23 Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons?(A) 24 You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty(B) on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.(C)

25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint(D) magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach(E) any who do not know them. 26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.[a](F)

27 Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart(G) to bring honor(H) to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor(I) to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me,(J) I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezra 7:26 The text of 7:12-26 is in Aramaic.

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 the 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 toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach 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 Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which 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 hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

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