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 (Bavel).
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 (Elohim) at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim): “Let the house be rebuilt, 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 (Elohim), which Nebuchanezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), and brought unto Babylon (Bavel), be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), every one to its place, and place them in the house of God (Elohim).
6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be you far from thence.
7 Let the work of this house of God (Elohim) alone; let the governor of the Jews (Yehudim) and the elders of the Jews (Yehudim) build this house of God (Elohim) in its place.
8 Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to the elders of these Jews (Yehudim) for the building of this house of God (Elohim); 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 (Elah) of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests (kohanim) which are at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), let it be given them day by day without fail,
10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God (Elah) 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 (Elah) 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 (Elohim) which is at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). 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 (Yehudim) builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Chaggai the prophet and Zechariah (Zekharyah) the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael), 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 Yisrael, the priests (kohanim), and the Levites (Lewiyim), and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God (Elohim) with joy,
17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God (Elohim) a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Yisrael, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Yisrael.
18 And they set the priests (kohanim) in their divisions, and the Levites (Lewiyim) in their courses, for the service of God (Elah), which is at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim); as it is written in the book of Moses (Mosheh).
19 And the children of the captivity kept the Passover (Pesach) upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
20 For the priests (kohanim) and the Levites (Lewiyim) were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the Passover lamb (Pesach) for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests (kohanim), and for themselves.
21 And the children of Yisrael, 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 יהוה God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael), did eat,
22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for יהוה had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria (Ashshur) unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God (Elohim), the God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael).