Ezra 7

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1. 1After these events, during the reign of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, Ezra, the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
2. 2son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
3. 3son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
4. 4son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
5. 5son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.
6. 6This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was an expert scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king gave him everything he asked for, because the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
7. 7And some of the children of Israel, along with priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and the Nethinims, traveled to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
8. 8Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the 5th month of the king's 7th year.
9. 9He had left Babylon on the 1st day of the 1st month and arrived in Jerusalem on the 1st day of the 5th month, because the good hand of his God was on him.
10. 10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, to follow it, and to teach its statutes and judgments in Israel.
11. 11Here is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes to Israel.
12. 12From Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and at this time.
13. 13I hereby decree that any of the people of Israel living in my kingdom — including their priests and Levites — who freely choose to go to Jerusalem may travel with you.
14. 14You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which you have with you.
15. 15You are also to bring the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem.
16. 16In addition, collect whatever silver and gold you can find throughout the province of Babylon, along with the freewill offerings that the people and priests choose to give for the house of their God in Jerusalem.
17. 17Use this money right away to buy bulls, rams, and lambs, along with their meat offerings and drink offerings, and present them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.
18. 18Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the remaining silver and gold, do it according to the will of your God.
19. 19As for the vessels given to you for service in the house of your God, deliver them all to the God of Jerusalem.
20. 20If anything else is needed for the house of your God, pay for it from the royal treasury.
21. 21I, King Artaxerxes, also decree to all the treasurers beyond the river that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requests from you, it must be done quickly.
22. 22This includes up to 100 talents of silver, 100 measures of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and as much salt as needed.
23. 23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven. For why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24. 24Furthermore, be aware that no one may impose taxes, tribute, or customs duties on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinims, or other workers in this house of God.
25. 25And you, Ezra, using the wisdom your God has given you, appoint magistrates and judges to govern all the people beyond the river — everyone who knows the laws of your God. Those who don't know them, you must teach.
26. 26Anyone who refuses to obey the law of your God or the law of the king must be punished swiftly — whether by death, banishment, seizure of property, or imprisonment."
27. 27Blessed be the LORD God of our ancestors, who put such a thing in the king's heart to beautify the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
28. 28And he extended mercy to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king's mighty princes. I was strengthened because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go with me.