Ezra 8:22

Integrity Faith Protection and safety Shame

²⁰ They also brought 220 of the temple servants, all designated by name. David and the officials had appointed them to assist the Levites.

²¹ And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.

For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.”

²³ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.

²⁴ Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, together with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers,

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.”
KJV: For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
WEB: For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him.”
ASV: For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
DARBY: For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; for we had spoken to the king saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his anger is against all them that forsake him.
BLB: For I was ashamed to ask of the king a force and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God [is] upon all those who seek Him for good, and His strength and His wrath [are] against all forsaking Him.”

ÅB: For jeg undså meg for å be kongen om krigsmakt og hestfolk til å hjelpe oss mot fiender på veien, siden vi hadde sagt til kongen: Vår Gud holder sin hånd over alle dem som søker ham, og lar det gå dem vel, men hans makt og hans vrede er over alle dem som forlater ham.
OTB: Jeg var flau over å be kongen om soldater og ryttere for å beskytte oss mot fiender på veien, fordi vi hadde fortalt kongen: "Vår Guds hånd er gunstig mot alle som søker Ham, men Hans makt og vrede er mot alle som forlater Ham."
B1930: For jeg undså mig for å be kongen om krigsmakt og hestfolk til å hjelpe oss mot fiender på veien, siden vi hadde sagt til kongen: Vår Gud holder sin hånd over alle dem som søker ham, og lar det gå dem vel, men hans makt og hans vrede er over alle dem som forlater ham.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Read in context
Psalms 33:18–19
Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion
Read in context
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
Read in context
Psalms 34:15–16
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.
Read in context
Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 15:2
So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
Read in context
Psalms 34:22
The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Read in context
Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Read in context