21. Now therefore, if it seem good, O king, let search be made among the royal archives of our lord the king that are in Babylon:
22. and if it be found that the building of the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem has been done with the consent of king Cyrus, and it seem good to our lord the king, let him signify to us thereof.
23. Then commanded King Darius to seek among the archives that were laid up at Babylon: and so at Ekbatana the palace, which is in the country of Media, there was found a roll wherin these things were recorded.
24. In the first year of the reign of Cyrus king Cyrus commanded to build up the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, where they do sacrifice with continual fire:
25. whose height shall be sixty cubits, and the breadth sixty cubits, with three rows of hewn stones, and one row of new wood of that country; and the expenses therof to be given out of the house of king Cyrus:
26. and that the holy vessels of the house of the Lord, both gold and silver, that Nabuchodonosor took out of the house at Jerusalem, and carried away to Babylon, should be restored to the house at Jerusalem, and be set in the place where they were before.
27. And also he commanded that Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, and their companions, and those which were appointed rulers in Syria and Phoenicia, should be careful not to meddle with the place, but suffer Zorobabel, the servant of the Lord, and governor of Judaea, and the elders of the Jews, to build that house of the Lord in its place.
28. And I also do command to have it built up whole again; and that they look diligently to help those that be of the captivity of Judaea, till the house of the Lord be finished:
29. and that out of the tribute of Coelesyria and Phoenicia a portion be carefully given these men for the sacrifices of the Lord, that is, to Zorobabel the governor, for bullocks, and rams, and lambs;
30. and also corn, salt, wine and oil, and that continually every year without further question, according as the priests that be in Jerusalem shall signify to be daily spent:
31. that drink offerings may be made to the Most High God for the king and for his children, and that they may pray for their lives.
32. And that commandment be given that whoever shall transgress, yes, or neglect anything herein written, out of his own house shall a tree be taken, and he thereon be hanged, and all his goods seized for the king.
33. The Lord therefore, whose name is there called upon, utterly destroy every king and nation, that shall stretch out his hand to hinder or endamage that house of the Lord in Jerusalem.
34. I Darius the king have ordained that according to these things it be done with diligence.