1Now after these things, in the reign of…
2the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok,…
3the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah,…
4the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi,…
5the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas,…
6this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was…
7Some of the children of Israel, including some…
8He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month,…
9For on the first day of the first…
10For Ezra had set his heart to seek…
11Now this is the copy of the letter…
12Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest,…
13I make a decree that all those of…
14Because you are sent by the king and…
15and to carry the silver and gold, which…
16and all the silver and gold that you…
17Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with…
18Whatever seems good to you and to your…
19The vessels that are given to you for…
20Whatever more will be needed for the house…
21I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a…
22up to one hundred talents of silver, and…
23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven,…
24Also we inform you that it shall not…
25You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your…
26Whoever will not do the law of your…
27Blessed be the LORD, the God of our…
28and has extended loving kindness to me before…
