7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artachshasta melekh Paras, Ezra Ben Serayah, Ben Azaryah, Ben Hilkiyah,
7:2 Ben Shallum, Ben Zadok, Ben Ahituv,
7:3 Ben Amaryah, Ben Azaryah, Ben Meraiot,
7:4 Ben Zerahyah, Ben Uzzi, Ben Bukki,
7:5 Ben Avishua, Ben Pinchas, Ben Eli'ezar, Ben Aharon ha Kohen ha Rosh:
7:6 This Ezra went up from Bavel; and he [was] a ready scribe in the Torah Mosheh, which YHWH (יהוה) Elohim (אלהים) of Yisrael had given: and the melekh granted him all his request, according to the hand of YHWH (יהוה) Elohav upon him.
7:7 And there went up [some] of Benai Yisrael, and of ha kohanim, and ha Levi'im, and the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, unto Yerushalayim, in the seventh year of Artachshasta ha melekh.
7:8 And he came to Yerushalayim in the fifth month (Av), which [was] in the seventh year of the melekh.
7:9 For upon the first [day] of the first month began he to go up from Bavel, and on the first [day] of the fifth month came he to Yerushalayim, according to the good hand of Elohav upon him.
7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to seek Torat YHWH (יהוה), and to do [it], and to teach in Yisrael statutes and judgments.
7:11 Now this [is] the copy of the letter that the melekh Artachshasta gave unto Ezra ha kohen, the scribe, [even] a scribe of the Divrei ha mitzvot YHWH (יהוה), and of His chukkot (statutes) l' Yisrael.
Seventh Letter from Artachshasta to Ezra
7:12 Artachshasta, melekh kings,
unto Ezra ha kohen, a scribe of the Law of Elah Shamayim, perfect [peace], and at such a time.
7:13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Yisrael, and [of] his kohanim and Levi'im, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Yerushalayim, go with thee.
7:14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the melekh, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Yehudah and Yerushalayim, according to the Law of thy Elah which [is] in thine hand;
7:15 And to carry the kesef (silver) and zahav (gold), which the melekh and his counsellors have freely offered unto Elah of Yisrael, whose habitation [is] in Yerushalayim,
7:16 And all the kesef (silver) and zahav (gold) that thou canst find in all the province of Bavel, with the nedavah (freewill offering) of the people, and of ha kohanim, offering willingly for the house of Elah which [is] in Yerushalayim:
7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their minchot and their nesakhim (drink offerings), and offer them upon the altar of the Beit Eloheichem which [is] in Yerushalayim.
7:18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the kesef (silver) and the zahav (gold), that do after the will of your Elah.
7:19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of your Elah, [those] deliver thou before Elah of Yerushalayim.
7:20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of your Elah, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow [it] out of the king's treasure house.
7:21 And I, [even] I Artachshasta the melekh, do make a decree to all the treasurers which [are] beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra ha kohen, the scribe of the Law (dat) of Elah Shamayim, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
7:22 Unto an hundred talents of kesef (silver), and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing [how much].
7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by Elah Shamayim, let it be diligently done for the beit ha Elah Shamayim: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the melekh and his banim?
7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of ha kohanim and Levi'im, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or ministers of this house of Elah, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
7:25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of your Elah, that [is] in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that [are] beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your Elah; and teach ye them that know [them] not.
7:26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy Elohim (אלהים), and the law of the melekh, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether [it be] unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
7:27 Baruch YHWH (יהוה) Elohei Avoteinu, which hath put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart, to beautify the Beit YHWH (יהוה) which [is] in Yerushalayim:
7:28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the melekh, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of YHWH (יהוה) my Elohim (אלהים) [was] upon me, and I gathered together out of Yisrael chief men to go up with me.