Ezra 06 King Darius Confirms the Order to Build the Temple

 Ezra 06

King Darius Confirms the Order to Build the Temple

1 Then King Darius gave orders, and they searched the storehouse where the treasures were stored in Babylon.

2 And at Achmetha, in the palace, which is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a memorial was written, which read as follows:

3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus gave this order: Concerning the house of God in Jerusalem, this house shall be built as a place for offering sacrifices; and its foundations shall be firm, its height sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits.

4 With three courses of large stones, and one course of new timber: and the expense shall be paid for the king's house.

5 Moreover, the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar carried away from the temple that was in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon, shall be given back to them, that they may go to their place, to the temple that is in Jerusalem, and they shall bring them to the house of God.

 6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the River, and Shetharboznai, and their companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, depart from there. 

7 Leave them to work on this house of God, so that the governor of the Jews and the Jews may build this house of God in its place. 

8 I also decree what you shall do to the elders of the Jews, to build this house of God: that the expense be paid promptly to these men out of the king's wealth from the taxes beyond the River, so that they will not be hindered. 

9 And whatever is needed, such as bulls, rams, and lambs, for a burnt offering to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the ordinance of the priests who are in Jerusalem; let it be given to them daily, that there be no shortage; 

10 that they may offer sacrifices of a sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 

11 And I decree that whoever changes this decree, a tree shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be lifted up and hanged on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill for this. 

12 Therefore may the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all the kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to change it and to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given the decree; let it be carried out quickly.