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Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to these Zakenim of the Yehudim for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they be not hindered.

That which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; [also] wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the Kohanim who are at Yerushalayim, let it be given them day by day without fail;

that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who shall put forth their hand to alter [the same], to destroy this house of God which is at Yerushalayim. I Daryavesh have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.

The Zakenim of the Yehudim built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zekharyah the son of `Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the mitzvah of the God of Yisra'el, and according to the decree of Koresh, and Daryavesh, and Artachshasta king of Paras.

The children of Yisra'el, the Kohanim, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.

They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Yisra'el, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Yisra'el.

They set the Kohanim in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Yerushalayim; as it is written in the book of Moshe.

The children of Yisra'el who had come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, ate,

and kept the feast of matzah seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Ashshur to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Yisra'el.

this Ezra went up from Bavel: and he was a ready Sofer in the law of Moshe, which the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God on him.

For on the first [day] of the first month began he to go up from Bavel; and on the first [day] of the fifth month came he to Yerushalayim, according to the good hand of his God on him.

Artachshasta, king of kings, to Ezra the Kohen, the Sofer of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.

Because you are sent of the king and his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Yehudah and Yerushalayim, according to the law of your God which is in your hand,

and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Yisra'el, whose habitation is in Yerushalayim,

and all the silver and gold that you shall find in all the province of Bavel, with the freewill-offering of the people, and of the Kohanim, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Yerushalayim;

therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal-offerings and their drink-offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Yerushalayim.

Whatever shall seem good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do you after the will of your God.

The vessels that are given you for the service of the house of your God, deliver you before the God of Yerushalayim.

Whatever more shall be needful for the house of your God, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house.