I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the River Euphrates: Whatever Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of the heavens, asks of you must be provided in full,
‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,’ he replied, ‘but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.’
He replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.’
I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled craftsman in order to make all that I have commanded you:
‘Understand that I am bringing a flood #– #floodwaters on the earth to destroy every creature under heaven with the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.