Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra, a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, was granted all his requests by the king. His lineage went back to Aaron, the chief priest, through Phinehas and Eleazar.

Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and do it, and to teach Israel its statutes and judgments. He was a skilled scribe in the words of the Lord's commands and statutes for Israel.

Some of the children of Israel, along with priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinims, went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, accompanied by Ezra. They arrived in the fifth month, and Ezra had been traveling since the first day of the first month.

King Artaxerxes wrote a letter to Ezra, authorizing all Israelites who desired to go to Jerusalem to do so. He also authorized Ezra to carry silver and gold offered by the king and his counselors for the God of Israel's dwelling place in Jerusalem.

The king gave Ezra permission to use any additional funds he needed from the royal treasury to support the house of God in Jerusalem. All treasurers beyond the river were ordered to provide Ezra with supplies, including silver, wheat, wine, oil, and salt.

Artaxerxes decreed that it would be unlawful to impose any toll, tribute, or custom on the priests, Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of the house of God. He also instructed Ezra to appoint magistrates and judges to govern all people beyond the river who knew the laws of God.

Ezra was given authority to punish anyone who refused to obey the law of God and the king's decrees. They would face swift judgment, including death, exile, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

The Lord had put it in Artaxerxes' heart to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The king showed mercy to Ezra and his companions, providing them with strength and protection as they traveled to Jerusalem.