⁵ But the eye of their God^(A) was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

⁶ this Ezra^(A) came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted^(B) him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.^(C)

²⁸ and who has extended his good favor^(A) to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me,^(B) I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem

2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,^(A) when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before,

⁴⁸ Then the king placed Daniel in a high^(A) position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.^(B)