For on the firstof the firstmonthhe beganto goup from Babylon;and on the firstof the fifthmonthhe cameto Jerusalem,because the goodhandof his God[was] upon him.
and has extendedlovingkindnessto me beforethe kingand his counselorsand before allthe king'smightyprinces.Thus I was strengthenedaccording to the handof the LORDmy Godupon me, and I gatheredleadingmenfrom Israelto goup with me.
ThisEzrawentup from Babylon,and he was a scribeskilledin the lawof Moses,whichthe LORDGodof Israelhad given;and the kinggrantedhim allhe requestedbecause the handof the LORDhis God[was] upon him.
He cameto Jerusalemin the fifthmonth,whichwas in the seventhyearof the king.
According to the goodhandof our Godupon us they broughtus a manof insightof the sonsof Mahli,the sonof Levi,the sonof Israel,namely Sherebiah,and his sonsand brothers,18men;
For I was ashamedto requestfrom the kingtroopsand horsemento protectus from the enemyon the way,becausewe had saidto the king,"The handof our Godis favorablydisposedto allthose who seekHim, but His powerand His angerare againstallthose who forsakeHim."
Then we journeyedfrom the riverAhavaon the twelfthof the firstmonthto goto Jerusalem;and the handof our Godwas overus, and He deliveredus from the handof the enemyand the ambushesby the way.
Thus we cameto Jerusalemand remainedtherethreedays.
I toldthem howthe handof my Godhad been favorableto me and alsoabout the king'swordswhichhe had spokento me. Then they said,"Let us ariseand build."So they puttheir handsto the good[work].
and a letterto Asaphthe keeperof the king'sforest,that he may giveme timberto makebeamsfor the gatesof the fortresswhichis by the temple,for the wallof the cityand for the houseto whichI will go."And the kinggranted[them] to me because the goodhandof my God[was] on me.
Then we shall not turnbackfrom You; Reviveus, and we will callupon Your name.
Then you will see[this], and your heartwill be glad,And your boneswill flourishlike the newgrass;And the handof the LORDwill be madeknownto His servants,But He will be indignanttowardHis enemies.
