Part 273 (1/2)

5:6. The copy of the letter that Thathanai governor of the country beyond the river, and Stharbuzanai, and his counsellors the Arphasachites, who dwelt beyond the river, sent to Darius the king.

5:7. The letter which they sent him, was written thus: To Darius the king all peace.

5:8. Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great G.o.d, which they are building with unpolished stones, and timber is laid in the walls: and this work is carried on diligently and advanceth in their hands.

5:9. And we asked those ancients, and said to them thus: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls?

5:10. We asked also of them their names, that we might give thee notice: and we have written the names of the men that are the chief among them.

5:11. And they answered us in these words, saying: We are the servants of the G.o.d of heaven and earth, and we are building a temple that was built these many years ago, and which a great king of Israel built and set up.

5:12. But after that our fathers had provoked the G.o.d of heaven to wrath, he delivered them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon the Chaldean: and he destroyed this house, and carried away the people to Babylon.

5:13. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, king Cyrus set forth a decree, that this house of G.o.d should be built.

5:14. And the vessels also of gold and silver of the temple of G.o.d, which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of the temple, that was in Jerusalem, and had brought them to the temple of Babylon, king Cyrus brought out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one Sa.s.sabasar, whom also he appointed governor,

5:15. And said to him: Take these vessels, and go, and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of G.o.d be built in its place.

5:16. Then came this same Sa.s.sabasar, and laid the foundations of the temple of G.o.d in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it is in building, and is not yet finished.

5:17. Now therefore if it seem good to the king, let him search in the king's library, which is in Babylon, whether it hath been decreed by Cyrus the king, that the house of G.o.d in Jerusalem should be built, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

1 Esdras Chapter 6

King Darius favoureth the building and contributeth to it.

6:1. Then king Darius gave orders, and they searched in the library of the books that were laid up in Babylon,

6:2. And there was found in Ecbatana, which is a castle in the province of Media, a book in which this record was written.

6:3. In the first year of Cyrus the king: Cyrus the king decreed, that the house of G.o.d should be built, which is in Jerusalem, in the place where they may offer sacrifices, and that they lay the foundations that may support the height of threescore cubits, and the breadth of threescore cubits,

6:4. Three rows of unpolished stones, and so rows of new timber: and the charges shall be given out of the king's house.

6:5. And also let the golden and silver vessels of the temple of G.o.d, which Nabuchodonosor took out of the temple of Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be restored, and carried back to the temple of Jerusalem to their place, which also were placed in the temple of G.o.d.

6:6. Now therefore Thathanai, governor of the country beyond the river, Stharbuzanai, and your counsellors the Apharsachites, who are beyond the river, depart far from them,

6:7. And let that temple of G.o.d be built by the governor of the Jews, and by their ancients, that they may build that house of G.o.d in its place.

6:8. I also have commanded what must be done by those ancients of the Jews, that the house of G.o.d may be built, to wit, that of the king's chest, that is, of the tribute that is paid out of the country beyond the river, the charges be diligently given to those men, lest the work be hindered.

6:9. And if it shall be necessary, let calves also, and lambs, and kids, for holocausts to the G.o.d of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the custom of the priests that are in Jerusalem, be given them day by day, that there be no complaint in any thing.

6:10. And let them offer oblations to the G.o.d of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his children.

6:11. And I have made a decree: That if any whosoever, shall alter this commandment, a beam be taken from his house, and set up, and he be nailed upon it, and his house be confiscated.

6:12. And may the G.o.d, that hath caused his name to dwell there, destroy all kingdoms, and the people that shall put out their hand to resist, and to destroy the house of G.o.d, that is in Jerusalem. I Darius have made the decree, which I will have diligently complied with.