40. To it belongs the strength, the royalty, the authority, and the greatness of all ages. Bless God’s truth!"
41. He stopped speaking, and all the people cried out, "Great is truth and superior to all!"
42. Then the king said to Zerubbabel, "Ask for whatever you like, even more than what was proposed, and we’ll give it to you, for you’ve been found to be the wisest one. You may sit next to me and be called my confidant."
43. Zerubbabel said to the king, "Remember the promise that you made to rebuild Jerusalem on the day that you became king.
44. You promised to send back all the holy equipment that was taken from Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart when he promised to destroy Babylon and also promised to send it back there.
45. You also solemnly swore to rebuild the temple, which was burned down by the Edomites when Judea was devastated by the Chaldeans.
46. Now Master and King, this is what I ask and request of you, something that is fitting for your greatness. I beg you to fulfill the pledge you solemnly swore to the king of heaven with your own mouth."
47. Then King Darius stood up and kissed him. He wrote letters for him to all the treasurers, district governors, generals, and administrators so that they would send him out and all those who were going up with him to rebuild Jerusalem.
48. He wrote letters to all the district governors in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia and to those in Lebanon, to bring cedar timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem and to help him rebuild the city.
49. He wrote on behalf of all the Judeans who were going up from the kingdom to Judea, for the benefit of their freedom, that no administrator, district governor, or treasurer should break down their doors.
50. He wrote that all the territory they forcibly took was for them to live in without taxation, and that the Idumeans should leave behind the villages of the Judeans that they had seized.
51. He wrote that 1,140 pounds of silver a year should be given for the building of the temple until it was completely rebuilt.
52. In addition, 570 pounds of silver a year should be given for entirely burned offerings that are provided daily on the altar, in keeping with the commandment that they make seventeen offerings in all.
53. He wrote that all who depart from Babylon to rebuild the city should have their freedom, both they and their children and all the priests who depart as well.
54. He wrote about the expenses and the priests’ holy garments in which they were to serve.
55. He wrote that the expenses for the Levites should be supplied until the day when the temple would be completed and Jerusalem rebuilt.