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But truth endures and is always strong; it will continue to live and reign forever.
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Truth shows no partiality or favoritism; it does what is right, rather than what is unjust or evil. Everyone approves what truth does;
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its decisions are always fair. Truth is strong, royal, powerful, and majestic forever. Let all things praise the God of truth!"
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When Zerubbabel had finished speaking, all the people shouted, "Truth is great - there is nothing stronger!"
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Then the emperor said to him, "You may ask anything you want, even more than what was agreed, and I will give it to you. You will be my adviser, and you will be granted the title "Relative of the Emperor.' "
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Zerubbabel replied, "Your Majesty, permit me to remind you of the solemn vow you took on the day you became emperor. You promised to rebuild Jerusalem
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and to send back all the treasures that had been taken from the city. Remember that when Cyrus made a vow to destroy Babylon, he set these things aside and solemnly promised to send them back to Jerusalem.
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You also promised to rebuild the Temple, which the Edomites burned down when the Babylonians devastated the land of Judah.
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So, Your Majesty, because you are a man of generosity, I beg you to fulfill the solemn promise you made to the King of heaven."
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Then Emperor Darius stood up, kissed Zerubbabel, and wrote letters for him to all the treasurers, governors, and administrators in the provinces, ordering them to provide safe conduct for him and all those going with him to rebuild Jerusalem.
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He also wrote letters to all the governors in Greater Syria and Phoenicia, with special instructions to those in Lebanon, to transport cedar logs to Jerusalem and help Zerubbabel rebuild the city.