Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artachshasta gave to Ezra the Kohen, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the mitzvot of the LORD, and of his statutes to Yisra'el:
The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetar-Bozenai, and his companions the Afarsekhi, who were beyond the River, sent to Daryavesh the king;
I, even I Artachshasta the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the Kohen, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence,
this Ezra went up from Bavel: and he was a ready scribe in the Torah of Moshe, which the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God on him.
*Woe to you, scribes and Perushim, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.