The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

II. ESDRAS.

[The second book of Esdras [No initial rubric in the Mss. but in C, Neemye, as a running title.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] THE woordis of Neemye, sone of El|chie. And it is do in the monith of December, the twentithe ȝer, and I was [verse 2] in the burȝ toun of Susis; and ther cam to me Annam, oon of my brethern, he and the men of Juda; and I askide hem of Jewis [the Jewis AH.] , that abiden stille, and laften ouer of the caitifte, and of Jerusalem. [verse 3] And thei seiden to me, Thei that abiden stille, and ben laft of the caitifte there in the prouynce, ben in gret affliccioun, and in repref; and the wal of Jerusalem is scatered, and his ȝatis ben brend [brend vp AC.] with fijr. [verse 4] And whan I hadde herd such maner woordis, I sat and wepte, and weilide manye daȝes, and fastide, and preȝede be|for [verse 5] the face of God of heuene; and seide, I beseche, Lord God of heuene, strong,

gret, and ferful, that [the which AH.] kepist couenaunt and merci with hem, that loouen thee, [verse 6] and kepen thi maundemens; be thi ere maad herknende, and thi eȝen opened, that thou here the orisoun of thi ser|uaunt, in the whiche I preyȝe befor [to A.] thee to dai, nyȝt and dai, for the sonys of Irael, thi seruauns, and I knowleche for the synnes of the sones of Irael, in the whiche thei synneden to thee; and I and [verse 7] the hous of my fader han synned; bi vanyte wee ben born doun, and wee han not kept the heste, and cerimoines, and domus, that thou comaundedest [comaundist AH.] to Moises, thi seruaunt. [verse 8] Haue mynde of the [thi A.] woord, that thou comaundedest [comaundist AH.] to thi seruaunt, seiende, Whan ȝee han trespasid, I shal [verse 9] scatere ȝou in to puplis; and if ȝee be turned aȝeen to me, that ȝee kepe myn hestus, and don hem, also if ȝee weren lad awei to the endis of heuene, thennus I shal gadere ȝou togidere, and leden in to the place, that I ches, that my name dwelle there. [verse 10] And wee [we ben A.] thi seruauns, and thi puple, whom thou hast boȝt in thi grete strengthe, and in thi stronge hond. [verse 11] I beseche, Lord, be thin ere tak|ende heede to the orisoun of thi seruaunt, and to the orisoun of thi seruauns, that wiln dreden thi name; and dresse thi seruaunt to dai, and ȝif to hym merci befor this man. I forsothe was the [Om. C.] booteler of the king.

CAP. II.

[verse 1] It is do forsothe in the monith of Aprill, the twentithe ȝer of Artaxerses, the [Om. C.] king, and win was befor hym, and I heuede vp the win, and ȝaf to the king, and I was astoneid beforn his face. [verse 2] And the king seide to me, Whi is thi chere dreri, sithen I see thee not sijk? That is

not in vein; but I wot not the euel that is in thin herte. And I dradde ful myche; [verse 3] and I seide to the king, King, with outen ende liue; whi shulde not my chere so|rewin priueli? for the cite of the hous of the sepulcris of my fader [fadris A.] is desert, and his ȝatus ben brent with fir. [verse 4] And the king seith to me, For what thing askist thou? And I preȝede the God of heuene, [verse 5] and seide to the king, If it is seen good to the king, and if it plese to thi ser|uauns befor thi face, that thou sende me in to Jude, I beseche, to the cite of the sepulcre of my fader, and I shal bilden it. [verse 6] And the king seide to me, and the quen that sat biside hym, Vnto what time shal be thi wei, and `whanne shalt [what wolt A.] thou come aȝeen? And I pleside befor the chere of the king, and he sente me, [verse 7] and I sette hym a time; and seide to the king, If to the king it is seen good, lettris ȝiue he to me to the dukis of the regioun beȝonde the flod, that thei lede me ouer, [verse 8] to the time I [that I AH.] come in to Jude; and a lettre to Asaf, kepere of the wilde wode of the king, that he ȝiue to me trees, that I mowe couere the ȝatis of the tour of the hous, and of the wal of the cite, and the hous that I shal come in. And the king ȝaf to me, after the goode hond of my God with me. [verse 9] And I cam to the dukis of the regioun beȝunde the flod, and I ȝaf to hym the epistolis of the king. Forsothe the king hadde sent with me prinsis of kniȝtus, and horsemen. [verse 10] And Sanaballath Oronyte, and Tobie, ser|uaunt Amonyte, herden, and ben euele paȝid bi gret sorewe, that a man was come, that shulde seche the prosperite of the sonus of Irael. [verse 11] And I cam in to Je|rusalem, and I [Om. A.] was there thre daȝes.

[verse 12] And I ros the nyȝt, and fewe men with me, and I shewide to no man, what God hadde ȝiuen in myn herte, that I shulde do in Jerusalem; and there was noon helpely beeste to me, but the beeste that I sat on. [verse 13] And I wente out bi the ȝate of the valei the nyȝt, and beforn the welle of the dragoun, and at the drit ȝate; and I beheeld the wal of Jerusalem scaterid, and his ȝatis wastid with fijr. [verse 14] And I passide ouer to the ȝate of the welle, and to the watir cundict of the king, and ther was no place to the beeste, that I [verse 15] sat on that he myȝte passen ouer; and I steȝide vp bi the strem the nyȝt, and I beheeld the wal, and [I A.] turned aȝeen I [and I A.] cam to the ȝate of the valei, and am comen aȝeen. [verse 16] The maister iuges forsothe wisten not, whider I was go, or what I wolde do; but and to the Jewis, and to the prestus, and to the most worshipeful men, and to the maister iuges, and to the tothere that maden the werc, vnto that of the placis no thing I hadde shewid. [verse 17] And I seide to hem, `Ȝee han knowen the affliccioun, in whiche we ben, for Jerusa|lem is desert, and his ȝatis ben wastid with fijr; cometh, and bilde we vp the wallis of Jerusalem, and be we no more repref. [verse 18] And I shewide to hem the hond of my God, that it was good with me, and the woordis of the king, that he spac to me; and I sey, Rise we, and bilde we; and the hondis of hem ben coumfortid in goode. [verse 19] Forsothe Sanballath Oronyte, and Tobias, seruaunt Amonyte, and Go|sem Arabs, herden, and scorneden vs, and despiseden; and seiden, What is this thing that ȝee don? whether aȝen the king ȝee rebellen? [verse 20] And I ȝeld [ȝeldide AE sec. m. FH.] to them a woord, and seide to them, God

of heuene, he helpith vs, and wee his seruauns ben; rise wee, and bilde wee; to ȝou forsothe is no [not A.] part and riȝtwis|nesse and mynde in Jerusalem.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] And Eliasif, the grete prest, ros [aroos A.] , and his brethern, and prestus, and thei bilden [bildiden A.] vp the ȝatis of the floc; thei [and A.] halewiden it, and setten the ȝate leuys of it, and vn to the tour of an hundrid cubitus thei halewiden it, vn to the tour of Anane|hel. [verse 2] And beside hym the men of Jericho bilden; and biside hem bilde Zaccur, the sone of Amri. [verse 3] The ȝate forsothe of fisshis [the fisshis C.] bilden vp the sonus of Azanaa; thei couereden it [Om. C.] , and setten his ȝate leues, and lokis, and heengis. And biside hem bilde Marimuth, the sone of Vri, sone of Accus. [verse 4] And biside hym bilde Mosolla, the sone of Barachie, sone of Mesezebeel. And biside hym bilde Sa|doc, the sone of Baana. [verse 5] And biside hym bilden Thecuenus; forsothe the more wir|shipeful men of hem vnder putten not ther neckis in the werc of the Lord ther God. [verse 6] And the olde ȝate bilden vp Joiada, the sone of Fasia, and Mosollam, the sone of Besoida; and thei couereden it, and setten his ȝate leuis, and lokis, and heengis. [verse 7] And biside hem bilden Melchia Gabonite, and Jaddon Metho|nothite, men of Gabaon and Masfa, for the duk that was in the regioun beȝonde the flod. [verse 8] And biside hym bilde Eziel, the sone of Aria, goldsmith; and biside hym bilde Annany, the sone of a piment makere; and thei laften Jerusalem vnto the wal of the braddere strete. [verse 9] And bi|side hym bilde Rafaia, the sone of Hahul, prince of a toun of Jerusalem. [verse 10] And bi|side hym bilde Jeieda, the sone of Ra|math,

