I Artaxerxes the king have ordered and decreed to all the keepers of the public chest, that are beyond the river, that whatsoever Esdras the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, you give it without delay:
With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant. They have destroyed thy altars; they have slain thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left: and they seek my life to take it away.
And he answered: With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant. They have thrown down thy altars, they have slain thy prophets with the sword, and I alone am left: and they seek my life to take it away.
And I have given him for his companion, Ooliab the son of Achisamech, of the tribe of Dan. And I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilful man, that they may make all things which I have commanded thee:
Behold, I will bring the waters of a great flood upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, under heaven. All things that are in the earth shall be consumed.