Ezra 4
1 ବହୁତ ଲୋକ ସହେି ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ରେ ବାସ କରୁଥିଲେ ଯେଉଁମାନେ କି ଯିହୁଦା ଓ ବିନ୍ଯାମୀନମାନଙ୍କୁ ବି ରୋଧ କରୁଥିଲେ। ସମାନେେ ଶୁଣିବାକୁ ପାଇଲେ ଯେ ନିର୍ବାସିତ ସନ୍ତାନଗଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ ଏକ ମନ୍ଦିର ନିର୍ମାଣ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ସହେି ଶତୃମାନେ ସରୁଦ୍ଦାନିଲ୍ ଓ ପିତୃବଂଶ ପ୍ରଧାନବର୍ଗମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଆସିଲେ ଏବଂ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନିର୍ମାଣ କରିବାକୁ ଦିଅ। କାରଣ ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ପରି ଅଟୁ।
2 ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁ। ଏବଂ ସହେି ସମୟରୁ ଅଶୂରୀଯ ରାଜା ଏସର-ହଦ୍ଦୋନ୍, ଯେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଏଠାକୁ ଆଣିଛନ୍ତି, ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବଳିଦାନ କରୁଅଛୁ।
3 ମାତ୍ର ସରୁଦ୍ଦାବିଲ ଓ ଯଶୂେଯ ଓ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଅନ୍ୟ ପିତୃବଂଶ ପ୍ରଧାନମାନେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ ମନ୍ଦିର ନିର୍ମାଣ କରିବା ବିଷଯ ରେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ସଙ୍ଗେ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର କୌଣସି ସଂପର୍କ ନାହିଁ। ମାତ୍ର ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ପାରସ୍ଯ ରାଜା କୋରସ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଆଜ୍ଞା ପ୍ରମାଣେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଆପେ ଏକତ୍ରୀତ ହାଇେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ପରମେଶ୍ବର ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ ମନ୍ଦିର ନିର୍ମାଣ କରୁଅଛୁ।
4 ତେଣୁ ଏହି ଭୂମିରେ ବାସ କରୁଥିବା ଲୋକମାନେ, ସମାନେେ ଯିହୁଦାର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ମନ୍ଦିର ନିର୍ମାଣ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ନିରୁତ୍ସାହିତ ଓ ଭୟଭୀତ କଲେ।
5 ସମାନଙ୍କେ ଅଭିପ୍ରାଯ ଦୁର୍ବଳ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପାରସ୍ଯ ରାଜା କୋରସର ୟାବଜ୍ଜୀବନ ଓ ପାରସ୍ଯ ରାଜା ଦାରିଯାବସର ଅଧିକାର ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ପ୍ରତିକୂଳ ରେ ମନ୍ତ୍ରଣାକାରିମାନଙ୍କୁ ବତନେ ଦଇେ ରଖିଲେ।
6 ଆଉ ଅକ୍ଷଶ୍ବରେଶର ସମୟରେ ତାହାର ଅଧିକାରର ଆରମ୍ଭ ରେ ସମାନେେ ଯିହୁଦା ଓ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ନିବାସୀମାନଙ୍କ ବୁରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଏକ ଅପବାଦ ପତ୍ର ଲେଖିଲେ।
7 ଏହାପରେ ଅର୍ତ୍ତକ୍ଷସ୍ତର ଶାସନ ସମୟରେ ବିଶ୍ଲମ୍, ମିତ୍ରଦାତ୍, ଟାବଲେ ଓ ତାହାର ଅନ୍ୟ ସାଥିମାନେ ପାରସ୍ଯର ରାଜା ଅର୍ତ୍ତକ୍ଷସ୍ତ ନିକଟକୁ ଲେଖିଲେ। ସହେି ପତ୍ର ଅରାମୀଯ ଅକ୍ଷର ରେ ଲଖାେ ୟାଇ ତାହା ଅରାମୀଯ ଭାଷା ରେ ଅନୁବାଦ କରାୟାଇଥିଲା।
