4. And the king did him honor: for he found grace in hid sight in all his requests.
5. There went up with him also certain of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and Levites, and holy singers, and porters, and temple servants, to Jerusalem,
6. in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, in the fifth month, this was the king’s seventh year; for they went from Babylon on the new moon of the first month, and came to Jerusalem, according to the prosperous journey which the Lord gave them for his sake.
7. For Esdras had very great skill, so that he omitted nothing of the law and commandments of the Lord, but taught all Israel the ordinances and judgments.
8. Now the commission, which was written from Artaxerxes the king, came to Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, whereof this that follows is a copy;
9. King Artaxerxes to Esdras the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, greeting:
10. Having determined to deal graciously, I have given order, that such of the nation of the Jews, and of the priests and Levites, and of those within our realm, as are willing and desirous, should go with you to Jerusalem.
11. As many therefore as have a mind thereto, let them depart with you, as it has seemed good both to me and my seven friends the counselors;
12. that they may look to the affairs of Judaea and Jerusalem, agreeably to that which is in the law of the Lord,
13. and carry the gifts to the Lord of Israel to Jerusalem, which I and my friends have vowed; and that all the gold and silver that can be found in the country of Babylonia for the Lord in Jerusalem,