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[120]
UPON the death of Darius, Xerxes his son took the kingdom, who, as
he inherited his father's kingdom, so did he inherit his piety towards
God, and honor of him; for he did all things suitably to his father relating
to Divine worship, and he was exceeding friendly to the Jews. Now about
this time a son of Jeshua, whose name was Joacim, was the high priest.
Moreover, there was now in Babylon a righteous man, and one that enjoyed
a great reputation among the multitude. He was the principal priest of
the people, and his name was Esdras. He was very skillful in the laws of
Moses, and was well acquainted with king Xerxes. He had determined to go
up to Jerusalem, and to take with him some of those Jews that were in Babylon;
and he desired that the king would give him an epistle to the governors
of Syria, by which they might know who he was. Accordingly, the king wrote
the following epistle to those governors: "Xerxes, king of kings,
to Esdras the priest, and reader of the Divine law, greeting. I think it
agreeable to that love which I bear to mankind, to permit those of the
Jewish nation that are so disposed, as well as those of the priests and
Levites that are in our kingdom, to go together to Jerusalem. Accordingly,
I have given command for that purpose; and let every one that hath a mind
go, according as it hath seemed good to me, and to my seven counselors,
and this in order to their review of the affairs of Judea, to see whether
they be agreeable to the law of God. Let them also take with them those
presents which I and my friends have vowed, with all that silver and gold
that is found in the country of the Babylonians, as dedicated to God, and
let all this be carried to Jerusalem to God for sacrifices. Let it also
be lawful for thee and thy brethren to make as many vessels of silver and
gold as thou pleasest. Thou shalt also dedicate those holy vessels which
have been given thee, and as many more as thou hast a mind to make, and
shall take the expenses out of the king's treasury. I have, moreover, written
to the treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia, that they take care of those
affairs that Esdras the priest, and reader of the laws of God, is sent
about. And that God may not be at all angry with me, or with my children,
I grant all that is necessary for sacrifices to God, according to the law,
as far as a hundred cori of wheat. And I enjoin you not to lay any treacherous
imposition, or any tributes, upon their priests or Levites, or. sacred
singers, or porters, or sacred servants, or scribes of the temple. And
do thou, O Esdras, appoint judges according to the wisdom [given thee]
of God, and those such as understand the law, that they may judge in all
Syria and Phoenicia; and do thou instruct those also which are ignorant
of it, that if any one of thy countrymen transgress the law of God, or
that of the king, he may be punished, as not transgressing it out of ignorance,
but as one that knows it indeed, but boldly despises and contemns it; and
such may be punished by death, or by paying fines. Farewell."
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