IN THE FIRST year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus made a decree for the house of God in Jerusalem, Let the house be built, even the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the walls thereof be joined together: let the height thereof be threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits,

Three [a]orders of [b]great stones, and one order of timber, and let the expenses be given of the king’s house.

And also let them render the vessels of the house of God (of gold and silver, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the Temple, which was in Jerusalem, and brought unto Babel) and let [c]him go unto the Temple that is in Jerusalem to his place, and put them in the house of God.

Therefore Tattenai captain beyond the river, and Shethar-Boznai, (and their companions Apharsecai, which are beyond the River) be ye far [d]from thence.

Suffer ye the work of this house of God, that the captain of the Jews and the Elders of the Jews may build this house of God in his place.

For I have given a commandment what ye shall do to the Elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God, that of the revenues of the King, which is of the tribute beyond the River, there be incontinently expenses given unto these men that they [e]cease not.

And that which they shall have need of, let it be given unto them day by day, whether it be young bullocks, or rams, or lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the Priests that are in Jerusalem, that there be no fault,

10 That they may have to offer sweet odors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the king’s life, and for his sons.

11 And I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this sentence, the wood shall be pulled down from his house, and shall be set up, and he shall be hanged thereon, and his house shall be made a dunghill for this.

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ezra 6:4 Or, rows, or courses.
  2. Ezra 6:4 Or, Marble.
  3. Ezra 6:5 Meaning, Zerubbabel to whom he giveth charge.
  4. Ezra 6:6 Meddle not with them neither hinder them.
  5. Ezra 6:8 For lack of money.
  6. Ezra 6:12 Who hath appointed that place to have his Name called upon there.

Bible Gateway Recommends