⁵ But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease, until the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.

²⁸ and has extended loving kindness to me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. I was strengthened according to the hand of Yahweh my God on me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

⁶ this Ezra went up from Babylon: and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Yahweh his God on him.

¹⁸ Behold, Yahweh's eye is on those who fear him, On those who hope in his loving kindness;

²² For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him.

¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And his ears open to their prayer; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

²⁸ and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

² Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, Yet they have not prevailed against me.

³ The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.

⁴ Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

⁵ Let them be disappointed and turned backward, All those who hate Zion.

¹⁰ Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.

¹⁵ Yahweh's eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

⁶ Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be you far from there:

⁷ let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place.

⁸ Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ That which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; [also] wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;

¹⁰ that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

¹¹ Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:

¹² and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who shall put forth their hand to alter [the same], to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.

⁹ For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars.