¹ Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

² And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

³ In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, 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 rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:

⁵ And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

⁶ Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

⁷ Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

⁸ Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

¹⁰ That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

¹¹ Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

¹² And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

¹³ Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

¹⁴ And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵ And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

¹⁶ And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.

¹⁷ And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

¹⁸ And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

¹⁹ And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.

²⁰ For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

²¹ And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

²² And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

---

¹ Then ^H116 Darius ^H1868 the king ^H4430 made ^H7761 a decree, ^H2942 and search ^H1240 was made in the house ^H1005 of the rolls, ^H5609 where ^H8536 the treasures ^H1596 were laid up ^H5182 in Babylon. ^H895

² And there was found ^H7912 at Achmetha, ^H307 in the palace ^H1001 that is in the province ^H4083 of the Medes, ^H4076 a ^H2298 roll, ^H4040 and therein ^H1459 was a record ^H1799 thus ^H3652 written: ^H3790

³ In the first ^H2298 year ^H8140 of Cyrus ^H3567 the king ^H4430 the same Cyrus ^H3567 the king ^H4430 made ^H7761 a decree ^H2942 concerning the house ^H1005 of God ^H426 at Jerusalem, ^H3390 Let the house ^H1005 be builded, ^H1124 the place ^H870 where they offered ^H1684 sacrifices, ^H1685 and let the foundations ^H787 thereof be strongly laid; ^H5446 the height ^H7314 thereof threescore ^H8361 cubits, ^H521 and the breadth ^H6613 thereof threescore ^H8361 cubits; ^H521

⁴ With three ^H8532 rows ^H5073 of great ^H1560 stones, ^H69 and a row ^H5073 of new ^H2323 timber: ^H636 and let the expenses ^H5313 be given ^H3052 out of ^H4481 the king's ^H4430 house: ^H1005

⁵ And also ^H638 let the golden ^H1722 and silver ^H3702 vessels ^H3984 of the house ^H1005 of God, ^H426 which Nebuchadnezzar ^H5020 took forth ^H5312 out of ^H4481 the temple ^H1965 which is at Jerusalem, ^H3390 and brought ^H2987 unto Babylon, ^H895 be restored, ^H8421 and brought again ^H1946 unto the temple ^H1965 which is at Jerusalem, ^H3390 every one to his place, ^H870 and place ^H5182 them in the house ^H1005 of God. ^H426

⁶ Now ^H3705 therefore, Tatnai, ^H8674 governor ^H6347 beyond ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 Shetharboznai, ^H8370 and your companions ^H3675 the Apharsachites, ^H671 which are beyond ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 be ye ^H1934 far ^H7352 from ^H4481 thence: ^H8536

⁷ Let the work ^H5673 of this ^H1791 house ^H1005 of God ^H426 alone; ^H7662 let the governor ^H6347 of the Jews ^H3062 and the elders ^H7868 of the Jews ^H3062 build ^H1124 this ^H1791 house ^H1005 of God ^H426 in ^H5922 his place. ^H870

⁸ Moreover I ^H4481 make ^H7761 a decree ^H2942 what ^H3964 ye shall do ^H5648 to ^H5974 the elders ^H7868 of these ^H479 Jews ^H3062 for the building ^H1124 of this ^H1791 house ^H1005 of God: ^H426 that of the king's ^H4430 goods, ^H5232 even of ^H1768 the tribute ^H4061 beyond ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 forthwith ^H629 expenses ^H5313 be ^H1934 given ^H3052 unto these ^H479 men, ^H1400 that they be not ^H3809 hindered. ^H989

⁹ And that which ^H4101 they have need of, ^H2818 both young ^H1123 bullocks, ^H8450 and rams, ^H1798 and lambs, ^H563 for the burnt offerings ^H5928 of the God ^H426 of heaven, ^H8065 wheat, ^H2591 salt, ^H4416 wine, ^H2562 and oil, ^H4887 according to the appointment ^H3983 of the priests ^H3549 which are at Jerusalem, ^H3390 let it be ^H1934 given ^H3052 them day ^H3118 by day ^H3118 without ^H3809 fail: ^H7960

¹⁰ That they may offer ^{H1934 H7127} sacrifices of sweet savours ^H5208 unto the God ^H426 of heaven, ^H8065 and pray ^H6739 for the life ^H2417 of the king, ^H4430 and of his sons. ^H1123

