²³ Whatever is ordered by the God of heaven, let it be done completely for the house of the God of heaven; so that there may not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons.

¹⁰ So that they may make offerings of a sweet smell to the God of heaven, with prayers for the life of the king and of his sons.

¹¹ And I have given orders that if anyone makes any change in this word, one of the supports is to be pulled out of his house, and he is to be lifted up and fixed to it; and his house is to be made waste for this;

¹² And may the God who has made it a resting-place for his name send destruction on all kings and peoples whose hands are outstretched to make any change in this or to do damage to this house of God at Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given this order, let it be done with all care.

¹³ And now it is my order that all those of the people of Israel, and their priests and Levites in my kingdom, who are ready and have a desire to go to Jerusalem, are to go with you.

¹⁸ And whatever seems right to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, that do, as may be pleasing to your God.

⁴ You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care.

³ And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a stone of great weight for all the peoples; all those who take it up will be badly wounded; and all the nations of the earth will come together against it.