Ezra:7:11-28
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And this is the copy of the order which Arthasastha gave to Esdras the priest ,
the scribe of the book of the words of the commandments of the Lord ,
and of his ordinances to Israel .
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Arthasastha ,
king of kings ,
to Esdras ,
the scribe of the law of the Lord God of heaven ,
Let the order and the answer be accomplished .
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A decree is made by me ,
that every one who is willing in my kingdom of the people of Israel ,
and of the priests and Levites ,
to go to Jerusalem ,
be permitted to go with thee .
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One has been sent from the king and the seven councillors ,
to visit Judea and Jerusalem ,
according to the law of their God that is in thine hand .
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And for the house of the Lord there have been sent silver and gold ,
which the king and the councillors have freely given to the God of Israel ,
who dwells in Jerusalem .
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And all the silver and gold ,
whatsoever thou shalt find in all the land of Babylon ,
with the freewill-offering of the people ,
and the priests that offer freely for the house of God which is in Jerusalem .
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And as for every one that arrives there ,
speedily order him by this letter to bring calves ,
rams ,
lambs ,
and their meat-offerings ,
and their drink-offerings ;
and thou shalt offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem .
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And whatever it shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold ,
do as it is pleasing to your God .
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And deliver the vessels that are given thee for the service of the house of God ,
before God in Jerusalem .
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And as to the rest of the need of the house of thy God ,
thou shalt give from the king ’
s treasure-houses ,
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and from me ,
whatever it shall seem good to thee to give .
I king Arthasastha have made a decree for all the treasuries that are in the country beyond the river ,
that whatever Esdras the priest and scribe of the God of heaven may ask you ,
it shall be done (
note :)
Gr .
readily (:
note )
speedily ,
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to the amount of a hundred talents of silver ,
and a hundred measures of wheat ,
and a hundred baths of wine ,
and a hundred baths of oil ,
and salt without reckoning .
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Let whatever is in the decree of the God of heaven ,
be done :
take heed lest any one make an attack on the house of the God of heaven ,
lest at any time there shall be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons .
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Also this has been declared to you ,
with respect to all the priests ,
and Levites ,
the singers ,
porters ,
Nathinim and ministers of the house of God ,
let no tribute be paid to thee ;
thou shalt not have power to oppress them .
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And thou ,
Esdras ,
as the wisdom of God is in thy hand ,
appoint scribes and judges ,
that they may judge for all the people beyond the river ,
all that know the law of the Lord thy God ;
and ye shall make it known to him that knows not .
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And whosoever shall not do the law of God ,
and the law of the king readily ,
judgement shall be taken upon him ,
whether for death or for chastisement ,
or for a fine of his property ,
or casting into prison .
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Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers ,
who has put it thus into the heart of the king ,
to glorify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem ;
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and has given me favour in the eyes of the king ,
and of his councillors ,
and all the rulers of the king ,
the exalted ones .
And I was strengthened according to the good hand of God upon me ,
and I gathered chief men of Israel to go up with me .
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