Ezr 7 | EngLXX | STEP | Now after these things, in the reign of Arthasastha king of the Persians, came up Esdrasthe son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Chelcias,

‏ Ezra 7

1 Now after these things, in the reign of Arthasastha king of the Persians, came up Esdrasthe son of Saraias, the son of Azarias, the son of Chelcias, 2 the son of Selum, the son of Sadduc, the son of Achitob, 3 the son of Samarias, the son of Esria, the son of Mareoth, 4 the son of Zaraia, the son of Ozias, the son of Bokki, 5 the son of Abisue, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the firstpriest. 6 This Esdras went up out of Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, whichthe Lord God of Israel gave: and the king gave himleave, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him in all things which he sought. 7 Andsome of the children of Israel went up, andsome of the priests, and of the Levites, and the singers, and the doorkeepers, and the Nathinim,to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Arthasastha the king. 8 And they came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, thiswas the seventh year of the king. 9 For in the firstday of the first month he began the going up from Babylon, and in the first day of the fifthmonth, they came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For Esdras had determined in his heart to seek the law, and to do and teach the ordinancesand judgments in Israel. 11 And thisis the copy of the order which Arthasastha gave to Esdras the priest, the scribe of the bookof the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his ordinances to Israel. 12 Arthasastha, king of kings, to Esdras, the scribe of the law of the Lord God of heaven,Let the order and the answer be accomplished. 13 A decree is made by me, that every one who is willing in my kingdom of the people ofIsrael, and of the priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem,be permitted to go with you. 14 One has been sent from the king and the seven councillors, to visit Judea and Jerusalem, accordingto the law of their God that is in your hand. 15 And for the house of the Lordthere have been sent silver and gold, which the king and the councillors have freely givento the God of Israel, who dwells in Jerusalem. 16 And all the silver and gold, whatever you shall find in all the land of Babylon, withthe free will offering of the people, and the priests that offer freely for the house of God which isin Jerusalem. 17 And as for every one that arrivesthere, speedily order him by this letterto bring calves, rams, lambs, and their meat-offerings, and their drink-offerings; and youshall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. 18 And whatever it shall seem good to you and to your brethren to do with the rest of thesilver and the gold, do as it is pleasing to your God. 19 And deliver the vessels that are given you for the service of the house of God, beforeGod in Jerusalem. 20 And as to the rest of the need of the house of your God, you shall give from the king'streasure-houses, 21 and from me, whatever it shall seemgood to you to give. I king Arthasastha have made a decree for all the treasuries that arein thecountry beyond the river, that whatever Esdras the priest and scribe of the God of heaven mayask you, it shall be done speedily, 22 tothe amount of a hundred talents of silver, and a hundred measures of wheat, and a hundred bathsof wine, and a hundred baths of oil, and salt without reckoning. 23 Let whatever is in the decree of the God of heaven, be done: take heed lest any one makean attack on the house of the God of heaven, lest at any time there shall be wrath against the realm ofthe king and his sons. 24 Also this has been declared to you, with respect to all the priests, and Levites, thesingers, porters, Nathinim and ministers of the house of God, let no tribute bepaid to you; you shall not have power to oppress them. 25 And you, Esdras, as the wisdom of Godis in your hand, appoint scribes and judges, that they may judge for all the people beyondthe river, all that know the law of the Lord your God; and you⌃ shall make it known to him that knowsnot. 26 And whoever shall not do the law of God, and the law of the king readily, judgment shallbe taken upon him, whether for death or for chastisement, or for a fine of his property, or casting intoprison. 27 Blessedbe the Lord God of our fathers, who has put it thus into the heart of the king, to glorifythe house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem; 28 and has given me favor in the eyes of the king, and of his councillors, and all the rulersof the king, the exalted ones. And I was strengthened according to the good hand of God upon me, and Igathered chief men of Israel to go up with me.