Darius' Search
1 King Darius gave the order, and they searched in the library of Babylon in the archives.
2
But it was in the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media that a scroll was found with this record written on it:
3
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its [original] foundations be retained. Its height is to be 90 feet and its width 90 feet,
4
with three layers of cut stones and one of timber. The cost is to be paid from the royal treasury.
5
The gold and silver articles of God's house that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon must also be returned. They are to be brought to the temple in Jerusalem, where they belong, and put into the house of God.
Darius' Decree
6 Therefore, you must stay away from that place, Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and your colleagues, the officials in the region.
7
Leave the construction of this house of God alone. Let the governor and elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its [original] site.
8
I hereby issue a decree concerning what you must do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenues from the taxes of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that the [work] will not stop.