1 Esdras 6 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021(NRSVUE)

1 Esdras 6Work on the Temple Begins Again

1 the king that are in Babylon;

21if it is found that the building of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem was done with the consent of King Cyrus, and if it is approved by our lord the king, let him send us directions concerning these things.”

Official Permission Granted

22 was found in which this was recorded:

23 commanded Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia and Sathrabuzanes and their associates and those who were appointed as local rulers in Syria and Phoenicia to keep away from the place and to permit Zerubbabel, the servant of the Lord and governor of Judea, and the elders of the Jews to build this house of the Lord on its site.

27“And I command that it be built completely and that full effort be made to help those who have returned from the exile of Judea until the house of the Lord is finished

28and that out of the tribute of Coelesyria and Phoenicia a portion be scrupulously given to these men, that is, to Zerubbabel the governor, for sacrifices to the Lord, for bulls and rams and lambs,

29and likewise wheat and salt and wine and oil, regularly every year, without quibbling, for daily use as the priests in Jerusalem may indicate,

30 a beam should be taken out of the house of the perpetrator, who then should be impaled upon it and all property forfeited to the king.

32“Therefore may the Lord, whose name is there called upon, destroy every king and nation that shall stretch out their hands to hinder or damage that house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

33“I, King Darius, have decreed that it be done with all diligence as here prescribed.”