Certainly! Here are the verses from Ezra 8:22 in both the King James Version (KJV) and the New Living Translation (NLT).
### King James Version (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.”
### New Living Translation (NLT)
“I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, ‘Our God protects all those who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.'”
### Summary: Trusting in Divine Protection
This verse illustrates Ezra’s deep trust in God’s protection and provision. He initially refrained from asking for military assistance because he had already testified to the king about God’s protective hand over His people. Ezra’s faith reflects a profound belief in divine support for those seeking God while warning of the consequences for those who turn away from Him.
