51
I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for infantry and cavalry to accompany us and protect us from our enemies,
52
because I had told him that our Lord by his strength blesses and protects those who trust him.
53
So once again we prayed for our Lord to protect us, and he answered our prayers.
54
From among the leading priests I chose Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten others.
55
Then I weighed out the silver, the gold, and the sacred utensils which the emperor, his advisers and officials, and the people of Israel had given to be used in the Temple, and I gave it to the priests.
56
This is what I gave them:
58
I said to the priests, "You are sacred to the Lord, the Lord of our ancestors, and so are the utensils and the silver and gold brought to him in fulfillment of a vow.
59
Guard them carefully until you reach the Temple. There in the priests' rooms, turn them over to the leaders of the priests and the Levites and to the leaders of the people of Israel in Jerusalem."
60
So the priests and the Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the utensils for Jerusalem and brought them to the Temple.
61
It was on the twelfth day of the first month that we left Theras River, and with the Lord's presence and protection we reached Jerusalem. He protected us from all our enemies on our journey, and we arrived safely.