Ezra 8:22

Integrity Faith Protection and safety Shame

²⁰ Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.

²¹ Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

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.

²³ So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.

²⁴ Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,

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 over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Read in context
Psalms 33:18–19
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Read in context
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Read in context
Psalms 34:15–16
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Read in context
Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Read in context
Psalms 34:22
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Read in context
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Read in context