"Thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counselors," Artaxerxes declared to Ezra, "to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand." And he further decreed: "Whatsoever is 611 commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?" Verses 14, 23.

Artaxerxes sagde til Ezra, at han var sendt af "kongen og hans syv rådgivere" for at undersøge forholdene i Judæa og Jerusalem på grundlag af Guds lov," som var i hans hånd. Han befalede videre: "Alt, hvad der er påbudt af Himmelens Gud, skal punktligt ydes til Himmelens Guds hus, at der ikke skal komme vrede over kongens og hans sønners rige." 14. og 23. vers.