1 Esdras 8:9-11

Revised Standard Version

⁹ “King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the Lord, greeting. ¹⁰ In accordance with my gracious decision, I have given orders that those of the Jewish nation and of the priests and Levites and others in our realm, who freely choose to do so, may go with you to Jerusalem. ¹¹ Let as many as are so disposed, therefore, depart with you as I and the seven friends who are my counselors have decided,