Ezra 7:11-26 : 11 Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13 I make a decree, that all of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, who are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with you.
14 Since you are sent by the king, and of his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand;
15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16 And all the silver and gold that you can find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17 That you may buy speedily with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18 And whatever seems good to you, and to your brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do according to the will of your God.
19 The vessels also that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.
20 And whatever more shall be needed for the house of your God, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the river, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22 Up to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred measures of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23 Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 Also we certify you, that concerning any of the priests and Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25 And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know them.
26 And whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.