¹¹ Also ^H4481 I have made ^H7761 a decree, ^H2942 that whosoever ^{H3606 H606} shall alter ^H8133 this ^H1836 word, ^H6600 let timber ^H636 be pulled down ^H5256 from ^H4481 his house, ^H1005 and being set up, ^H2211 let him be hanged ^H4223 thereon; ^H5922 and let his house ^H1005 be made ^H5648 a dunghill ^H5122 for ^H5922 this. ^H1836

¹² And the God ^H426 that hath caused his name ^H8036 to dwell ^H7932 there ^H8536 destroy ^H4049 all ^H3606 kings ^H4430 and people, ^H5972 that shall put ^H7972 to their hand ^H3028 to alter ^H8133 and to destroy ^H2255 this ^H1791 house ^H1005 of God ^H426 which is at Jerusalem. ^H3390 I ^H576 Darius ^H1868 have made ^H7761 a decree; ^H2942 let it be done ^H5648 with speed. ^H629

¹³ Then ^H116 Tatnai, ^H8674 governor ^H6347 on this side ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 Shetharboznai, ^H8370 and their companions, ^H3675 according ^H6903 to that which Darius ^H1868 the king ^H4430 had sent, ^H7972 so ^H3660 they did ^H5648 speedily. ^H629

¹⁴ And the elders ^H7868 of the Jews ^H3062 builded, ^H1124 and they prospered ^H6744 through the prophesying ^H5017 of Haggai ^H2292 the prophet ^H5029 and Zechariah ^H2148 the son ^H1247 of Iddo. ^H5714 And they builded, ^H1124 and finished ^H3635 it, according ^H4481 to the commandment ^H2941 of the God ^H426 of Israel, ^H3479 and according to the commandment ^H2942 of Cyrus, ^H3567 and Darius, ^H1868 and Artaxerxes ^H783 king ^H4430 of Persia. ^H6540

¹⁵ And this ^H1836 house ^H1005 was finished ^H3319 on ^H5705 the third ^H8532 day ^H3118 of the month ^H3393 Adar, ^H144 which was ^H1932 in the sixth ^H8353 year ^H8140 of the reign ^H4437 of Darius ^H1868 the king. ^H4430

¹⁶ And the children ^H1123 of Israel, ^H3479 the priests, ^H3549 and the Levites, ^H3879 and the rest ^H7606 of the children ^H1123 of the captivity, ^H1547 kept ^H5648 the dedication ^H2597 of this ^H1836 house ^H1005 of God ^H426 with joy, ^H2305

¹⁷ And offered ^H7127 at the dedication ^H2597 of this ^H1836 house ^H1005 of God ^H426 an hundred ^H3969 bullocks, ^H8450 two hundred ^H3969 rams, ^H1798 four ^H703 hundred ^H3969 lambs; ^H563 and for a sin offering ^{H2402 H2409} for ^H5922 all ^H3606 Israel, ^H3479 twelve ^{H8648 H6236} he ^H6841 goats, ^H5796 according to the number ^H4510 of the tribes ^H7625 of Israel. ^H3479

¹⁸ And they set ^H6966 the priests ^H3549 in their divisions, ^H6392 and the Levites ^H3879 in their courses, ^H4255 for ^H5922 the service ^H5673 of God, ^H426 which is at Jerusalem; ^H3390 as it is written ^H3792 in the book ^H5609 of Moses. ^H4873

¹⁹ And the children ^H1121 of the captivity ^H1473 kept ^H6213 the passover ^H6453 upon the fourteenth ^{H702 H6240} day of the first ^H7223 month. ^H2320

²⁰ For the priests ^H3548 and the Levites ^H3881 were purified ^H2891 together, ^H259 all of them were pure, ^H2889 and killed ^H7819 the passover ^H6453 for all the children ^H1121 of the captivity, ^H1473 and for their brethren ^H251 the priests, ^H3548 and for themselves.

²¹ And the children ^H1121 of Israel, ^H3478 which were come again ^H7725 out of captivity, ^H1473 and all such as had separated ^H914 themselves unto them from the filthiness ^H2932 of the heathen ^H1471 of the land, ^H776 to seek ^H1875 the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel, ^H3478 did eat, ^H398

²² And kept ^H6213 the feast ^H2282 of unleavened bread ^H4682 seven ^H7651 days ^H3117 with joy: ^H8057 for the LORD ^H3068 had made them joyful, ^H8055 and turned ^H5437 the heart ^H3820 of the king ^H4428 of Assyria ^H804 unto them, to strengthen ^H2388 their hands ^H3027 in the work ^H4399 of the house ^H1004 of God, ^H430 the God ^H430 of Israel. ^H3478

---

¹ Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

² And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written for a record:

³ In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer 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 king's house.

