16
Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam (who were leading men) and for Joiarib and Elnathan (who were wise).
17
I sent them to Iddo, the leader in Casiphia. I told them to tell Iddo and his relatives, the temple servants in Casiphia, that they should bring us men who can serve in our God's temple.
18
God was guiding us, so Iddo and his relatives brought us someone competent, Sherebiah, who was a descendant of Mahli, Levi, and Israel. They brought us 18 of Sherebiah's sons and relatives.
19
They also brought Hashabiah, Jeshaiah (who was a descendant of Merari), 20 of Jeshaiah's relatives and their sons,
20
and 220 temple servants. [They were descended] from the temple servants whom David and his officials had appointed to work for the Levites. These were all listed by name.
21
Then I announced a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might humble ourselves in the presence of our God to ask him for a safe journey for ourselves, for our little ones, and for all our goods.
22
I was ashamed to ask the king for an armed escort with cavalry to help us against an enemy attack on the way. We had already told the king, "Our God works things out for the good of everyone who dedicates his life to serving him, but his power and his anger oppose everyone who abandons him."
23
So we fasted and asked our God for a safe journey, and he answered our prayer.
24
Then I selected 12 leaders from the priests--Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and 10 of their relatives.
25
I weighed for them the silver, the gold, and the utensils. [These were] the contributions that the king, his advisers, his officials, and all the Israelites had contributed for our God's temple.
26
I weighed [the contributions] for them to guard: about 24 tons of silver, 100 silver utensils weighing 150 pounds apiece, 7,500 pounds of gold,