The First Book of Esdras

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 Book of Esdras: Read the Apocrypha Online

Chapter 1 I Esdras 1 Chapter 2 I Esdras 2 Chapter 3 I Esdras 3 Chapter 4 I Esdras 4 Chapter 5 I Esdras 5 Chapter 6 I Esdras 6 Chapter 7 I Esdras 7 Chapter 8 I Esdras 8 Chapter 9 I Esdras 9

About I Esdras

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Esdras and where is it included in the Bible?

First Esdras is an Apocryphal book included in the King James Version with Apocrypha, but it is not part of the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant canons. It can be read as I Esdras in KJVA.

How does 1 Esdras relate to Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles?

First Esdras largely parallels and expands material found in 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, covering the fall of Jerusalem, the Babylonian captivity, Cyrus's decree, and the return of the exiles to rebuild the Temple. It retells this familiar history with some differences in order and detail from the canonical books.

What is the story of the three bodyguards in 1 Esdras?

First Esdras includes a distinctive court tale not found in Ezra or Nehemiah, in which three young bodyguards of King Darius debate what is strongest in the world -- wine, the king, or women -- and the debate is won by the argument that truth is strongest of all. This episode is one of the book's most memorable and often-cited passages.

Why isn't 1 Esdras in most Bibles?

First Esdras was excluded from the Hebrew Bible and, consequently, from most Protestant canons, though it retained a place in the King James Version's Apocrypha section and in certain Orthodox traditions. Its overlap with Ezra and Chronicles likely contributed to it being viewed as a variant retelling rather than an independent authoritative text.

Today's Verse

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

1-kings 12:17 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

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 1 Samuel.