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The decree of Artaxerxes provides protection for Ezra.

BibleGateway: Ezra 7:11-26

ESV Text: Ezra 7:11-26


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 1:19 and ends at about 4:25

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     11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; 15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, 16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: 17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. 19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house. 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, 22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.(KJV)



Hymn: TLH 537:
Every Morning Mercies New

— Organ Audio

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1. Every morning mercies new 
Fall as fresh as morning dew; 
Every morning let us pay 
Tribute with the early day; 
For Thy mercies, Lord, are sure, 
Thy compassion doth endure. 

2. Still the greatness of Thy love 
Daily doth our sins remove; 
Daily, far as east from west, 
Lifts the burden from the breast; 
Gives unbought to those who pray 
Strength to stand in evil day. 

3. Let our prayers each morn prevail 
That these gifts may never fail; 
And as we confess the sin 
And the Tempter’s power within, 
Feed us with the Bread of Life; 
Fit us for our daily strife. 

4. As the morning light returns, 
As the sun with splendor burns, 
Teach us still to turn to Thee, 
Ever-blessed Trinity. 
With our hands our hearts to raise 
In unfailing prayer and praise.