⁵ But God was watching^[a] over^(A) the Jewish elders. These men wouldn’t stop them until a report was sent to Darius, so that they could receive written instructions about this matter.

⁶ #– #came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses,^(A) which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested^(B) because the hand of the Lord his God was on him.^(C)

²⁸ and who has shown favour to me before the king,^(A) his counsellors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God,^[a](B) and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.^(C)