Many years later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, there was a man named Ezra (a direct descendant of Aaaron, the high priest). This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because of the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him. Some of the people of Israel, as well as some of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants, traveled up to Jerusalem with him in the seventh year os King Artaxeres’ reign.
Ezra returned in Jerusalem in August of that year. He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those degrees and regulations to the people of Israel. (vv. 1a; 5b; 6-10, NLT)