8 I hereby issue a decree concerning what you are to do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild the house of God:

The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenuesv from the taxes of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that the work will not stop. 9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of the heavens, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—let it be given to them every day without fail,a 10 so that they can offer sacrifices of pleasing aroma to the God of the heavens and pray for the life of the king and his sons.b

11 I also issue a decree concerning any man who interferes with this directive:

Let a beam be torn from his house and raised up; he will be impaled on it, and his house will be made into a garbage dump because of this offense.c 12 May the God who caused his name to dwell thered overthrow any king or people who daresA to harm or interfere with this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out diligently.