⁵ And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place; and thou shalt put them in the house of God.

⁶ Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence:

⁷ let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place.

⁸ Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence unto these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven; `also' wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;

¹⁰ that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

¹¹ Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:

¹² and the God that hath caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples that shall put forth their hand to alter `the same', to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.

¹³ Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.

¹⁴ And the elders of the Jews builded and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵ And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

¹⁶ And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.

¹⁷ And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

¹⁸ And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

¹⁹ And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth `day' of the first month.

²⁰ For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

²¹ And the children of Israel that were come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, did eat,

²² and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Jehovah had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

---

¹ Then Darius the king made a decree, and they sought in the house of the books of the treasuries placed there in Babylon,

² and there hath been found at Achmetha, in a palace that `is' in the province of Media, a roll, and a record thus written within it `is':

³ `In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king hath made a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: the house let be builded in the place where they are sacrificing sacrifices, and its foundations strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits;

⁴ three rows of rolled stones, and a row of new wood, and the outlay let be given out of the king's house.

⁵ `And also, the vessels of the house of God, of gold and silver, that Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple that `is' in Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, let be given back, and go to the temple that `is' in Jerusalem, `each' to its place, and put `them' down in the house of God.

⁶ `Now, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions, the Apharsachites, who `are' beyond the river, be ye far from hence;

⁷ let alone the work of this house of God, let the governor of the Jews, and the elders of the Jews, build this house of God on its place.

⁸ `And by me is made a decree concerning that which ye do with the elders of these Jews to build this house of God, that of the riches of the king, that `are' of the tribute beyond the river, speedily let the outlay be given to these men, that they cease not;

⁹ and what they are needing -- both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil according to the saying of the priests who `are' in Jerusalem -- let be given to them day by day without fail,

¹⁰ that they be bringing near sweet savours to the God of heaven, and praying for the life of the king, and of his sons.

¹¹ `And by me is made a decree, that any one who changeth this thing, let wood be pulled down from his house, and being raised up, let him be smitten on it, and his house let be made a dunghill for this.

¹² And God, who caused His name to dwell there, doth cast down any king and people that putteth forth his hand to change, to destroy this house of God that `is' in Jerusalem; I Darius have made a decree; speedily let it be done.'

¹³ Then Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king hath sent, so they have done speedily;

¹⁴ and the elders of the Jews are building and prospering through the prophecy of Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah son of Iddo, and they have built and finished by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵ And this house hath gone out till the third day of the month Adar, that is `in' the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

¹⁶ And the sons of Israel have made, `and' the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the sons of the captivity, a dedication of this house of God with joy,

¹⁷ and have brought near for the dedication of this house of God, bullocks a hundred, rams two hundred, lambs four hundred; and young he-goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve, according to the number of the tribes of Israel;

¹⁸ and they have established the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, over the service of God that `is' in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

¹⁹ And the sons of the captivity make the passover on the fourteenth of the first month,

²⁰ for the priests and the Levites have been purified together -- all of them `are' pure -- and they slaughter the passover for all the sons of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

²¹ And the sons of Israel, those returning from the captivity, and every one who is separated from the uncleanness of the nations of the land unto them, to seek to Jehovah, God of Israel, do eat,

²² and they make the feast of unleavened things seven days with joy, for Jehovah made them to rejoice, and turned round the heart of the king of Asshur unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

---

¹ Then king Darius gave orders, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

² And there was found at Achmetha in the fortress that is in the province of Media a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

³ In the first year of king Cyrus, king Cyrus made a decree [concerning] the house of God at Jerusalem: Let the house be built for a place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be solidly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits,

⁴ [with] three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber; and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:

⁵ and also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is at Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought again to the temple that is at Jerusalem, in their place; and thou shalt put [them] in the house of God.

⁶ Therefore Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

⁷ let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place.

⁸ Moreover, I give orders what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews, for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, of the tribute beyond the river, expenses be diligently given to these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ And that which they have need of, both young bullocks and rams and lambs, for the burnt-offerings to the God of the heavens, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;

¹⁰ that they may present sweet odours to the God of the heavens, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons.

¹¹ Also I have given order that whosoever shall alter this rescript, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon, and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

¹² And the God that has caused his name to dwell there overthrow every king and people that shall put forth their hand to alter [or] to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have given [this] order; let it be done diligently.

