Ezra 8:22-24

New International Reader's Version

²² I was ashamed to ask King Artaxerxes for soldiers and horsemen. They could have kept us safe from enemies on the road. But we had told the king that our God would keep us safe. We had said, “Our God is gracious and helps everyone who looks to him. But he becomes very angry with anyone who deserts him.” ²³ So we didn’t eat anything. We prayed to our God about all these matters. And he answered our prayers.

²⁴ Then I set apart 12 of the leading priests. They were Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their relatives.