aȝen his hous; and biside hym bilde Accus, the sone of Azebonie. [verse 11] The myddel forsothe part [partie AH.] of the toun bilde Melchias, the sone of Herem, and Asub, the sone of Feth Moab; and the tour of ouenus. [verse 12] Biside hym bilde Sellum, the sone of Aloes, prince of the myddel part of a toun of Jerusalem, and he and his sonus. [verse 13] And the ȝate of the valei bilde Annun, and the dwelleris of Sanoe; thei bilden it, and setten his ȝate leuis, and lokis, and henglis [heengis AH.] , and a thousend cu|bitus in the wal vnto the ȝate of the dunge hil. [verse 14] And the ȝate of the dunge hil bilde Melchias, the sone of Recab, prince of the toun of Bethacharem; he bilde it, and sette his ȝate leues, and lokis, and henglis [heengys AEH.] . [verse 15] And the ȝate of the welle bilde Sellum, the sone of Colosai, prince of the toun of Masfa; he bilde it, and couerede, and sette his ȝate leuis, and lockis, and heengis [heenglis F.] ; and the wallis of the fish pond of Siloe in to the ȝerd of the king, and vn to the grees of the king, that comen doun fro the cite of Dauid. [verse 16] After hym bilde Neemyas, the sone of Asboc, the prince of the half part [partie AH.] of the toun of Bethsuri, vnto aȝen the sepulcre of Dauid, and vnto the fish pond, that bi gret werc is maad, and vnto the hous of stronge men. [verse 17] After hym bilden Leuitus; and after hem Reum, the sone of Benny. After hym bilde Azebias, prince of the half part of the toun of Cheile, in his toun. [verse 18] After hym bilden the brethern of hem, Bethin, the sone of Enadad, prince of the half part [partie AH.] of Cheila. [verse 19] And Aser, the sonn of Josue, prince of Masfa, bilde beside hym the secunde mesure aȝen the steȝing vp of the most fast corner. [verse 20] After hym in the hil bilde Baruch, the sone of Sachaie, the

secunde mesure fro the corner vnto the ȝate of the hous of Eliazif, grete prest. [verse 21] After hym bilde Marimuth, the sone of Vrie, sone of Accur, the secunde mesure fro the ȝate of the hous of Eliasif, to the time that the hous of Eliasif were straȝt out. [verse 22] And aftir hym bildeden [bylden H.] the [Om. H.] prestus, men of the wilde feldis of Jordan. [verse 23] After hym [hem A.] bilden Beniamyn and Asub aȝen ther hous; and after hym bilde Asarias, the sone of Moosie, sone of Ananye, aȝen his hous. [verse 24] Aftir hym bilde Benni, the sone of Senadad, the secunde mesure fro the hous of Azarie vnto the bowing and vnto the corner. [verse 25] Falel, the sone of Osi, aȝen the bowing, and the tour that stant aboue, fro the heȝe hous of the king, that is in the porche of the prisoun; and after hym Fadaia, the sone of Feros. [verse 26] Gabon|ites, water bereris forsothe dwelten in Ofel aȝen the ȝate of watris at the est, and the tour that aboue semede. [verse 27] After hym bilden Thecuynes the secunde me|sure forn aȝen, fro the grete tour and stondende aboue vnto the wal of the temple. [verse 28] Aboue forsothe at the horse ȝate bildeden the prestus, eche aȝen his hous. Aftir hem bilde Seddo, the sone of Enner, aȝen his hous. [verse 29] After hym bilde Semeia, the sone of Sechenye, kepere of the est ȝate. [verse 30] After hym bilde Ananye, the sone of Selemye, and Anon, the sone of Selon, the sixte, the secunde mesure. After hym bilde Mosollam, the sone of Barachie, aȝen his tresorie. After hym bilde Melchias, the sone of a goldsmith, vnto the hous of sodeknys, and of the men sellende sheldis aȝen the judicial ȝate, and vnto the supping place of the corner. [verse 31] And withinne the supping place of the corner in to the ȝate of the king bilden craftusmen and marchandus. [verse 1] It

is do forsothe, whan Sanaballath hadde herd, that we schulden bilde the wal, he wrathide gretli, and [Om. C.] , moued ful myche, scornede the Jewis. [verse 2] And he seide beforn his brethern, and the court of Samari|tanys [the Samaritanys A.] , What do the Jewis ful feble? Whether shuln leuen hem the Jentilis? Whether shul thei sacrifien and fulfillen in o dai? Whether thei shuln moun bilden vp stonis of the hillokis of pouder, that ben brent? [verse 3] But and Tobias Amon|ite seith to his neȝhebores, Bilde thei; if ther steȝe vp a fox, he shal lepe ouer ther ston wal. [verse 4] And Neemie seide, Here thou, oure God, for we ben maad despit; turne the repref vp on the hed of hem, and ȝif hem in to despising in the lond [verse 5] of caitifte; ne couere thou the wickenesse of hem, and the synnus of hem befor thi face be not don awei; for thei scorneden the bilders. [verse 6] And so we bilden the wal, and al we ioyneden togidere vnto the half part [partie AH.] , and the herte of the puple is stirid to werken.

CAP. IV.

[verse 7] It is do forsothe, whan Sanaballath hadde herd, and [Om. A.] Tobias, and Arabes, and Amanytes, and Azozie, that the gap of the wal of Jerusalem was maad al hol, and that the chinys [chynys A. chynes EF. chenes H.] `or crauasis [of crauasis F. Om. E pr. m.] begun|nen to be closid, thei ben ful myche wroth. [verse 8] And alle thei ben gedered togi|dere, that thei comen and fiȝte aȝen Jeru|salem, and casten busshemens. [verse 9] And we preȝeden the Lord oure God, and we set|ten keperis vp on the wal dai and nyȝt aȝen hem. [verse 10] Forsothe Judas seide, The strengthe of the berere is feblid, and there is to miche erthe, and we shul not moun bilden vp the wal. [verse 11] And oure ene|mis

seiden, Wite thei not, and vnknowe thei, to the time that we comen in to the middel of hem, and slen hem, and make the werc to cesen. [verse 12] It is do forsothe, the Jewis comende, that dwelten bisides hem, and seiende to vs ten sithis, of alle the placis fro whiche [the whiche AEFH.] thei weren come to vs, [verse 13] I sette in a place behinde the wal bi enuyroun a puple in order, with ther swerdis, and speris, and bowis. [verse 14] I [And I A.] be|heeld, and ros, and seide [sei C] to the more wrshipeful men, and maister iugis, and to the tother part of the comun, Wilith not dreden fro the face of hem; of the grete Lord and ferful hath mynde, and fiȝteth for ȝour brethern, and ȝour [for ȝour A.] sonus, and ȝour doȝtris, ȝour wiues, and housis. [verse 15] It is do forsothe, whan oure enemys hadden herd to be told to vs, God scaterede the conseil of hem; and alle wee ben turned aȝeen to the wallis, eche to his werk. [verse 16] And it is do fro that dai, the half part of the ȝunge men maden the werk, and the half part was redi to bataile; and speris, and sheeldis, and bowis, and ha|beriones, and princis bihinde them, in al [verse 17] the hous of Juda, of bilders in the wal, and of bereris berthenus, and of leieris on; with ther oon hond thei maden the werc, and with the tother thei heelden swerd. [verse 18] Forsothe of the bilders eche was gird aboute the hipis with a swerd; and thei bilden, and crieden with trumpe bi|syde me. [verse 19] And I seide to the most wr|shipeful men, and to the maister iugis, and to the tother part of the comun, A gret werc it is, and brod, and we ben seuered in the wal aferr, an other fro [verse 20] an other; in what euere place ȝee shul here the criyng of the trumpe, thider

renneth togidere to vs; forsothe oure God shal fiȝte for vs. [verse 21] And we vsself [oure silf A.] shul make the werk, and the half part of vs holde speris, fro the steȝing vp of the morutid to the time that the sterris gon out. [verse 22] Also that [in that AH.] time I seide to the puple, Eche with his child dwelle in the middel of Jerusalem, and be ther to ȝou whilis by nyȝt and dai to werken. [verse 23] I forsothe, and my brethern, and the kepe|ris, and my childer, that weren bihinde me, diden [we diden E pr. m.] not of oure clothis; eche [eche oon AEFH.] onli was nakid to baptem.

CAP. V.