¹³ Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, because of that which king Darius had sent, did so diligently.

¹⁴ And the elders of the Jews built; and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and completed [it] according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵ And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of king Darius.

¹⁶ And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy;

¹⁷ and they presented at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

¹⁸ And they set the priests in their classes, and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem: as it is written in the book of Moses.

¹⁹ And the children of the captivity held the passover upon the fourteenth of the first month.

²⁰ For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves as one [man]: they were all pure; and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

²¹ And the children of Israel that were come back out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah the God of Israel, did eat;

²² and they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for Jehovah had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

---

¹ Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

² There was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll, and therein was thus written for a record:

³ In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations of it be strongly laid; the height of it sixty cubits, and the breadth of it sixty cubits;

⁴ with three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house.

⁵ Also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be restored, and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, everyone to its place; and you shall put them in the house of God.

⁶ Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be you far from there:

⁷ let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place.

⁸ Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ That which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; [also] wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;

¹⁰ that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

¹¹ Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:

¹² and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who shall put forth their hand to alter [the same], to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.

¹³ Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.

¹⁴ The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

¹⁵ This house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

¹⁶ The children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.

¹⁷ They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

¹⁸ They set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

¹⁹ The children of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth [day] of the first month.

²⁰ For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the Passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brothers the priests, and for themselves.

²¹ The children of Israel who had come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, ate,

²² and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Yahweh had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

---

¹ Then Darius the king gave an order and a search was made in the house of the records, where the things of value were stored up in Babylon.

² And at Achmetha, in the great house of the king in the land of Media, they came across a roll, in which this statement was put on record:

³ In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made an order: In connection with the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be put up, the place where they make offerings, and let the earth for the bases be put in place; let it be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide;

⁴ With three lines of great stones and one line of new wood supports; and let the necessary money be given out of the king's store-house;

⁵ And let the gold and silver vessels from the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple at Jerusalem to Babylon, be given back and taken again to the Temple at Jerusalem, every one in its place, and put them in the house of God.

⁶ So now, Tattenai, ruler of the land across the river, and Shethar-bozenai and your people the Apharsachites across the river, keep far from that place:

⁷ Let the work of this house of God go on; let the ruler of the Jews and their responsible men put up this house of God in its place.

⁸ Further, I give orders as to what you are to do for the responsible men of the Jews in connection with the building of this house of God: that from the king's wealth, that is, from the taxes got together in the land over the river, the money needed is to be given to these men readily, so that their work may not be stopped.

⁹ And whatever they have need of, young oxen and sheep and lambs, for burned offerings to the God of heaven, grain, salt, wine, and oil, whatever the priests in Jerusalem say is necessary, is to be given to them day by day regularly:

¹⁰ So that they may make offerings of a sweet smell to the God of heaven, with prayers for the life of the king and of his sons.

¹¹ And I have given orders that if anyone makes any change in this word, one of the supports is to be pulled out of his house, and he is to be lifted up and fixed to it; and his house is to be made waste for this;

¹² And may the God who has made it a resting-place for his name send destruction on all kings and peoples whose hands are outstretched to make any change in this or to do damage to this house of God at Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given this order, let it be done with all care.

¹³ Then Tattenai, the ruler across the river, and Shethar-bozenai and their people, because of the order given by King Darius, did as he had said with all care.

¹⁴ And the responsible men of the Jews went on with their building, and did well, helped by the teaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, the son of Iddo. They went on building till it was complete, in keeping with the word of the God of Israel, and the orders given by Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes, king of Persia.

¹⁵ And the building of this house was complete on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the rule of Darius the king.

¹⁶ And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of those who had come back, kept the feast of the opening of this house of God with joy.

¹⁷ And they gave as offerings at the opening of this house of God a hundred oxen, two hundred sheep, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, being the number of the tribes of Israel.

¹⁸ And they put the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their order, for the worship of God at Jerusalem; as it is recorded in the book of Moses.

¹⁹ And the children of Israel who had come back kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

²⁰ For the priests and the Levites had made themselves clean together; they were all clean: and they put the Passover lamb to death for all those who had come back, and for their brothers the priests and for themselves.

²¹ And the children of Israel, who had come back, and all those who were joined to them, after separating themselves from the evil ways of the people of the land to become the servants of the Lord, the God of Israel, took food together,

²² And kept the feast of unleavened bread for seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them full of joy, by turning the heart of the king of Assyria to them to give them help in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.