*Then Darius the king made a decree, aand search was made in the house of the †rolls, where the treasures were †laid up in Babylon. 2 And there was found at b||Achmetha, in cthe palace that is in the province of the dMedes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 4 eWith three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences be given out of the king’s house: 5 And also let fthe golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and †brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God. 6 Now therefore, gTatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and †your companions the hApharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: 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 in his place. 8 Moreover †I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s igoods, even of the ktribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto these men, that they be not †hindered. 9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: 10 That they may offer sacrifices †of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and lpray for the life of the king, and of his sons. 11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, †let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made ma dunghill for this. 12 And the God that nhath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.