[verse 1] And ther is maad a cri of the puple and of ther wiues, a gret, aȝen Jewis, ther brethern. [verse 2] And ther weren that seiden, Oure sonus and oure doȝtris ben ful manye; take we for the pris of hem whete, and ete we, and liue wee. [verse 3] And ther weren that seiden, Oure feldis, and vines, and oure housis lei wee to [Om. C.] , and take wee whete in hunger. [verse 4] And othere seiden, Borewe wee monei in to the tri|butus of the king, and ȝiue wee oure feldis, and oure vines. [verse 5] And now as the flesh of oure brethern, so oure flesh ben; and as the sonys of hem, so and oure sonus; lo! we han vnder ȝokid our sonus and oure doȝtris in to seruage, and of oure doȝtris ben thrallis, and we han not, wherof thei moun be boȝt; and our feldus, and oure vines other men welden. [verse 6] And I wrathide ful myche, whan I hadde herd the cri of hem after these woordys. [verse 7] And myn herte thoȝte with me, and I blamede the most wrshipeful men and maister iugis; and seide to hem, Echone aske ȝee not vsuris of ȝoure brethern. And I gederede aȝen

[verse 8] hem a gret conuocacioun, and seide to them, Wee, as ȝee witen, han forboȝt oure brethern Jewis, that weren sold to the Jentilis, after oure power; and ȝee thanne sellen ȝoure brethern, and wee shul bien [forbyen E pr. m.] hem aȝeen. And thei heelden ther pes, ne founden not what thei shulden an|swern. [verse 9] And I seide to hem, This is no good thing, that ȝee don; whi in the drede of oure God ȝee gon not, lest it be repreuid to vs of the Jentilis, oure ene|mys? [verse 10] And I and my brethern, and my childer, lenten to manye men monei and whete, ne wee askeden not aȝen this in to comun; and other thing that is aȝt [owid AEFH.] to vs graunte wee. [verse 11] Ȝeldeth to them to dai ther feldis, and ther vines, their oliues, and ther housis; but more and the hun|drid part of monee of whete, and of win, and oile, that ȝee weren wont to asken of hem, ȝiueth for hem. [verse 12] And thei seiden, Wee shal ȝelden, and of hem nothing we sechen [shul sechen E pr. m.] ; and thus wee shul do as thou spekist. And I clepide the prestis, and adiurede hem, that thei shulde do aftir that I hadde seid. [verse 13] Ferthermor I shakide out my bosum, and seide, Thus God shake out eche man, that fulfillith not this woord of his hous, and of his trauailis; and be he shaken out, and maad voide. And al the multitude seide, Amen; and preis|eden God. Thanne dide the puple, as it was seid. [verse 14] Forsothe fro that dai that the king hadde comaunded to me, that I were duke in the lond of Juda, fro the twen|tithe ȝer vn to the [Om. A.] two and threttithe ȝer of king Artaxerses, bi twelue ȝer, I and my brethern the ȝeris frutus, that weren due to dukis, wee eeten not. [verse 15] For|sothe the firste dukis that weren befor me greueden the puple, and token of hem in bred, and win, and in mone, eche dai

fourti ouncis; but and the seruauns of hem presseden doun the puple. I for|sothe dide not so, for the drede of God; [verse 16] but rathere in the werk of the wal bild|ede, and feeld I boȝte not, and alle my childer gedered weren to the werc. [verse 17] Also Jewis [the Jewis A.] and the maister iugis of hem weren an hundrid men and fifti; and thoo that camen to vs of the Jentilis, that ben in oure enuyroun, weren in my bord. [verse 18] Forsoth there was [weren A.] greithid to me bi alle daȝis an oxe, sixe chosen we|theris, out take volatilis, and betwe [betwixe A. betwen E pass. bytwene FH.] ten daȝes diuerse wines; and othere manye thingus I ȝaf; ferthermor and the ȝeris frutis of my duchie I soȝte not; for|sothe the puple gretli was poueresht. [verse 19] My God, haue mynde of me in to goode, after alle thingis that I haue do to this puple.

CAP. VI.

[verse 1] It is do forsothe, whan Sanaballath hadde herd, and Thobias, and Gosem Arabs [Arabes A.] , and oure othere enemys, that I hadde bild the wal, and ther was not in it laft brosure among; forsothe vnto that time I hadde not put ȝate leues in [verse 2] the ȝate; Sanaballath, and Thobias, and Gosem Arabs senten to me, seiende, Cum, and smite wee pes couenaunt to|gidere in litle tounus, in a feeld; thei forsothe thoȝten, that thei do to me euel. [verse 3] Thanne I sente to hem messageris, seiende, A gret werc I do, and I mai not come doun, lest parauenture it be laft, whan I shulde comen, and descende to ȝou. [verse 4] Forsothe thei senten to me after this woord bi foure sithes, and I an|swerde to hem after the rathere woord. [verse 5] And Sanaballath sente to me after the

rathere woord the fifte sithe his child; and he hadde a lettre in his hond writen [verse 6] in this maner; In Gentilis it is herd, and Gosem seide, for thou and the Jewis thenken to rebellen, and therfore ȝee bilden, and thou wilt rere thee vp on hem [verse 7] king; for what cause and profetus thou hast sett, that prechen of thee in Jeru|salem, seiende, A king in Jerusalem is; the king is to here these woordis; ther|fore cum now, that wee go in counseil togidere. [verse 8] And I sente to hem, seiende, It is not don after these woordis that thou spekist; forsothe of thin herte thou makist these thingus. [verse 9] Alle these fereden vs, thenkende that our hondis shulden cesen fro werkis, and resten aȝeen; for what cause more I confortid myn hond. [verse 10] And I wente in to the hous of Samaie, sone of Dalie, sone of Methabehel, pri|uyli, the whiche seith, Trete wee with vs in the hous of God, in the middel of the temple, and close we the ȝatus of the hous; for ther ben to come that thei sle thee, and the nyȝt thei ben to come that thei sle thee. [verse 11] And I seide, Whethir any man lic me fleeth, and who as I shal go in to the temple, and liuen? I shal not gon in. [verse 12] And I vnderstod that God hadde not sent hym, but as profeciende he hadde spoke to me; and Thobias and Sanabal|lath bi mede hadden hirid hym. [verse 13] For|sothe he hadde take pris, that aferd I shulde don, and synnen; and thei myȝte han euel, that thei repreue to me. [verse 14] Haue mynde of me, Lord, for Tobias and Sana|ballath, after [Om. C.] suche werkus of hem; but and of Nadie, profete, and of othere pro|fetus,

that fereden me. [verse 15] Forsothe the wal is fulfild the fiue and twentithe dai of the sixte moneth, in two and fifti daȝes. [verse 16] It is do thanne, whan alle oure enemys hadden herd, that alle the Jentilis that weren in oure enuyroun dredden, and fellen togidere with inne themself, and knewen, that of the Lord was do this werc. [verse 17] But and in tho daȝes manye epi|stolis of the moste wrthi men of Jewis weren sent to Tobie, and fro Tobie camen to them. [verse 18] Manye forsothe weren in Jude, hauende his oth; for he was the sone in lawe of Sechenye, sone of Jorel; and Jo|hannan, his sone, hadde taken the doȝter of Mosollam, sone of Barachie. [verse 19] But and thei preseden hym befor me, and my woordis thei tolden to hym; and Tho|bias sente lettris, that he shulde fere me.

CAP. VII.

[verse 1] Aftir forsothe that the wal is maad vp, and I sette the ȝate leuys, and noum|bride the porteres, and the singeris, and [verse 2] the Leuitis, I comaundede to Aneny, my brother, and to Ananye, prince of the hous of Jerusalem; he forsothe as a soth|fast man, and dredende God more than [verse 3] othere was seen; and I seide to hem, The ȝatis of Jerusalem be thei not opened vnto the hete of the sunne; and whan ȝit I stod neeȝh, the ȝatis ben closid and stoppid. And I sette keperis of the dwelleris of Jerusalem, eche bi ther whilis, and eche aȝen his hous. [verse 4] Forsothe the cite was myche brod and gret, and the puple litil in the middel of it, and ther weren not housis bild. [verse 5] God for|sothe ȝaf in myn herte, and I gaderede togidere the most wrshipeful men, and

