8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first of the first month 1he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, abecause the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to 1study the law of Yahweh and to practice it, and ato teach His statute and judgment in Israel.
The King’s Decree on Behalf of Ezra
11 Now this is the copy of the letter which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, 1learned in the words of the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes to Israel: 12
“1Artaxerxes, aking of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace. And now—