Darius Confirms Cyrus' Decree and Orders the Temple Rebuilt
Ezra 6:1-12
1Then Darius the king issued a decree, and they searched in the house of the documents that were being brought down there in Babel.2And it was found in Achmetha in the fortress that is in the province of Media: one scroll, and thus was written in its midst: the record.3In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be supported, its height sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits.4Three layers of rolled stone and one layer of new wood, and the expense shall be given from the house of the king.5And also the vessels of the house of God of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar brought out from the temple that is in Jerusalem and carried to Babel, let them be returned and brought to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place, and deposited in the house of God.6Now therefore, Tattenai governor of the province beyond the river, Shethar-Bozenai, and their companions the Apharsachites who are beyond the river, keep far from there.7Leave the work of that house of God to the governor of the Jews and to the elders of the Jews; let them build that house of God on its site.8And from me a decree is issued concerning what you shall do with those elders of the Jews for the building of that house of God: the expense shall be paid from the royal possessions, that is, from the tribute of the province beyond the river, and shall be given exactly to those men so that the work may not be stopped.9And whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil—shall be given according to the word of the priests who are in Jerusalem, day by day without fail.10That they may offer peace offerings to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.11And from me a decree is issued that any man who alters this word shall have timber pulled from his house, and being set up he shall be beaten on account of it, and his house shall be made a rubbish heap because of this.12And may the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow every king and people who stretch out their hand to alter or to destroy that house of God which is in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued a decree; let it be carried out exactly.