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Passage 1: Ezra 8

(Ezr 8:1) These are now the chiefe fathers of them, and the genealogie of them that came vp with mee from Babel, in the reigne of King Artahshashte.

(Notes Reference) These [are] now the chief of their fathers, and [this is] the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of (a) Artaxerxes the king.

(a) Read (Ezr. 7:1-28).

(Ezr 8:2) Of the sonnes of Phinehas, Gershom: of the sonnes of Ithamar, Daniel: of the sonnes of Dauid, Hattush:

(Ezr 8:3) Of the sonnes of Shechaniah, of the sonnes of Pharosh, Zechariah, and with him the count of the males, an hundreth and fiftie.

(Ezr 8:4) Of the sonnes of Pahath Moab, Elihoenai, the sonne of Zerahiah, and with him two hundreth males.

(Ezr 8:5) Of the sonnes of Shechaniah, the sonne of Iahaziel, and with him three hundreth males.

(Ezr 8:6) And of the sonnes of Adin, Ebed the sonne of Ionathan, and with him fiftie males.

(Ezr 8:7) And of the sonnes of Elam, Ieshaiah the sonne of Athaliah, and with him seuentie males.

(Ezr 8:8) And of the sonnes of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the sonne of Michael, and with him fourescore males.

(Ezr 8:9) Of the sonnes of Ioab, Obadiah the sonne of Iehiel, and with him two hundreth and eighteene males.

(Ezr 8:10) And of the sonnes of Shelomith the sonne of Iosiphiah, and with him an hundreth and threescore males.

(Ezr 8:11) And of the sonnes of Bebai, Zechariah the sonne of Bebai, and with him eight and twentie males.

(Ezr 8:12) And of the sonnes of Azgad, Iohanan the sonne of Hakkatan, and with him an hundreth and ten males.

(Ezr 8:13) And of the sonnes of Adonikam, that were the last, whose names are these: Eliphelet, Iehiel and Shemaiah, and with them three score males.

(Notes Reference) And of the (b) last sons of Adonikam, whose names [are] these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.

(b) That came to go with Ezra.

(Ezr 8:14) And of the sonnes of Biguai, Vthai, and Zabbud, and with them seuentie males.

(Ezr 8:15) And I gathered them to the Riuer that goeth toward Ahaua, and there abode we three dayes: then I viewed the people, and the Priests, and found there none of the sonnes of Leui.

(Notes Reference) And I gathered them together to the (c) river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.

(c) To that place of Euphrates, where the Ahava river enters it.

(Ezr 8:16) Therefore sent I to Eliezer, to Ariel, to Shemeiah, and to Elnathan, and to Iarib, and to Elnathan, and to Nathan, and to Zechariah, and to Meshullam the chiefe, and to Ioiarib and to Elnathan, men of vnderstanding,

(Ezr 8:17) And I gaue them commandement, to Iddo the chiefest at the place of Casiphia, and I told them the words that they should speake to Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims at the place of Casiphia, that they should cause the ministers of the house of our God to come vnto vs.

(Notes Reference) And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the (d) chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, [and] to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.

(d) He was the chief teacher of the law to the Levites.

(Ezr 8:18) So by the good hande of our God which was vpon vs, they brought vs a man of vnderstanding of the sonnes of Mahali the sonne of Leui the sonne of Israel, and Sherebiah with his sonnes and his brethren, euen eighteene.

(Ezr 8:19) Also Hashabiah, and with him Ieshaiah of the sonnes of Merari, with his brethren, and their sonnes twentie.

(Ezr 8:20) And of the Nethinims, whom Dauid had set, and the Princes for the seruice of the Leuites, two hundreth and twentie of the Nethinims, which all were named by name.

(Ezr 8:21) And there at the Riuer, by Ahaua, I proclaimed a fast, that we might humble our selues before our God, and seeke of him a right way for vs, and for our children, and for all our substance.

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

(f) He shows that the purpose of fasting is to humble the body to the spirit, which must proceed from the heart that is touched, or else it is hypocrisy.

(Ezr 8:22) For I was ashamed to require of the King an armie and horsemen, to helpe vs against the enemie in the way, because we had spoken to the King, saying, The hande of our God is vpon all them that seeke him in goodnesse, but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.

(Notes Reference) For I was (g) 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.

(g) He thought it better to commit himself to the protection of God, than by seeking these ordinary means to give others a reason to think that he doubted God's power.

(Ezr 8:23) So we fasted, aud besought our God for this: and he was intreated of vs.

(Ezr 8:24) Then I separated twelue of the chiefe of the Priests, Sherebiah, and Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,

(Ezr 8:25) And weighed them the siluer and the gold, and the vessels, euen the offring of ye house of our God, which the King and his counselers, and his Princes, and all Israel that were present had offred.

