Ezra 8:22-24

New Catholic Bible

²² For I was ashamed to ask the king for foot soldiers and cavalry to protect us from enemies along the way, inasmuch as we had said to the king: “The hand of our God is upon all who seek his protection, but his fierce wrath is against all who forsake him.” ²³ Therefore, we fasted and prayed to God to grant us a safe journey, and he answered our prayer.

²⁴ Then I selected twelve of the leading priests, together with Sherebiah and Hashabiah and ten of their kinsmen.