But during allthis[time] I was not in Jerusalem,for in the thirty-secondyearof Artaxerxeskingof BabylonI had goneto the king.Aftersome time,however, I askedleave from the king,
And they observedthe Feastof UnleavenedBreadsevendayswith joy,for the LORDhad caused them to rejoice,and had turnedthe heartof the kingof Assyriatowardthem to encouragethem in the workof the houseof God,the Godof Israel.
And it cameabout in the monthNisan,in the twentiethyearof KingArtaxerxes,that wine[was] beforehim, and I tookup the wineand gaveit to the king.Now I had not beensadin his presence.
Moreover,from the daythat I was appointedto be their governorin the landof Judah,from the twentiethyearto the thirty-secondyearof KingArtaxerxes,[for] twelveyears,neitherI normy kinsmenhave eatenthe governor'sfood[allowance].
Now when the peoplesawthat Mosesdelayedto comedownfrom the mountain,the peopleassembledaboutAaronand saidto him, "Come,makeus a godwhowill gobeforeus; as for thisMoses,the manwhobroughtus up from the landof Egypt,we do not knowwhathas becomeof him."
"But whilehis menwere sleeping,his enemycameand sowedtaresamongthe wheat,and went away.
