Ezra 7:23-28

23Whatever is 1commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, 2so that there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons. 24We also inform you that 3it is not allowed to 4impose tax, tribute or toll 5on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.

25“You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which is in your hand, 6appoint magistrates and judges that they may judge all the people who are in the province beyond the River, even all those who know the laws of your God; and you may 7teach anyone who is ignorant of them. 268Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly, whether for death or for 9banishment or for confiscation of goods or for imprisonment.”

27Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, 10who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to adorn the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, 28and 11has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes. Thus I was strengthened according to 12the hand of the Lord my God upon me, and I gathered 13leading men from Israel to go up with me.