(Ezr 8:26) And I weighed vnto their hand sixe hundreth and fiftie talents of siluer, and in siluer vessel, an hundreth talents, and in golde, an hundreth talents:

(Notes Reference) I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty (h) talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, [and] of gold an hundred talents;

(h) Read (1Ki 9:14).

(Ezr 8:27) And twentie basins of golde, of a thousand drammes, and two vessels of shining brasse very good, and precious as golde.

(Notes Reference) Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand (i) drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.

(i) Read (Ezr 2:69).

(Ezr 8:28) And I said vnto them, Ye are consecrate vnto the Lord, and the vessels are consecrate, and the gold and the siluer are freely offred vnto the Lord God of your fathers.

(Ezr 8:29) Watch ye, and keepe them vntill ye weigh them before the chiefe Priestes and the Leuites, and the chiefe fathers of Israel in Ierusalem in the chambers of the house of the Lord.

(Ezr 8:30) So the Priests and the Leuites receiued the weight of the siluer and of the golde, and of the vessels to bring them to Ierusalem, vnto the house of our God.

(Ezr 8:31) Then we departed from the Riuer of Ahauah on the twelft day of the first moneth, to go vnto Ierusalem, and the hand of our God was vpon vs, and deliuered vs from the hand of the enemie, and of such as layde waite by the way.

(Notes Reference) Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth [day] of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in (k) wait by the way.

(k) This declared that their journey was full of danger and yet God delivered them according to their prayer.

(Ezr 8:32) And we came to Ierusalem, and abode there three dayes.

(Ezr 8:33) And on ye fourth day was the siluer weighed, and the golde and the vessell in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the sonne of Vriah the Priest, and with him was Eleazar the sonne of Phinehas, and with them was Iozabad the sonne of Ieshua, and Noadiah the sonne of Binnui the Leuites,

(Notes Reference) Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him [was] Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them [was] Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, (l) Levites;

(l) This was a token of a good conscience and of his integrity that he would have witnesses of his fidelity.

(Ezr 8:34) By number and by weight of euery one, and all the weight was written at the same time.

(Ezr 8:35) Also the children of the captiuitie, which were come out of captiuitie, offred burnt offrings vnto the God of Israel, twelue bullockes for all Israel, ninetie and sixe rammes, seuentie and seuen lambes, and twelue hee goates for sinne: all was a burnt offring of the Lord.

(Ezr 8:36) And they deliuered the Kings commission vnto the Kings officers, and to the captaines beyond the Riuer: and they promoted the people, and the house of God.

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Passage 2: Hosea 9

(Hos 9:1) Rejoice not, O Israel for ioy as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God: thou hast loued a rewarde vpon euery corne floore.

(Notes Reference) Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, (a) as [other] people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved (b) a reward upon every cornfloor.

(a) For even though all other people should escape, yet you will be punished.

(b) You have committed idolatry in hope of reward, and to have your barns filled ((Jer 44:17)), as a harlot that had rather live by playing the whore, than to be provided for by her own husband.

(Hos 9:2) The floore, and the wine presse shall not feede them, and the newe wine shall faile in her.

(Notes Reference) (c) The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.

(c) These outward things that you seek will be taken from you.

(Hos 9:3) They wil not dwel in the Lordes lande, but Ephraim will returne to Egypt, and they will eate vncleane things in Asshur.

(Hos 9:4) They shall not offer wine to the Lord, neither shall their sacrifices be pleasant vnto him: but they shall be vnto them as the bread of mourners: al that eate thereof, shalbe polluted: for their bread for their soules shall not come into the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) They shall not offer (d) wine [offerings] to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices [shall be] unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread (e) for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

(d) All their doings both with regard to administration and religion, will be rejected as polluted things.

(e) The meat offering which they offered for themselves.

(Hos 9:5) What wil ye do then in the solemne day, and in the day of the feast of the Lord?

(Notes Reference) What will ye do (f) in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

(f) When the Lord will take away all the occasions of serving him, which will be the most grievous part of your captivity, when you will see yourselves cut off from God.

(Hos 9:6) For loe, they are gone from destruction: but Egypt shall gather them vp, and Memphis shall burie them: the nettle shall possesse the pleasant places of their siluer, and the thorne shall be in their tabernacles.

(Notes Reference) For, lo, they are gone because of (g) destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles.

(g) Even though they think to escape by fleeing the destruction that is at hand, yet they will be destroyed in the place where they flee for help.

(Hos 9:7) The daies of visitation are come: the daies of recompence are come: Israel shall knowe it: the Prophet is a foole: the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquitie: therefore the hatred is great.

(Notes Reference) The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: (h) the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

(h) Then they will know that they were deluded by those who claimed themselves to be their prophets and spiritual men.

