The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 So King Darius ordered a search through the records in the archives in Babylon.
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King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon.
2 Eventually a scroll was turned up in the fortress of Ecbatana over in the province of Media, with this writing on it:
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A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it: Memorandum:
3 In his first year as king, Cyrus issued an official decree regarding The Temple of God in Jerusalem, as follows:
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In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,
4 with three courses of large stones topped with one course of timber. The cost is to be paid from the royal bank.
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with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury.
5 The gold and silver vessels from The Temple of God that Nebuchadnezzar carried to Babylon are to be returned to The Temple at Jerusalem, each to its proper place; place them in The Temple of God.
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Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God.
6 Now listen, Tattenai governor of the land beyond the Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, associates, and all officials of that land: Stay out of their way.
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Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you other officials of that province, stay away from there.
7 Leave the governor and leaders of the Jews alone so they can work on that Temple of God as they rebuild it.
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Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.