42 Then the king said to him, “Ask what you wish, even more than is appointed in writing, and we will give it to you, because you are found wisest. You shall sit next me, and shall be called my cousin.”

43 Then he said to the king, “Remember your vow, which you vowed to build Yerushalem (Jerusalem), in the day when you came to your kingdom, 44 and to send back all the vessels that were taken out of Yerushalem, which Koresh (Cyrus) set apart when he vowed to destroy Bavel (Babylon), and vowed to send them back there. 45 You also vowed to build the temple which the Edomim burnt when Yehudah (Judea) was made desolate by the Kasdim (Chaldeans). 46 Now, Oh lord the king, this is what I request, and what I desire of you, and this is the princely generosity that may proceed from you: I ask therefore that you make good the vow, the performance of which you have vowed to the King of Heaven with your own mouth.”

47 Then King Dareyavesh (Darius) stood up, kissed him, and wrote letters for him to all the treasurers and governors and captains and local governors, that they should safely bring on their way both him, and all those who would go up with him to build Yerushalem. 48 He wrote letters also to all the governors who were in Coele-Syria and Foinikai, and to them in Levanon, that they should bring cedar wood from Levanon to Yerushalem, and that they should help him build the city. 49 Moreover he wrote for all the Yehudim (Jews) who would go out of his realm up into Yehudah concerning their freedom, that no officer, no governor, no local governor, nor treasurer, should forcibly enter into their doors, 50 and that all the country which they occupied should be free to them without tribute, and that the Edomim should give up the villages of the Yehudim which they held at that time, 51 and that there should be given twenty talents yearly towards the building of the temple, until the time that it was built, 52 and another ten talents yearly for burnt offerings to be presented on the altar every day, as they had a commandment to make seventeen offerings, 53 and that all those who would come from Bavel (Babylon) to build the city should have their freedom—they and their descendants, and all the priests that came. 54 He wrote also to give them their support and the priests’ vestments in which they minister. 55 Because the Levites he wrote that their support should be given them until the day that the house was finished and Yerushalem built up. 56 He commanded that land and wages should be given to all who guarded the city. 57 He also sent away all the vessels from Bavel that Koresh (Cyrus) had set apart, and all that Koresh had given in commandment, he commanded also to be done and to be sent to Yerushalem.

58 Now when this young man had gone out, he lifted up his face to heaven towards Yerushalem, and praised the King of heaven, 59 and said, “From you comes victory. From you comes wisdom. Yours is the glory, and I am your servant. 60 Blessed are you, who have given me wisdom. I give thanks to you, Oh master of our fathers. 61 So he took the letters, went out, came to Bavel, and told it all his kindred. 62 They praised the god of their ancestors, because he had given them freedom and liberty 63 to go up and to build Yerushalem and the temple which is called by his name. They feasted with instruments of music and gladness seven days.