49. There were also 220 Temple workmen whose ancestors had been designated by King David and his officials to assist the Levites. They were all listed in the register by name.
50. There by the River Theras I made a vow that the young men should fast in the presence of our Lord and ask him for a safe journey for us, our children, and our animals.
51. I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for infantry and cavalry to accompany us and protect us from our enemies,
52. because I had told him that our Lord by his strength blesses and protects those who trust him.
53. So once again we prayed for our Lord to protect us, and he answered our prayers.
54. From among the leading priests I chose Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten others.
55. Then I weighed out the silver, the gold, and the sacred utensils which the emperor, his advisers and officials, and the people of Israel had given to be used in the Temple, and I gave it to the priests.
58. I said to the priests, “You are sacred to the Lord, the Lord of our ancestors, and so are the utensils and the silver and gold brought to him in fulfilment of a vow.
59. Guard them carefully until you reach the Temple. There in the priests' rooms, hand them over to the leaders of the priests and the Levites and to the leaders of the people of Israel in Jerusalem.”
60. So the priests and the Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the utensils for Jerusalem and brought them to the Temple.
61. It was on the twelfth day of the first month that we left the River Theras, and with the Lord's presence and protection we reached Jerusalem. He protected us from all our enemies on our journey, and we arrived safely.
62. After we had been there three days, we went to the Temple, weighed the silver and gold and handed it all over to Meremoth the priest, son of Uriah.
63. With him were Eleazar son of Phinehas and two Levites, Jozabad son of Jeshua and Moeth son of Sabannus.
64. Everything was counted and weighed, and a complete record was made at the same time.
65. All those who had returned from exile then offered sacrifices to the Lord, the God of Israel. They offered twelve bulls for all Israel, 96 rams,