8 ରହୂମ୍ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଓ ଶିମ୍ଶଯ ଲେଖକ ଅର୍ତ୍ତକ୍ଷସ୍ତ ରାଜା ନିକଟକୁ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଏହି ପ୍ରକାର ପତ୍ର ଲେଖିଲେ।
9 ରହୂମ୍ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଓ ଶିମ୍ଶଯ ଲେଖକ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ଅନ୍ୟ ସଙ୍ଗୀମାନେ ଯଥା:-ବିଗ୍ଭରକଗଣ, ସନୋପତି, ପାର୍ସୀ ଅଧିକାରୀଗଣ, ଅର୍କବୀଯମାନେ, ବାବିଲୀଯଗଣ ଏବଂ ଶୂଶରୁ ଏଲମୀଯଗଣ।
10 ଆଉ ମହାମହିମ ସମ୍ଭ୍ରାଯ ଅସ୍ନପ୍ପର ଦ୍ବାରା ଆନୀତ ପୁଣି ଶମରିଯା ନଗର ରେ ଓ ଫରାତ୍ ନଦୀ ସପୋରିସ୍ଥ ଦେଶର ଅନ୍ଯାନ୍ଯ ସ୍ଥାନ ରେ ସ୍ଥାପିତ ଅନ୍ୟ ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀଯମାନେ ମଧ୍ଯ ଏହା ଲେଖିଲେ।
11 ସମାନେେ ଅର୍ତ୍ତକ୍ଷସ୍ତ ରାଜା ନିକଟକୁ ଯେଉଁ ପତ୍ର ପଠାଇଥିଲେ, ତହିଁରେ ଅନୁଲିପି ଏହି ପ୍ରକାର ଥିଲା।
12 ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ କହିବାକୁ ଗ୍ଭହୁଁ ଯେ, ଯେଉଁ ୟିହୁଦୀଯ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆପଣ ପଠାଇ ଥିଲେ ସମାନେେ ୟିରୁଶାଲମକୁ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି। ସମାନେେ ସହେି ବିଦ୍ରୋହୀ ଏବଂ ଦୁଷ୍ଟନଗର ନିର୍ମାଣ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ସମାନେେ ପ୍ରାଚୀର ପୁନଃନିର୍ମାଣ ସମାପ୍ତ କରି ଭିତ୍ତିମୂଳର ମରାମତି କରିଛନ୍ତି।
13 ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ କହିବା ପାଇଁ ଗ୍ଭହୁଁ ଯେ, ଯେତବେେଳେ ଏହି ନଗର ନିର୍ମିତ ଓ ପ୍ରାଚୀର କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ସମାପ୍ତ ହବେ, ସେତବେେଳେ ସହେି ଲୋକମାନେ କର, ରାଜସ୍ବ ବା ମାଶୁଲ ଦବେେ ନାହିଁ। ପୁଣି ଶଷେ ରେ ତାହା ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ କ୍ଷତିକାରକ ହବେ।
14 ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଅନୁରକ୍ତ ହବୋକୁ ଚୁକ୍ତି କରିଅଛୁ ଓ ମହାରାଜାଙ୍କର ଅପମାନ ଦେଖିବା ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ଉଚିତ ନୁହେଁ। ତେଣୁ ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଲୋକ ପଠାଇ ମହାରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ଏହା ଜଣାଇଲୁ।
15 ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପିତୃପୁରୁଷଗଣର ଇତିହାସ ପୁସ୍ତକ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କରାଯାଉ। ତବେେ ସହେି ଇତିହାସ ପୁସ୍ତକରେ ଆପଣ ଦେଖିବେ ଓ ଜାଣିବେ ଯେ ଏହି ନଗର ବିଦ୍ରୋହୀନଗର, ଆଉ ରାଜଗଣ ଓ ପ୍ରଦେଶ ସମୂହ ପ୍ରତି ଅନିଷ୍ଟ କରିଛନ୍ତି, ପୁଣି ସମାନେେ ପୂର୍ବକାଳ ରେ ତହିଁ ମଧିଅରେ ଗଣ୍ତଗୋଳ ମତାଇ ଅଛନ୍ତି। ସେଥିପାଇଁ ଏହି ନଗର ଧ୍ବଂସ ହାଇେଅଛି।
16 ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ମହାରାଜଙ୍କୁ ଜଣାଉଅଛୁ ଯେ, ଏହି ନଗର ନିର୍ମିତ ଓ ଏହି ପ୍ରାଚୀର ସମାପ୍ତ ହେଲା, ତଦ୍ବାରା ନଦୀ ସପୋର ରେ ଆପଣଙ୍କର କୌଣସି ଅଂଶ ରହିବ ନାହିଁ।
