Darius rewards Zerubbabel
42 Then the king said to Zerubbabel, "Ask for whatever you like, even more than what was proposed, and we'll give it to you, for you've been found to be the wisest one. You may sit next to me and be called my confidant."
43
Zerubbabel said to the king, "Remember the promise that you made to rebuild Jerusalem on the day that you became king.
44
You promised to send back all the holy equipment that was taken from Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart when he promised to destroy Babylon and also promised to send it back there.
45
You also solemnly swore to rebuild the temple, which was burned down by the Edomites when Judea was devastated by the Chaldeans.
46
Now Master and King, this is what I ask and request of you, something that is fitting for your greatness. I beg you to fulfill the pledge you solemnly swore to the king of heaven with your own mouth."
47
Then King Darius stood up and kissed him. He wrote letters for him to all the treasurers, district governors, generals, and administrators so that they would send him out and all those who were going up with him to rebuild Jerusalem.
48
He wrote letters to all the district governors in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia and to those in Lebanon, to bring cedar timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem and to help him rebuild the city.
49
He wrote on behalf of all the Judeans who were going up from the kingdom to Judea, for the benefit of their freedom, that no administrator, district governor, or treasurer should break down their doors.
50
He wrote that all the territory they forcibly took was for them to live in without taxation, and that the Idumeans should leave behind the villages of the Judeans that they had seized.
51
He wrote that twenty talents a year should be given for the building of the temple until it was completely rebuilt.
52
In addition, ten talents a year should be given for entirely burned offerings that are provided daily on the altar, in keeping with the commandment that they make seventeen offerings in all.
53
He wrote that all who depart from Babylon to rebuild the city should have their freedom, both they and their children and all the priests who depart as well.
54
He wrote about the expenses and the priests' holy garments in which they were to serve.
55
He wrote that the expenses for the Levites should be supplied until the day when the temple would be completed and Jerusalem rebuilt.
56
He wrote that all who guarded the city should be supplied with land and wages.
57
He sent back from Babylon all the holy equipment that Cyrus had set aside. Everything that Cyrus had said he would do, Darius himself commanded to do them and to send them to Jerusalem.
58
When the young man Zerubbabel went outside, he lifted up his face to heaven toward Jerusalem and praised the king of heaven:
59
"From you come the victory and wisdom. To you belongs the glory. I'm your household servant.
60
You are worthy of praise, you who have given wisdom to me. I praise you, Lord of our ancestors."
61
So he took the letters, went to Babylon, and reported this to all of his people.
62
They praised the God of their ancestors, because he had given them amnesty and permission
63
to go up and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple that is called by God's name. They celebrated with music and enthusiasm for seven days.