46
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."
47
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.
48
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.
49
The emperor also provided letters for all the Jews who wished to return to Jerusalem. These letters guaranteed their freedom and ordered all governors, treasurers, and other administrators not to interfere with them in any way.
50
All the land that they acquired was to be exempt from taxation, and the Edomites were to surrender the villages they had taken from the Jews.