the maister iugis, and the comun, that I noumbre hem; and I fond the boc of the noumbring of hem, that hadden steȝid vp first. And it is founde [Om. E pr. m.] writen in it, [verse 6] These [These ben A.] the sones of the prouince, that steȝeden vp fro the caitifte of transmigra|cioun, the whiche Nabugodonosor, king of Babiloine, hadde translatid; and thei ben turned aȝeen in to Jerusalem and in [verse 7] to Jude, eche in to his cite, that camen with Sorobabel; Josue, Neemias, Azarias, Raamias, Naanum, Mardocheus, Bethsar, Mesfarath, Beggai, Naum, Banaa. The noumbre of the men of the puple of [verse 8] Irael; the sones of Faros, two thousend [verse 9] and hundrid and two and seuenti; the sonus of Safaie, thre hundrid foure score [verse 10] and two; the sonus of Area, sixe hundrid [verse 11] two and fifti; the sonus of Faeth Moab, of the sonus of Josue and of Joab, two thousend eiȝte [sexe A.] hundrid and eiȝtetene; [verse 12] the sonus of Elam, a thousend eiȝte hun|drid [verse 13] and foure and fifti; the sonus of Zechua, eiȝte hundrid and fiue and fourti; [verse 14] the sonus of Zachai, seuene hundrid and [verse 15] sixty; the sonus of Bennui, sixe hundrid [verse 16] and eiȝte and fourti; the sonus of Ebai, [verse 17] sixe hundrid `and eiȝte [Om. A.] and twenti; the sonus of Asgad, two thousend thre hun|drid [verse 18] and two and twenti; the sonus of Asonycham, sixe hundrid and seuene and [verse 19] sixti; the sonus of Bagoamy, two thou|send [verse 20] and seuene and sixti; the sonus of Adin, sixe hundrid and fiue and fifti; [verse 21] the sonus of Aser, sone of Ezechie, eiȝte [verse 22] and twenti; the sonus of Asem, thre hun|drid [verse 23] and eiȝte and twenti; the sonus of Bethsai, thre hundrid and foure and [verse 24] twenti; the sonus of Aref, an hundrid [verse 25] and seuene and twenti; the sonus of Sa|laon, [verse 26] fiue and nynti; the men of Beth|lem and of Nethufa, an hundrid foure

[verse 27] score and eiȝte; men of Anatot, an hun|drid [verse 28] and eiȝte and twenti; men of Beth|samoth, [verse 29] two and fourti; men of Cariathi|arim, Sefira, and Beroth, seuene hundrid [verse 30] and thre and fourti; men of Ramaa and of Gabaa, sixe hundrid and oon and [verse 31] twenti; men of Machinas, two hundrid [verse 32] and two and twenti; men of Bethel and of Hai, an hundrid and thre and twenti; [verse 33] men of the tother Nebo, two and fifti; [verse 34] men of the tother Elam, a thousend two [verse 35] hundrid and foure and fifti; the sonus [verse 36] of Arem, thre hundrid and twenti; the sonus of Jericho, thre hundrid and fiue [verse 37] and fourti; the sonus of Joiadid and of Anon, seuene hundrid and oon and [verse 38] twenti; the sonus of Senaa, thre thou|send [verse 39] nyne hundrid and thretti; prestus, the sonus of Joiada, in the hous of Josue, [verse 40] nyne hundrid and foure and seuenti; the sonys of Emmer, a thousend and two and [verse 41] fifti; the sonus of Fassur, a thousend two [verse 42] hundrid seuene and fourti; the sones of Arem, a thousend and seuentene; Le|uitus, [verse 43] sonus of Josue and of Gadimel, [verse 44] sonus of Odina, seuenti and foure; singeres, [verse 45] sonus of Asaf, an hundrid and seuene and [verse 46] fourti; porteres, sonus of Sellum, sonus of Ather, sonus of Thelmon, sonus of Accub, sonus of Accita, sonus of Sobai, an hun|drid [verse 47] and eiȝte and thretti; sodeknes, sonus of Soa, sonus of Asfa, sonus of The|baoth, [verse 48] sonus of Cheros, sonus of Sicca, sonus of Fado, sonus of Lebana, sonus of [verse 49] Agaba, sonus of Selmon, sonus of Anon, [verse 50] sonus of Jeddel, sonys of Gair, sonus of Raaia, sonus of Rasym, sonus of Nechoda, [verse 51] sonus of Jesem, sonus of Asa, sonus of [verse 52] Fascha, sonus of Besai, sonus of Minum, [verse 53] sonus of Nefusym, sonis of Bechue, sonus [verse 54] of Acufa, sonus of Assur, sonus of Belloth, [verse 55] sonus of Meida, sonus of Arsa, sonus of Berchos, sonus of Cizara, sonus of Thema, [verse 56] sonus of Nezia, sonus of Athifa, [verse 57] sonus of the seruauns of Salomon, sonus of Sothai,

[verse 58] sonus of Soforeth, sonus of Ferida, sonus of Jachala, sonus of Dalchon, sonns of [verse 59] Jeddel, sonus of Safacia, sonus of Atchil, sonus of Focereth, that was born of [verse 60] Abaim, sone of Amon; alle the sodek|nes, and the sonus of the thrallis of Sala|mon, thre hundrid and two and twenti. [verse 61] These ben that steȝeden vp of Themelath, Thelarsa, Cherub, Addo, and Emmer, and thei myȝten not shewe the hous of ther fadirs, and ther sed, whether of [verse 62] Israel thei weren; sonus of Dalaia, sonus of Thobia, sonus of Nethoda, sixe hun|drid [verse 63] and two and fourti; and of the prestis, sonus of Abia, sonus of Achos, sonus of Bersellai, that toc a wif of the doȝtris of Bersellai Galadite, and is cle|pid [verse 64] bi the name of hem; these soȝten the scripture of ther genelogie, and founde [verse 65] not, and ben cast out fro presthod. And Athersatha seide to them, that thei shul|den not eten of the holi thingus of ha|lewis, to the time that ther rijse a taȝt and lerned prest. [verse 66] Al the multitude as o man, two and fourti thousend thre hun|drid [verse 67] and sixti, with oute the seruauns and the hand wymmen of hem, that weren seuen thousend thre hundrid and seuene and thretti; and among hem sing|eres and singressis two hundrid and fiue and fourti. [verse 68] The hors of hem, seuene [verse 69] hundrid and thre and thretti; the camailis of hem, foure hundrid and fiue and thretti; the assis of hem, sixe thousend seuene hundred and thretti; `the mulis of hem, two hundrid and fiue and fourti [Om. ACFH.] . [verse 70] Summe forsothe of the princis of the meynes ȝeuen expensis in to the werc of God; Athersatha ȝaf in to the tresorie, of gold, dragmys a thousend, fifty violis, prestus cotus fiue hundrid and thretti.

[verse 71] And of the princis of the [Om. A.] meines ther ȝeuen in to the tresorie of the werk, of gold, dragmis twenti thousend, and of siluer, two thousend besauntus and two hundrid. [verse 72] And that that ȝaf the tother puple, of gold, dragmis twenti thousend, and of siluer, besauntus two thousend, and prestus cotus sixti and seuenn. Forsothe the prestus, and Leuitus, and the porteris, and singeris, and the tother comun, and the sodeknys, and al Irael dwelten in ther cites.

CAP. VIII.

[verse 1] And the seuenthe monethe of the feste of tabernaclis was comen vnder Esdra and Neemie; the sonus forsothe of Irael weren in ther cites. And al the puple is gedered as oo man, at the strete that is befor the ȝate of watris. And thei seiden to Esdra, scribe, that he shulde bringe forth the boc of the lawe of Moises, that the Lord hadde comaundid to Irael. [verse 2] Thanne Esdras, the prest, broȝte forth the lawe, befor the multitude of men and wymmen, and to alle that myȝten vnder|stonde, in the firste dai of the seuenthe monyth. [verse 3] And he radde in it apertli in the strete that was befor the ȝate of watris, fro the morutid vnto the [Om. EFH.] middai, in the siȝte of men and wymmen and of wise men; and the eris of al the puple weren riȝt to the boc. [verse 4] Forsothe Esdras scribe stod vpon a treene gree [grece AFH.] , the whiche he hadde maad to speken in; and ther stoden beside hym, Mathathias, and Semma, and Anania, and Vria, and Elchia, and Maasia, at his riȝt side; and at his left [left side A.] , Fadaia, Misael, and Melchia, Assum, and Asef, Dana, and Acharia,

