Ezra 7:1-14

1After these things, Ezra came to Jerusalem from Babylon. This happened while Artaxerxes was king of Persia. This is the list of Ezra's ancestors: He was the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah.

2Hilkiah was the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub.

3Ahitub was the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth.

4Meraioth was the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki.

5Bukki was the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar. Eleazar was a son of Aaron, the leader of the priests.

6This man Ezra arrived from Babylon. He was a teacher who knew the law of Moses very well. The Lord, Israel's God, had given that law to Moses. Ezra served the Lord as his God. The Lord was kind and he helped Ezra, so that the king of Persia gave him everything that he asked for.

7In the seventh year that Artaxerxes was king, Ezra came together with other Israelites. They included priests, Levites, and singers, servants and guards for the temple.

8Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of Artaxerxes' seventh year as king.

9He left Babylon on the first day of the first month and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month. God had helped him with his journey.

10God was kind to Ezra because Ezra had decided to study the law of the Lord. Ezra always obeyed its rules. He also taught the law and its rules to the Israelite people.

11This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra, the priest and teacher. Ezra had studied the Lord's commands and laws for Israel.

12‘From Artaxerxes, king of all kings. To Ezra the priest, who has studied very well the law of the God of heaven. I hope that you are well.

13I have given this command: When you travel to Jerusalem, any other Israelites who live in my kingdom may go with you. Anyone who wants to go may go. That includes priests and Levites.

14The king and his seven officers are sending you with their authority. You have the law of your God that he has given to you. Go and see if your people in Judah and Jerusalem are obeying his law.