8 Now the commission, which was written from King Artahshashta, came to Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the master, was as follows:

9 “King Artahshashta to Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the master, greetings. 10 Having determined to deal graciously, I have given orders that those of the nation of the Yehudim (Jews), and of the priests and Levites, and of those within our realm who are willing and freely choose to, should go with you to Yerushalem. 11 As many therefore as are so disposed, let them depart with you, as it has seemed good both to me and my seven friends the counsellors, 12 that they may look to the affairs of Yehudah (Judea) and Yerushalem, in accordance with what is in the master’s law, 13 and carry the gifts to the master of Yisrael to Yerushalem, which I and my friends have vowed, and that all the gold and silver that can be found in the country of Bavel for the master in Yerushalem, 14 with that also which is given of the people for the temple of the master their god that is at Yerushalem, be collected: even the gold and silver for bulls, rams, and lambs, and what goes with them, 15 to the end that they may offer sacrifices to the master on the altar of the master their god, which is in Yerushalem. 16 Whatever you and your kindred decide to do with gold and silver, do that according to the will of your god. 17 The holy vessels of the master, which are given you for the use of the temple of your god, which is in Yerushalem, 18 and whatever else you shall remember for the use of the temple of your god, you shall give it out of the king’s treasury. 19 I, King Artahshashta (Artaxerxes), have also commanded the keepers of the treasures in Aram (Syria) and Foinikai, that whatever Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the Most High God shall send for, they should give it to him with all diligence, 20 to the sum of one hundred talents of silver, likewise also of wheat even to one hundred cors,[fn] and one hundred firkins[fn] of wine, and[fn] salt in abundance. 21 Let all things be performed after God’s law diligently to the most high God, that wrath come not onto the kingdom of the king and his sons. 22 I command you also that no tax, nor any other imposition, be laid on any of the priests, or Levites, or holy singers, or gatekeepers, or temple servants, or any that have employment in this temple, and that no man has authority to impose any tax on them. 23 You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of God, ordain judges and justices that they may judge in all Aram and Foinikai all those who know the law of your god; and those who don’t know it, you shall teach. 24 Anyone who transgresses 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 Ezra the scribe said, “Blessed be the only master, the god of my fathers, who has put these things into the heart of the king, to glorify his house that is in Yerushalem, 26 and has honoured me in the sight of the king, his counsellors, and all his friends and nobles. 27 Therefore I was encouraged by the help of the master my god, and gathered together out of Yisrael (Israel) men to go up with me.