and Mosollam. [verse 5] And Esdras openede the boc beforn al the puple; vp on al the puple forsothe he stod ouer; and whan he hadde opened it, al the puple stod. [verse 6] And Esdras blesside to the Lord God with a gret vois; and al the puple answerde, Amen, Amen, rerend vp ther hondus. And thei ben ful bowid, and bowid in to the erthe thei honoureden God. [verse 7] But Josue, and Baani, and Serebia, Jamyn, Accub, Sefai, Odia, Maasia, Celitha, Azarias, Josabeth, Anan, Fallaia, Le|uitus, maden silence in the puple to the lawe to ben herd. The puple forsothe stod in his gree. [verse 8] And thei radden in the boc of the lawe distinctli and apertli to vnderstonde; and thei vnderstoden, whan it schulde be rad. [verse 9] Forsothe Neemias, he is Athersata, seide, and Esdras, prest and scribe, and the Leuitus, remenyng to al the puple, A dai is halewid to the Lord oure God; wileth not weilen, and wileth not wepen. Forsothe al the puple wepte, whan he [thei H.] herde the woordis of the lawe. [verse 10] And he seide to them, Goth, and eteth fatte thingis, and drinketh meth, and sendeth for hem, that han not maad redi to them self, for it is the holi dai of the Lord; wileth not be dreri, forsothe the [Om. A.] ioȝe of the Lord is ȝoure strengthe. [verse 11] Also Leuitus maden silence in al the puple, seiende, Holdeth ȝour pes, for it is hali|dai, [verse 12] and wileth not sorewen. And so al the puple wente to [for to AEFH.] ete, and drinken, and to sende partis, and to make gret glad|nesse; for thei vnderstoden the woordis, that he hadde taȝt hem. [verse 13] In the secunde dai ben gedered the princis of meynes, and al the puple, prestus, and Leuitus, to Esdra, scribe, that he remene to them the

woordis of the lawe. [verse 14] And thei founde writen in the lawe, the Lord to han co|maundid in the hond of Moises, that the sonus of Irael dwelle in tabernaclis in the [verse 15] solempne dai, the seuenthe moneth; and that thei prechen, and pupplishen vois in alle ther cites, and in Jerusalem; seiende, Goth out in to the hil, and bring|eth braunchis of oliues, and braunchis of the most fair tree, and the braunchis of myrt [myr F.] tree, and bowis of palmys, and braunchis of a wodi tree, that ther be made tabernaclis, as it is write. [verse 16] And al the puple wente out, and broȝten, and maden tabernaclis to them, eche in his hous, and in ther porchis, and in the por|chis of the hous of God, and in the strete of the ȝate of Effraym. [verse 17] Thanne al the chirche of hem, that ben turned aȝeen fro the caitifte, made tabernaclis, and thei dwelten in tabernaclis. Forsothe the sonus of Irael hadden nott maad suche thingis fro the dai of Josue, sone of Nun, vnto that dai; and ther was a gret gladnesse riȝt miche. [verse 18] Forsothe he radde in the boc of the lawe bi eche daȝes, fro the firste dai vn to the laste dai; and thei maden solempnete seuene daȝes, and in the eiȝthe a colect, after the custum.

CAP. IX.

[verse 1] In the foure and twentithe dai forsothe of this monith, the sonus of Irael camen togidere in fasting, and in sackis, and erthe vpon [vp C.] hem. [verse 2] And the sed of the sonus of Irael is seuered fro eche alien sone. And thei stoden befor the Lord, and thei knoulecheden ther synnes, and

the wickednesses of ther fadris. [verse 3] And thei risen togidere to stonden, and thei radden in the volum of the lawe of the Lord ther God foure sithes in the dai, and foure sithes in the nyȝt; thei knou|lecheden, and preiseden the Lord ther God. [verse 4] Forsothe ther risen vp on the gree, of Leuitus Jesue, and Baani, and Cediniel, Remni, Abany, Sarabias, Baani. [verse 5] And the Leuitus crieden with a gret vois to the Lord ther God. And Jesue and Sedeniel, Bonni, Assebia, Serebia, Arabia, Odaia, Sebua, Fachaia, seiden, Riseth, and blesseth to the Lord oure God fro withouten ende and vn to with oute ende; and blesse thei to the heȝe name of thi glorie in alle blessing and preising. [verse 6] And Esdras seide, Thou thi self, Lord, alone; thou madist heuene of heuenus, and al the ost of hem, the erthe and alle thingus that in it ben, ses and alle thingus that in hem ben, and thou quikenest alle these thingis; and the ost of heuene honoureth thee. [verse 7] Thou thi self Lord God, that chesedest Abraham, and lad|dest hym out fro the fijr of Caldeis, and [verse 8] settist his name Abraham; and foundist [founde C.] his herte trewe befor thee, and smite with hym pes couuenaunt, that thou ȝeue to hym the lond of Cananee, Ethei, and Euei, and Amorrei, and Feresei, and Je|busei, and Jergesei, that thou ȝeue to his sed; and thou hast fulfild thi woordis, for thou art riȝtwis. [verse 9] And thou hast seen the affliccioun of oure fadris in Egipt, and the cri of hem thou hast herd vpon the rede se. [verse 10] And thou ȝeue tocnes and wndris in Farao, and in alle his seruauns, and in al the puple of that lond; for|sothe thou hast knowen, for proudli thei diden aȝen hem; and thou madest to thee a name as in this dai. [verse 11] And the see thou

deuidedest beforn hem, and thei passeden ouer thurȝ the middel of the se in drie; the pursueris forsothe of hem thou threwe aferr in to the depnesse, as a ston in stronge watris. [verse 12] And in a pileer of a cloude ledere of hem thou were bi dai, and in a piler of fijr bi nyȝt, that the weie aperede to them, bi whiche thei wenten in. [verse 13] Also to the hil of Sinai thou came doun, and speke to hem fro heuene, and ȝeue to them riȝte domus, and the lawe of treuthe, cerimoines, and gode hestus. [verse 14] And halewid sabot thou shew|edest to them; and maundemens, and cerimoines, and lawe, thou comaund|edist [comaundist A.] to them, in the hond of Moises, thi seruaunt. [verse 15] Bred also fro heuene thou ȝeue to them in ther hunger; and water of a ston thou broȝtist out to hem thre|stende; and thou seidest to them, that thei shulden gon in, and welde the lond, vp on the whiche thou reredist thin hond, that thou take it to hem. [verse 16] Thei forsothe and ther fadris proudli diden, and in|wardli hardeden ther nollis, and thei herden not thi maundemens. [verse 17] And thei wolden not heren; and thei recordeden not of thi merueilis, that thou haddest do to them; and thei inwardli hardeden ther nollis; and thei ȝeuen hed [heued EFH. hede A.] , that thei were turned togidere to ther thral|dam; thou forsothe God merciful, and noble, and benigne, longe abidende, and of myche mercy, and thou forsoke not [verse 18] hem; and forsothe whan thei hadden maad to them a calf, as bi strif ȝoten, and seiden, This is thi God that ladde thee out fro Egipt, and thei diden grete blasfemys. [verse 19] Thou forsothe in thi manie mercies lafttist them not in desert; a piler of a cloude wente not awei fro hem bi

dai, that it lede hem in to the weie; and a piler of fijr bi nyȝt, that he shewe to them the weie, bi whiche [the whiche AEFH.] thei shulden gon in. [verse 20] And thi goode Spirit thou ȝeue to hem, that shulde teche them; and thi aungelis mete thou forfendedest [forfendist AH pr. m.] not fro the mouth of hem, and watir thou ȝeue to hem in thrist. [verse 21] Fourti ȝer thou feddist hem in desert, and no thing to hem fail|ede; the clothis of hem eeldeden not, and the feet of hem ben not ouertroden. [verse 22] And thou ȝeue to hem reumys, and puplis; and partidist to them lotis, and thei weldiden the lond of Seon, and the lond of the king of Esebon, and the lond of Og, king of Basan. [verse 23] And the sonus of hem thou multepliedest, as the sterris of heuene; and broȝtist hem to the lond, of the whiche thou haddest seid to ther fadris, that thei shulden gon in, and welden it. [verse 24] And the sonus of Irael camen, and weld|eden the lond; and thou mekedest beforn hem the Cananees, dwelleris of the lond; and thou ȝeue hem in to ther hondis, and the kingus of hem, and the puplis of the lond, that thei do to hem as it pleside to them. [verse 25] And thei token strengthid cites, and fat erthe; and weldeden housis ful of alle goodis, cisternes [and cisternys A.] of other men forgid, vines, and oliues, and manie appil trees. And thei eeten, and ben fulfild, and ben maad fatte; and thei abound|eden in richessis in thi grete goodnesse. [verse 26] Thei terreden forsothe thee to wrathe, and wenten awei fro thee, and threwen awei thi lawe bihinde ther backes; and thi profetus slowen, that witnesseden to them, that thei shulden turne aȝeen to thee; and thei diden grete blasfemys. [verse 27] And thou ȝeue them into the hond of ther enemis; and thei tormenteden hem; and in time [that time C.] of ther tribulacioun thei crieden to thee; and thou fro heuene

