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An Apocryphal retelling of Ezra and Nehemiah, with a memorable court tale.

First Esdras is included in the King James Version with Apocrypha, largely paralleling and expanding material found in 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, including the fall of Jerusalem, the Babylonian captivity, and the return of the exiles to rebuild the Temple. Like the historical narratives of Joshua, it blends political events with reflections on covenant faithfulness. Begin at I Esdras chapter 1 to read this account from the start.

First Esdras is one of the Apocryphal books included in the King James Version with Apocrypha, not part of the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant canons. It largely parallels and expands material found in 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah - the fall of Jerusalem, the Babylonian captivity, Cyrus's decree, and the return of the exiles to rebuild the Temple - while adding a distinctive court tale in which three young bodyguards of King Darius debate what is strongest in the world, won by the argument for truth. Read First Esdras online here, verse by verse.

Its most distinctive addition is a court tale in which three young bodyguards of King Darius debate what is strongest in the world, a contest won by the argument for truth — a narrative style reminiscent of royal-court scenes in <a href="/bible/kjva/1-samuel">1 Samuel</a>.