was written thus; To Darius the king, all peace. [1] 8 Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work proceedeth quickly, and prospereth in their hands. [2] 9 Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to finish these walls? 10 We asked their names also, to inform thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. 11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and set up. 12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. 13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. 14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; [3] 15 And said to him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place. 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished. 17 Now therefore, if it seemeth good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made by Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
CHAP. 6.
1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the books, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. [4] [5]
2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a scroll, and in it was a record thus written: [6]
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 built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations of it be strongly laid; the height of it sixty cubits, and the breadth of it sixty cubits;
4 With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:
5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be restored, and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place, and place them in the house of God. [7]
6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the river, keep away from there: [8]
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 its 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 goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, expenses be given immediately to these men, that they be not hindered. [9] [10]
9 And that which they have need of, both young bulls, 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 who are at Jerusalem, let it be given to them day by day without fail:
10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. [11]
11 Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. [12]
12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall try to alter the decree and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
14 And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. [13]
15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
- ↑ wherein: Chaldee, in the midst whereof
- ↑ great...: Chaldee, stones of rolling
- ↑ governor: or, deputy
- ↑ rolls: Chaldee, books
- ↑ laid up: Chaldee, made to descend
- ↑ Achmetha: or, Ecbatana, or, in a coffer
- ↑ brought again: Chaldee, go
- ↑ your...: Chaldee, their societies
- ↑ I make...: Chaldee, by me a decree is made
- ↑ hindered: Chaldee, made to cease
- ↑ of sweet...: Chaldee, of rest
- ↑ let him...: Chaldee, let him be destroyed
- ↑ commandment: Chaldee, decree
