Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem

1Many years later \After these things/,a during the reign of Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil) king of Persia (pure / splendid), Ezra (help) son of Seraiah (YHWH is ruler), the son of Azariah (YHWH has helped), the son of Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH), 2the son of Shallum (retribution), the son of Zadok (righteous), the son of Ahitub (my brother is goodness), 3the son of Amariah (YHWH has promised), the son of Azariah (YHWH has helped), the son of Meraioth (rebellious), 4the son of Zerahiah (YHWH has risen), the son of Uzzi (strong), the son of Bukki (wasting), 5the son of Abishua (my father is safety), the son of Phinehas (mouth of brass), the son of Eleazar (God has helped), the son of Aaron (light bringer) the chief priest— 6this Ezra (help) came up from Babylon (confusion by mixing). He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses (drawn out), which the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), had given.

The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. 7So in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil), he went up to Jerusalem (city of peace) with some of the Israelites (God prevails), including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants {Nethinim}.b

8Ezra arrived in Jerusalem (city of peace) in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. 9He had begun the journey from Babylon (confusion by mixing) on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem (city of peace) on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God {Elohaw} was upon him. 10For Ezra (help) had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD {YHWH}, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel (he wrestles with God).

Artaxerxes’ Letter for Ezra

11This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil) had given to Ezra (help) the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD {YHWH} to Israel:c

12Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil), king of kings.

To Ezra (help) the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven:

Greetings (Perfect now).d

13I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites (God prevails) in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem (city of peace). 14You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem (city of peace) according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.

15Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel (he wrestles with God), whose dwelling is in Jerusalem (city of peace), 16together with all the silver and gold you may find in all the province of Babylon (confusion by mixing), as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem (city of peace). 17With this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your⁺ God in Jerusalem (city of peace). 18You and your brothers may do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your⁺ God.

19You must deliver to the God of Jerusalem (city of peace) all the articles given to you for the service of the house of your God. 20And if anything else is needed for the house of your God that you may have occasion to supply, you may pay for it from the royal treasury.

21I, King Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil), decree to all the treasurers west of the Euphrates (beyond the River):e Whatever Ezra (help) the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you⁺, it must be provided promptly, 22up to a hundred talents of silver <3.77 t / 3.42 mt>,f a hundred cors of wheat <624 bu / 22,000 l>,g a hundred baths of wine <580 gal / 2,200 l>,h a hundred baths of olive oil,i and salt without limit. 23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven must be done diligently for His house. For why should wrath fall on the realm of the king and his sons? 24And be advised that you⁺ have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.

25And you, Ezra (help), according to the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you⁺ are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them. 26If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

Ezra Blesses God

27Blessed be the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem (city of peace), 28and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials.

And because the hand of the LORD my God {YHWH Elohay} was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel (he wrestles with God) to return with me.