1 It was the time of King Artaxerxes of Persia. Ezra, son of Seraiah, came. 2 Ezra’s family line had Azariah and Hilkiah. 3 His family line had Shallum, Zadok, and Ahitub. 4 His family line had Amariah, Azariah, and Meraioth. 5 His family line had Zerahiah, Uzzi, Bukki, Abishua, Phinehas, Eleazar, and Aaron the first priest. ✨⛪ 6 Ezra came from Babylon. He was a scribe, a teacher of God’s law from Moses. The king gave him all he asked, because God helped him. ♂️ 7 Some Israel people came too: priests, Levites, singers, gate men, and temple helpers. 8 Ezra came to Jerusalem in month 5 of the king’s year 7. ️️ 9 He left on day 1 of month 1. He got there on day 1 of month 5. God helped him on the way. ️✋ 10 Ezra wanted to learn God’s law, do it, and teach it in Israel. ✅️ 11 This is the king’s letter to Ezra, the priest and scribe of God’s law. ✉️ 12 King Artaxerxes wrote to Ezra the priest, the law teacher of the God of heaven: Hello and peace. ✍️ 13 The king said: People who want to go with you to Jerusalem may go. ♂️♀️➡️️ 14 The king said: I send you to check on Judah and Jerusalem by God’s law in your hand. 15 Take silver and gold that the king and his helpers give to the God of Israel in Jerusalem. 16 Also take silver and gold from all the land of Babylon, and the free gifts from the people and the priests for God’s house. ⛪ 17 Use the money to buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with grain gift and drink gift. Put them on God’s big table in His house. 18 Use the rest of the money the way you and your team think is good. Do what God wants. 19 Give the bowls and cups for God’s house to God in Jerusalem. ➡️⛪ 20 If you need more for God’s house, take it from the king’s money room. ️ 21 The king wrote to the money men across the river: Give Ezra what he asks. Do it fast. ⚡ 22 Give up to 100 silver, 100 wheat, 100 wine, 100 oil, and as much salt as needed. 100️⃣ 23 Do all God says for His house, so God will not be mad at the king and his sons. ⛪ 24 Do not make God’s house workers—priests, Levites, singers, and helpers—pay tax money. 25 Ezra, use the smarts God gave you to pick leaders and judges for the land across the river. Teach the law to people who do not know it. ⚖️⚖️ 26 If anyone will not obey God’s law and the king’s law, punish him: maybe death, or sent away, or take his things, or jail. ⚖️⛓️ 27 Ezra said, “Thank You, God!” God made the king want to make God’s house nice. ⛪ 28 God was kind to me with the king and the king’s helpers. I felt brave because God helped me. I got leaders from Israel to go with me.