[7:11] Emperor Artaxerxes gave the following document to Ezra, the priest and scholar, who had a thorough knowledge of the laws and commands which the Lord had given to Israel:
[7:12] “From Emperor Artaxerxes to the priest Ezra, scholar in the Law of the God of Heaven.
[7:13] “I command that throughout my empire all the Israelite people, priests, and Levites that so desire be permitted to go with you to Jerusalem.
[7:14] I, together with my seven counselors, send you to investigate the conditions in Jerusalem and Judah in order to see how well the Law of your God, which has been entrusted to you, is being obeyed.
[7:15] You are to take with you the gold and silver offerings which I and my counselors desire to give to the God of Israel, whose Temple is in Jerusalem.
[7:16] You are also to take all the silver and gold which you collect throughout the province of Babylon and the offerings which the Israelite people and their priests give for the Temple of their God in Jerusalem.
[7:17] “You are to spend this money carefully and buy bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and wine and offer them on the altar of the Temple in Jerusalem.
[7:18] You may use the silver and gold that is left over for whatever you and your people desire, in accordance with the will of your God.
[7:19] You are to present to God in Jerusalem all the utensils that have been given to you for use in the Temple services.
[7:20] And anything else which you need for the Temple, you may get from the royal treasury.
[7:21] “I command all the treasury officials in West-Of-Euphrates Province to provide promptly for Ezra, the priest and scholar in the Law of the God of Heaven, everything he asks you for,
[7:22] up to a limit of 7,500 pounds of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of olive oil, and as much salt as needed.
[7:23] You must be careful to provide everything which the God of Heaven requires for his Temple, and so make sure that he is never angry with me or with those who reign after me.
[7:24] You are forbidden to collect any taxes from the priests, Levites, musicians, guards, workers, or anyone else connected with this Temple.
[7:25] “You, Ezra, using the wisdom which your God has given you, are to appoint administrators and judges to govern all the people in West-Of-Euphrates who live by the Law of your God. You must teach that Law to anyone who does not know it.
[7:26] If any disobey the laws of your God or the laws of the empire, they are to be punished promptly: by death or by exile or by confiscation of their property or by imprisonment.”