(Hos 9:8) The watchman of Ephraim shoulde bee with my God: but the Prophet is the snare of a fouler in all his waies, and hatred in the House of his God.

(Notes Reference) The watchman of Ephraim (i) [was] with my God: [but] the prophet [is] a snare of a fowler in all his ways, [and] hatred in the house of his God.

(i) The Prophet's duty is to bring men to God, and not to be a snare to pull them from God.

(Hos 9:9) They are deepely set: they are corrupt as in the daies of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquitie, he will visite their sinnes.

(Notes Reference) They (k) have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

(k) This people is so rooted in their wickedness, that Gibeah, which was similar to Sodom, was never more corrupt; (Jdg 19:22).

(Hos 9:10) I found Israel like grapes in the wildernes: I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the figge tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-Peor, and separated themselues vnto that shame, and their abominations were according to their louers.

(Notes Reference) I found Israel like (l) grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: [but] they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto [that] shame; and [their] abominations were according (m) as they loved.

(l) Meaning, that he esteemed them and delighted in them in this way.

(m) They were as abominable to me, as their lovers the idols.

(Hos 9:11) Ephraim their glorie shall flee away like a birde: from the birth and from the wombe, and from the conception.

(Notes Reference) [As for] Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, (n) and from the womb, and from the conception.

(n) Signifying that God would destroy their children by these different means, and so consume them by little and little.

(Hos 9:12) Though they bring vp their children, yet I will depriue them from being men: yea, woe to them, when I depart from them.

(Hos 9:13) Ephraim, as I sawe, is as a tree in Tyrus planted in a cottage: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murtherer.

(Notes Reference) Ephraim, as I saw (o) Tyrus, [is] planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

(o) As they kept tender plants in their houses in Tyrus to preserve them from the cold air of the sea, so was Ephraim at the first to me: but now I will give him to the slaughter.

(Hos 9:14) O Lord, giue them: what wilt thou giue them? giue them a baren wombe and drie breasts.

(Notes Reference) Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a (p) miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

(p) The Prophet seeing the great plagues of God toward Ephraim, prays to God to make them barren, rather than that this great slaughter should come upon their children.

(Hos 9:15) All their wickednesse is in Gilgal: for there doe I hate them: for the wickednesse of their inuentions, I will cast them out of mine House: I will loue them no more: all their princes are rebels.

(Notes Reference) All their wickedness [is] in (q) Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes [are] revolters.

(q) The chief cause of their destruction is that they commit idolatry, and corrupt my religion in Gilgal.

(Hos 9:16) Ephraim is smitten, their roote is dried vp: they can bring no fruite: yea, though they bring foorth, yet will I slaie euen the dearest of their bodie.

(Hos 9:17) My God will cast them away, because they did not obey him: and they shall wander among the nations.

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Passage 3: Acts 28

(Act 28:1) And when they were come safe, then they knewe that the Yle was called Melita.

(Notes Reference) And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called (a) Melita.

(a) That place which we today call Malta.

(Act 28:2) And the Barbarians shewed vs no litle kindnesse: for they kindled a fire, and receiued vs euery one, because of the present showre, and because of the colde.

(Act 28:3) And when Paul had gathered a nomber of stickes, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heate, and leapt on his hand.

(Notes Reference) (1) And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

(1) The godly are sure to have danger upon danger, but they alway have a glorious outcome.

(Act 28:4) Nowe when ye Barbarians saw the worme hang on his hand, they said among themselues, This man surely is a murtherer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet Vengeance hath not suffered to liue.

(Notes Reference) (2) And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet (b) vengeance suffereth not to live.

(2) Although adversity is the punishment of sin, yet seeing that God in punishing men does not always punish because of sin, they judge rashly who either do not wait for the end, or who judge and esteem of men according to prosperity or adversity.

(b) Right and proper.

(Act 28:5) But he shooke off the worme into the fire, and felt no harme.

(Act 28:6) Howbeit they wayted whe he should haue swolne, or fallen downe dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and sawe no inconuenience come to him, they changed their mindes, and said, That he was a God.

(Notes Reference) Howbeit they looked when he should have (c) swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: (3) but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

(c) The Greek word signifies to be inflamed or to swell: moreover, Dioscorides in his sixth book, chap. 38, witnesses that the biting of a viper causes a swelling of the body, and so says Nicander, in his remedies against poisons. (3) There are none who are more changing in every way than they who are ignorant of true religion.

(Act 28:7) In the same quarters, the chiefe man of the Yle (whose name was Publius) had possessions: the same receiued vs, and lodged vs three dayes courteously.

(Notes Reference) (4) In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

(4) It never yet was a regret to any man who received the servant of God, were he ever so miserable and poor.

(Act 28:8) And so it was, that the father of Publius lay sicke of the feauer, and of a bloodie flixe: to whom Paul entred in, and when he prayed, he laide his hands on him, and healed him.

