Ezra 8:22-24

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

²² For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and cavalry to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king that the hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his power and his wrath are against all who forsake him. ²³ So we fasted and petitioned our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Gifts for the Temple

²⁴ Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kin with them.