44
And to send away all the vessels that were taken away out of Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart, when he vowed to destroy Babylon, and to send them again thither.
45
Thou also hast vowed to build up the temple, which the Edomites burned when Judea was made desolate by the Chaldees.
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 that go up with him to build Jerusalem.
48
He wrote letters also unto the lieutenants that were in Celosyria and Phenice, and unto them in Libanus, that they should bring cedar wood from Libanus unto Jerusalem, and that they should build the city with him.
49
Moreover he wrote for all the Jews that 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 were built;
52
And other 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 they that went from Babylon to build the city should have free liberty, as well they as their posterity, and all the priests that went away.
54
He wrote also concerning. the charges, and the priests' vestments wherein they minister;