e Lord, is this that followeth;

1 Esdr 8:9
King Artexerxes unto Esdras the priest and reader of the law
of the Lord sendeth greeting:

1 Esdr 8:10
Having determined to deal graciously, I have given order, that
such of the nation of the Jews, and of the priests and Levites
being within our realm, as are willing and desirous should go
with thee unto Jerusalem.

1 Esdr 8:11
As many therefore as have a mind thereunto, let them depart with
thee, as it hath seemed good both to me and my seven friends the
counsellors;

1 Esdr 8:12
That they may look unto the affairs of Judea and Jerusalem, agreeably
to that which is in the law of the Lord;

1 Esdr 8:13
And carry the gifts unto the Lord of Israel to Jerusalem, which I
and my friends have vowed, and all the gold and silver that in the
country of Babylon can be found, to the Lord in Jerusalem,

1 Esdr 8:14
With that also which is given of the people for the temple of
the Lord their God at Jerusalem: and that silver and gold may be
collected for bullocks, rams, and lambs, and things thereunto
appertaining;

1 Esdr 8:15
To the end that they may offer sacrifices unto the Lord upon
the altar of the Lord their God, which is in Jerusalem.

1 Esdr 8:16
And whatsoever thou and thy brethren will do with the silver
and gold, that do, according to the will of thy God.

1 Esdr 8:17
And the holy vessels of the Lord, which are given thee for the use
of the temple of thy God, which is in Jerusalem, thou shalt set
before thy God in Jerusalem.

1 Esdr 8:18
And whatsoever thing else thou shalt remember for the use of the
temple of thy God, thou shalt give it out of the king's treasury.

1 Esdr 8:19
And I king Artexerxes have also commanded the keepers of the
treasures in Syria and Phenice, that whatsoever Esdras the priest
and the reader of the law of the most high God shall send for,
they should give it him with speed,

1 Esdr 8:20
To the sum of an hundred talents of silver, likewise also of
wheat even to an hundred cors, and an hundred pieces of wine,
and other things in abundance.

1 Esdr 8:21
Let all things be performed after the law of God diligently unto
the most high God, that wrath come not upon the kingdom of the king
and his sons.

1 Esdr 8:22
I command you also, that ye require no tax, nor any other imposition,
of any of the priests, or Levites, or holy singers, or porters, or
ministers of the temple, or of any that have doings in this temple,
and that n