herdest hem, and aftir thi manie deedis of mercy thou ȝeue to hem saueoures, that shulden sauen hem fro the hond of ther enemis. [verse 28] And whan thei hadden restid, thei ben turned aȝen that thei do euel in thi siȝte; and thou forsoke hem in the hond of ther enemys, and thei weld|eden hem; and thei ben conuertyd, and thei crieden to thee; thou forsothe fro heuene herdist, and deliueredest hem in thi mercies manie times. [verse 29] And thou wit|nessedest to them, that thei shulden turnen aȝeen to thi lawe; thei forsothe proudli diden, and thei herden not thi maundementus, and in thi domys thei synneden, the whiche what man doth shal liuen in hem; and thei ȝeuen a going awey shulder, and ther nol thei inwardli hardeden. [verse 30] And thou drowe afer vpon hem manie ȝeris, and thou witness|edist hem in thi Spirit bi the hond of thi profetus; and thei herden not; and thou toke them in to the hond of the puplis of londis. [verse 31] Forsothe in thi manie mer|cies thou madist not hem in to wasting, ne forsoke them; for God of mysera|ciouns, and benigne thou art. [verse 32] And so now, Lord oure God, grete God, strong, and ferful, kepende couenaunt and merci, ne turne thou awei thi face in al the tra|uaile that hath founden vs, oure kingis, and oure princis, and oure fadris, and oure prestis, and oure profetis, and al thi puple, fro the daȝis of king Assur vnto this dai. [verse 33] And thou art riȝtwis in alle thingus, that camen vpon vs; for treuthe thou didist to vs; wee forsothe vnpitousli diden. [verse 34] Oure kingus, and oure princis, oure prestis, and oure fadris, diden not thi lawe, and tentiden not to thin hestis, and thy witnessis that thou witnessedist in hem. [verse 35] And thei in their goode reumis, and in thi miche goodnesse that thou

haddest ȝiue to hem, and in [Om. A.] the most large lond and fat, that thou haddest taken in the siȝte of hem, thei serueden not to thee, ne ben turned aȝeen fro ther werste studies. [verse 36] Lo! wee vsself to dai ben thrallis; and [in A.] the lond that thou ȝeue to oure fadris, that thei shulden ete the bred of it, and tho thingus that ben goode of it; and we vsself [oureself A.] ben thrallis in it. [verse 37] And the frutus of hem ben multiplied to kingis, that [the whiche AEFH.] thou hast put vp on vs for oure synnes; and thei lordshipen to oure bo|dies, and to oure bestis, aftir ther wil, and in gret tribulacioun we ben. [verse 38] Thanne vp on alle these thingus wee vsself [oureself A.] smijten pes couenaunt, and wrijten, and oure princis, oure Leuitis, oure prestis sette marke.

CAP. X.

[verse 1] Selers forsothe weren Neemias, Ather|sata, [verse 2] sone of Achelai, and Sedechias, Sa|raias, [verse 3] Azarias, Jeremias, Fasur, Amaria, [verse 4] Melchia, Accus, [verse 5] Sebenia, Mellucharem, [verse 6] Nerimuth, Oddias, Daniel, Jenthon, Ba|ruch, [verse 7] Mosollam, Abia, Mianymy, Mazia, Belga, Semeia; [verse 8] these preestis. [verse 9] But the Leuitus; Jesue, sone of Azarie, Bennuy, [verse 10] of the sonus of Ennadab, Cediniel, and the brether of hem, Sechenia, Odomia, [verse 11] Thelitha, Falaia, Anam, Micha, Roob, [verse 12] Azabia, Zaccur, Zerebias, Zabanya, [verse 13] Odi|as, Bani, Hanyim. [verse 14] The hedis of the puple, Fethos, Moab, Elam, Zecu, Banni, [verse 15] Bonni, Asgad, Bebai, [verse 16] Donai, Bagoai, [verse 17] Adin, Ather, Azothia, [verse 18] Asin, Adonia, [verse 19] Asuyn, Bessaia, Ares, Anathoth, Nebay,

[verse 20] Methpia, Mosollam, Azir, Meisabel, Sa|doc, [verse 21] Reddua, Felthia, Anania, [verse 22] Ozee, Ana|nia, [verse 23] Azub, Aloes, Faleam, [verse 24] Sobeth, Reu, [verse 25] Azebina, Mathsia, Ethaia, [verse 26] Anam, Mel|lucharem, [verse 27] Baana; [verse 28] and othere of the pu|ple, prestus, Leuitus, porteres, and sing|eres, sodeknes, and alle that seuereden hemself fro the puplis of londis to the lawe of God, ther wiues, and ther sonus, [verse 29] and ther doȝtris; alle that myȝten sa|uouren, behotende for ther brethern, ther most wrshipeful men, and thei that camen to behoten, and swern, that thei shulden gon in the lawe of the Lord, that he hadde ȝiue in the hond of Moises, his seruaunt, that thei shulde don and kepe alle the maundemens of the Lord ther God, and his domys, his [and his A.] cerymo|nies; [verse 30] and that wee shulden not ȝiuen oure doȝtris to the puple of the lond, and there doȝtris wee shulde not take to oure sones. [verse 31] The puplis forsothe of the lond, that bringen in chaffaris, and alle thingus to vsen bi the dai of sabot, that thei selle, wee shul not taken of hem in the sabot, and in the halewid dai; and wee shuln forȝiue the seuenthe ȝer, and exaccioun of alle hond. [verse 32] And we shul setten vp on vs hestus, that we ȝiue the thridde part of an ounce bi the ȝer to the werc of the [verse 33] Lord oure God, to the loues of proposi|cioun, and to the sacrifise euermor du|rende, and in to brent sacryfise euermor lastende, in sabatis, in calendis, in so|lempnetees, in halewid daȝis, and for synne, that it be preȝed for Irael, and in to alle vse of the hous of oure [the Lord oure A.] God. [verse 34] Thanne we leiden lotis vp on the offring of trees, betwe [betwixe A. betwen E pass. bytwene F et H pass.] prestis and Leuitis and the puple, that thei shulden bringen in

to the hous of oure God, bi the housis of oure fadris bi times, fro times of theȝer vn to a ȝer, that thei shulden brennen vp on the auter of the Lord oure God, as it is writen in the lawe of Moises; [verse 35] and that we bringe forth oure firste goten of oure lond, and the [Om. A.] firste of alle frut of eche tree, fro ȝer in to ȝer, in to [verse 36] the hous of the Lord, and the firste of oure childer, and of oure bestus, as it is writen in the lawe, and the firste of oure oxen, and of oure shep, that thei be offrid in the hous of oure God, to prestis that seruen in the hous of oure God; [verse 37] and the firste of oure [Om. A.] metus, and of oure sacrifises of likouris, and appilis of eche tree, also of vindage, and of oile, bringe wee to prestis [the preestis A.] , to the tresorie of the Lord, and the tenthe part of oure lond to Leuitus; thoo Leuitis shul take dimes of alle the cites of oure werkis. [verse 38] For|sothe the sone of Aron, prest, shal be with the Leuitus in the dimes of Leuitis; and Leuitus shuln offre the tenthe part of ther dime in the hous of oure God, to the tresorie, in the hous of the tresor. [verse 39] To the tresorie forsothe shul bern the sonus of Irael and the sonus of Leui the firste of whete, and of win, and of oile; and there shul ben the halewid vesselis and prestus, and singeris, and porteris, and seruauns; and we shul not leue the hous of oure God.

CAP. XI.

[verse 1] Forsothe the princis of the puple dwelten in Jerusalem; the most. wrshipe|ful men with oute lot in the middel of the puple dwelten; the tother forsothe pu|ple leide lot, that it take o part of ten [the ten AFH.] , that weren to dwellen in Jerusalem, in the holi cite; the tenthe part of the pu|ple is rerid, that it dwelle in Jerusalem, for the cite was voide; nyne forsothe partis in cites. [verse 2] Forsothe the puple bless|ide to alle men, that hadden offrid hem|self wilfulli, that thei dwelle in Jerusa|lem. [verse 3] And so these ben the princis of the prouince, that dwelten in Jerusalem, and in the cites of Juda; forsothe eche dwelte in his possessioun, in ther cites, Irael, prestis, Leuitis, sodeknis, and the sonus of the [Om. A.] thrallis of Salomon. [verse 4] And in Je|rusalem dwelten of the sonus of Juda, and of the sonus of Beniamyn; of the sonus of Juda, Athaias, `the sone [of the sones A.] of Azian, the sonus of Zacharie, the sonus of Amarie, the sonus of Safaie, the sonus of [verse 5] Malalele; of the sonus of Fares, Amasia, the sone of Baruch, the sone of Cholosai, the sone of Asia, the sone of Adaia, the sone of Josarib, the sone of Zacharie, the [verse 6] sone of Salonites; alle the sonus of Fares, that dwelten in Jerusalem, foure hundrid sixti and eiȝte, stronge men. [verse 7] These ben forsothe the sonus of Beniamyn; Sellum, the sone of Mosollam, the sone of Joadi, the sone of Sadaia, the sone of Cholaia, the sone of Maisia, the sone of Ethel, the [verse 8] sone of Saia; and aftir hym Gabai, Sel|lai, nyne hundrid and eiȝte and twenti; and Joel, the sone of Secry, the prouost of hem, and Judas, the sone of Sennua, vpon the cite the secunde. [verse 10] And of the prestis; Idaia, the sone of Joarib, Jachim,

