3 Date: Cyrus’ first year as kingFrom: King CyrusSubject: God’s temple in JerusalemThe temple should be rebuilt as a place to offer sacrifices. Its foundation should be laid. It should be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide
4 with three rows of large stones and a row of wood. The king’s palace will pay for it.
5 In addition, Cyrus took out of a temple in Babylon the gold and silver utensils that belonged to God’s temple. (Nebuchadnezzar had taken them out of God’s temple in Jerusalem and brought them into a temple in Babylon.) They should be returned to their proper place in the temple in Jerusalem. You should put each one in God’s temple.
6 Governor Tattenai ⌊from the province⌋ west of the Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and those of your group (the Persians west of the river):You must stay away from there.
7 Don’t interfere with the work on God’s temple. Let the governor of the Jews and the leaders of Judah rebuild God’s temple on its ⌊original⌋ foundation.
8 I am issuing this decree about how you must help the Jewish leaders rebuild God’s temple:The cost ⌊for this⌋ should be paid out of the king’s own money from the taxes ⌊on the province⌋ west of the Euphrates. Full payment should be made to these men so that the work is not interrupted.
9 Also, whatever the priests in Jerusalem need for burnt offerings to the God of heaven—young bulls, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil—should be provided for them each day. Make sure that nothing is omitted.