12. Greetings from the great King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest and expert in the teachings of the God of heaven.
13-14. Any of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom may go with you to Jerusalem if they want to. My seven advisers and I agree that you may go to Jerusalem and Judah to find out if the laws of your God are being obeyed.
15. When you go, take the silver and gold that I and my advisers are freely giving to the God of Israel, whose temple is in Jerusalem.