"May the Godwhohas caused His nameto dwellthereoverthrowanykingor peoplewhoattemptsto change[it], so as to destroythishouseof Godin Jerusalem.I, Darius,have issued[this] decree,let [it] be carriedout with alldiligence!"
The LORDsaidto him, "I have heardyour prayerand your supplication,whichyou have madebeforeMe; I have consecratedthishousewhichyou have builtby puttingMy namethereforever,and My eyesand My heartwill be thereperpetually.
"For nowI have chosenand consecratedthishousethat My namemay be thereforever,and My eyesand My heartwill be thereperpetually.
ThenTattenai,the governorof [the province] beyondthe River,Shethar-bozenaiand their colleaguescarriedout [the decree] with alldiligence,justas KingDariushad sent.
And the eldersof the Jewswere successfulin buildingthrough the prophesyingof Haggaithe prophetand Zechariahthe sonof Iddo.And they finishedbuildingaccordingto the commandof the Godof Israeland the decreeof Cyrus,Darius,and Artaxerxeskingof Persia.
and to bringthe silverand gold,whichthe kingand his counselorshave freelyofferedto the Godof Israel,whosedwellingis in Jerusalem,
with thismoney,therefore,you shall diligentlybuybulls,ramsand lambs,with their grain offeringsand their drinkofferingsand offerthem on the altarof the houseof your Godwhichis in Jerusalem.
"Whoeverwill not observethe lawof your Godand the lawof the king,let judgmentbe executedupon him strictly,whetherfor deathorfor banishmentorfor confiscationof goodsor for imprisonment."
The couriers,hastenedand impelledby the king'scommand,wentout, ridingon the royalsteeds;and the decreewas givenout at the citadelin Susa.
Holdthem guilty,O God;By their own deviceslet them fall!In the multitudeof their transgressionsthrustthem out, For they are rebelliousagainst You.
You shall makean altarof earthfor Me, and you shall sacrificeon it your burntofferingsand your peaceofferings,your sheepand your oxen;in everyplacewhereI cause My nameto be remembered,I will cometo you and blessyou.
Whateveryour handfindsto do,do[it] with [all] your might;for thereis noactivityor planningor knowledgeor wisdomin Sheolwhereyou are going.
"For the nationand the kingdomwhichwill not serveyou will perish,And the nationswill be utterlyruined.
"Becauseof violenceto your brotherJacob,You will be covered[with] shame,And you will be cutoffforever.
And he said,"Whoare You, Lord?"And He [said], "I amJesuswhomyou are persecuting,
then it shall comeabout that the placein whichthe LORDyour Godwill choosefor His nameto dwell,thereyou shall bringallthat I commandyou: your burntofferingsand your sacrifices,your tithesand the contributionof your hand,and allyour choicevotiveofferingswhichyou will vowto the LORD.
"But you shall seek[the LORD] at the placewhichthe LORDyour Godwill choosefrom allyour tribes,to establishHis nametherefor His dwelling,and thereyou shall come.
"You shall sacrificethe Passoverto the LORDyour Godfrom the flockand the herd,in the placewherethe LORDchoosesto establishHis name.
