22. I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for a troop of cavalry to guard us from any enemies during our journey, because I had told him that our God blesses everyone who trusts him, but that he is displeased with and punishes anyone who turns away from him.
23. So we fasted and prayed for God to protect us, and he answered our prayers.
24. From among the leading priests I chose Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten others.
25. Then I weighed out the silver, the gold, and the utensils which the emperor, his advisers and officials, and the people of Israel had given to be used in the Temple, and I gave it to the priests.
26-27. This is what I gave them:silver — 22 tonnes100 silver utensils — seventy kilogrammesgold — 3.4 tonnestwenty gold bowls — 8.4 kilogrammestwo fine bronze bowls, equal in value to gold bowls