Ezra 4:15

4:15 so that he may initiate a search of the records ¹  of his predecessors ²  and discover in those records ³  that this city is rebellious ⁴  and injurious to both kings and provinces, producing internal revolts ⁵  from long ago. ⁶  It is for this very reason that this city was destroyed.

Ezra 9:8

9:8 “But now briefly ⁷  we have received mercy from the Lord our God, in that he has left us a remnant and has given us a secure position ⁸  in his holy place. Thus our God has enlightened our eyes ⁹  and has given us a little relief in our time of servitude.

Ezra 9:15

9:15 O Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we are left as a remnant this day. Indeed, we stand before you in our guilt. However, because of this guilt ¹⁰  no one can really stand before you.”

[4:15]  ¹ tn Aram “the book of the minutes.”

[4:15]  ² tn Aram “of your fathers.”

[4:15]  ³ tn Aram “discover…and learn.” For stylistic reasons this has been translated as a single concept.

[4:15]  ⁴ tn Aram “is a rebellious city.”

[4:15]  ⁵ tn Aram “revolts they are making in its midst.”

[4:15]  ⁶ tn Aram “from olden days.” So also in v. 19.

[9:8]  ⁷ tn Heb “according to a little moment.”

[9:8]  ⁸ tn Heb “a peg” or “tent peg.” The imagery behind this word is drawn from the experience of nomads who put down pegs as they pitched their tents and made camp after times of travel.

[9:8]  ⁹ tn Heb “to cause our eyes to shine.” The expression is a figure of speech for “to revive.” See DCH 1:160 s.v. אור Hi.7.

[9:15]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “this”; the referent (the guilt mentioned previously) has been specified in the translation for clarity.