17 ଏଥି ରେ ରାଜା ମନ୍ତ୍ରି ରହୂମର ଓ ଲେଖକ ଶିମ୍ଶଯର ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ଶମରିଯା ନିବାସୀ ଅନ୍ୟ ସଙ୍ଗୀମାନଙ୍କର ଆଉ ନଦୀ ସପୋରିସ୍ଥ ଦେଶୀଯ ଅନ୍ଯାନ୍ଯ ଲୋକଙ୍କର ନିକଟକୁ ଉତ୍ତର ପଠାଇଲା। ଯଥା, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ମଙ୍ଗଳ ହେଉ।
18 ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଯେଉଁ ପତ୍ର ପଠାଇ ଅଛ ତାହା ଆମ୍ଭ ସାକ୍ଷାତ ରେ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟରୂପେ ପାଠ କରାୟାଇ ଅଛି।
19 ପୁଣି ଆମ୍ଭ ଆଜ୍ଞା ରେ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ କରାଯାନ୍ତେ ଦଖାୟୋଇଅଛି, ଯେ ପୂର୍ବକାଳ ରେ ଏହି ନଗର ରାଜଗଣ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ କରିଅଛି ଓ ତହିଁ ମଧିଅରେ ରାଜଦ୍ରୋହ ଓ ଗଣ୍ତଗୋଳ କରାୟାଇଅଛି।
20 ମଧ୍ଯ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ରେ ପରାକ୍ରାନ୍ତ ରାଜଗଣ ଥିଲେ। ସମାନେେ ନଦୀ ସପୋରିସ୍ଥ ତାବତ୍ ଦେଶ ରେ ରାଜତ୍ବ କଲେ। ଆଉ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କର, ରାଜସ୍ବ ଓ ମାଶୁଲ ଦିଆଗଲା।
21 ଏଣୁ ଆମ୍ଭଠାରୁ ଆଜ୍ଞା ପ୍ରଗ୍ଭରିତ ନୋହିବା ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ସେ ନଗର ରେ ଯେପରି ନିର୍ମିତ ନୋହିବ ଏଥିପାଇଁ ସହେି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଜ୍ଞା କର, ସମାନେେ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯରୁ ନିବୃତ୍ତ ହାଇବେେ।
22 ସାବଧାନ୍, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଏ ବିଷଯ ରେ ହଳୋ କରନାହିଁ। ରାଜାମାନଙ୍କ କ୍ଷତି ନିମନ୍ତେ କାହିଁକି ଅନିଷ୍ଟ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଇବ।
23 ତହିଁରେ ରହୂମର ଓ ଲେଖକ ଶିମ୍ଶଯର ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ସଙ୍ଗୀମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଅଭିକ୍ଷସ୍ତ ରାଜାର ପୁତ୍ରର ଅନୁଲିପି ପଢାୟା'ନ୍ତେ ସମାନେେ ଶୀଘ୍ର ୟିରୁଶାଲମକୁ ୟିହୁଦୀଯମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟାଇ ବଳ ଓ କ୍ଷମତାଦ୍ବାରା ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯରୁ ନିବୃତ୍ତ କଲେ।
24 ତେଣୁ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ରେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ମନ୍ଦିରକାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ବନ୍ଦ ହେଲା। ପୁଣି ପାରସ୍ଯ ରାଜା ଦାରିଯାବସର ଅଧିକାରର ଦ୍ବିତୀୟ ବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ତାହା ବନ୍ଦ ହାଇେ ରହିଲା।
1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel;
2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
5 And hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.