1
Then Daryavesh (Darius) the Melech made a decree, and search was made in the bais of the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon.
2
And there was found at Achmeta, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a megillah, and therein was a record thus written;
3
In the first year of Koresh the Melech, Koresh the Melech made a decree concerning the Beis Elohim at Yerushalayim, Let the Beis [Hamikdash] be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
4
With three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber; and let the expenses be given out of the Melech’s treasury;
5
And also let the vessels of zahav and kesef of the Beis Elohim, which Nevuchadnetzar took forth out of the Heikhal which is at Yerushalayim, and brought unto Babylon, be returned, and brought again unto the Heikhal which is at Yerushalayim, every one to its place, and deposit them in the Beis Elohim.
6
Now therefore, Tatnai, governor Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], Shetar-Boznai, and your companions the envoys, which were in the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], you stay far from there!
7
Let the work of this Beis Elohim alone; let the governor of the Yehudim and the leaders of the Yehudim build this Beis Elohim in its place.
8
Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the leaders of these Yehudim for the building of this Beis Elohim; that of the royal treasuries, even of the revenue of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.