All our concerns about ourselves, our families, and our estates, it is our wisdom and duty, by prayer to commit to God, and to leave the care of them with him. When we are in any peril, let us be at peace with God, and then nothing can do us any real hurt. When entering upon any new state of life, our care should be, to bring none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition into it. Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 8:21-23 Commentary on Ezra 8:21-23Įzra procured Levites to go with him but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? Those who seek God, are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers but those who forsake him, are always exposed.
After all, we had told the king, "Our God's hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him." 23 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. New Living TranslationĢ1 And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers 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 for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. New King James VersionĢ1 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. We had just told the king, "Our God lovingly looks after all those who seek him, but turns away in disgust from those who leave him." 23 So we fasted and prayed about these concerns. 22 I was embarrassed to ask the king for a cavalry bodyguard to protect us from bandits on the road. The MessageĢ1 I proclaimed a fast there beside the Ahava Canal, a fast to humble ourselves before our God and pray for wise guidance for our journey - all our people and possessions.
22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him." 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. English Standard VersionĢ1 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. 22 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. Other Translations of Ezra 8:21-23 King James VersionĢ1 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.