Bible & Koran

8 One day, King Artaxerxes told a servant to write down some of his commands, then he gave a copy to Ezra, who was a priest and an expert in the Law of the Lord. In this written copy, Artaxerxes said: 9 Greetings from King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest, who understands the Law of the Lord. 10-11 I have decided to show special kindness to the Jews. And so, any of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom may go with you to Jerusalem if they want to. My seven trusted friends, 12 to find out if 13 When you go, take the gold and silver that I and my trusted friends have promised to give to the Lord, the God of Israel. Take all the gold and silver that you collect from Babylonia. 14 Also take the gifts that your own people have given for the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Use the money to buy bulls, rams, lambs, grain, olive oil, and wine. 15 Then sacrifice them on the altar at the Lord's temple in Jerusalem. 16 After this, you and your relatives may use the remaining gold and silver for whatever pleases your God. 17 Give the Lord your God the sacred things that have been contributed for use in his temple. 18 And if you think of anything else that is needed for the temple, you may have the money you need from the royal treasury. 19 Ezra, you are a priest and an expert in the Law of the Most High God, and I order all the treasurers in Southwest Syria Province 20 They will be allowed to give as much as 3,427 kilograms of silver, 22,000 liters of wheat, 2,200 liters of wine, 2,200 liters of olive oil, and as much salt as is needed. 21 They must carefully provide everything God's Law demands for his temple. He is God Most High, and I don't want him to be angry with me or with my descendants, who will rule as kings after me. 22 I also want you to know that no priests or Levites, and no singers, guards, servants, or anyone else who works in the temple, will have to pay any kind of taxes. No one is allowed to change this law! 23 Ezra, use the wisdom God has given you and choose rulers and judges to govern the people of Southwest Syria Province 24 Everyone who disobeys God's Law or the king's law will be punished by a heavy fine or prison or death.