Ezra 7:12-26

Ezra 7:12-26

[12] Artaxerxes,  king  unto Ezra  the priest,  a scribe  of the law  of the God  of heaven,  perfect  peace, and at such a time.  [13] make  a decree,  that all  they of  the people  of Israel,  and of his priests  and Levites,  in my realm,  which are minded of their own freewill  to go up  to Jerusalem,  go  with thee.  [14] Forasmuch  as  thou art sent  of  the king,  and of his seven  counsellors,  to enquire  concerning  Judah  and Jerusalem,  according to the law  of thy God  which is in thine hand;  [15] And to carry  the silver  and gold,  which the king  and his counsellors  have freely offered  unto the God  of Israel,  whose  habitation  is in Jerusalem,  [16] And all  the silver  and gold  that thou canst find  in all  the province  of Babylon,  with  the freewill offering  of the people,  and of the priests,  offering willingly  for the house  of their God  which is in Jerusalem:  [17] That  thou mayest buy  speedily  with this  money  bullocks,  rams,  lambs,  with their meat offerings  and their drink offerings,  and offer  them  upon  the altar  of the house  of your God  which is in Jerusalem.  [18] And whatsoever  shall seem good  to thee, and to  thy brethren,  to do  with the rest  of the silver  and the gold,  that do  after the will  of your God.  [19] The vessels  also that are given  thee for the service  of the house  of thy God,  those deliver  thou before  the God  of Jerusalem.  [20] And whatsoever more  for the house  of thy God,  which thou shalt have occasion  to bestow,  it out of  the king's  treasure  house.  [21] And I,  even I  Artaxerxes  the king,  do make  a decree  to all  the treasurers  which are beyond  the river,  that whatsoever Ezra  the priest,  the scribe  of the law  of the God  of heaven,  shall require  of you, it be done  speedily,  [22] Unto  an hundred  talents  of silver,  and to an hundred  measures  of wheat,  and to an hundred  baths  of wine,  and to an hundred  baths  of oil,  and salt  without  prescribing  [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  [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  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.