⁵ But ^(A)the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a ^(B)written answer was returned concerning this matter.

⁶ this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was ^(A)a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, ^(B)according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

⁹ On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, ^(A)according to the good hand of his God upon him.

¹⁸ Then, by the good hand of our God upon us, they ^(A)brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, eighteen men;