1King Darius gave the order, and they searched Ezr 5:17 in the library of Babylon in the archives. Lit Babylon where the treasures were stored Ezr 4:15

2But it was in the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media Dn 9:1; Ac 2:9 that a scroll was found with this record written on it:

3In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree 2Ch 36:22-23; Ezr 1:1-4 concerning the house of God in Jerusalem:

4with three layers of cut Or huge stones and one of timber. 1Kg 6:36; Ezr 5:8 The cost is to be paid from the royal treasury. Ezr 3:7

5The gold and silver articles of God’s house that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon must also be returned. They are to be brought to the temple in Jerusalem where they belong Lit Jerusalem, to its place, and put into the house of God. Ezr 1:7

6Therefore, you must stay away from that place, Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and your Lit their colleagues, the officials in the region. Ezr 5:3,6; 6:13

7Leave the construction of the house of God alone. Let the governor Neh 5:14; Hg 1:1 and elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its original site.

8I hereby issue a decree concerning what you must do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild the house of God:

9Whatever is needed — young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem — let it be given to them every day without fail, Ezr 7:17,20-22

10so that they can offer sacrifices of pleasing aroma to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. Ezr 7:23; 1Tm 2:1-2

11I also issue a decree concerning any man who interferes with this directive:

12May the God who caused His name to dwell there Dt 12:5; 2Ch 6:2 overthrow any king or people who dares Lit who stretches out its hand to harm or interfere with this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out diligently.

13Then Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues Ezr 5:3,6; 6:6 diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed.

14So the Jewish elders continued successfully with the building under the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. Ezr 5:1; Hg 1:1; Zch 1:1 They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Ezr 1:1-4; 6:3-5 Darius, and King Artaxerxes Ezr 7:12-26 of Persia.

15This house was completed on the third day of the month of Adar = February–March Est 3:7 in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.

16Then the Israelites, including the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

17For the dedication of God’s house they offered 100 bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs, as well as 12 male goats 2Ch 7:4-5 as a sin offering for all Israel — one for each Israelite tribe.

18They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the book of Moses. Ex 29; Nm 18; 1Ch 24

19The exiles Ezr 1:11; 2:1 observed the Passover Ex 12:1-11; Nm 28:16 on the fourteenth day of the first month.

20All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles. 2Ch 30:15-17

21The Israelites who had returned from exile Ezr 1:11; 2:1 ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land Lit land to them Ezr 9:11; Neh 10:28 in order to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel.

22They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days Ex 12:14-20; Dt 16:3-8 with joy, because the Lord had made them joyful, having changed the Assyrian king’s attitude toward them, so that he supported them Lit their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel. Ezr 6:8-12