Ezra 7:23-28

23Whatever is 1commanded by the God of heaven, it shall 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 impose tax, tribute, or toll 4on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.

25“And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which is in your hand, 5appoint magistrates and judges so that they may judge all the people who are in the province beyond the Euphrates River, that is, all those who know the laws of your God; and you may 6teach anyone who is ignorant of them. 26And 7whoever does not comply with the Law of your God and the law of the king, judgment is to be executed upon him strictly, whether for death or for banishment, or for 8confiscation of property or for imprisonment.”

27Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, 9who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to glorify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, 28and 10has extended favor to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty officials. So I was strengthened according to 11the hand of the Lord my God that was upon me, and I gathered 12leading men from Israel to go up with me.