6. They left Babylon on the new moon of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the new moon of the fifth month, since the Lord gave them a safe journey.
7. Ezra had such a great understanding that he left out nothing from the Law that came from the Lord or the commandments, but he taught Israel all the regulations and decisions.
8. The following is a copy of the written decree from King Artaxerxes that he gave to Ezra the priest and reader of the Law from the Lord:
9. King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest and reader of the Law from the Lord.Greetings.
10. In accordance with my humane policies, I have given orders that those who are mindful of the Judean people and of the priests, Levites, and others in our kingdom, those who wish to do so, may accompany you to Jerusalem.
11. Therefore, let all who wish to do so join with you, just as I and my seven advisors have agreed,
12. so that they might take an interest in matters in Judea and in Jerusalem, according to the Law from the Lord.
13. They might bring to Jerusalem the gifts for the Lord of Israel that I and my advisors have solemnly promised. They might acquire for the Lord in Jerusalem all the gold and silver that may be found in the country of Babylonia, together with what the nation gives them for the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem.
14. Gold and silver for bulls, rams, lambs, and what goes with them should be collected
15. so that sacrifices may be offered on their Lord’s altar in Jerusalem.
16. Whatever you and your people wish to do with the gold and silver, do it according to God’s will.
17. Deliver the Lord’s holy equipment that is given to you for use in your God’s temple in Jerusalem.
18. Whatever else you think of that is needed in your God’s temple, pay for it out of the royal treasury.
19. I, King Artaxerxes, have commanded the treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia so that whatever Ezra the priest and reader of the Law of the Most High God sends for, they should give to him completely, up to 5,700 pounds of silver,
20. up to one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, and a lot of salt.
21. Let everything be carried out for the Most High God strictly according to God’s Law, so that God’s wrath may not come on the king’s empire and his family.
22. Also no foreign tax or any other fine should be placed on any of the priests, Levites, temple singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or people working on this temple. No one has authority to impose anything on them.
23. You, Ezra, according to God’s wisdom, should appoint judges and justices to have jurisdiction over all those who know the Law from your God, throughout all Syria and Phoenicia. You should teach it to those who don’t know it.
24. All who disobey the Law from your God or the royal law will be strictly punished, whether by death or some other punishment, either fine or arrest.