21. Let all things be performed after the law of God diligently to the most high God, that wrath come not upon the kingdom of the king and his sons.
22. I command you also, that no tax, nor any other imposition, be laid upon any of the priests, or Levites, or holy singers, or porters, or temple servants, or any that have employment in this temple, and that no man have authority to impose anything upon them.
23. And you, Esdras, according to the wisdom of God ordain judges and justices, that they may judge in all Syria and Phoenicia all those that know the law of your God; and those that know it not you shall teach.
24. And whoever shall transgress the law of your God, and of the king, shall be punished diligently, whether it be by death, or other punishment, by penalty of money, or by imprisonment.
25. Then said Esdras the scribe, Blessed be the only Lord, the God of my fathers, who has put these things into the heart of the king, to glorify his house that is in Jerusalem:
26. and has honored me in the sight of the king, and his counselors, and all his friends and nobles.
27. Therefore was I encouraged by the help of the Lord my God, and gathered together out of Israel men to go up with me.