8 “Moreover, I issue a decree concerning what you shall do for the elders of these Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: “The cost is to be paid to these men, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River.
9 Whatever they need—whether young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings to the God of heaven, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests in Jerusalem—let it be given them daily without fail,
10 so that they may offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven, as well as pray for the life of the king and of his sons.
11 “Also, I have issued a decree that whoever shall violate this word, the timber will be pulled down from his house and arranged so that he may be hanged on it. Thus shall his house be made a dunghill for this.
12 May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow all kings and people who stretch forth their hand to violate or destroy this house of God in Jerusalem.“I, Darius, have issued the decree; so let it be done diligently.”
13 In compliance, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and their companions speedily accomplished what Darius the king had decreed.
14 The rebuilding by the elders of the Jews prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the decree of the God of Israel and according to the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.