1 Esdras 6:22-33

Common English Bible

²³ In the first year of Cyrus’ rule, King Cyrus commissioned the rebuilding of the Lord’s house in Jerusalem, where they offer sacrifices with continuous fire. ²⁴ Its height should be ninety feet and its width ninety feet, with three layers of polished stone and one layer of new native wood. The expenses should come out of the treasury of King Cyrus. ²⁵ Also the holy silver and gold equipment from the Lord’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar removed from the house in Jerusalem and transported to Babylon, should be restored to the house in Jerusalem, to be kept where it used to be.

²⁷ I hereby command that it be built completely and that close attention be paid to helping those who have returned from the exile of Judea, util the Lord’s house is finished. ²⁸ A sum of money, out of the tribute of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, should be carefully arranged to be given to these persons, specifically to Zerubbabel the governor, for offerings to the Lord, for bulls, rams, and lambs. ²⁹ Also money should be given for wheat, salt, wine, and oil, continually every year, without arguing, for daily use as the Jerusalem priests may indicate ³⁰ so that drink offerings may be made to the Most High God for the king and his children, and prayers be offered for their lives.

³² May the Lord, on whose name they called, destroy every king and nation that will stretch out their hands to prevent or damage the Lord’s house in Jerusalem.

³³ I, King Darius, have declared that it be done with the necessary care described here.