¹⁴ You are authorized^[a] by the king and his seven advisers to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your possession,^{[b] 15} and to bring silver and gold which the king and his advisers have freely contributed to the God of Israel, who resides in Jerusalem, ¹⁶ along with all the silver and gold that you may collect^[c] throughout all the province of Babylon and the contributions of the people and the priests for the temple of their God which is in Jerusalem.