43. Zerubbabel replied, “Your Majesty, permit me to remind you of the solemn vow you took on the day you became emperor. You promised to rebuild Jerusalem
44. and to send back all the treasures that had been taken from the city. Remember that when Cyrus made a vow to destroy Babylon, he set these things aside and solemnly promised to send them back to Jerusalem.
45. You also promised to rebuild the Temple, which the Edomites burnt down when the Babylonians devastated the land of Judah.
46. So, Your Majesty, because you are a man of generosity, I beg you to fulfil the promise you made to the King of Heaven.”
47. Then Darius the emperor stood up, kissed Zerubbabel, and wrote letters for him to all the treasurers, governors, and administrators in the provinces, ordering them to provide safe conduct for him and all those going with him to rebuild Jerusalem.
48. He also wrote letters to all the governors in Greater Syria and Phoenicia, with special instructions to those in Lebanon, to transport cedar logs to Jerusalem and help Zerubbabel rebuild the city.
49. The emperor also provided letters for all the Jews who wished to return to Jerusalem. These letters guaranteed their freedom and ordered all governors, treasurers, and other administrators not to interfere with them in any way.
50. All the land that they acquired was to be exempt from taxation, and the Edomites were to surrender the villages they had taken from the Jews.
51. Each year 680 kilogrammes of silver would be given for the construction of the Temple until it was finished.
52. In addition, 340 kilogrammes of silver would be given each year to provide for the seventeen burnt offerings to be offered in the Temple each day.
53. All the Jews who left Babylonia to build the city of Jerusalem would be granted their freedom, together with their children and the priests.
54. The emperor's orders gave specific instructions, as follows: the priests were to be supported, their robes for the Temple services were to be provided,
55. the Levites were to be supported until the Temple and Jerusalem were completely rebuilt,