(Act 28:9) When this then was done, other also in the Yle, which had diseases, came to him, and were healed,

(Notes Reference) (5) So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

(5) Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not captive.

(Act 28:10) Which also did vs great honour: and when we departed, they laded vs with things necessarie.

(Notes Reference) (6) Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.

(6) God does well to strangers for his children's sake.

(Act 28:11) Nowe after three moneths we departed in a shippe of Alexandria, which had wintred in the Yle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux.

(Notes Reference) (7) And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose (d) sign was Castor and Pollux.

(7) Idols do not defile the saints, who do in no way give consent of them.

(d) So they used to deck the front part of their ships, because of which their ships were called by such names.

(Act 28:12) And when we arriued at Syracuse, we taried there three dayes.

(Act 28:13) And from thence we set a compasse, and came to Rhegium: and after one day, the South wind blewe, and we came the seconde day to Putioli:

(Act 28:14) Where we found brethren, and were desired to tary with them seuen dayes, and so we went toward Rome.

(Notes Reference) (8) Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

(8) God bows and bends the hearts even of profane men, as it pleases him to show favour to his own.

(Act 28:15) And from thence, when the brethren heard of vs, they came to meete vs at the Market of Appius, and at the Three tauernes, whom when Paul sawe, he thanked God, and waxed bolde.

(Notes Reference) (9) And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as (e) Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

(9) God never allows his own to be afflicted beyond their strength.

(e) Appius was a paved road made by Appius the blind, with the help of his soldiers, long and broad, and it ran out towards the sea, and there were three taverns on it.

(Act 28:16) So when we came to Rome, the Centurion deliuered the prisoners to the generall Captaine: but Paul was suffered to dwell by him selfe with a souldier that kept him.

(Notes Reference) And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by (f) himself with a soldier that kept him.

(f) Not in a common prison, but in a house which he rented for himself.

(Act 28:17) And the third day after, Paul called the chiefe of the Iewes together: and when they were come, he said vnto them, Men and brethren, though I haue committed nothing against the people, or Lawes of the fathers, yet was I deliuered prisoner from Hierusalem into the handes of the Romanes.

(Notes Reference) (10) And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men [and] brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

(10) Paul in every place remembers himself to be an apostle.

(Act 28:18) Who when they had examined me, would haue let me goe, because there was no cause of death in me.

(Act 28:19) But when the Iewes spake contrary, I was constrained to appeale vnto Cesar, not because I had ought to accuse my nation of.

(Notes Reference) (11) But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

(11) We may use the means which God gives us, but in such a way that we seek the glory of God, and not of ourselves.

(Act 28:20) For this cause therefore haue I called for you, to see you, and to speake with you: for that hope of Israels sake, I am bound with this chaine.

(Act 28:21) Then they saide vnto him, We neither receiued letters out of Iudea concerning thee, neither came any of the brethren that shewed or spake any euill of thee.

(Act 28:22) But we will heare of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we knowe that euery where it is spoken against.

(Act 28:23) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many vnto him into his lodging, to whom he expounded testifying the kingdome of God, and persuading them those things that concerne Iesus, both out of the Lawe of Moses, and out of the Prophets, from morning to night.

(Notes Reference) (12) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and (g) testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

(12) The Law and the Gospel agree well together.

(g) With good reasons, and proved that the kingdom of God foretold to them by the Prophets had come.

(Act 28:24) And some were persuaded with ye things which were spoken, and some beleeued not.

(Notes Reference) (13) And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

(13) The Gospel is a taste of life to those that believe, and a taste of death to those that are disobedient.

(Act 28:25) Therefore when they agreed not among themselues, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, to wit, Well spake the holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet vnto our fathers,

(Act 28:26) Saying, Goe vnto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing ye shall see, and not perceiue.

(Notes Reference) (14) Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

(14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by chance.

(Act 28:27) For the heart of this people is waxed fatte, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes haue they winked, least they shoulde see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and vnderstand with their heartes, and should returne that I might heale them.

(Notes Reference) For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they (h) closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

(h) They made as though they did not see that which they saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they would not see.

(Act 28:28) Be it knowen therefore vnto you, that this saluation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they shall heare it.

(Notes Reference) (15) Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

(15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause the truth of God to be of no effect.

(Act 28:29) And when he had saide these things, the Iewes departed, and had great reasoning among themselues.

(Notes Reference) (16) And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate.

(Act 28:30) And Paul remained two yeeres full in an house hired for himselfe, and receiued all that came in vnto him,

(Notes Reference) (17) And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

(17) The word of God cannot be bound.

(Act 28:31) Preaching the kingdome of God, and teaching those things which concerne the Lord Iesus Christ, with all boldnesse of speache, without let.