Ezra 7:21–28

21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do nmake a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, 22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred †measures of wheat, and to an hundred xbaths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 †Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of ythe king and his sons? 24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose ztoll, tribute, or custom, upon them. 25 And thou, Ezra, after athe wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set bmagistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and cteach ye them that know them not. 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or †to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

27 *dBlessed be the Lord God of our fathers, ewhich hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: 28 And fhath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his gcounsellers, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as hthe hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.