^4 (A)with three layers of huge stones and ^[a]one layer of timbers. And let the cost be paid from the ^[b]royal treasury.

¹⁴ Forasmuch as you are sent ^[a]by the king and his ^(A)seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God which is in your hand, ¹⁵ and to bring the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, ^(B)whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, ¹⁶ with ^(C)all the silver and gold which you find in the whole province of Babylon, along ^(D)with the freewill offering of the people and of the priests, who ^(E)offered willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem; ¹⁷ with this money, therefore, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams and lambs, ^(F)with their grain offerings and their drink offerings and ^(G)offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. ¹⁸ Whatever seems good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do according to the will of your God. ¹⁹ Also the utensils which are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver in full before the God of Jerusalem. ²⁰ The rest of the needs for the house of your God, for which you may have occasion to provide, ^(H)provide for it from the royal treasury.

²¹ “I, even I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers who are in the provinces beyond the ^[b]River, that whatever Ezra the priest, ^(I)the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it shall be done diligently, ²² even up to 100 talents of silver, 100 ^[c]kors of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt ^[d]as needed.