1Then Darius the king made a decree , and search was made in the house of the rolls , where the treasures were laid up in Babylon . 2And there was found at Achmetha , in the palace that is in the province of the Medes , a roll , and therein was a record thus written : 3In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem , Let the house be builded , the place where they offered sacrifices , and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid ; the height thereof threescore cubits , and the breadth thereof threescore cubits ; 4With three rows of great stones , and a row of new timber : and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house : 5And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God , which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem , and brought unto Babylon , be restored , and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem , every one to his place , and place them in the house of God .
The Completion of the Temple
6Now therefore , Tatnai , governor beyond the river , Shethar-boznai , and your companions the Apharsachites , which are beyond the river , be ye far from thence : 7Let the work of this house of God alone ; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place . 8Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God : that of the king’s goods , even of the tribute beyond the river , forthwith expenses be given unto these men , that they be not hindered . 9And that which they have need of , both young bullocks , and rams , and lambs , for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven , wheat , salt , wine , and oil , according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem , let it be given them day by day without fail : 10That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven , and pray for the life of the king , and of his sons . 11Also I have made a decree , that whosoever shall alter this word , let timber be pulled down from his house , and being set up , let him be hanged thereon ; and let his house be made a dunghill for this . 12And 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 Jerusalem . I Darius have made a decree ; let it be done with speed .
The Dedication of the Temple
13Then Tatnai , governor on this side the river , Shethar-boznai , and their companions , according to that which Darius the king had sent , so they did speedily . 14And the elders of the Jews builded , and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo . And they builded , and finished it , according to the commandment of the God of Israel , and according to the commandment of Cyrus , and Darius , and Artaxerxes king of Persia . 15And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar , which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king . 16And the children of Israel , the priests , and the Levites , and the rest of the children of the captivity , kept the dedication of this house of God with joy , 17And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks , two hundred rams , four hundred lambs ; and for a sin offering for all Israel , twelve he goats , according to the number of the tribes of Israel . 18And they set the priests in their divisions , and the Levites in their courses , for the service of God , which is at Jerusalem ; as it is written in the book of Moses .
The Passover Celebration
19And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month . 20For the priests and the Levites were purified together , all of them were pure , and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity , and for their brethren the priests , and for themselves. 21And the children of Israel , which were come again out of captivity , and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land , to seek the LORD God of Israel , did eat , 22And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy : for the LORD had made them joyful , and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God , the God of Israel .