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Then Darius the King made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolles, where the treasures were laide vp in Babylon.

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

In the first yeere of Cyrus the king, the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Ierusalem: Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof of be strongly laid, the height therof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubites:

With three rowes of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences bee giuen out of the kings house.

And also let the golden, and siluer vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar tooke foorth out of the temple which is at Ierusalem, and brought vnto Babylon, be restored, and brought againe vnto the temple which is at Ierusalem, euery one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

Now therefore Tatnai, gouernour beyond the riuer, Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the riuer, be ye farre from thence:

Let the worke of this house of God alone, let the gouernour of the Iewes, and the elders of the Iewes, build this house of God in his place.

Moreouer I make a decree, what ye shall doe to the Elders of these Iewes, for the building of this house of God: that of the kings goods, euen of the tribute beyond the riuer, forthwith expences be giuen vnto these men, that they be not hindered.

And that which they haue need of, both yong bullocks, and rammes, and lambes, for the burnt offerings of the God of heauen, wheat, salt, wine, and oyle, according to the appoyment of the priests which are at Ierusalem, let it be giuen them, day by day without faile:

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet sauours vnto the God of heauen, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sonnes.

Also I haue made a decree, that whosoeuer shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set vp, let him bee hanged thereon, and let his house bee made a doung hill for this.

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 Ierusalem. I Darius haue made a decree, let it be done with speed.