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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Ezra 7 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/ezra/7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/ezra/7-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Ezra 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../ezra/6.htm" title="Ezra 6">◄</a> Ezra 7 <a href="../ezra/8.htm" title="Ezra 8">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/ezra/7.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Ezra’s Return to Jerusalem</p><p class="cross_ref">(<a href="http://isv.scripturetext.com/ezra/2.htm">Ezra 2:1-70</a>)</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>After all of this, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Seraiah’s son Ezra (who was the grandson of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest) <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>left<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:6 Lit. Ezra himself left">a</a></span> Babylon. He was a skillful scribe of the Law of Moses that the LORD God of Israel had given. And the king granted him everything he had requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Some of the descendants of Israel also left for Jerusalem, including the priests, the descendants of Levi, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Temple Servants, during the seventh year of king Artaxerxes.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>He arrived in Jerusalem during the fifth month of the seventh year of the king’s reign.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:8 Lit. seventh of the king">b</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>On the first day<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:9 The Heb. lacks day">c</a></span> of the first month he left Babylon and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:9 The Heb. lacks day">d</a></span> of the fifth month, since the beneficent hand of his God was upon him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>For Ezra had set his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, to obey it, and to teach God’s<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:10 The Heb. lacks God’s">e</a></span> statutes and judgments in Israel.</p> <p class="heading">The Letter from King Artaxerxes</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Here is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest-scribe, a scholar<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:11 Or scribe">f</a></span> in matters concerning the commandments of the LORD and concerning his statutes pertaining to Israel:</p> <p class="doubleindent margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>From:<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:12 At this point, the text of MT changes to Aramaic through verse 26.">g</a></span> Artaxerxes, King of Kings</p> <p class="reg">To: Ezra, the Priest, a scholar<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:12 Or scribe">h</a></span> in matters concerning the laws of the God of Heaven</p> <p class="reg">Greetings!<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:12 Lit. Perfect and so forth">i</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>I hereby decree that all of the people of Israel— along with their priests and descendants of Levi in my kingdom—who are determined to return to Jerusalem with you may do so. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>You have authority to act for the king and for his Council of Seven to conduct an inquiry concerning Judah and Jerusalem in accordance with the Law of your God, which is in your possession. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>You are carrying silver and gold that the King and his advisors have freely given to the God of Israel, whose Temple is in Jerusalem, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>together with all of the silver and gold that you can raise in the province of Babylon, plus the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests, contributed for the Temple of their God, which is in Jerusalem.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Accordingly, you are to exercise due diligence to utilize this money to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, grain offerings, and drink offerings, and to offer them upon the altar of the Temple of your God, which is in Jerusalem.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Furthermore, the balance remaining of the silver and gold may be used for whatever other purpose you and your people desire, as long as such use is consistent with the will of your God.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Furthermore, you are to deliver to the God of Jerusalem the vessels for the service of the Temple of your God that have been given to you.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Furthermore, provide from the royal treasury whatever else may be needed for the Temple of your God.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>I, Artaxerxes, in my capacity as king,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:21 Lit. And I, even I, Artaxerxes the King">j</a></span> hereby decree to all royal treasuries beyond the Euphrates<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:21 The Aram. lacks Euphrates">k</a></span> River that whatever Ezra the priest-scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven, may require of you are to be performed with all due diligence, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>up to 100 silver talents,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:22 i.e. about 7,500 pounds; a talent weighed about 75 pounds">l</a></span> 100 measures of wheat, 100 measures of wine, 100 measures of oil, and salt without limitation. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Whatever is commanded by the God of Heaven is to be done with all due diligence for the Temple of the God of Heaven, or wrath will come against the king’s realm and his sons.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Furthermore, we decree that with respect to any of the priests, descendants of Levi, singers, gatekeepers, Temple Servants, or other servants of this Temple of God, it is not to be lawful to impose any tribute, tax, or toll on them.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom given to you by your God, are to appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people beyond the Euphrates<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:25 The Aram. lacks Euphrates">m</a></span> River. All of them are to know the laws of your God, and you are to instruct those who do not know them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Whoever refuses to practice the law of your God and the law of the king is to see judgment executed quickly, whether to death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.</p> <p class="heading">Ezra’s Response to the Letter</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Blessed be the LORD God of our ancestors,</p> <p class="poetry2">who placed this decree<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="7:27 The Heb. lacks decree">n</a></span> into the king’s heart</p> <p class="poetry2">to beautify the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ezra/7-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>and who showed gracious love to me before the king,</p> <p class="poetry2">before his advisors,</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">and before all of the king’s mighty officials.</p> <p class="reg">And I was strengthened because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me. So I gathered together the leaders of Israel to go with me.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 7:6 Lit. <i>Ezra himself left</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 7:8 Lit. <i>seventh of the king</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 7:9 The Heb. lacks <i>day</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 7:9 The Heb. lacks <i>day</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 7:10 The Heb. lacks <i>God’s</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 7:11 Or <i>scribe</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 7:12 At this point, the text of MT changes to Aramaic through verse 26.<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 7:12 Or <i>scribe</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 7:12 Lit. <i>Perfect and so forth</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 7:21 Lit. <i>And I, even I, Artaxerxes the King</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 7:21 The Aram. lacks <i>Euphrates</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 7:22 i.e. about 7,500 pounds; a talent weighed about 75 pounds<br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 7:25 The Aram. lacks <i>Euphrates</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 7:27 The Heb. lacks <i>decree</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../ezra/6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../ezra/8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/ezra/7-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>