Ezra (KJV)
10 chapters · 280 verses. Choose a chapter to read it in the King James Version.
About the Book of Ezra
Ezra recounts the return from Babylonian exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's reforms to restore covenant faithfulness. It shows God moving even foreign kings to fulfill his purposes for his people.
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Ezra
- First audience
- The post-exilic community returning to Judah
How to read it: Read narrative for God's providence in restoration; note its focus on rebuilt worship and renewed obedience.
Chapters
Key verses in Ezra
The verses of Ezra that the rest of Scripture cross-references most often.
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;