7. In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes more Israelites came to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants.
8. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of Artaxerxes’ seventh year as king.
9. Ezra had left Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, because God was helping him.
10. Ezra had worked hard to know and obey the Teachings of the Lord and to teach his rules and commands to the Israelites.
11. King Artaxerxes had given a letter to Ezra, a priest and teacher who taught about the commands and laws the Lord gave Israel. This is a copy of the letter:
12. From Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven.Greetings.
13. Now I give this order: Any Israelite in my kingdom who wishes may go with you to Jerusalem, including priests and Levites.
14. Ezra, you are sent by the king and the seven people who advise him to ask how Judah and Jerusalem are obeying the Law of your God, which you are carrying with you.
15. Also take with you the silver and gold that the king and those who advise him have given freely to the God of Israel, whose Temple is in Jerusalem.
16. Also take the silver and gold you receive from the area of Babylon. Take the offerings the Israelites and their priests have given as gifts for the Temple of your God in Jerusalem.
17. With this money buy bulls, male sheep, and lambs, and the grain offerings and drink offerings that go with those sacrifices. Then sacrifice them on the altar in the Temple of your God in Jerusalem.
18. You and your fellow Jews may spend the silver and gold left over as you want and as God wishes.
19. Take to the God of Jerusalem all the utensils for worship in the Temple of your God,
20. which we have given you. Use the royal treasury to pay for anything else you need for the Temple of your God.
21. Now I, King Artaxerxes, give this order to all the men in charge of the treasury of Trans-Euphrates: Give Ezra, a priest and a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, whatever he asks for.