our fathers.

4:61 And so he tooke the letters, and went out, and came vnto Babylon, and told it all his brethren.

4:61 And so he took the letters, and went out, and came unto Babylon, and told it all his brethren.

4:62 And they praised the God of their fathers: because he had giuen them freedome and libertie

4:62 And they praised the God of their fathers, because he had given them freedom and liberty

4:63 To goe vp, and to build Ierusalem, and the Temple which is called by his Name, and they feasted with instruments of musick, & gladnes seuen dayes.

4:63 To go up, and to build Jerusalem, and the temple which is called by his name: and they feasted with instruments of musick and gladness seven days.