[verse 11] Saraia, the sone of Elchie, the sone of Mosollam, the sone of Sadoch, the sone of Meraioth, the sone of Achitob, princis of [verse 12] the hous of God, and the brethern of hem, doende the [Om. ACFH.] werkis of the temple; eiȝte hundrid and two and twenti. And Adaia, the sone of Jeroam, the sone of Feler, the sone of Ampsi, the sone of Zacharie, the sone of Fessur, the sone of Melchie, [verse 13] and the brethern of hem, princis of fa|dris; two hundrid and two and fourty. And Amazie, the sone of Azriel, the sone of Azi, the sone of Mosollamoth, the sone [verse 14] of Seminer, and the brether of hem, ful miȝti, an hundrid and eiȝte and twenti; and the prouost of hem, Zebdiel, the sone of miȝti men. [verse 15] And of the Leuitus; Zeche|nia, the sone of Azab, the sone of Azarie, [verse 16] the sone of Azabie, the sone of Boni, and of Sabathai, and Josabel; and vp on alle the werkis that weren with oute forth in the hous of God, fro [for A.] the princis of Leuitus. [verse 17] And Mathania, the sone of Mi|cha, the sone of Sebdai, the sone of Asaf, prince, to preisen, and to knoulechen in orisoun; and Bethechias the secunde of his brethern, and Abdia, the sone of Sammia, the sone of Galai, the sone of Iditum. [verse 18] Alle the Leuitus in the holi cite, two hundrid foure score and foure. [verse 19] And the porteris; Accub, Thelmon, and the brethern of hem, that kepten the doris; an hundrid seuenti [and seuenti A.] and two. [verse 20] And the tothere of Irael, prestis, and Leuitus, in alle the cites of Juda, eche in his possessioun. [verse 21] And the sodeknis, that [that that C.] dwelten in Ofel, and Ciacha, and Gaffa, of the sodekins. [verse 22] And bisshopis of Leuitus in Jerusalem; Aazi, the sone of Bani, the sone of Azabie, the sone of Mathanie, the sone of Miche. Of the sonus of Asaf, singeres in the seruise of the hous of God. [verse 23] Forsothe the heste of the king was vpon

hem, and ordre in the singeris bi alle [verse 24] daȝis; and Afataia, the sone of Mosese|hel, of the sonus of Zara, sone of Juda, in the hond of the king, aftir al [Om. C.] the woord [verse 25] of the puple; and in the housis bi alle the [Om. C.] regiouns of hem. Of the sonis of Juda dwelten in Cariatharbe, and in the doȝtris of it, and in Dibon, and in the doȝtris of it, and in Capceel, and in the litle tounus [verse 26] of it; and in Jesue, and in Molada, and [verse 27] in Bethfeleth, and in Asersual, and in [verse 28] Bersabe, and in the doȝtris of it; and in Sichelech, and in Mochone, and in the [verse 29] doȝtris of it; and in Remon, and in Sara, [verse 30] and in Jerimuth, Sonocha, Odollam, and in the litle tounus of hem; in Lachis, in the regiouns of it; Azecha, and in the doȝtris of it; and thei dwelten in Ber|sabe vn to the valei of Ennon. [verse 31] The sonus forsothe of Beniamyn; Areba, Mechinas, and Aia, and Bethel, and in the doȝtris [verse 32] of it; [verse 33] Anatot, Nob, Anania, Nazor, Rama, [verse 34] Jetheem, Adid, Zoboim, Nebollaloth, [verse 35] and Onam, in the valei of craftis men. [verse 36] And of Leuitus, the porceouns of Jude and of Beniamyn.

CAP. XII.

[verse 1] These forsothe ben the prestus and the Leuitis, that steȝeden vp with Sorobabel, the sone of Salatiel, and Josue; Saraia, [verse 2] Jeremia, Esdras, Amaria, Melluch, Accus, [verse 3] Sechenia, Reum, Merimuth, [verse 4] Addo, Je|thom, [verse 5] Miomin, Abia, Meldaa, Belga, [verse 6] Semeia, and Joarib, Adaia, Sellum, A|moe, [verse 7] Elceia, Idaia; these the princis of prestys, and the brethern of hem, in the daȝes of Josue. [verse 8] But Leuitus; Jesua, Ben|nui, Cediniel, Serabia, Juda, Mathanias, vp on the ympnes, thei and the brether

[verse 9] of hem, in the daȝis of Josue; and Bese|chia, and Ezamith, and the brethern of hem, eche in his offis. [verse 10] Josue forsothe gat Joachim, and Joachim gat Eliazub, and [verse 11] Eliazub gat Joiada, and Joiada gat Jona|than, and Jonathan gat Jedaia. [verse 12] In the [Om. A.] daȝis forsothe of Joachim weren prestus, and the princis of meines, Saraie, Amarie, [verse 13] Jeremie, Ananie, Esdre, Mosollam, Ama|rie, [verse 14] Johannan, Milicho, Jonathan, Sebe|nie, [verse 15] Josef, Aram, Edua, Maraioth, Elchi, [verse 16] Adaie, Zacharie, Jenthon, Mosollam, A|bie, Zecarie, Miamin, [verse 17] and Moadie, Fel|thi, [verse 18] Belge, Sannia, Semeie, Jonathan, [verse 19] Joarib, Mathania, Jodaie, [verse 20] Asi, Sellaie, [verse 21] Celaie, Mochebor, Elchie, Azebias, Idaie, Nathaneel. [verse 22] Leuitus in the daȝes of Elia|zub, and of Joiada, and Jonan, and Jed|doa, writen princis of meines, and prestis [verse 23] in the regne of Darie of [kyng of A.] Persis. The sonus of Leui, princis of meines, writen in the boc of the woordis of daȝes, and vn to the daȝes of Jonathan, sone of Elia|zub. [verse 24] And the princis of Leuitys; Aze|bia, Zerebia, and Jesue, sone of Cediniel; and the brethern of hem bi ther whilis, that thei shulden preisen and knoulechen, aftir the heste of king Dauid, man of God, and waiten aboute euene bi ordre. [verse 25] Mathania, Belthbecia, and Obedia, Mo|sollam, Thelmon, Accub, keperis of ȝatis, and of vestiaries befor the ȝatus. [verse 26] These in the daȝes of Joachim, sone of Josue, sone of Josedech, and in the daȝes of Neemie, duke, and Esdre, prest and scribe. [verse 27] In the dedicacioun forsothe of the wal of Jerusalem thei soȝten Leuites fro alle ther placis, that thei bringen them in to Jerusalem, and do the dedica|cioun in gladnesse, and in doing of gracis, and in song, and in cimbalis, and in sau|trees, and in harpis. [verse 28] Forsothe the sonus

of singeris ben gadered and of the wilde feldis aboute Jerusalem, and of the tounus [verse 29] of Nethofati, and of the hous of Galgal, and of the regiouns of Jebes, and of [Om. C.] Amanech; for tounes the singeris bilden to hemself in the enuiroun of Jerusalem. [verse 30] And the prestus and Leuitus ben clensid, and thei clenseden the puple, and the ȝatus of the wal. [verse 31] Forsothe I made the princis [preestis A.] of Juda to steȝen vp vpon the wal, and I sette two grete querus of preis|eris; and thei wenten at the riȝt side vpon the wal, at the ȝate of the [Om. EH.] dunghil. [verse 32] And ther wenten after hem Osias, and the [verse 33] half part [partie AH.] of princis of Juda, and Aza|ria, Esdras [and Esdras A.] , and Mosollam, Juda [and Juda A.] , and Beniamyn, and Semeia, and Jeremia. [verse 34] And of the sonus of prestis, in trumpis; Zacharias, the sone of Jonathan, the sone of Semeie, the sone of Mathanie, the sone of Machaie, the sone of Seecur, the sone of Asaf. [verse 35] And the brethern of hym; Semeia, and Azarel, Malalai, Galalay, Mai, Nathanael, and Juda, and Amani, in the vesselis of the song of Dauid, man of God; and Esdras, scribe, beforn hem, in the welle ȝate. [verse 36] And aȝen hem steȝeden vp in the gres of the cite of Dauid, in the steȝing vp of the wal, vp on the hous of Dauid, and vn to the ȝate of watris at the est. [verse 37] And the secunde quer of men tellende gracis wente forn aȝen, and I after it; and the half part of the puple vp on the wal, and vp on the tour of ouenus, [verse 38] and vn to the most large wal; and vp on the ȝate of Effraym, and vp on the olde ȝate, and vp on the ȝate of fisshis, and the tour of Ananehel, and the tour of Emath, [verse 39] and vn to the floc ȝate; and thei stoden in the warde ȝate. And two queris of men preisende stoden in the hous of God, and

