Ezra 7

Ezra Comes with the Law and the King’s Backing

1 After all that, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, a man named Ezra came on the scene. He was the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,

2 Son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,

3 Son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,

4 Son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,

5 Son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest.

6 Ezra was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king gave him everything he asked for, because the hand of the LORD his God was on him.

7 Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants came up to Jerusalem with Ezra during the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king.

9 He had started the trip from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he reached Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, because the good hand of his God was on him.

10 Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to live it out, and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel.

The Letter from the King

11 This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, an expert in matters concerning the commandments and laws of the LOR” for Israel:

12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the law of the God of heaven, Peace.”

13 “I give permission for any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem with you, to go.”

14 “You are being sent by the king and his seven advisors to check out how Judah and Jerusalem are doing with the Law of your God, which is in your hands.”

15 “You are also to carry the silver and gold the king and his counselors are freely giving to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem.”

16 “Along with all the silver and gold you collect in Babylon, plus the freewill offerings the people and priests give for the temple of their God in Jerusalem.”

17 “With this money, buy bulls, rams, and lambs, and their grain offerings and drink offerings. Sacrifice them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.”

18 “You and your fellow Israelites can use the leftover silver and gold however God leads you.”

19 “The articles that are given to you for the worship of your God, deliver them all before the God of Jerusalem.”

20 “And if there is anything else needed for your God’s temple, pay for it from the king’s treasury.”

21 “I, King Artaxerxes, hereby order all the treasurers west of the Euphrates to give Ezra the priest, a teacher of the law of the God of heaven, whatever he asks for.”

22 “You can give up to 7,500 pounds of silver, 600 bushels of wheat, 600 gallons of wine, 600 gallons of oil, and unlimited salt.”

23 “Do everything exactly for the God of heaven. Why risk His wrath against the kingdom, the king, and his sons?”

24 “We also declare that no priest, Levite, singer, gatekeeper, temple servant, or other worker in this house of God has to pay taxes or tolls or fees.”

25 “And you, Ezra, using the wisdom your God has given you, appoint judges and magistrates to judge all the people west of the Euphrates who know the laws of your God. Teach it to anyone who does not know.”

26 “Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be carried out right away, whether death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or jail.”

Ezra’s Praise

27 Blessed be the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who put this idea in the king’s heart to honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

28 And who showed me His faithful love in front of the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. So I took courage, because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered some leading men from Israel to go up with me.