5
There went up with him also certain of the children of Israel, of the priests, of the Levites, of the holy singers, doorkeepers, and ministers of the temple unto Jerusalem,
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in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, in the fifth month (this was the king's seventh year); for they went from Babylon on the first day of the first month and came to Jerusalem, according to the prosperous journey which the Lord gave them.
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For Ezra had very great skill, so that he omitted nothing of the law and commandments of the Lord, but taught all Israel the ordinances and judgments.
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Now the copy of the commission, which was written from Artaxerxes the king and came to Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, is this that followeth:
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"King Artaxerxes unto Ezra, the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, sendeth greetings.
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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.
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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 counselors,
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that they may look unto the affairs of Judea and Jerusalem, agreeably to that which is in the law of the Lord,
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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;
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with that also which is given by 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,
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to the end that they may offer sacrifices unto the Lord upon the altar of the Lord their God which is in Jerusalem.