The Decree of Darius

6 Then King Darius issued a decree, aand a search was made in the 1archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at 2Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of bMedia, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus:

3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a cdecree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 dwith three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the eexpenses be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 Also let fthe gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God”—

6 gNow therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.

8 Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this 3house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. 9 And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, 10 hthat they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

11 Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; iand let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. 12 And may the God who causes His jname to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this 4house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.