7. In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes more Israelites came to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants.
8. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of Artaxerxes’ seventh year as king.
9. Ezra had left Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, because God was helping him.
10. Ezra had worked hard to know and obey the Teachings of the Lord and to teach his rules and commands to the Israelites.
11. King Artaxerxes had given a letter to Ezra, a priest and teacher who taught about the commands and laws the Lord gave Israel. This is a copy of the letter:
12. From Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven.Greetings.