I and the half part of maister iugis with me. [verse 40] And the prestus, Eliachim, Maazia, Myamin, Michia, Elioenai, Zacharia, [verse 41] Anania, in trumpis; and Maazia, and Senea, and Eleazar, and Azi, and Johan|nan, and Melchia, and Elam, and Ezer; and clerli sungen [syngen A.] the singeris, and Je|sraia, the prouost. [verse 42] And thei offreden in that dai grete slaine sacrifises, and thei gladeden; God forsothe hadde gladid hem in gret gladnesse. But and the wiues of hem and the fre childer ioȝeden, and the gladnesse of Jerusalem is herd aferre. [verse 43] Also thei noumbreden in that dai men vpon the tresories of the tresor, to sacri|fise of likour, and to the [Om. AH.] firste frutis, and dimes, that the princis of the cite, in fair|nesse of doing of gracis, shulden bringen in to the prestis and Leuitus bi hem; for Juda gladede in the prestus and Leuitus stondende to. [verse 44] And thei kepten the ob|seruacioun of ther God, and the besinesse of clensing; and singeris, and porteris, after the heste of Dauid and of Salamon, [verse 45] his sone; for in the daȝis of Dauid and of Asaph from the beginnyng weren princis ordeined of singeris in dite, of men prei|sende and knoulechende to [Om. A.] God. [verse 46] And al Irael, in the daȝes of Sorobabel, and in the daȝes of Neemie, ȝeuen partus to sing|eris and porteris bi alle daȝes; and thei halewiden the Leuitus, and the [Om. AH.] Leuitis halewiden the sonys of Aaron.

CAP. XIII.

[verse 1] In the dai forsothe is rad in the volum of Moises, herende the puple; and ther

is founde writen in it, that Amonites and Moabitis aȝten not to gon in to the [verse 2] chirche of God vnto withoute ende; for thi that thei aȝen camen not to the sonus of Irael with bred and watir, and thei hireden aȝen hem [Om. A.] Balam to cursen to hem; and oure God turnede the cursing in to blessing. [verse 3] It is do forsothe, whan thei hadden herd the lawe, thei seuereden alle alien fro Irael. [verse 4] And vpon these thingus was Eliasub, the prest, that was prouost in the `tresorie of the hous [hous tresorie E pr. m.] of oure God, and neȝhebore to Tobie. [verse 5] Thanne he made to hym a gret tresorie; and there weren beforn hym leiende vp ȝiftis, and encens, and vesselis, and the dime of whete, win, and of [Om. A.] oile, partis of Le|uitis, and of singeris, and of porteris, and the preestus firste frutis. [verse 6] In alle these thingus forsothe I was not in Jerusa|lem; for in the two and threttithe ȝer of Artaxerses, king of Babiloine, I cam to the king, and in the ende of daȝis I preȝide the king. [verse 7] And I cam into Jeru|salem, and I vnderstod the [that A.] euel, that Eliazub hadde do to Tobie, that he make to hym a tresor in the vestiaries of the [verse 8] hous off God; and euel it is seen to me gretli. And I threw out the vesselis of [verse 9] the hous of Tobie fro the tresorie; and I comaundede, and thei clenseden the tre|sories; and I bar aȝeen thider the ves|selis of the hous of God, sacrifise, and encens. [verse 10] And I knewȝ for the partis of Leuitus weren not ȝiuen, and that eche was in to his regioun of the Leuitus, and of the singerys, and of hem that ministre|den; [verse 11] and I pursuede the cause aȝen the master iugis, and seide, Whi han wee forsake the hous of God? And I gede|rede

hem, and made to stonde in ther staciouns. [verse 12] And al Juda broȝte to [to me A.] the dime of whete, and of win, and of oile, in to bernes. [verse 13] And wee setten vpon the bernes, Selemiam, prest, and Sadoch, scribe, and Fadaiam, of the Leuitus, and biside hem, Anan, the sone of Saccur, the sone of Mathanie; for feithful thei ben preued, and to them ben take to kepe the partis of ther brethren. [verse 14] My God, haue mynde of me for this, and do thou not awei my mercies, that I dide in the hous of my God, and in his ceri|moines.

CAP. XIV.

[verse 15] In thoo daȝes I saȝ in Juda tredende pressours in the sabot, hipelis berende, and chargende vpon assis win, and grapis, and figis, and eche charge, and berende in to Jerusalem in the dai of sabot; and I witnessede vpon hem, that in the dai, in whiche it was not leeful to sellen, thei solden. [verse 16] And Tiris dwelten [dwelleden AEFH.] in it, berende in fisshis and alle chaffaris, and thei solden in the sabatis to the sonus of Juda and of Jerusalem. [verse 17] And I re|preuede the most wrshipeful men of Juda, and seide to hem, What is this euele thing that ȝee don, and defoulen the dai of sabot? [verse 18] Whether nott these thingus diden oure fadris, and oure God broȝte vp on vs al this euel, and vpon this cite? and ȝee adden wrathe vpon Irael, defoulende the sabot. [verse 19] It is do forsothe, whan the ȝatis of Jerusalem hadden restid in the sabot dai, I seide, Closeth the ȝatis;

and thei closeden the ȝatis; and I co|maundede, that thei shulden not opene them vnto after the sabot. And of my childer I ordeinede noumbris vp on the ȝatis, that no man shulde bern in [Om. A.] charge vp on the sabot dai. [verse 20] And the marchaun|dis dwelten, and sellende al ther chaffaris, withoute Jerusalem ones and twies. [verse 21] And I witnessede to them, and seide to hem, Whi dwelle ȝee forn aȝen of [Om. AC pr. m.] the wal? If the secunde this ȝee do, hond I shal lein in ȝou. And so fro that time thei camen not in the sabot. [verse 22] Also I seide to the Leuitis, that thei shulden be clensid, and comen to the ȝatis to be kept, and to halewen the sabat dai. And bi this thanne haue mynde of me, my God, and spare to me aftir the multitude of thi [the F.] myseraciouns.

CAP. XV.

[verse 23] But in thoo dayes Y saȝ the Jewis weddinge [wending C.] wiues, Azotitis, Amonitis, and Moabitis. [verse 24] And the sonus of hem speeken of the half part [partie AEFH.] Azotitis maner, and thei couthen not speken Jeuli, and thei speken after the tunge of puple and of puple. [verse 25] And I repreuede hem, and curside; and I felde of hem men, and made hem ballid, and made hem swern in the Lord, that thei shulde not ȝiue ther doȝtris to the sonus of hem, and thei shulden not take of the doȝtris of hem to ther sonus and to [verse 26] hemself; seiende, Whether not in such maner thing synnede Salamon, the [Om. A.] king of Irael? And certus in manie Jentilis was ther no king of Irael lic hym, and he was derworthe to his God, and hys God sette hym king vpon al Irael, and hym thanne ladden to synne aliene wym|men. [verse 27] Whether and wee vnbuxhum shul don al this grete euel, that wee trespa|sen

in the Lord oure God, and wedden straunge wiues. [verse 28] Of [And of A.] the sonus forsothe of Joiada, sone of the grete prest, Eli|azib, sone in lawe was Sanaballath Oro|nite, whom I drof fro me. [verse 29] Recorde thou, Lord my God, aȝen hem, that defoulen presthod, and the prestus and Leuitus riȝt. [verse 30] Thanne I clensede hem fro alle alienes, and ordeinede ordris of prestis and of [verse 31] Leuitis, eche in his seruise, and in offring of trees in ordeined times, and in firste frutis. Haue mynde of me, mi God, in to goode. [Here endith the secounde book of Esdre, and now begynneth the 3. A. Explicit liber secundus Esdre, incipit tertius. E. Here endeth Esdre secundo, and now bygynneth Esdre tercio. F. No final rubric in H.]

Explicit liber secundus Esdre.