"Moreover, I issuea decreeconcerning whatyou are to dofor theseeldersof Judahin the rebuildingof thishouseof God:the fullcostis to be paidto thesepeoplefrom the royaltreasuryout of the taxesof [the provinces] beyondthe River,and that withoutdelay.
"We informthe kingthat ifthat cityis rebuiltand the wallsfinished,as a resultyou will havenopossessionin [the province] beyondthe River."
Thenas soonas the copyof KingArtaxerxes'documentwas readbeforeRehumand Shimshaithe scribeand their colleagues,they wentin hasteto Jerusalemto the Jewsand stoppedthem by forceof arms.
But the eyeof their Godwas on the eldersof the Jews,and they did not stopthem untila reportcould cometo Darius,and thena writtenreplybe returnedconcerningit.
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.
with threelayersof hugestonesand one layerof timbers.And let the costbe paidfrom the royaltreasury.
"Leavethisworkon the houseof Godalone;let the governorof the Jewsand the eldersof the Jewsrebuildthishouseof Godon its site.
"Whateveris needed,both youngbulls,rams,and lambsfor a burntofferingto the Godof heaven,and wheat,salt,wineand anointingoil,as the priestsin Jerusalemrequest,[it] is to be givento them dailywithoutfail,
"Forasmuchas you are sentby the kingand his sevencounselorsto inquireconcerningJudahand Jerusalemaccording to the lawof your Godwhichis in your hand,
For [there was] a commandmentfrom the kingconcerningthem and a firmregulationfor the songleadersdayby day.
and a letterto Asaphthe keeperof the king'sforest,that he may giveme timberto makebeamsfor the gatesof the fortresswhichis by the temple,for the wallof the cityand for the houseto whichI will go."And the kinggranted[them] to me because the goodhandof my God[was] on me.
"I makea decreethat in allthe dominionof my kingdommen are to fearand tremblebeforethe Godof Daniel;For He is the livingGodand enduringforever,And His kingdomis one whichwill not be destroyed,And His dominion[will be] forever.
The silveris Mine and the goldis Mine,' declaresthe LORDof hosts.
