Ezra 6:1-12

Living Bible

6 So King Darius issued orders that a search be made in the Babylonian archives, where documents were stored.

² Eventually the record was found in the palace at Ecbatana, in the province of Media. This is what it said:

³ “In this first year of the reign of King Cyrus, a decree has been sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem where the Jews offer sacrifices. It is to be rebuilt, and the foundations are to be strongly laid. The height will be ninety feet and the width will be ninety feet. ⁴ There will be three layers of huge stones in the foundation, topped with a layer of new timber. All expenses will be paid by the king. ⁵ And the gold and silver bowls, which were taken from the Temple of God by Nebuchadnezzar, shall be taken back to Jerusalem and put into the Temple as they were before.”

⁶ So King Darius II sent this message^[a] to Governor Shethar-bozenai and the other officials west of the Euphrates:

“Do not disturb the construction of the Temple. Let it be rebuilt on its former site, ⁷ and don’t molest the governor of Judah and the other leaders in their work. ⁸ Moreover, I decree that you are to pay the full construction costs without delay from my taxes collected in your territory. ⁹ Give the priests in Jerusalem young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; and give them wheat, wine, salt, and olive oil each day without fail. ¹⁰ Then they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for me and my sons. ¹¹ Anyone who attempts to change this message in any way shall have the beams pulled from his house and built into a gallows on which he will be hanged;^[b] and his house shall be reduced to a pile of rubble. ¹² The God who has chosen the city of Jerusalem will destroy any king and any nation that alters this commandment and destroys this Temple. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be obeyed with all diligence.”