45
Thou also hast vowed to build up the temple, which the Edomites burned when Judea was made desolate by the Chaldeans.
46
And now, O lord the king, this is that which I require and which I desire of thee, and this is the princely liberality proceeding from thyself: I desire therefore that thou make good the vow, the performance whereof with thine own mouth thou hast vowed to the King of Heaven."
47
Then Darius the king stood up and kissed him, and wrote letters for him unto all the treasurers and lieutenants and captains and governors, that they should safely convey on their way both him and all those who go up with him to build Jerusalem.
48
He wrote letters also unto the lieutenants who were in Coelesyria and Phoenicia and unto them in Lebanon, that they should bring cedar wood from Lebanon unto Jerusalem, and that they should build the city with him.
49
Moreover he wrote for all the Jews who went out of his realm up into Jewry, concerning their freedom: that no officer, no ruler, no lieutenant, nor treasurer should forcibly enter into their doors;
50
and that all the country which they hold should be free without tribute; and that the Edomites should give over the villages of the Jews which then they held;
51
yea, that there should be yearly given twenty talents to the building of the temple until the time that it was built,
52
and another ten talents yearly to maintain the burnt offerings upon the altar every day, as they had a commandment to offer seventeen;
53
and that all those who went from Babylon to build the city should have free liberty, they as well as their posterity, and all the priests who went away.
54
He wrote also concerning the charges and the priests' vestments wherein they minister;
55
and likewise for the charges of the Levites to be given them until the day that the house was finished and Jerusalem built up.