Ezra 7:26

And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. "Since the civil and social life of Israel was so closely connected with their religion by the Law, they could not well prosper under judges who had neither appreciation nor understanding of their religion. " (Lange.) Thus the entire organization of the civil and social and religious life of the Jews was entrusted to Ezra by a royal decree, giving to the Jews practically the same rights and liberties which they had enjoyed under the ancient form of the direct theocracy. Ezra now adds a closing doxology in appreciation of the Lord's kindness in shaping events in favor of the Jews.