1 So Darius the emperor issued orders for a search to be made in the royal records that were kept in Babylon.
2 But it was in the city of Ecbatana in the province of Media that a scroll was found, containing the following record:
3 “In the first year of his reign Cyrus the emperor commanded that the Temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt as a place where sacrifices are made and offerings are burnt. The Temple is to be 27 metres high and 27 metres wide.
4 The walls are to be built with one layer of wood on top of every three layers of stone. All expenses are to be paid by the royal treasury.
5 Also the gold and silver utensils which King Nebuchadnezzar brought to Babylon from the Temple in Jerusalem are to be returned to their proper place in the Jerusalem Temple.”
6 Then Darius sent the following reply:“To Tattenai, governor of West Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and your fellow-officials in West Euphrates.“Stay away from the Temple