Thematic Bible




Ezra 7:1 (show verse)

After these things [during] the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,

Ezra 7:2 (show verse)

son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,

Ezra 7:3 (show verse)

son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,

Ezra 7:4 (show verse)

, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,

Ezra 7:5 (show verse)

son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest--

Ezra 7:6 (show verse)

this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which Yahweh the God of Israel gave. The king granted him all his requests, for the hand of Yahweh was upon him.

Ezra 7:7 (show verse)

Some of the {Israelites}, some priests and Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

Ezra 7:8 (show verse)

He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

Ezra 7:9 (show verse)

For on the first day of the first month he began the journey from Babylonia; and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God [was] on him.

Ezra 7:10 (show verse)

For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Yahweh, to do [it], and to teach the regulations and judgments in Israel.

Ezra 7:11 (show verse)

This is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the scroll of the words of the commands of Yahweh and his statutes for Israel:

Ezra 7:12 (show verse)

"Artaxerxes, the king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of the heavens. Peace. And now

Ezra 7:13 (show verse)

I issue forth a decree that any of the people of Israel, their priests, or their Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem may go with you.

Ezra 7:14 (show verse)

For you are sent from the king and his seven counselors to enquire about Judah and Jerusalem concerning the law of your God, which is in your hand.

Ezra 7:15 (show verse)

Also, bring the silver and gold that the king and his advisors have freely offered to the God of Israel whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,

Ezra 7:16 (show verse)

and all of the silver and gold that you will find in the whole province of Babylonia, with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests giving willingly for the house of their God in Jerusalem.

Ezra 7:17 (show verse)

With this money, then, with diligence you must buy young bulls, young rams, lambs, and their offerings and libations. You must offer them on the altar that is in the house of your God in Jerusalem.

Ezra 7:18 (show verse)

You may do whatever seems best to you and your brothers to do with the remainder of the silver and gold according to the desire of your God.

Ezra 7:19 (show verse)

And the vessels that were given to you for the service of the house of your God you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem.

Ezra 7:20 (show verse)

And the remainder of the needs for the house of your God that falls to you to provide, you may provide from the house of the king's treasury."

Ezra 7:21 (show verse)

"I, even I, King Artaxerxes, issue forth a decree to all the treasurers who are in [the province] Beyond the River. Whatever the priest Ezra, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, may ask of you, let it be done with diligence,

Ezra 7:22 (show verse)

up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred measures of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and {unlimited salt}.

Ezra 7:23 (show verse)

All that is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with diligence for the house of the God of heaven, otherwise wrath will come on the kingdom of the king and his sons.

Ezra 7:24 (show verse)

You also should be aware that it is not permitted to place tax, tribute, or duty upon all of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, and other servants of the house of God.

Ezra 7:25 (show verse)

"You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges who can judge all of the people [in the province] Beyond the River who know the laws of your God. And you will teach those who do not know.

Ezra 7:26 (show verse)

All who do not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with diligence, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of goods and for imprisonment."

Ezra 7:27 (show verse)

Blessed be Yahweh the God of our ancestors, who put this in the heart of the king to glorify the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem

Ezra 7:28 (show verse)

and who extended to me loyal love before the king and his counselors, and before all of the mighty officials of the king. I took courage, for the hand of Yahweh my God was upon me, and I gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.