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the acts of Mordecai； and which； as we said with Aben Ezra； is now lost。
（55） From it were taken the whole contents of these four books； for no
other authority is quoted by their writer； or is known to us。
（56） That these books were not written by either Ezra or Nehemiah is
plain from Nehemiah xii：9； where the descendants of the high priest；
Joshua are traced down to Jaddua； the sixth high priest； who went to meet
Alexander the Great； when the Persian empire was almost subdued
（Josephus； 〃Ant。〃 ii。 108）； or who； according to Philo…Judaeus； was the
sixth and last high priest under the Persians。 （57） In the same chapter of
Nehemiah； verse 22； this point is clearly brought out： 〃The Levites in the
days of Eliashib； Joiada； and Johanan； and Jaddua； were recorded chief of
the fathers： also the priests； to the reign of Darius the Persian〃 … that is to
say； in the chronicles； and； I suppose； no one thinks； ＇Endnote 22＇； that
the lives of Nehemiah and Ezra were so prolonged that they outlived
fourteen kings of Persia。 （58） Cyrus was the first who granted the Jews
permission to rebuild their Temple： the period between his time and Darius；
fourteenth and last king of Persia； extends over 230 years。 （59） I have；
therefore； no doubt that these books were written after Judas Maccabaeus
had restored the worship in the Temple； for at that time false books of
Daniel； Ezra； and Esther were published by evil…disposed persons； who
were almost certainly Sadducees； for the writings were never recognized
by the Pharisees； so far as I am aware； and； although certain myths in the
fourth book of Ezra are repeated in the Talmud； they must not be set down
to the Pharisees； for all but the most ignorant admit that they have been
added by some trifler： in fact； I think； someone must have made such
additions with a view to casting ridicule on all the traditions of the sect。
（60） Perhaps these four books were written out and published at the
time I have mentioned with a view to showing the people that the
prophecies of Daniel had been fulfilled； and thus kindling their piety； and
awakening a hope of future deliverance in the midst of their misfortunes。
（61） In spite of their recent origin； the books before us contain many errors；
due； I suppose； to the haste with which they were written。 （62） Marginal
readings； such as I have mentioned in the last chapter； are found here as
elsewhere； and in even greater abundance； there are； moreover； certain
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passages which can only be accounted for by supposing some such cause
as hurry。
（63） However； before calling attention to the marginal readings； I will
remark that； if the Pharisees are right in supposing them to have been
ancient； and the work of the original scribes； we must perforce admit that
these scribes （if there were more than one） set them down because they
found that the text from which they were copying was inaccurate； and did
yet not venture to alter what was written by their predecessors and
superiors。 （64） I need not again go into the subject at length； and will；
therefore； proceed to mention some discrepancies not noticed in the
margin。
（65） I。 Some error has crept into the text of the second chapter of Ezra；
for in verse 64 we are told that the total of all those mentioned in the rest
of the chapter amounts to 42；360； but； when we come to add up the several
items we get as result only 29；818。 （66） There must； therefore； be an error；
either in the total； or in the details。 （67） The total is probably correct； for it
would most likely be well known to all as a noteworthy thing； but with the
details； the case would be different。 （68） If； then； any error had crept into
the total； it would at once have been remarked； and easily corrected。 （69）
This view is confirmed by Nehemiah vii。； where this chapter of Ezra is
mentioned； and a total is given in plain correspondence thereto； but the
details are altogether different … some are larger； and some less； than those
in Ezra； and altogether they amount to 31；089。 （70） We may； therefore；
conclude that both in Ezra and in Nehemiah the details are erroneously
given。 （71） The commentators who attempt to harmonize these evident
contradictions draw on their imagination； each to the best of his ability；
and while professing adoration for each letter and word of Scripture； only
succeed in holding up the sacred writers to ridicule； as though they knew
not how to write or relate a plain narrative。 （72） Such persons effect
nothing but to render the clearness of Scripture obscure。 （73） If the Bible
could everywhere be interpreted after their fashion； there would be no
such thing as a rational statement of which the meaning could be relied on。
（74） However； there is no need to dwell on the subject； only I am
convinced that if any historian were to attempt to imitate the proceedings
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freely attributed to the writers of the Bible； the commentators would cover
him with contempt。 （75） If it be blasphemy to assert that there are any
errors in Scripture； what name shall we apply to those who foist into it
their own fancies； who degrade the sacred writers till they seem to write
confused nonsense； and who deny the plainest and most evident meanings？
（76） What in the whole Bible can be plainer than the fact that Ezra and his
companions； in the second chapter of the book attributed to him； have
given in detail the reckoning of all the Hebrews who set out with them for
Jerusalem？ （77） This is proved by the reckoning being given； not only of
those who told their lineage； but also of those who were unable to do so。
（78） Is it not equally clear from Nehemiah vii：5； that the writer merely
there copies the list given in Ezra？ （79） Those； therefore； who explain